A Comprehensive Evaluation of Battery Technologies for High–Energy Aqueous Batteries

Abstract

Aqueous batteries have garnered significant attention in recent years as a viable alternative to lithium‐ion batteries for energy storage, owing to their inherent safety, cost‐effectiveness, and environmental sustainability. This study offers a comprehensive review of recent advancements, persistent challenges, and the prospects of aqueous batteries, with a primary focus on energy density compensation of various battery engineering technologies. Additionally, cutting‐edge high‐energy aqueous battery designs are emphasized as a reference for future endeavors in the pursuit of high‐energy storage solutions. Finally, a dual‐compatibility battery configuration perspective aimed at concurrently optimizing cycle stability, redox potential, capacity utilization for both anode and cathode materials, as well as the selection of potential electrode candidates, is proposed with the ultimate goal of achieving cell‐level energy densities exceeding 400 Wh kg–1.

Porous carbonaceous materials simultaneously dispersing N, Fe and Co as bifunctional catalysts for the ORR and OER: electrochemical performance in a prototype of a Zn–air battery

“…1). The NCMK-3, FeCoNCMK-3 (1/6) and FeCoNCMK-3 (1/1) samples show a high specific surface area, 838 ± 63 m 2 g −1 , and high total pore volume, 0.51 ± 0.06 cm 3…”

“…Metal–air batteries are cost-effective and environmentally sustainable devices, considered as an alternative to lithium-ion batteries, 3 and are promising energy storage devices since they present a higher theoretical energy density than those obtained with lithium-ion batteries, with zero carbon emissions. 4 Nevertheless, the efficiency of metal–air batteries is limited by the electrochemical performance of the cathode, or air electrode.…”

Critical insights into the recent advancements and future prospects of zinc ion battery electrolytes in aqueous systems

“…Simultaneously, incorporating water as the electrolyte solvent enhances the inherent safety features of battery systems, garnering considerable attention. 46–48 The utilization of water, in conjunction with cost-effective salts such as zinc sulfate or zinc nitrate, contributes to a reduction in electrolyte expenses.…”

Manganese–carbon (Mn–C) interaction to host Al3+-ions in a β-MnO2–MWCNT composite cathode in rechargeable aluminium ion batteries

“…Aqueous electrolytes are not compatible with AIBs, as aluminium reacts to release H 2 gas and forms an oxide layer, thereby leading to passivation. [8][9][10] Therefore, the choice of electrodes and electrolytes is crucial for the designing of AIBs. 11 The operation of aluminum batteries is based on the two distinct interfacial interactions that occur between the anode and cathode electrolytes, usually graphite as the cathode and an AlCl 3 -ionic liquid (IL) as the electrolyte, which can produce experimental capacities of up to 100-150 mA h g À1 , [12][13][14] wherein the chloroaluminate species such as AlCl 4 À and Al 2 Cl 7 À get intercalated while charging and deintercalated during discharge.…”

“…Aqueous electrolytes are not compatible with AIBs, as aluminium reacts to release H 2 gas and forms an oxide layer, thereby leading to passivation. 8–10 Therefore, the choice of electrodes and electrolytes is crucial for the designing of AIBs. 11…”