Biopolymer electrolytes for rechargeable zinc-air batteries: Advancements and challenges
Source abstract
Abstract
Gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) have gained significant attention as alternatives to conventional liquid electrolytes in rechargeable zinc-air batteries (ZABs). Biopolymer-based GPEs, derived from sustainable sources, combine the ionic conductivity of liquids with the mechanical stability of solids, addressing key challenges such as zinc dendrite formation, electrolyte leakage, and corrosion. The use of bio-based materials like cellulose, chitosan, and alginate has opened new opportunities to enhance both performance and sustainability. However, challenges remain, including batch-to-batch variability, chemical instability in alkaline media, and the need for effective purification processes. Despite these limitations, biopolymer-based GPEs offer a promising path toward greener, safer, and more durable ZAB systems. This opinion highlights recent advancements, discusses current limitations, and outlines future directions. Further research into material optimization, environmental assessment, and standardized testing is essential to fully realize the potential of biopolymer-based GPEs for scalable energy storage applications.
Source: openalex_inverted_index · Quality: baseline
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Advanced battery technologies research · Advanced Battery Materials and Technologies · Electrocatalysts for Energy Conversion
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
References (68)
Show source-provided references
1. Metal-air batteries with high energy density: Li-air versus Zn-air10.1002/aenm.201000010 ↗
2. High energy density metal-air batteries: a review10.1149/2.062310jes ↗
3. Recent advances in air electrodes for Zn–air batteries: electrocatalysis and structural design10.1039/C7MH00358G ↗
4. Aqueous rechargeable Zn–Air batteries for sustainable energy storage10.1002/cnl2.70023 ↗
5. A brief history of zinc–air batteries: 140 years of epic adventures10.1039/D2EE02440C ↗
6. Chemistry in rechargeable zinc-air battery: a mechanistic overview10.1016/j.cattod.2024.115108 ↗
7. Rechargeable Zinc–Air batteries: advances, challenges, and prospects10.1002/smll.202306396 ↗
8. Understanding the engineering tactics to achieve the stabilized anode in next-generation Zn-Air batteries
9. Progress and prospects in rechargeable zinc–air batteries with an emphasis on alkaline to near-neutral electrolytes10.1002/aenm.202501959 ↗
10. A rechargeable zinc-air battery based on zinc peroxide chemistry10.1126/science.abb9554 ↗
11. Biodegradable gel electrolyte suppressing water-induced issues for long-life zinc metal anodes10.1021/acsami.2c05887 ↗
12. Peptide gel electrolytes for stabilized Zn metal anodes10.1021/acsnano.3c04414 ↗
13. Agar-based hydrogel polymer electrolyte for high-performance zinc-ion batteries at all climatic temperatures10.1016/j.isci.2023.106437 ↗
14. Advanced polymer-based electrolytes in zinc–air batteries10.1016/j.esci.2022.08.004 ↗
15. Biopolymer derived gel polymer electrolytes: current status and future perspectives10.1002/marc.202500472 ↗
16. Biopolymer-based gel electrolytes for electrochemical energy storage: advances and prospects10.1016/j.pmatsci.2024.101264 ↗
17. Recent advances in biopolymer-based hydrogel electrolytes for flexible supercapacitors10.1021/acsenergylett.3c02567 ↗
18. Advances in functional cellulose hydrogels as electrolytes for flexible zinc-ion batteries10.3390/nano14201645 ↗
19. Degradation of cellulose by alkaline oxidation10.1070/RC1973v042n04ABEH002585 ↗
20. A review on chemical mechanisms of kraft pulping10.1515/npprj-2023-0015 ↗
21. Alkaline degradation of cellulose: mechanisms and kinetics10.1023/A:1024267704794 ↗
22. Synthesis and characterization of novel dual environment-responsive hydrogels of hydroxyethyl methacrylate and methyl cellulose10.1080/15685551.2015.1012626 ↗
23. Chitin and chitosan preparation from marine sources. Structure, properties and applications10.3390/md13031133 ↗
24. A systematic review of physical techniques for chitosan degradation
25. Kinetics and mechanisms of depolymerization of alginate and chitosan in aqueous solution10.1016/j.carbpol.2008.01.007 ↗
26. Thermal depolymerization of alginate in the solid state10.1016/S0144-8617(03)00134-6 ↗
27. The pH dependent mechanisms of non-enzymatic peptide bond cleavage reactions10.1039/C9CP05240B ↗
28. Spontaneous, non-enzymatic breakdown of peptides during enzymatic protein hydrolysis10.1016/j.bbapap.2015.03.004 ↗
29. Cellulose processing from biomass and its derivatization into carboxymethylcellulose: a review
30. Green and sustainable pretreatment methods for cellulose extraction from lignocellulosic biomass and its applications: a review
31. Eco-friendly methods for extraction and modification of cellulose: an overview10.3390/polym15143138 ↗
32. A review on the life cycle assessment of cellulose: from properties to the potential of making it a low carbon material10.3390/ma14040714 ↗
33. Synthesis and applications of carboxymethyl cellulose hydrogels10.3390/gels8090529 ↗
