Progress in the Applications of Hydrogel Electrolytes for Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries

doi:10.12422/j.issn.1006-396X.2026.03.001

Abstract

Abstract:

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) exhibit tremendous application potential in cutting-edge interdisciplinary fields such as wearable devices and biomedicine owing to their high safety, low cost, excellent electrochemical performance, and good biocompatibility. This paper provides a systematic review of structural-engineering strategies and recent advances in their gel electrolytes, with particular emphasis on the integrated optimization of ionic conduction, biocompatibility, mechanical properties, and interfacial stability of hydrogel and polymer electrolytes guided by molecular engineering and interfacial regulation. Furthermore, the development potential and evolution trends of hydrogel electrolytes in flexible integration and biomedical applications are discussed. This research provides novel ideas for the design and expanded application of high-performance hydrogel electrolytes.

Key words: Hydrogel electrolyte, Aqueous zinc-ion battery, Application, Interdisciplinary

摘要：

水系锌离子电池凭借其高安全性、低成本、优异的电化学性能与良好的生物兼容性，在可穿戴设备、生物医疗等前沿交叉领域展现出巨大的应用潜力。系统综述了凝胶电解质的结构调控策略与应用进展；重点归纳了水凝胶电解质与聚合物电解质在分子工程与界面调控指导下的离子传导、生物相容性、机械性能及界面稳定性的综合优化策略；探讨了凝胶电解质在柔性集成与生物医学应用中的发展潜力与演进趋势。研究结果为高性能凝胶电解质的设计与应用拓展提供了新路径。

关键词: 凝胶电解质, 水系锌离子电池, 应用, 交叉学科

CLC Number:

TQ152

Junlin LIU, Zilei SHEN, Cong QI, Yuanyuan KONG, Jimeng WANG, Hongyu LI, Chao XU, Wei LÜ. Progress in the Applications of Hydrogel Electrolytes for Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries[J]. Journal of Petrochemical Universities, 2026, 39(3): 1-10.

刘俊麟, 申紫蕾, 奇聪, 孔媛媛, 王冀蒙, 李鸿宇, 徐超, 吕玮. 凝胶电解质在水系锌离子电池中的应用研究进展[J]. 石油化工高等学校学报, 2026, 39(3): 1-10.

0
/ / Recommend

Add to citation manager EndNote|Ris|BibTeX

URL: https://journal.lnpu.edu.cn/syhg/EN/10.12422/j.issn.1006-396X.2026.03.001

https://journal.lnpu.edu.cn/syhg/EN/Y2026/V39/I3/1

Figures/Tables 4

Fig.1 Biocompatibility optimization and in vivo performance evaluation of implantable zinc batteries[32-33]

Fig.2 Biocompatibility design and integrated physiological monitoring applications of biodegradable implantable batteries[34-35]

Fig.3 Interface design and system integration of safe zinc batteries for implantable and wearable medical devices[36-37]

Fig.4 Environmental degradation mechanisms and ecological safety assessment of aqueous zinc-ion batteries[38-39]

