Rational Performance Testing and Mechanistic Analysis Toward Practical Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) are promising for grid-scale energy storage because of their low cost and high safety, and have advanced rapidly in recent years. However, a considerable gap persists between laboratory research and practical requirements for AZIBs, impeding the transition from promising results to commercial applications. This Perspective critically assesses testing methods for zinc anodes, electrolytes, and cathodes based on representative studies in the literature. It offers mechanistic insights and proposes corrective strategies to address inappropriate testing practices and promote standardized evaluation. The aim is to develop an evaluation framework that better mirrors actual operating conditions, thus accelerating the commercialization of AZIBs. We also provide an outlook on their future practical development, hoping to guide further progress in the field.