Gel polymer electrolyte with alkaline aquatic colloidal graphene for flexible and rechargeable zinc air batteries

The alkaline gel polymer electrolyte, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-sodium polyacrylate (PANa)-aquatic colloidal graphene (ACG)-KI (PVA-PANa-ACG-KI), was prepared by solution casting method. Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), electrochemical impedance spectra (EIS), cyclic voltammetry (CV) and water retention were used to study the performance of PVA-PANa-ACG-KI gel polymer electrolyte. The results show that the ionic conductivity of PVA-PANa-ACG-KI is 283.7 mS center dot cm-1, the electrochemical stability window is 2.6 V, and the water retention is 73.4%. The discharge capacity of the flexible zinc air batteries (ZABs) with PVA-PANa-ACG-KI gel polymer electrolyte is 803.56 mAh gZn -1, the continuous chargedischarge time is 62 h, the cycle efficiency is 74.2%, and the self-discharge rate is 0.36%. After the chargedischarge cycle, the GPE is recycled and put into use again, which effectively reduces the cost. Finally, the advantages and prospects of flexible ZABs are demonstrated, and the feasibility of flexible ZABs is proved.

Automated summary

The alkaline gel polymer electrolyte PVA-PANa-ACG-KI was prepared, and its performance was studied using various techniques. The results showed that PVA-PANa-ACG-KI had a high ionic conductivity, good electrochemical stability, and high water retention. The flexible ZABs using PVA-PANa-ACG-KI as the gel polymer electrolyte exhibited excellent discharge capacity, long cycle life, high cycle efficiency, and low self-discharge rate. The GPE could be recycled and reused, reducing the cost. The feasibility and advantages of flexible ZABs were demonstrated.