Stretchable and Wide-Temperature Rubber-Based Zinc-Ion Batteries Enabled by Lignin-Derived Laser-Induced Graphene

With the growing demand for long-lasting and comfortable wearable electronics, flexible zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) face challenges due to limited stretchability and a narrow temperature tolerance. Herein, we propose a green and scalable strategy to fabricate intrinsically stretchable and wide-temperature-tolerant rubber-based ZIBs by utilizing biomass-derived lignin with a dual role: as a sustainable reinforcing filler for rubber and as a carbon precursor for laser-induced graphene (LIG). On a zinc borate-modified lignin/XNBR elastomer substrate (ZLX), lignin is photothermally converted into patterned, heteroatom-doped porous LIG (HLIG) via direct laser writing, enabling the in situ electrodeposition of Zn and MnO2 as flexible anode and cathode materials. Combined with a CMC–Alg organogel electrolyte, the HLIG-based ZIB delivers a high capacity of 111.5 mAh g–1 with a high reproducibility (RSD < 4.55%), broad voltage window (0.8–1.8 V), excellent rate performance, and superior cycling stability over a wide-temperature range (−40 to 80 °C), retaining more than 75% of its capacity. After 100 charge–discharge cycles, its specific capacity remains at 64.4 mAh g–1. Moreover, a stretchable ZIB with an “island–bridge” architecture is fabricated on a ZLX via laser cutting and liquid-metal wiring, stably powering a 1.75 V red LED under stretching. This work demonstrates a sustainable and customizable pathway for high-performance wearable energy storage and highlights the high-value utilization of lignin in advanced electronics.