Emerging photo‐integrated rechargeable aqueous zinc‐ion batteries and capacitors toward direct solar energy conversion and storage
Kexuan Wang, Heng Li, Zhu Xu, Huibo Wang, Mingzheng Ge, Yanyan Zhang, Shi Chen, Yuxin Tang
Abstract
Abstract Photo‐integrated rechargeable aqueous zinc‐ion batteries (ZIBs)/zinc‐ion capacitors (ZICs) have recently attracted substantial attention as a viable strategy to realize solar to electrochemical energy conversion and storage in a single device. Herein, a timely perspective on the latest advances in photo‐integrated rechargeable ZIBs/ZICs is presented. We first provide a brief introduction for the three different device types and working principles of the photo‐integrated rechargeable ZIB/ZIC devices, including tandem connected photo‐rechargeable hybrid energy systems, photo‐electrode integrated ZIBs, and photo‐rechargeable ZIBs/ZICs. Then, the significant advances in configuration design, materials chemistry, and performance evaluation of photo‐integrated rechargeable ZIBs/ZICs are systematically discussed. At last, the current challenges and future research emphases are suggested, which is to pave the way for the photo‐integrated rechargeable ZIBs/ZICs from laboratory technology to commercialization. This short yet informative perspective aims to evoke more research interests in developing high‐performance photo‐integrated rechargeable ZIBs/ZICs and other hybrid energy systems toward the direct conversion and storage of solar energy to electrochemical energy.