References 52

[1]	刘晓丽，黄昆明，李新. 生物炭的制备及其在能源环境领域的应用进展［J］. 化工环保， 2025， 45（1）： 1-10.
	LIU X L， HUANG K M， LI X. Progress on preparation of biochar and its application in energy and environment［J］. Environmental Protection of Chemical Industry， 2025， 45（1）： 1-10.
[2]	赵琨瑀，王英帅，樊博建，等. 钠离子电池生物质衍生硬碳负极材料的制备与研究进展［J］. 石油化工高等学校学报， 2025， 38（3）： 32-43.
	ZHAO K Y， WANG Y S， FAN B J， et al. Preparation and research progress of biomass-derived hard carbon as an anode material for sodium-ion batteries［J］. Journal of Petrochemical Universities， 2025， 38（3）： 32-43.
[3]	WANG S B， RAN Q， WAN W B， et al. Ultrahigh-energy and -power aqueous rechargeable zinc-ion microbatteries based on highly cation-compatible vanadium oxides［J］. Journal of Materials Science & Technology， 2022， 120： 159-166.
[4]	HU X T， ZHAO Z Q， YANG Y Q， et al. Bifunctional self‐segregated electrolyte realizing high‐performance zinc-iodine batteries［J］. InfoMat， 2024， 6（12）： e12620.
[5]	LÜ W， MENG J W， LI Y M， et al. Inexpensive and eco-friendly nanostructured birnessite-type δ-MnO₂： A design strategy from oxygen defect engineering and K⁺ pre-intercalation［J］. Nano Energy， 2022， 98： 107274.
[6]	LÜ W， LIU J L， SHEN Z L， et al. Novel approaches to aqueous zinc-ion batteries： Challenges， strategies， and prospects［J］. eScience， 2025， 5（6）： 100410.
[7]	ZHAO Y J， WANG Y Y， LI J Z， et al. Thermodynamic and kinetic insights for manipulating aqueous Zn battery chemistry： Towards future grid-scale renewable energy storage systems［J］. eScience， 2025， 5（4）： 100331.
[8]	所聪. 基于生物质基硬碳的钠离子电池电解液的性能优化［J］. 当代化工， 2025， 54（6）： 1296-1303.
	SUO C. Performance optimization of sodium ion battery electrolyte based on biomass based hard carbon［J］. Contemporary Chemical Industry， 2025， 54（6）： 1296-1303.
[9]	WANG M Q， EMRE A E， KIM J Y， et al. Multifactorial engineering of biomimetic membranes for batteries with multiple high-performance parameters［J］. Nature Communications， 2022， 13（1）： 278.
[10]	ZHANG B Y， QIN L P， FANG Y， et al. Tuning Zn²⁺ coordination tunnel by hierarchical gel electrolyte for dendrite-free zinc anode［J］. Science Bulletin， 2022， 67（9）： 955-962.
[11]	LÜ W， MENG J W， LI X D， et al. Boosting zinc storage in potassium-birnessite via organic-inorganic electrolyte strategy with slight N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone additive［J］. Energy Storage Materials， 2023， 54： 784-793.
[12]	LIU G Q， FU B， LIU Z X， et al. Copper oxide-modified highly reversible Zn powder anode for aqueous Zn metal batteries［J］. Rare Metals， 2024， 43（10）： 5005-5016.
[13]	CAI Z， WANG J D， SUN Y M. Anode corrosion in aqueous Zn metal batteries［J］. eScience， 2023， 3（1）： 100093.
[14]	SUN D F， WANG Z J， TIAN T， et al. Constructing oxygen deficiency-rich V₂O₃@PEDOT cathode for high-performance aqueous zinc-ion batteries［J］. Rare Metals， 2024， 43（2）： 635-646.
[15]	WANG M M， MA J L， MENG Y H， et al. In situ formation of solid electrolyte interphase facilitates anode-free aqueous zinc battery［J］. eScience， 2025， 5（5）： 100397.
[16]	LI A J， LIAO X B， ZHANG H R， et al. Nacre-inspired composite electrolytes for load-bearing solid-state lithium-metal batteries［J］. Advanced Materials， 2020， 32（2）： e1905517.
[17]	LÜ W， SHEN Z L， LIU J L， et al. In situ synthetic C encapsulated δ-MnO₂ with O vacancies： A versatile programming in bio-engineering［J］. Science Bulletin， 2025， 70（2）： 203-211.
[18]	FAN H D， LI X J， ZHOU J， et al. Realizing the long lifespan of molybdenum trioxide in aqueous aluminum ion batteries through potential regulation［J］. Renewables， 2023， 1（4）： 455-464.
