Fiber-Based Materials for Aqueous Zinc Ion Batteries

Neutral aqueous zinc ion batteries (ZIBs) have tremendous potential for grid-level energy storage and portable wearable devices. However, certain performance deficiencies of the components have limited the employment of ZIBs in practical applications. Recently, a range of pristine materials and their composites with fiber-based structures have been used to produce more efficient cathodes, anodes, current collectors, and separators for addressing the current challenges in ZIBs. Numerous functional materials can be manufactured into different fiber forms, which can be subsequently converted into various yarn structures, or interwoven into different 2D and 3D fabric-like constructions to attain various electrochemical performances and mechanical flexibility. In this review, we provide an overview of the concepts and principles of fiber-based materials for ZIBs, after which the application of various materials in fiber-based structures are discussed under different domains of ZIB components. Consequently, the current challenges of these materials, fabrication technologies and corresponding future development prospects are addressed.Graphical Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.] Neutral aqueous zinc ion batteries (ZIBs) have tremendous potential for grid-level energy storage and portable wearable devices. However, certain performance deficiencies of the components have limited the employment of ZIBs in practical applications. Recently, a range of pristine materials and their composites with fiber-based structures have been used to produce more efficient cathodes, anodes, current collectors, and separators for addressing the current challenges in ZIBs. Numerous functional materials can be manufactured into different fiber forms, which can be subsequently converted into various yarn structures, or interwoven into different 2D and 3D fabric-like constructions to attain various electrochemical performances and mechanical flexibility. In this review, we provide an overview of the concepts and principles of fiber-based materials for ZIBs, after which the application of various materials in fiber-based structures are discussed under different domains of ZIB components. Consequently, the current challenges of these materials, fabrication technologies and corresponding future development prospects are addressed.