Recent progress in aqueous zinc-ion batteries based on conversion-type cathodes
Yanan Cao, Shidi Ju, Qian Zhang, Kun Gao, A. Marcelli, Zhipan Zhang
Abstract
Developing advanced secondary batteries with low cost and high safety has attracted increasing research interests across the world. In particular, the aqueous zinc-ion battery (AZIB) has been regarded as a promising candidate owing to the high abundance and capacity of Zn metal. Currently, manganese-based and vanadium-based oxides are most common choices for cathode materials used in AZIBs, but they unfortunately show a moderate cell voltage and limited rate performance induced by slow intercalation-extraction kinetics of Zn 2+ ions. To address these issues, alternative cathode systems with tunable redox potentials and intrinsic fast kinetics have been exploited. In the past few years, conversion-type cathodes of I 2 and S have become the most illustrative examples to match or even surpass the performance of conventional metal oxide cathodes in AZIBs. Herein, we sum up most recent progress in conversion-type cathodes and focus on novel ideas and concepts in designing/modifying cathodes for AZIBs with high voltage/capacity. Additionally, potential directions and future efforts are tentatively proposed for further development of conversion-type cathodes, aiming to speed up the practical application of AZIBs. Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) are attractive alternatives to the prevailing lithium-ion batteries owing to their low cost and inherent safety. This review systematically summarizes recent progress in conversion-type cathode materials for AZIBs and proposes potential future directions in this dynamic field to speed up their practical applications.