Key Takeaways & Executive Findings
- •• • The engineered polymer electrolyte extends FZAB cycle life beyond 50 hours, overcoming the typical <50 h limitation, by capturing atmospheric water and suppressing anode degradation. • • Acetamide (AA) additive, identified via unsupervised clustering, reconstructs Zn2+ coordination, promoting salt dissociation and polymer-segment mobility, enhancing ionic conductivity and interfacial stability. • • AA exhibits low adsorption energy on zinc surfaces, directing Zn2+ deposition along the (002) crystal plane, resulting in uniform plating morphology and reduced parasitic reactions. • • The electrolyte retains stable output under extreme mechanical stress, including compression by a 1.7-ton vehicle, demonstrating robustness for wearable applications.
Abstract
Fiber-shaped zinc-air batteries (FZABs) with aqueous electrolytes combine intrinsic safety, high energy density (1086 Wh kg−1), and environmental compatibility, making them attractive for wearable applications. However, free water in the electrolyte induces severe anode degradation while being a critical reactant for cathode redox, presenting a dilemma between anode stability and cathode functionality. The semi-open structure of FZABs allows airborne water to permeate and migrate to the anode, causing interfacial instability, while high surface area accelerates solvent evaporation, leading to increased internal resistance and salt crystallization. Consequently, typical cycle life is limited to <50 h. To overcome these challenges, we report a polymer electrolyte that captures atmospheric water as a solvent through the semi-open structure, achieved by introducing acetamide (AA), identified via unsupervised clustering algorithms, into the poly(vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene)/zinc trifluoromethanesulfonate (PVDF-HFP/Zn(OTf)2) system. AA incorporation preserves solvent-retention capability while reconstructing the Zn2+ coordination structure, promoting salt dissociation and polymer-segment mobility. Low adsorption energy of AA on zinc surfaces suppresses parasitic reactions from ambient moisture, and preferential adsorption across zinc crystal planes directs Zn2+ deposition along the (002) face, leading to uniform plating morphology. The exogenous aqueous polymer electrolyte exhibits superior mechanical properties, enabling stable output even after compression by a 1.7-t vehicle. As proof-of-concept, FZABs integrated with fiber solar cells and sensors in clothing enabled real-time health monitoring and sustainable energy utilization, demonstrating promising practical applications.
1. Introduction
Fiber-shaped zinc-air batteries (FZABs) promise high energy density (1086 Wh kg−1) and intrinsic safety, yet their commercial viability is undermined by a critical bottleneck: the semi-open structure permits ambient moisture to permeate the electrolyte, destabilizing the zinc anode, while rapid solvent evaporation elevates internal resistance and causes salt crystallization. These failure cascades restrict typical cycle life to under 50 hours, far below practical demands. Conventional protective layers on fiber electrodes suffer from mechanical fragility and added complexity, whereas gel electrolyte engineering has been hampered by weak intermolecular interactions that fail to retain water or block free water ingress.
Here, we introduce acetamide (AA) as an electrolyte additive, identified through unsupervised clustering algorithms, into a PVDF-HFP/Zn(OTf)2 matrix. This approach simultaneously enhances bulk stability and anode interfacial integrity by reconstructing the Zn2+ solvation sheath, promoting salt dissociation, and directing uniform Zn deposition along the (002) plane. The resulting polymer electrolyte not only retains solvent but also captures atmospheric water, converting a liability into an asset. This strategy addresses the core dilemma between anode stability and cathode functionality, offering a scalable pathway to long-life, moisture-resistant FZABs for wearable electronics.
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Yan'an Zhang, Zhe Yang, Gengchang Lai, You Pan, Jiaxin Li, Jifeng Wang, Longmei Ma, Yuanyang Jiang, Chen Zhao, Meng Liao, Wei Li, Fei Wang, Xuemei Sun, Peining Chen, Huisheng Peng, Bingjie Wang (2026). Moisture-resistant and long-life fiber-shaped zinc-air batteries via electrolyte engineering. SCIENCE CHINA Materials. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40843-026-4147-9
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the specific mechanism by which acetamide (AA) enhances the cycle life of fiber-shaped zinc-air batteries?
AA reconstructs the Zn2+ coordination structure, promoting salt dissociation and polymer-segment mobility. Its low adsorption energy on zinc surfaces suppresses parasitic reactions from ambient moisture, and preferential adsorption directs Zn2+ deposition along the (002) crystal plane, resulting in uniform plating morphology and reduced dendrite formation, thereby extending cycle life beyond the typical 50-hour limit.
How does the electrolyte maintain performance under mechanical deformation, such as bending or compression?
The exogenous aqueous polymer electrolyte exhibits superior mechanical properties, retaining stable output even after compression by a 1.7-ton vehicle. This robustness is attributed to the polymer matrix's flexibility and the electrolyte's ability to maintain ionic conductivity under stress, as demonstrated in bending tests at various angles.
What is the role of unsupervised machine learning in the electrolyte design, and how does it accelerate development?
Unsupervised clustering algorithms identified acetamide as a promising additive without requiring labeled datasets, enabling exploration of uncharted chemical spaces. This data-driven approach accelerates electrolyte development by screening potential candidates in silico, reducing reliance on iterative trial-and-error experiments.
How does the electrolyte address the dilemma between anode stability and cathode functionality in semi-open FZABs?
The electrolyte captures atmospheric water as a solvent, ensuring sufficient water for cathode redox while preventing free water from reaching the anode. AA's adsorption on zinc surfaces suppresses parasitic reactions, and the reconstructed Zn2+ solvation enhances stability, thus balancing the competing requirements.
What are the practical implications for integrating these FZABs into wearable systems?
The FZABs were successfully integrated with fiber solar cells and sensors in clothing, enabling real-time glucose monitoring and sustainable energy utilization. The battery's mechanical robustness and long cycle life make it suitable for continuous wearable health monitoring and powering portable devices.
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