Stabilization Perspective on Metal Anodes for Aqueous Batteries

Abstract

Aqueous electrolyte‐based batteries have attracted increasing attention because of nonflammability, low cost, high power density, and environmental friendliness. However, the low energy density of aqueous lithium‐ion batteries caused by the narrow stable electrochemical window of water and electrode materials with low capacity severely limits their further development. In this regard, the development of metal anodes with high specific capacity shows excellent prospects. For example, metal zinc and aluminum anodes have high theoretical specific capacity, rich resources, and environmental friendliness, and can be used as promising anodes for high‐energy‐density aqueous rechargeable metal batteries. Unfortunately, metal anodes usually face balance issues with regard to stability and activity associated with dendrite growth and undesired side reactions in water‐based electrolytes, which is still a great challenge for aqueous metal batteries. In this review, various aqueous metal batteries including aqueous rechargeable metal batteries and aqueous metal–air batteries are summarized and highlighted. Recent advances in the design of high‐safety aqueous electrolytes and the strategies for metal anode protection are comprehensively reviewed. In addition, emerging challenges and some perspectives on the development of high‐energy‐density aqueous metal batteries are included.

Electrolytes Enriched by Crown Ethers for Lithium Metal Batteries

“…Lithium (Li) metal batteries (LMBs) have been recently considered as one of the most promising high‐energy‐density batteries for electric vehicles due to the ultrahigh theoretical capacity (3860 mAh g −1 ) of Li. [ 1–3 ] However, the commercial applications of LMBs have been seriously hindered due to their poor cycle life and safety issues caused by a combination of factors, that is, large volume changes, low coulomb efficiency, dendritic Li formation, the instability of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI), etc. [ 4,5 ] During the repeated discharge–charge processes, the growth of Li dendrites can pierce the separator, which is the main cause of the internal short circuiting, leading to decreased cycle life and even catastrophic cell explosion.…”

Self‐Regulating Organic Polymer Coupled with Enlarged Inorganic SnS2 Interlamellar Composite for Potassium Ion Batteries

“…Potassium ion batteries (KIBs) and sodium ion batteries (SIBs) have drawn the considerable attention for researchers due to the low cost and the abundant reserves to lithium ion batteries (LIBs). [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] In comparing with SIBs, the larger operating voltage, the higher ionic conductive potassium electrolytes as well as the reversible K + plating/striping in carbon electrode entrust KIBs a promising alternative candidate to LIBs. [11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20] Additionally, the prominent rate behavior can be easily achieved due to the better K + transport capability based on the weaker Lewis acidity of K + in comparison with Li + and Na + .…”

2020 Roadmap on Zinc Metal Batteries

“…[49][50][51] Among them, zinc air batteries (ZABs), advantageous in basic components, is considered as the most promising one. [52][53][54] Zn, with high theoretical specific gravimetric and volumetric energy density, abundant resources, fundamental stability and low cost, is one of the most promising anodes. [55] Aqueous electrolyte rather than organic one makes it much more safe, environmental-friendly and lower cost.…”

“…There has being a revival of research on metal air batteries due to the world's increasing requirement for renewable energy, the limits of lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) on energy density, cost and resource, and their advantages compared with other electrical energy storage devices [49–51] . Among them, zinc air batteries (ZABs), advantageous in basic components, is considered as the most promising one [52–54] . Zn, with high theoretical specific gravimetric and volumetric energy density, abundant resources, fundamental stability and low cost, is one of the most promising anodes [55] .…”