Thermodynamics and Kinetics of Aqueous Zinc Electrolytes in Extreme Temperatures: Challenges, Advances, and Future

Aqueous zinc batteries have gained prominence in grid-scale energy storage due to their inherent safety and cost-effectiveness. As the core functional medium, electrolytes critically determine battery performance and lifespan across temperature variations. Conventional aqueous zinc electrolytes face dual challenges: low-temperature operation suffers from freezing issues and sluggish ion transport, while high-temperature applications are constrained by electrolyte instability and electrode/electrolyte interfacial deterioration. From the perspective of “problems–key points–measures”, strategies addressing thermodynamic instability and kinetic limitations are hierarchically evaluated in existing wide-temperature electrolyte systems, while critically analyzing their inherent trade-offs. Current challenges are categorized with corresponding optimization proposals, particularly focusing on components coordination relationship and the interfacial chemistry regulation. The analysis concludes with a roadmap for next-generation electrolyte development, emphasizing sustainable design principles and multifunctional integration approaches. This comprehensive assessment aims to guide the creation of robust aqueous electrolyte systems for reliable secondary batteries operating under extreme temperature conditions, ultimately supporting renewable energy integration and climate-resilient energy storage solutions.