Ice-Template-Induced Highly Interconnected Porous Polymer Gel Electrolytes for Dendrite-Free Flexible Zinc–Air Batteries

Improving the performance of quasi-solid-state gel polymer electrolytes is critical for addressing issues at the Zn anode-electrolyte interface of high-performance flexible Zn-air batteries (FZABs). In this study, a highly interconnected porous poly(vinyl alcohol)/poly(ethylene glycol) (PVA/PEG) hydrogel electrolyte was fabricated via an ice-crystal template for FZABs. The mechanical toughness and stability of the gel electrolytes can be reinforced by the formation of a PEG-PVA cross-linking network. The three-dimensional PVA/PEG porous skeleton greatly increased electrolyte uptake and accelerated ion transport, leading to high ionic conductivity (42.5 mS cm^-1). In-situ synchrotron radiation X-ray imaging revealed that the PVA/PEG network can effectively inhibit dendrite growth and the hydrogen evolution reaction. The assembled FZABs exhibited superior cycle stability, high power density (109 mW cm^-3), and excellent flexibility and structural stability under bending conditions, thus showing great potential for future applications in flexible and wearable electronic device technologies.