Flexible lithium-ion batteries (FLIBs) have rapidly developed as promising energy storage devices for flexible and wearable electronics, owning to the advantages of high energy density, fast charge–discharge, no memory effect and stable cycle performance. Research on flexible electrodes has attracted widespread attention to maintain stable electrochemical function under deformation. Carbon materials are some of the most popular lithium-ion battery (LIB) anode materials owing to their low cost, high conductivity and excellent stability. However, the scaled-up fabrication of flexible electrodes based on carbon-based materials for high-performance FLIBs is still challenging. Herein, the fabrication strategies for FLIBs based on carbon materials such as carbon nanofibers (CNFs), carbon nanotubes (CNTs), graphene, graphdiyne (GDY) and carbon aerogels (CAs) are reviewed in terms of macroscopic electrode material preparation, property optimization and structure design. Furthermore, fabrication strategies and structure design methods for electrodes are proposed to improve energy capacity, cycle stability, conductivity and flexibility of FLIBs. This minireview can offer potential directions for the novel design of flexible carbon-based anodes employed in FLIBs.

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) have attracted burgeoning attention and emerged as prospective alternatives for scalable energy storage applications due to their unique merits such as high volumetric capacity, low cost, environmentally friendly, and reliable safety. Nevertheless, current ZIBs still suffer from some thorny issues, including low intrinsic electron conductivity, poor reversibility, zinc anode dendrites, and side reactions. Herein, conductive polyaniline (PANI) is intercalated as a pillar into the hydrated V₂O₅ (PAVO) to stabilize the structure of the cathode material. Meanwhile, graphene oxide (GO) was modified onto the glass fiber (GF) membrane through simple electrospinning and laser reduction methods to inhibit dendrite growth. As a result, the prepared cells present excellent electrochemical performance with enhanced specific capacity (362 mAh g⁻¹ at 0.1 A g⁻¹), significant rate capability (280 mAh g⁻¹ at 10 A g⁻¹), and admirable cycling stability (74% capacity retention after 4800 cycles at 5 A g⁻¹). These findings provide key insights into the development of high-performance zinc-ion batteries.

The sustainable development of high-performance micro-batteries, characterized by miniaturized size, portability, enhanced safety, and cost-effectiveness, is crucial for the advancement of wearable and smart electronics. Zinc-ion micro-batteries (ZIMBs) have attracted widespread attention for their high energy density, environmental friendliness, excellent safety, and low cost. The key to designing high-performance ZIMBs lies in improving their volumetric capacity and cycle stability. This review focuses on material design, electrode fabrication, and the structural configuration of micro-batteries, providing a comprehensive analysis of the challenges and strategies associated with cathodes in ZIMBs. Additionally, the application of ZIMBs, which provide energy for electronics such as wearable devices, tiny robots, and sensors, is introduced. Finally, future perspectives on cathodes for ZIMBs are discussed, offering key insights into their design and fabrication in order to facilitate the successful integration of ZIMBs into practical applications.