Flexible Metal-Air Batteries: Progress, Challenges, and Perspectives

Flexible metal-air batteries, which are a promising candidate for implantation in wearable or rolling-up electronic devices, have attracted much attention recently due to their relatively high energy density. Various flexible metal-air batteries have been developed recently, including flexible nonaqueous lithium-air batteries, aqueous zinc-air batteries, and aqueous aluminum-air batteries. Although various viable configurations of flexible metal-air batteries have been proposed, challenges regarding electrode design, electrolyte exploitation, and low practical energy density, still exist. Here, a brief introduction is presented as to the recent development of flexible metal-air batteries, regarding the electrodes, electrolyte, and prototype devices. Also, a general perspective on the current challenges and recommended future research directions for the practical use of metal-air batteries is provided.