[19]	GUO S， LI J L， ZHANG B S， et al. Interfacial thermodynamics-inspired electrolyte strategy to regulate output voltage and energy density of battery chemistry［J］. Science Bulletin， 2022， 67（6）： 626-635.
[20]	SUN P F， LIU W X， YANG D W， et al. Stable Zn anodes enabled by high-modulus agarose gel electrolyte with confined water molecule mobility［J］. Electrochimica Acta， 2022， 429： 140985.
[21]	LIU B， WU T， MA F Y， et al. Long-life and highly utilized zinc anode for aqueous batteries enabled by electrolyte additives with synergistic effects［J］. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces， 2022， 14（16）： 18431-18438.
[22]	BAO H F， PU W X， GAO H H， et al. Synthesis and characterization of acrylamide/zeolite nanocomposite hydrogels for aqueous zinc-ion batteries［J］. Alexandria Engineering Journal， 2024， 87： 417-423.
[23]	AI Y， YANG C C， YIN Z Q， et al. Biomimetic superstructured interphase for aqueous zinc-ion batteries［J］. Journal of the American Chemical Society， 2024， 146（22）： 15496-15505.
[24]	WANG Y F， MO L， ZHANG X X， et al. Regulating water activity for all-climate aqueous zinc-ion batteries［J］. Advanced Energy Materials， 2024， 14（33）： 2402041.
[25]	QI R Y， TANG W H， SHI Y L， et al. Gel polymer electrolyte toward large-scale application of aqueous zinc batteries［J］. Advanced Functional Materials， 2023， 33（47）： 2306052.
[26]	LI Y S， YANG X D， HE Y， et al. A novel ultra-thin multiple-kinetics-enhanced polymer electrolyte editing enabled wide-temperature fast-charging solid-state zinc metal batteries［J］. Advanced Functional Materials， 2024， 34（4）： 2307736.
[27]	JO Y H， ZHOU B H， JIANG K， et al. Self-healing and shape-memory solid polymer electrolytes with high mechanical strength facilitated by a poly（vinyl alcohol） matrix［J］. Polymer Chemistry， 2019， 10（48）： 6561-6569.
[28]	HAO Y， FENG D D， HOU L， et al. Gel electrolyte constructing Zn （002） deposition crystal plane toward highly stable Zn anode［J］. Advanced Science， 2022， 9（7）： e2104832.
[29]	WEI J， ZHANG P B， SUN J J， et al. Advanced electrolytes for high-performance aqueous zinc-ion batteries［J］. Chemical Society Reviews， 2024， 53（20）： 10335-10369.
[30]	ZHAO S， WANG S， GUO J B， et al. Sodium-ion and polyaniline co-intercalation into ammonium vanadate nanoarrays induced enlarged interlayer spacing as high-capacity and stable cathodes for flexible aqueous zinc-ion batteries［J］. Advanced Functional Materials， 2023， 33（48）： 2305700.
[31]	WANG B J， LI J M， HOU C Y， et al. Stable hydrogel electrolytes for flexible and submarine-use Zn-ion batteries［J］. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces， 2020， 12（41）： 46005-46014.
[32]	LI J J， LIU Z X， HAN S H， et al. Hetero nucleus growth stabilizing zinc anode for high-biosecurity zinc-ion batteries［J］. Nano-Micro Letters， 2023， 15（1）： 237.
[33]	XIE X S， LI J J， XING Z Y， et al. Biocompatible zinc battery with programmable electro-cross-linked electrolyte［J］. National Science Review， 2023， 10（3）： nwac281.
[34]	ZHOU J J， ZHANG R H， XU R， et al. Super-assembled hierarchical cellulose aerogel-gelatin solid electrolyte for implantable and biodegradable zinc ion battery［J］. Advanced Functional Materials， 2022， 32（21）： 2111406.
[35]	ZHANG B Y， CAI X Z， LI J J， et al. Biocompatible and stable quasi-solid-state zinc-ion batteries for real-time responsive wireless wearable electronics［J］. Energy & Environmental Science， 2024， 17（11）： 3878-3887.
