Research progress in wide-temperature flexible zinc-air batteries

Flexible zinc-air batteries (FZABs) have experienced rapid development due to the advantages of high theoretical energy density, wearable and notable safety. Wide-temperature FZABs have been challenged by rapid dehydration of gel-polymer electrolytes (GPEs) at high temperatures and freezing at low temperatures, as well as increased growth of zinc dendrites. Therefore, some studies have focused on constructing wide-temperature working FZAB using high water retention electrolytes while inhibiting the production of zinc dendrites. In this review, we first systematically examine several evaluation indicators for GPEs. Then, the strategies for improving the wide-temperature performance of GPEs are summarized based on four common polymer monomers. Additionally, reasonable strategies for suppressing zinc dendrites are explored. Finally, the future development directions for GPEs in FZABs are proposed. We hope that this review will provide guidance for the construction of wide-temperature and dendrite-free FZABs.