34. OH-BNNSs reinforced polyvinyl alcohol/carboxymethyl cellulose-based deep eutectic gel electrolyte for rechargeable zinc-air batteries10.1016/j.colsurfa.2025.137514 ↗
35. A function of PVA/SiO2/CMC composite gel polymer electrolyte (GPE) for electrochemical performance of secondary zinc-air batteries (ZABs) respectively10.1088/1755-1315/1414/1/012064 ↗
36. A lignocellulose-based hydrogel polymer electrolytes with high conductivity and stability for rechargeable flexible zinc-air batteries10.1016/j.est.2024.112644 ↗
37. Development of cellulose-based dual-network gel electrolyte for flexible zinc-air batteries: experiments and simulations10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.145998 ↗
38. Double-network gel electrolyte with high electrolyte retention for flexible high-voltage Zn-air batteries10.1016/j.cej.2024.153817 ↗
39. Dual cross-linked hydrogel electrolyte modified by nonionic surfactant for flexible and rechargeable zinc-air battery10.1016/j.est.2024.111330 ↗
40. Graphene oxide nanoribbon-based composite gel polymer electrolytes: enhancing mechanical strength and ionic conductivity for long cycling lifetime of flexible Zinc-Air batteries10.1021/acs.energyfuels.3c05007 ↗
41. High strength bacterial cellulose/PANa-based hydrogel polyelectrolyte for flexible zinc−air batteries10.1016/j.est.2024.113629 ↗
42. High-performance flexible zinc–air batteries enabled by carboxymethyl cellulose/graphene oxide composite hydrogel electrolytes10.1039/D5NJ00929D ↗
43. Study on the enhancement of flexible zinc-air battery performance with polyethylene glycol and nano SiO2 composite hydrogel10.1016/j.jelechem.2024.118721 ↗
44. Wood-derived Fe cluster-reinforced asymmetric single-atom catalysts and weather-resistant organohydrogel for wide-temperature flexible Zn-air batteries10.1039/D4EE01226G ↗
45. Carboxymethyl cellulose – Polyvinyl alcohol composite-based gel polymer electrolyte for rechargeable Zn-Air batteries10.1149/1945-7111/ad6298 ↗
46. Biomass solid-state electrolyte with abundant ion and water channels for flexible Zinc–Air batteries10.1002/adma.202401858 ↗
47. Chitin and chitosan preparation from marine sources. Structure, properties and applications10.3390/md13031133 ↗
48. Preparation and characterization of chitin and chitosan—A review10.1300/J030v04n02_03 ↗
49. Ghosh · 2020
50. Chitosan-based materials for supercapacitor applications: a review10.1039/D1TA02997E ↗
51. F-Doped nickel cobalt oxide-carbon composite electrocatalysts paired with mechanically robust anion-conducting chitosan membranes for flexible and rechargeable zinc-air batteries10.1021/acsaem.4c01261 ↗
52. Double-skeleton interpenetrating network-structured alkaline solid-state electrolyte enables flexible zinc-air batteries with enhanced power density and long-term cycle life10.1016/j.jcis.2024.05.053 ↗
53. Keeping an eye on alginate: innovations and opportunities for sustainable production and diverse applications10.1016/j.carbpol.2025.123902 ↗
54. Overview of alginate extraction processes: impact on alginate molecular structure and techno-functional properties10.1016/j.tifs.2023.104142 ↗
55. Thermal depolymerization of alginate in the solid state10.1016/S0144-8617(03)00134-6 ↗
56. “Seaweed Structure” design for solid gel electrolyte with hydroxide ion conductivity enabling flexible zinc air batteries10.1016/j.jcis.2024.07.065 ↗
57. High-strength gel polymer electrolytes with ultrahigh ionic conductivity for remarkable flexible zinc-air batteries10.1016/j.jallcom.2025.181764 ↗
58. Regulated dual-network hydrogel with interfacial engineering effect of alkaline zinc surface for flexible zinc-air battery10.1016/j.cej.2025.164304 ↗
59. Study on the performance of PAM-SA-ACG-KI gel electrolyte flexible zinc-air battery based on ultra-high ionic conductivity10.1016/j.jpowsour.2025.237002 ↗
60. Enhanced low-temperature performance of flexible zinc-air batteries via high-concentration ZnCl2 and lignin modified polyacrylamide hydrogels10.1016/j.cej.2025.161596 ↗
61. A flexible. Bioadhesive, and breathable on-skin battery based on silk fibroin hydrogel for wearable electronics10.1002/adfm.202410140 ↗
62. Gelatin-based gel polymer electrolytes with high ionic conductivity for temperature adaptive flexible zinc-air batteries
63. Long cycle lifespan of flexible rechargeable zinc-air batteries based on porous sodium hyaluronate/polyacrylamide-based hydrogel electrolyte10.1016/j.jpowsour.2025.236828 ↗
64. Molecularly engineered hyaluronic acid-derived hygroscopic hydrogel electrolytes with anti-freezing and moisturizing capabilities realizing environmental adaptive semi-open flexible zinc-air batteries10.1016/j.jpowsour.2025.236804 ↗
65. Biodegradable electrolyte toward green flexible zinc-air batteries10.1021/acssuschemeng.4c05450 ↗
66. Environmental sustainability of natural biopolymer-based electrolytes for lithium ion battery applications
67. Agarose-based gel electrolytes for sustainable primary and secondary zinc-air batteries10.1016/j.cej.2023.144870 ↗
68. Cellulose-based electrolytes in rechargeable Zn-battery: an overview10.1002/adsu.202500287 ↗