Non‐Electrode Components for Rechargeable Aqueous Zinc Batteries: Electrolytes, Solid‐Electrolyte‐Interphase, Current Collectors, Binders, and Separators

• Published in: Advanced materials (Weinheim) 2022-05, Vol.34 (20), p.e2108206-n/a
• Main Authors: Ni, Qiao, Kim, Byunghoon, Wu, Chuan, Kang, Kisuk
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Accumulators; Aqueous electrolytes; aqueous zinc batteries; binders; Collectors; current collectors; Electrode materials; Electrodes; Electrolytes; Energy storage; Materials science; Molten salt electrolytes; non‐electrode components; Rechargeable batteries; Separators; Solid electrolytes; solid‐electrolyte‐interphase; Zinc
• ISSN: 0935-9648; 1521-4095
• DOI: 10.1002/adma.202108206

Rechargeable aqueous zinc batteries (AZBs) are one of the promising options for large‐scale electrical energy storage owing to their safety, affordability and environmental friendliness. During the past decade, there have been remarkable advancements in the AZBs technology, which are achieved through intensive efforts not only in the area of electrode materials but also in the fundamental understandings of non‐electrode components such as electrolytes, solid electrolyte interphase (SEI), current collectors, binders, and separators. In particular, the breakthroughs in the non‐electrode components should not be underestimated in having enabled the AZBs to attain a higher energy and power density beyond that of the conventional AZBs, proving their critical role. In this article, the recent research progress is comprehensively reviewed with respect to non‐electrode components in AZBs, covering the new‐type of electrolytes that have been introduced, attempts for the tailoring of SEI, and the design efforts for multi‐functional current collectors, binders and separators, along with the remaining challenges associated with these non‐electrode components. Finally, perspectives are discussed toward future research directions in this field. This extensive overview on the non‐electrode components is expected to guide and spur further development of high‐performance AZBs. Rechargeable aqueous zinc batteries (AZBs) have received tremendous interest for large‐scale grid storage. This review is the first comprehensive overview devoted to the non‐electrode components in AZBs, including the understandings from the state‐of‐the‐art achievements and perspectives on electrolytes, solid‐electrolyte‐interphase, current collectors, binders, and separators. This critical review provides fresh new insights in the future development of AZBs.