Recent Advances and Perspectives of Zn-Metal Free Rocking-Chair-Type Zn-Ion Batteries

In the past decades, the world has witnessed the successful commercialization of rocking-chair-type lithium-ion batteries with lithium metal free anodes. Owing to their safe, green, easy manufacturing, and cost-efficiency characteristics, rechargeable zinc batteries have recently received more and more attention. However, the practical application of Zn metal batteries is hampered mainly by the dendritic growth of Zn metal anode, which leads to poor Coulombic efficiency, hazards, and various side reactions. Herein, the emerging rocking-chair-type Zn-ion batteries are systemically reviewed with Zn host anodes instead of Zn metal anodes. As an introduction, the fundamental principles, advantages, and challenges of rocking-chair-type Zn-ion batteries are discussed. Subsequently, the design principles and recent advances of cathode, anode, and electrolyte for rocking-chair Zn-ion batteries are summarized. To conclude, perspectives on the future of rocking-chair Zn-ion batteries are presented. It is hoped that this review may provide alternative directions for the design of Zn-ion batteries.

Automated summary

This review systematically evaluates the emerging rocking-chair-type Zn-ion batteries with Zn host anodes instead of Zn metal anodes. It discusses the fundamental principles, advantages, and challenges of rocking-chair-type Zn-ion batteries, summarizes the design principles and recent advances of cathode, anode, and electrolyte for rocking-chair Zn-ion batteries, and presents perspectives on the future of rocking-chair Zn-ion batteries. The review aims to provide alternative directions for the design of Zn-ion batteries.