Advanced Materials and Architecture Design for Efficient Hybrid Zinc-Air Batteries

Zinc-air batteries (ZABs) have garnered significant attention as a highly promising energy storage technology due to their exceptional theoretical energy density and inherent safety. However, their practical application is limited by insufficient energy efficiency and cycle stability, with the primary bottleneck being the slow kinetics of the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) at the positive electrode. To enhance the energy efficiency and cycle life of ZABs, a highly promising strategy is the development of hybrid ZAB (HZAB) systems, which replace the slow OER with the highly efficient oxidation reactions of small molecules. This review systematically summarizes HZABs utilizing the low-overpotential oxidation reactions of urea, iodine, and ethanol. It focuses on the catalytic challenges faced by HZABs and their solutions, while also exploring the potential shuttle effect of small molecules and innovative battery structure designs. Additionally, the paper analyzes the economic feasibility of integrating HZABs with clean energy sources for waste treatment and the production of high-value-added chemicals. Finally, we outline solutions to current and future challenges in the HZABs field and highlight emerging research trends.