Constructing p-π conjugated bonds toward high-performance flexible zinc-iodide batteries for wearable electronics

Aqueous zinc-iodine batteries have emerged as a promising next-generation energy storage system due to their high theoretical capacity, low cost, and intrinsic safety. However, their practical deployment is hindered by zinc dendrite formation and the polyiodide shuttle effect, which compromise cycling stability and efficiency. Herein, we introduce a commercially available graphene oxide-based electrolyte additive that leverages interfacial carbon sites to form multifunctional p -π conjugated orbitals, effectively enhancing battery performance. The graphene oxide-modified cells demonstrate excellent cycling stability, retaining 85 % of their capacity over 8000 cycles at a high current density of 20 A/g. Furthermore, flexible pouch cells achieve an average capacity of 190 mAh/g at 4 mA/cm² with an 8 mg/cm² mass loading, maintaining stable performance even under repeated folding. Density functional theory calculations and experimental analysis reveal that two-dimension graphene oxide molecules on the Zn surface suppress the hydrogen evolution reaction and promote Zn (002) planar growth during plating. Moreover, the p -π conjugation strengthens interactions between graphene oxide and polyiodides, accelerating conversion kinetics and effectively suppressing the shuttle effect. This work highlights the multifunctional role of commercially available graphene oxide in stabilizing zinc-iodine batteries and provides new insights into engineering p -band center materials for catalyst design in advanced energy storage systems.