A comprehensive and critical review on the application of conductive polymers as coatings for aqueous zinc-ion battery positive electrode materials

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (A-ZIBs) offer advantages in terms of cost, safety, and eco-friendliness. However, their commercialization has been hindered by challenges such as limited cycle life and suboptimal capacity, mainly arising from the properties of their positive electrode materials. This review provides a detailed assessment of the incorporation of conductive polymers, namely poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT), polypyrrole (PPy), and polyaniline (PANI), to improve the electrochemical properties of common positive electrode materials in A-ZIBs. Ranging from expanding the interlayer spacing in vanadium oxides to mitigating the dissolution of manganese in manganese oxides, and extending the cycle life of Prussian blue analogues, conductive polymers present a promising avenue for the next generation of aqueous zinc-ion batteries. By offering a comprehensive evaluation of the recent studies in this field, we aim to clarify the current state of the research, draw attention to potential misinterpretations, and spotlight the potentials for future exploration.