Key Takeaways & Executive Findings
- •• Hydrogel electrolytes combine high ionic conductivity with mechanical robustness, effectively suppressing zinc dendrite growth and enhancing interfacial stability in zinc-ion batteries. • Design strategies encompass natural polymers, synthetic polymers, and composites, with tunable properties via electrolyte salts and functional additives. • Functional optimizations include anti-freezing, self-healing, thermal responsiveness, and biocompatibility, enabling operation under extreme conditions. • Future development focuses on green, safe, and multifunctional integrated optimization to overcome current challenges.
Abstract
With the escalating demand for safe, sustainable, and high-performance energy storage systems, hydrogel electrolytes have emerged as promising alternatives to conventional liquid electrolytes in zinc-ion batteries. By integrating the high ionic conductivity of liquid electrolytes with the mechanical robustness of solid frameworks, hydrogel electrolytes offer distinct advantages in suppressing zinc dendrite formation, enhancing interfacial stability, and enabling reliable operation under extreme environmental conditions. This review systematically summarizes the fundamental characteristics and design criteria of hydrogel electrolytes, including mechanical flexibility, ionic transport capabilities, and environmental adaptability. It further explores various compositional design strategies involving natural polymers, synthetic polymers, and composite systems, as well as the incorporation of electrolyte salts and functional additives. In addition, recent advances in functional optimization, such as anti-freezing properties, self-healing abilities, thermal responsiveness, and biocompatibility, are comprehensively discussed. Finally, the review outlines the current challenges and proposes potential directions for future research.
1. Introduction
Amid the global transition toward cleaner and more sustainable energy systems, the development of safe, efficient, and environmentally friendly energy storage technologies has become essential for the large-scale integration of renewable energy sources. According to the International Energy Agency’s Net Zero by 2050 roadmap, achieving net-zero global carbon emissions by 2050 will require global energy storage capacity to increase to approximately 780 GW by 2030, far surpassing current levels. This soaring demand is accelerating advancements in energy storage technologies, with electrochemical energy storage systems gaining significant attention due to their fast response, high energy density, and wide applicability in smart grids, wearable electronics, and portable devices.
At present, lithium-ion batteries, as the most commercially mature electrochemical energy storage technology, have been widely deployed. However, issues such as the risk of thermal runaway, limited lithium resources, and associated environmental concerns hinder their scalability for large-scale applications. In contrast, zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs), which utilize aqueous electrolytes, offer several intrinsic advantages, including high safety, low cost, environmental friendliness, high theoretical capacity, and the natural abundance of zinc. These attributes position ZIBs as promising candidates for next-generation green energy storage systems.
Despite these advantages, conventional liquid electrolytes in ZIBs face several critical challenges. Firstly, the uncontrolled deposition of zinc ions in traditional aqueous electrolytes often leads to dendrite formation, significantly boosting the risk of internal short circuits. Secondly, the fluidity of liquid electrolytes raises the potential for leakage, especially under mechanical deformation or extreme temperatures, which can result in device failure. More critically, unfavorable parasitic reactions like hydrogen and oxygen evolution may occur during operation, jeopardizing both the safety and the cycling stability of ZIBs.
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Zhengchu Zhang, Yongbiao Mu, Lijuan Xiao, Hengyuan Hu, Tao Xue, Limin Zang, Eiichi Sakai, Meisheng Han, Chao Yang, Lin Zeng, Jianhui Qiu (2026). Hydrogel Electrolytes for Zinc-Ion Batteries: Materials Design, Functional Strategies, and Future Perspectives. Nano-Micro Letters. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-025-01993-w
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are hydrogel electrolytes for zinc-ion batteries?
Hydrogel electrolytes are materials that combine the high ionic conductivity of liquid electrolytes with the mechanical robustness of solid frameworks. They are used in zinc-ion batteries to suppress dendrite formation, enhance interfacial stability, and enable operation under extreme conditions.
How do hydrogel electrolytes suppress zinc dendrite growth?
Hydrogel electrolytes provide a uniform ionic flux and mechanical suppression at the electrode interface, which helps to control zinc deposition and prevent dendrite formation, thereby reducing the risk of internal short circuits.
What are the key design strategies for hydrogel electrolytes?
Key design strategies include using natural polymers, synthetic polymers, and composite systems, as well as incorporating electrolyte salts and functional additives to tailor mechanical, ionic, and environmental properties.
What functional properties can hydrogel electrolytes be optimized for?
Hydrogel electrolytes can be optimized for anti-freezing, self-healing, thermal responsiveness, and biocompatibility, making them adaptable for various applications including wearable electronics and extreme environment energy storage.
What are the future directions for hydrogel electrolytes in zinc-ion batteries?
Future research focuses on green, safe, and multifunctional integrated optimization, addressing challenges such as long-term stability, scalability, and environmental impact.
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