Aqueous zinc ion batteries (ZIBs) are truly promising contenders for the future large-scale electrical energy storage applications due to their cost-effectiveness, environmental friendliness, intri...

Active Materials for Aqueous Zinc Ion Batteries: Synthesis, Crystal Structure, Morphology, and Electrochemistry

Rechargeable aqueous metal-ion batteries are very promising as alternative energy storage devices during the post-lithium-ion era because of their green and safe inherent features. Among the different aqueous metal-ion batteries, aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) have recently been studied extensively due to their unique and outstanding benefits that hold promise for large-scale power storage systems. However, zinc anode problems in ZIBs, such as zinc dendrites and side reactions, severely shorten the ZIB's cycle lifetime, thus restricting their practical application. Here, we sum up in detail the recent progress on general strategies to suppress zinc dendrites and zinc anode side reactions based on advanced materials and structure design, including the modification of the planar zinc electrode surface layer, internal structural optimization of the zinc bulk electrode, modification of the electrolyte and construction of the multifunctional separator. The various functional materials, structures and battery efficiencies are discussed. Finally, the challenges for ZIBs are identified in the production of functional zinc anodes.

Challenges in the material and structural design of zinc anode towards high-performance aqueous zinc-ion batteries

Strategies for the Stabilization of Zn Metal Anodes for Zn‐Ion Batteries

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries are largely restricted by the unsatisfactory performance of zinc (Zn) anodes, including their poor stability and irreversibility. In particular, the mechanism behind the electrochemical contrast caused by the surface crystal plane, which is a decisive factor of the electrochemical characteristics of the hostless Zn anode, is still relatively indistinct. Hence, new insight into a novel anode with a surface-preferred (002) crystal plane is provided. The interfacial reaction and morphology evolution are revealed by theoretical analysis and post-mortem/operando experimental techniques, indicating that Zn anodes with more exposed (002) basal planes exhibit free dendrites, no by-products, and weak hydrogen evolution, in sharp contrast to the (100) plane. These features benefit the Zn (002) anode by enabling a long cyclic life of more than 500 h and a high average coulombic efficiency of 97.71% for symmetric batteries, along with delivering long cycling stability and reversibility with life spans of over 2000 cycles for full batteries. This work provides new insights into the design of high-performance Zn anodes for large-scale energy storage and can potentially be applied to other metal anodes suffering from instability and irreversibility.

Surface-Preferred Crystal Plane for a Stable and Reversible Zinc Anode

In contemporary years, the increasing demand for high-capacity and safe energy storage has spurred wide attentions in zinc batteries featuring either high voltage, high capacity or both. Despite the extensive research progress, achieving high-energy-density zinc batteries is still challenging and requires a synergy of the multiple factors including reaction mechanisms, electrodes, and electrolytes. In this Review, we comprehensively summarize the rational design strategies, and critically analyze the positive effects and potential issues in optimizing the electrochemistry, cathode materials, electrolytes and device architecture. At the end, the challenges and prospects for the further development of high-energy-density zinc batteries are outlined to guide the research towards new-generation batteries for household appliance, low-speed electric vehicles and large-scale energy storage system.

Design Strategies for High-Energy-Density Aqueous Zinc Batteries.

High-Voltage Zinc-Ion Batteries: Design Strategies and Challenges

Mixed-Valence Copper Selenide as an Anode for Ultralong Lifespan Rocking-Chair Zn-Ion Batteries: An Insight into its Intercalation/Extraction Kinetics and Charge Storage Mechanism

Wencheng Du

Papers

Challenges in the material and structural design of zinc anode towards high-performance aqueous zinc-ion batteries

High-Voltage Zinc-Ion Batteries: Design Strategies and Challenges

Mixed-Valence Copper Selenide as an Anode for Ultralong Lifespan Rocking-Chair Zn-Ion Batteries: An Insight into its Intercalation/Extraction Kinetics and Charge Storage Mechanism

Rational-design of polyaniline cathode using proton doping strategy by graphene oxide for enhanced aqueous zinc-ion batteries

Pristine graphene for advanced electrochemical energy applications