Flexible aqueous Zn-S battery based on an S-decorated Ti3C2Tx cathode

Flexible aqueous zinc-ion batteries can store energy safely and at a low cost, which benefits wearable electronic gadgets; however, currently used cathodes restrict these devices with a low specific capacity and energy density. Herein, we developed a flexible zinc-sulfur (Zn-S) battery constructed by Ti3C2Tx decorated with sulfur (S@Ti3C2Tx) as a cathode and Zn metal anode with iodine-added amphiphilic gel electrolyte (AGE). Benefiting from the confinement synergy of S@Ti3C2Tx cathode, the Zn-S battery exhibited a high storage capacity of 772.7 mAh g(-1) at 300 mA g(-1), which is higher than a conventional S-decorated carbon cathode (491.7 mAh g(-1)). More specially, the flexible device offers good cycling stability (82.7%) and excellent mechanical stability with 91% capacity retention after 90 & DEG; bending (500 cycles). To demonstrate real applications, the flexible Zn-S batteries were integrated in series to power electrical gadgets (e.g., digital clock, light-emitting diode, and robot). It exhibits exceptional flexibility to sustain different deformations and maintains a steady supply of power to run the wearable electronic gadget. These findings offer a fresh starting point for flexible energy storage technologies and show the promising potential of the Zn-S battery in real-world applications.

Automated summary

Flexible aqueous zinc-ion batteries with a Ti3C2Tx decorated sulfur cathode and iodine-added amphiphilic gel electrolyte show high storage capacity, good cycling stability, and excellent mechanical stability. They can power various electronic gadgets and offer promising potential for flexible energy storage technologies.