The ever-growing demands for electrical energy storage have stimulated the pursuit of alternative advanced batteries. Zn-ion batteries (ZIBs) are receiving increased attentions due to the low cost, high safety, and high eco-efficiency. However, it is still a big challenge to develop suitable cathode materials for intercalation of Zn ions. This review provides a timely access for researchers to the recent activities regarding ZIBs. First, cathode materials including various manganese oxides, vanadium compounds, and Prussian blue analogs are summarized with details in crystal structures and Zn ion storage mechanisms. Then, the electrolytes and their influences on the electrochemical processes are discussed. Finally, opinions on the current challenge of ZIBs and perspective to future research directions are provided.

Zinc-ion batteries are under current research focus because of their uniqueness in low cost and high safety. However, it is still desirable to improve the rate performance by improving the Zn (de)intercalation kinetics and long-cycle stability by eliminating the dendrite formation problem. Herein, the first paradigm of a high-rate and ultrastable flexible quasi-solid-state zinc-ion battery is constructed from a novel 2D ultrathin layered zinc orthovanadate array cathode, a Zn array anode supported by a conductive porous graphene foam, and a gel electrolyte. The nanoarray structure for both electrodes assures the high rate capability and alleviates the dendrite growth. The flexible Zn-ion battery has a depth of discharge of ≈100% for the cathode and 66% for the anode, and delivers an impressive high-rate of 50 C (discharge in 60 s), long-term durability of 2000 cycles at 20 C, and unprecedented energy density ≈115 Wh kg , together with a peak power density ≈5.1 kW kg (calculation includes masses of cathode, anode, and current collectors). First principles calculations and quantitative kinetics analysis show that the high-rate and stable properties are correlated with the 2D fast ion-migration pathways and the introduced intercalation pseudocapacitance.

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The "(-) lithium (Li) anode|organic anolyte + inorganic catholyte|solid-state cathode (+)" Li-O2/air battery based on an inorganic solid-state air cathode was fabricated with a simple method. The electrochemical performance and reaction products of the Li-O2/air batteries under pure O2 and ambient air were investigated, respectively. The inorganic Li-ion conductive solid-state electrolyte Li1.3Al0.3Ti1.7(PO4)3 was stable during cycling and avoided the decomposition and volatilization problems that conventional organic electrolytes faced. Moreover, the porous air cathode provided a sufficient gas-phase O2-transport channel, facilitating the achievement of a high capacity of 14192 or 7869 mA h g(-1) under pure O2 or ambient air, respectively. Our results demonstrate that the Li-O2/air battery using an inorganic porous air cathode has a great potential for practical application.

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We demonstrate for the first time that a Pd nanolayer, which is in situ formed on the Ni foam via the galvanic exchange method, greatly improves the energy output, the round-trip efficiency and the cyclability of the aprotic Li-air battery in ambient or simulated air.