Emerging two-dimensional materials for aqueous zinc-ion battery cathodes: progress and prospects

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Energy Storage

Background:

• Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) are attractive for various applications due to safety and cost benefits.
• Current AZIB cathode materials face challenges with low conductivity and complex storage mechanisms.
• Two-dimensional (2D) materials are promising due to their layered structure suitable for ion intercalation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a framework linking structure, mechanism, and performance for 2D materials in AZIBs.
• To propose modification strategies for overcoming conductivity and capacity limitations in AZIB cathode materials.
• To identify barriers to the practical application and scale-up of 2D materials in AZIBs.

Main Methods:

• Literature review focusing on 2D materials for AZIBs.
• Development of a "structure-mechanism-performance" framework.
• Analysis of modification strategies and scale-up challenges.

Main Results:

• A framework for understanding 2D material behavior in AZIBs was established.
• Universal strategies for enhancing conductivity and capacity were proposed.
• Key bottlenecks for practical deployment and scale-up were identified.

Conclusions:

• 2D materials present a viable pathway for advancing AZIB technology.
• Addressing conductivity, capacity, and scale-up issues is crucial for commercialization.
• An integrated roadmap is proposed to bridge the gap between research and industrial production.