Research Progress on Modification of Gel Electrolyte for Aqueous Zinc Ion Batteries

Gel electrolytes combine the advantages of liquid electrolytes and solid electrolytes, and the gel electrolytes for aqueous zinc-ion batteries（AZIBs） are currently a research hotspot and difficult in the field. The unique advantages and main types of gel electrolytes for AZIBs were reviewed, and their main research directions, including improving ionic conductivity,enhancing mechanical strength, improving interfacial stability and achieving multifunctionality, were discussed. Furthermore,the cutting-edge applications of gel electrolytes in AZIBs were expounded, including flexible AZIBs, antifreeze AZIBs and temperature-resistant flame-retardant AZIBs. Finally, the shortcomings and challenges of gel electrolytes in terms of large-scale production, electrochemical performance, mechanical properties, etc., were pointed out, and the future development prospects in the directions of new material exploration, component collaborative optimization, and the industrial application technology research and development were prospected, which can provide a reference for follow-up research.