Advancing highly reversible zinc electrode: Principles and strategies for electron and ion transport kinetics regulation

Abstract

The progressively growing demand for renewable energy such as wind and solar power has significantly stimulated the development of reliable and economical grid-level energy storage devices. Secondary zinc-based batteries based on aqueous electrolytes have garnered intense interest due to their high theoretical specific capacity, inherent safety, and low cost. However, the large-scale application of rechargeable aqueous zinc-based batteries (AZBs) is hindered by their unsatisfactory cycling stability and Coulombic efficiency, caused by zinc dendrite growth and detrimental side reactions. In principle, the interface chemistry of zinc electrode dominantly depends on electric and ion concentration fields. Herein, this review concentrates on fundamentals of zinc dendrites growth and parasitic reactions occurring within the zinc electrode and provides the underlying guidelines for the interface engineering, with an emphasis on electron and ion transport kinetics regulation. Besides, future perspectives are proposed to inspire researchers to design highly reversible zinc electrode. It is anticipated that this work can provide the scientific guidance for promoting practical applications of AZBs.