Rational Electrolyte Structure Engineering for Highly Reversible Zinc Metal Anode in Aqueous Batteries.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Energy Storage

Background:

• Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) are promising post-lithium energy storage due to safety and cost.
• Anode issues like dendrite growth and interfacial reactions hinder AZIB commercialization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review electrolyte optimization strategies for enhancing zinc metal anode performance in AZIBs.
• To elucidate design principles and structure-property relationships for advanced AZIB electrolytes.

Main Methods:

• Systematic summary of state-of-the-art electrolyte engineering techniques.
• Analysis of zinc salt regulation, electrolyte additives, and novel electrolyte construction.
• Discussion of structure-property relationships for electrolyte behavior.

Main Results:

• Electrolyte structure engineering effectively mitigates anode dendrites and parasitic reactions.
• Optimized electrolytes significantly strengthen the electrochemical performance of zinc metal anodes.
• Rational design of electrolytes is crucial for high-performance AZIBs.

Conclusions:

• Electrolyte optimization is a critical pathway for overcoming AZIB anode challenges.
• Understanding electrolyte behavior guides the development of next-generation AZIBs.
• This review provides a comprehensive reference for AZIB electrolyte research.