Active Materials for Aqueous Zinc Ion Batteries: Synthesis, Crystal Structure, Morphology, and Electrochemistry

Abstract

Aqueous zinc ion batteries (ZIBs) are truly promising contenders for the future large-scale electrical energy storage applications due to their cost-effectiveness, environmental friendliness, intrinsic safety, and competitive gravimetric energy density. In light of this, massive research efforts have been devoted to the design and development of high-performance aqueous ZIBs; however, there are still obstacles to overcome before realizing their full potentials. Here, the current advances, existing limitations, along with the possible solutions in the pursuit of cathode materials with high voltage, fast kinetics, and long cycling stability are comprehensively covered and evaluated, together with an analysis of their structures, electrochemical performance, and zinc ion storage mechanisms. Key issues and research directions related to the design of highly reversible zinc anodes, the exploration of electrolytes satisfying both low cost and good performance, as well as the selection of compatible current collectors are also discussed, to guide the future design of aqueous ZIBs with a combination of high gravimetric energy density, good reversibility, and a long cycle life.

Pencil Drawing Stable Interface for Reversible and Durable Aqueous Zinc‐Ion Batteries

“…[ 1–6 ] Preferably, aqueous zinc‐ion batteries (ZIBs) have stood out among various energy storage systems to fulfill such crucial requirements. [ 7–9 ] However, the relatively poor cycling stability or serious capacity decay probably caused by the formation of dendrite becomes the serious problem for some reported ZIBs. [ 10–12 ] Therefore, it is an urgent demand to develop satisfactory strategies that can improve service lifetime of Zn‐based devices.…”

Electrochemically Induced Metal–Organic‐Framework‐Derived Amorphous V2O5 for Superior Rate Aqueous Zinc‐Ion Batteries

“…Such excellent capacity is much higher than these of the reported aqueous ZIBs. [17] Furthermore, Zn/a-V 2 O 5 @C batteries show highly reversible and durable cycling performance at 1 and 10 A g À1 ( Figure 2 c; Supporting Information, Figure S13). More impressively, Zn/a-V 2 O 5 @C batteries display a superior rate performance (Figure 2 d).…”

Electrochemically Induced Metal–Organic‐Framework‐Derived Amorphous V2O5 for Superior Rate Aqueous Zinc‐Ion Batteries

“…The discharge capacity of a‐V 2 O 5 @C reaches to 620.2 mAh g −1 at 0.3 A g −1 , which is mainly from V 2 O 5 (Figure S12). Such excellent capacity is much higher than these of the reported aqueous ZIBs [17] . Furthermore, Zn/a‐V 2 O 5 @C batteries show highly reversible and durable cycling performance at 1 and 10 A g −1 (Figure 2 c; Supporting Information, Figure S13).…”