Flexible zinc–carbon batteries with multiwalled carbon nanotube/conductive polymer cathode matrix

• Design and fabrication of flexible zinc–carbon battery.
• MWCNT composite cathode provided superior discharge performance than graphite.
• Functionalization of MWCNTs affected dispersibility and resistance.
• Addition of conductive polymers improved battery performance.

In this paper we demonstrate the implementation of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and conductive polymer poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) for the development of highly conductive composite electrode for flexible Zn/MnO2 batteries. The MWCNTs were found to be more effective than graphite. Though more dispersible, carboxylated MWCNTs appeared to increase the resistance of the electrode and decrease the electrochemical performance. The relatively inexpensive MWCNTs represent an advantage over graphite in flexible composite MnO2 cathode.