Translating Materials-Level Performance into Device-Relevant Metrics for Zinc-Based Batteries

Abstract

Zinc-based batteries are experiencing a resurgence in interest owing to their promising energy and power metrics, and inherent safety advantages compared with lithium-ion batteries. As scientists worldwide address the remaining obstacles to realizing competitive performance across the family of zinc batteries, the enthusiasm to report new ''breakthroughs'' at the materials or small-device level must be tempered by a realistic understanding of how such improvements will translate to practical energy-storage devices. Framing early-stage results in such a context will advance the prospects of next-generation Zn batteries while avoiding the ''hype cycle'' that has plagued research and development for other energy-storage technologies. Herein, we present guidelines by which to evaluate and report data derived from new electrode formulations and cell components such that the results will directly inform which breakthroughs are technologically relevant to scale up.

Zinc–air batteries: are they ready for prime time?

“…Their problems are oen diluted or completely ignored in previous studies by using excessive amounts of Zn metals and electrolytes. 50,51 We note that the depth of discharge (DOD) in previous studies is mostly very low and even <1% for rechargeable batteries so as to maximize the impact of air cathodes. Such shallow discharges barely challenge Zn anodes.…”

“…There are few demonstrations about fully cyclable Zn anodes for >100 cycles. 51 An alternative approach to improve the anode cyclability is to use non-alkaline electrolytes. Near-neutral aqueous electrolytes (e.g.…”

An Interface‐Bridged Organic–Inorganic Layer that Suppresses Dendrite Formation and Side Reactions for Ultra‐Long‐Life Aqueous Zinc Metal Anodes

“…Operated in non-flammable aqueous electrolyte,a queous zinc batteries (AZBs) are considered amuch safer alternative to LIBs. [8][9][10][11][12] Furthermore,A ZBs also possess other advantages,including non-toxicity,low cost, and minimum requirements regarding the atmosphere. [13,14] In the last decade,most efforts are focused on enhancing battery performance (capacity delivery,c ycling stability,o rr ate property) of cathode materials in AZBs,i ncluding active materials of manganese oxides, [15][16][17] vanadate compounds, [18] Prussian blue, [19] organic cathode, [20] and so on.…”

Functionalized Zn@ZnO Hexagonal Pyramid Array for Dendrite‐Free and Ultrastable Zinc Metal Anodes

“…[ 1–6 ] Further, compared with rechargeable batteries that use organic solvents, aqueous batteries exhibit significantly higher ionic conductivities and better cost efficiencies. [ 7–9 ] Moreover, Zn is an attractive anode material owing to its low toxicity, natural abundance, high safety in humid conditions, low redox potential (−0.76 V vs standard hydrogen electrode (SHE)), and high theoretical capacity (820 mAh g −1 ). [ 10–15 ] Despite the advantages of Zn ion batteries, improved anodes are still required because conventional Zn metal electrodes show inferior stability in aqueous electrolytes.…”