A Flexible and Transparent Zinc-Nanofiber Network Electrode for Wearable Electrochromic, Rechargeable Zn-Ion Battery

The flexible electrochromic Zn-ion battery (FE-ZiB), a newly born energy-storage technology having both electrochromic characteristics and energy-storage capability in a single device, will be a promising technology for the future transparent wearable electronics. However, the current technology limits the fabrication of FE-ZIB because the zinc (Zn) anode material is opaque and rigid. The development of a flexible and transparent Zn anode is the key factor to overcoming the current limitation. Here, for the first time, a flexible, transparent zinc-nanofiber network anode electrode (Zn@Ni@AgNFs) is reported for an FE-ZiB device that yields a remarkable electrochemical performance of a high areal capacity of 174.82 mA h m² at 0.013 mA cm⁻² applied current density, high optical contrast (50%), and excellent mechanical flexibility. The fabricated FE-ZiB device also exhibits a high volumetric energy density of 378.8 W h m⁻³ at a power density of 562.7 W m⁻³. Besides, the FE-ZiB demonstrates excellent electrochromic capability with a reversible color transition from a transparent in a discharged state (0.3 V) to a dark bluish-violet in a charged state (1.6 V). These results highlight a new pathway for the development of transparent batteries for smart wearable electronic devices.