Recent Advances in Electrode Design for Rechargeable Zinc-Air Batteries

Rechargeable zinc-air batteries (ZABs) show enticing prospects as next-generation energy conversion and storage technology due to their unique merits of environmental friendliness, low cost, impressive energy density, and high security. However, the dendrite growth, surface passivation, and metal anode corrosion, as well as the sluggish reaction kinetics, deficient bifunctionality, high platinum group metals (PGMs) dependence, and corrosion of carbon-based materials for air cathodes, are the main problems hindering the large-scale application of ZABs. Herein, the fundamental principles of ZABs are first introduced. The detailed discussions will be focused on the electrochemical aspects of the metal anode and air cathode by making a comprehensive comparison of the recent progress in the field. Lastly, brief perspectives on the further development of rechargeable ZABs are introduced. This review aims to provide a better understanding of electrode design for ZABs, which will provide guidelines for the design and fabrication of high-performance and cost-effective ZABs.