Zinc-air batteries (ZABs) are vulnerable to the ambient environment (e.g., humidity and CO2 ), and have serious selfdischarge issues, resulting in a short shelf life. To overcome these challenges, a near-neutral quaternary ammonium (QA) functionalized polyvinyl alcohol electrolyte membrane (different from conventional alkali-type membranes) has been developed. QA functionalization leads to the formation of interconnected nanochannels by creating hydrophilic/-phobic separations at the nanoscale. These nanochannels selectively transport OH- ions with a reduced migration barrier, while inhibiting [Zn(NH3 )6 ]2+ crossover. Owing to the superior water retention ability and enhanced chemical stability of the membrane, the solid-state zinc-air battery (SZAB) displays outstanding flexibility, a promising cycle lifetime, and a large volumetric energy density. More importantly, the self-discharge rate of SZAB is depressed to less than 7 % per month, and the fully dehydrated SZAB could recover its rechargeability upon replenishment of the solution of NH4 Cl.
Keywords: electrochemistry; membranes; polymers; solid-state electrolytes; zinc.
© 2018 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.