Humidity-sensitive, shape-controllable, and transient zinc-ion batteries based on plasticizing gelatin-silk protein electrolytes

The research and development of transient energy devices used to power implanted electronic is an emerging engineering field that has attracted increasing attention. This device not only requires the material and system design with excellent performance in routine operations but also can be degraded at a controlled rate once a specific task is completed. Herein, we report a transient, high-performance and formable yarn-like zinc-ion battery (ZIB) composed of a smart humidity-sensitive plasticized gelatin-silk fibroin electrolyte film and a dual-yarn electrode structure. This transient energy battery device exhibits a high specific capacity (311.7 mA h g −1 ) and excellent cycle stability (94.6% capacity retention after 100 cycles) due to the high ionic conductivity . More importantly, the yarn ZIB device also demonstrates superior shape plasticity (high capacity retention of 82.5% after 80 bends) and good biodegradability (fully degraded in 45 days under enzyme digestion). The successful design and fabrication of the ZIB battery system provide new research ideas for the development of transient energy devices in the future and bring new opportunities for multifunctional and green sustainable transient electronic products in the fields of medicine, national defense, flexible wearable, and consumer electronic products. Here, we report a transient, high-performance and formable yarn-like zinc-ion battery (ZIB) device composed of a smart humidity-sensitive plasticized gelatin-silk fibroin electrolyte membrane and a dual-yarn electrode structure. The transient energy battery device not only has good electrochemical performance but also shows excellent shape plasticity and good biodegradability. • Biodegradable gelatin-silk fibroin electrolytes with smart humidity sensitive were fabricated. • The degradable aqueous zinc-ion battery (ZIB) was successfully prepared for the first time. • The degradable ZIB can be completely degraded within 45 days. • The battery exhibits a high specific capacity (311.7 mAh g −1 ) and excellent cycle stability. • The shape of the device can be changed arbitrarily and will return to its original shape after vapor exposure.