[36]	LIU Z X， CHEN Z Z， LEI S R， et al. Validating operating stability and biocompatibility toward safer zinc-based batteries［J］. Advanced Materials， 2024， 36（15）： e2308836.
[37]	MO F N， CHEN Z， LIANG G J， et al. Zwitterionic sulfobetaine hydrogel electrolyte building separated positive/negative ion migration channels for aqueous Zn-MnO₂ batteries with superior rate capabilities［J］. Advanced Energy Materials， 2021， 11（17）： 2100798.
[38]	SUN L， YAO Y Q， DAI L X， et al. Sustainable and high-performance Zn dual-ion batteries with a hydrogel-based water-in-salt electrolyte［J］. Energy Storage Materials， 2022， 47： 187-194.
[39]	WANG R， YAO M J， HUANG S， et al. Sustainable dough-based gel electrolytes for aqueous energy storage devices［J］. Advanced Functional Materials， 2021， 31（14）： 2009209.
[40]	HUANG S W， HOU L， LI T Y， et al. Antifreezing hydrogel electrolyte with ternary hydrogen bonding for high-performance zinc-ion batteries［J］. Advanced Materials， 2022， 34（14）： e2110140.
[41]	LU H Y， HU J S， WANG L T， et al. Multi‐component crosslinked hydrogel electrolyte toward dendrite‐free aqueous Zn-ion batteries with high temperature adaptability［J］. Advanced Functional Materials， 2022， 32（19）： 2112540.
[42]	LING W， MO F N， WANG J Q， et al. Self-healable hydrogel electrolyte for dendrite-free and self-healable zinc-based aqueous batteries［J］. Materials Today Physics， 2021， 20： 100458.
[43]	HONG L， WU X M， LIU Y S， et al. Self-adapting and self-healing hydrogel interface with fast Zn²⁺transport kinetics for highly reversible Zn anodes［J］. Advanced Functional Materials， 2023， 33（29）： 2300952.
[44]	LIU Q， YU Z L， ZHUANG Q N， et al. Anti‐fatigue hydrogel electrolyte for all‐flexible Zn‐ion batteries［J］. Advanced Materials， 2023， 35（36）： e2300498.
[45]	GAN Z H， YIN J Y， XU X， et al. Nanostructure and advanced energy storage： Elaborate material designs lead to high-rate pseudocapacitive ion storage［J］. ACS Nano， 2022， 16（4）： 5131-5152.
[46]	LU Y Y， LI Z Y， WANG X， et al. 3D printed dual network cross-linked hydrogel electrolytes for high area capacity flexible zinc ion micro-batteries［J］. Chemical Engineering Journal， 2024， 490： 151523.
[47]	ZHAO D S， QIAN L， YANG Q Y， et al. Microfluidic synthesis of stimuli-responsive hydrogel particles［J］. Applied Materials Today， 2025， 42： 102571.
[48]	ZHANG Y， ZHANG Y X， DENG J， et al. In situ electrochemically‐bonded self‐adapting polymeric interface for durable aqueous zinc ion batteries［J］. Advanced Functional Materials， 2024， 34（6）： 2310995.
[49]	YANG L， LAHIRI A， KREBS F， et al. Zinc storage mechanism in polypyrrole electrodeposited from aqueous， organic， and ionic liquid electrolytes： An in situ Raman spectroelectrochemical study［J］. ACS Applied Energy Materials， 2022， 5（3）： 3217-3226.
[50]	YAN Y C， DUAN S D， LIU B， et al. Tough hydrogel electrolytes for anti-freezing zinc-ion batteries［J］. Advanced Materials， 2023， 35（18）： e2211673.
[51]	孙巍，刘玉多，阚利慧，等. 原油罐储复杂对流加热过程多物理量协同优化［J］. 石油学报（石油加工）， 2026， 42（1）： 189-201.
	SUN W， LIU Y D， KAN L H， et al. Multi-parameter collaborative optimization for complex convective heating process in crude oil storage tanks［J］. Acta Petrolei Sinica （Petroleum Processing Section）， 2026， 42（1）： 189-201.
[52]	张风昀，隋宏光，李兵，等. 纳米孔隙页岩油赋存规律及CO₂驱油分子动力学模拟［J］. 东北石油大学学报， 2025， 49（4）： 80-88.
	ZHANG F Y， SUI H G， LI B， et al. The occurrance pattern of shale oil and molecular dynamics simulation of CO₂ flooding in nanoscale slit［J］. Journal of Northeast Petroleum University， 2025， 49（4）： 80-88.