Recent Progress in Electrolytes for Zn-Air Batteries.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Energy Storage

Background:

• Zinc-air batteries are promising for energy storage due to safety, high energy density, and low cost.
• Developing high-performance rechargeable zinc-air cells faces challenges in electrolytes and electrocatalysts.
• Electrolytes are critical for determining the capacity, cycling stability, and lifetime of rechargeable zinc-air batteries.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent progress in designing and fabricating electrolytes for aqueous and flexible zinc-air batteries.
• To discuss surface reaction relationships between air-catalyst-electrolyte and electrolyte-zinc.
• To propose perspectives for designing electrolytes to improve zinc-air battery performance and longevity.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of recent advancements in zinc-air battery electrolytes.
• Analysis of electrolyte-air-catalyst and electrolyte-zinc reaction mechanisms.
• Highlighting developments in aqueous, ionic liquid, and quasi-solid flexible electrolytes.

Main Results:

• Recent progress in designing and fabricating electrolytes for aqueous and flexible zinc-air batteries has been reviewed.
• Surface reaction relationships and reaction mechanisms were discussed.
• Developments in aqueous, room temperature ionic liquid, and quasi-solid flexible electrolytes were highlighted.

Conclusions:

• Electrolyte design is crucial for improving the performance and lifetime of rechargeable zinc-air batteries.
• Further research into novel electrolytes is needed to overcome current limitations.
• Aqueous, ionic liquid, and flexible electrolytes offer different advantages for zinc-air battery applications.