Phys.org  July 20, 2018 Reversible sol-gel transition hydrogels are normally in flowing liquid state at or below room temperature and can transform into stationary gels when heated above a critical temperature and transition can be reversed after cooling down. Researchers in China synthesized a temperature-sensitive sol-gel transition electrolyte comprising proton-incorporated poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) (PNA) incorporating it into a rechargeable Zn/α-MnO2 battery system. After heating above the low critical temperature, a gelation process occurs in the PNA sol-gel electrolyte shutting down the battery. After cooling down, the transition is reversed to liquid state and an original electrochemical performance can be restored. Because […]