Polymer electrolytes for flexible zinc-air batteries: Recent progress and future directions

This review article delves into the development of electrolytes for flexible zinc-air batteries (FZABs), a critical component driving the advancement of flexible electronics. We started by surveying the current advancements in electrolyte technologies, including solid-state and gel-based types, and their contributions to enhance the flexibility, efficiency, and durability of FZABs. Secondly, we explored the challenges in this domain, focusing on maintaining electrolyte stability under mechanical stress, ensuring compatibility with flexible substrates, optimizing ion conductivity, and under harsh environmental conditions. Furthermore, the key issues regarding interface details between electrolyte and the electrodes are covered as well. We then discussed the future of electrolyte development in FZABs, highlighting potential avenues such as materials development, sustainability, in-situ studies, and battery integration. This review offers an in-depth overview of the advancements, challenges, and potential breakthroughs in creating electrolytes for FZABs over the past five years. It serves as a guide for both researchers and industry professionals in this dynamic area.