A Smart Flexible Zinc Battery with Cooling Recovery Ability. Issue 27 (6th June 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhao, Jingwen; Sonigara, Keval K.; Li, Jiajia; Zhang, Jian; Chen, Bingbing; Zhang, Jianjun; Soni, Saurabh S.; Zhou, Xinhong; Cui, Guanglei; Chen, Liquan
• Is Part Of: Angewandte Chemie international edition. Volume 56:Issue 27(2017)
• Page Start: 7871
• Page End: 7875
• Publication Date: 2017-06-06
• Subjects: batteries -- cooling recovery -- polymer electrolytes -- sol–gel processes -- thermoreversible gels; Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540
• DOI: 10.1002/anie.201704373
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1433-7851

Abstract

Abstract: Flexible batteries are essential for wearable electronic devices. To meet practical applications, they need to be mechanically robust and stable. However, strong or multiple bending may sever the interfacial contact between electrode and electrolyte, causing capacity fading or even battery failure. Herein we present a new cooling‐recovery concept for flexible batteries, which involves a temperature‐sensitive sol–gel transition behavior of the thermoreversible polymer hydrogel electrolyte. Once a battery has suffered from strong mechanical stresses, a simple cooling process can refresh the electrode–electrolyte interface. The energy‐storage capability can be recovered with a healing efficiency higher than 98 %. It is believed that this study not only offers new valuable insights, but also opens up new perspectives to develop functional wearable devices. Abstract : A cooling recovery function for flexible batteries is proposed based on the thermoreversible gelation behavior of the Pluronic hydrogel electrolyte. A simple cooling process can repair the damaged or cracked electrode–electrolyte interface caused by strong mechanical stresses, with a healing efficiency of up to 98 %.