Challenges in material and structure design of zinc anode toward high-performance aqueous zinc-ion batteries

Abstract

Rechargeable aqueous metal-ion batteries are very promising because of their green and safe inherent features as alternative energy storage devices during the post-lithium-ion era. Aqueous zinc ion batteries (ZIBs) have been studied extensively among different aqueous metal ion batteries recently due to some unique and outstanding benefits of ZIBs that promise for large-scale power storage systems. However, zinc anode problems in ZIBs such as zinc dendrite and side reactions severely shorten ZIB's cycle lifetime, thus restricting their practical application. Here, we sum up in detail recent progress of general strategy to suppress zinc dendrite and zinc anode side reactions based on advanced material and structure design including the modification of planar zinc electrode surface layer, internal structural optimization of zinc bulk electrode, modification of the electrolyte and construction of the multifunctional separator. The various functional materials, structures and battery efficiency are discussed. Finally, the challenges for ZIBs are identified in their production of functional zinc anodes.