Design Strategies Toward Zinc Anodes with High Utilization Rate for Practical Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Energy Storage

Background:

• Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) offer safe, low-cost, and eco-friendly energy storage solutions.
• Zinc anodes in AZIBs face challenges like hydrogen evolution, dendrite growth, and corrosion, limiting cycling stability.
• Current methods using excess zinc reduce practical energy density, hindering commercialization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review challenges hindering high zinc anode utilization rates (ZUR) in AZIBs.
• To discuss modification strategies for improving ZUR from anode, electrolyte, and separator perspectives.
• To explore future directions for high-energy-density AZIBs with enhanced ZUR.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and systematic analysis of scientific publications on AZIBs and zinc anodes.
• Categorization of zinc anode modification strategies based on component (anode, electrolyte, separator).
• Discussion of challenges and solutions for achieving high ZUR in AZIBs.

Main Results:

• Identified key side reactions and material loss issues affecting zinc anode performance.
• Summarized various strategies to enhance zinc anode stability and utilization.
• Highlighted the importance of optimizing the negative/positive electrode capacity ratio (N/P) for energy density.

Conclusions:

• Improving ZUR is crucial for realizing the high energy density potential of AZIBs.
• Multi-faceted approaches involving anode, electrolyte, and separator modifications are necessary.
• Continued innovation in AZIB technology can overcome current limitations for sustainable energy systems.