Versatile Organic Materials Advancing Non-Metal Ion Storage in Zinc Batteries

Aqueous zinc batteries (ZBs) are one of the most compelling alternatives of lithium-ion batteries due to their intrinsic safety, eco-friendly, and economic feasibility. Organic electrode materials (OEMs) stand out as highly competitive components for advancing ZBs by virtue of resource sustainability, versatile structures, and functions. The implementation metrics of OEMs largely depend on the types of charge carriers. Compared with the high charge density of metallic Zn²⁺ ions, non-metal ions, benefiting from small hydrated structures and light weights, show accelerated interfacial dehydration and fast redox kinetics. It is thus a valuable and ongoing work to propel the collaboration between OEMs and non-metal ions for superior ZBs. In this review, versatile OEMs, including small molecules, conjugated polymers, and covalent organic frameworks, are first categorized, and their applications are comprehensively outlined in ZBs. Furthermore, the insights into the electrochemical reaction mechanism, implementation effectiveness, and latest progress of OEMs-based ZBs using various non-metal cationic (H⁺ and NH₄ ⁺) and anionic (Cl^-, CF₃SO₃ ^-, and ClO₄ ^-) carriers have been systematically discussed. Finally, the challenges and perspectives of OEMs advancing non-metal ion storage in ZBs are outlined to guide the future development of next-generation energy communities.