Research progress and prospects of sulfur/selenium/tellurium-based electrodes for aqueous zinc-ion batteries

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) are considered promising candidates for large-scale energy storage applications due to the high theoretical capacity, low cost, and excellent safety of zinc metal anodes. However, zinc anodes face challenges including dendrite growth, hydrogen evolution side reactions, and sluggish kinetics. Meanwhile, cathodes encounter issues such as active material loss from dissolution and anode passivation, blocked ion diffusion caused by strong electrostatic interactions between Zn²⁺ and host materials, irreversible phase transformations, and poor structural stability in some materials, all contributing to reduced cycle life. In recent years, the sulfur/selenium/tellurium (S/Se/Te)-based materials have emerged as research hotspots for cathode materials owing to their unique electrochemical properties. S/Se/Te-based materials exhibit high theoretical capacities and multi-electron reaction capabilities, enabling significant improvements in battery energy density. This review systematically summarizes research progress on S/Se/Te-based materials in AZIBs, with a focus on strategies such as material structural design and interface modification that enhance electrochemical performance. Furthermore, it analyzes the advantages and limitations of various chalcogenide compounds in terms of specific capacity, rate capability, and cycling stability, while proposing future development directions. This review provides a theoretical framework for understanding the mechanism of chalcogenide compounds in AZIBs and offers new insights for designing high-performance, long-life aqueous batteries.