Tailoring solvation chemistry towards concurrent hydrolysis-free I−/I+ redox and reversible Zn anode in Zn–I2 batteries

Abstract

A multicomponent hybrid electrolyte suppresses free water activity to enable a reversible four-electron I⁻/I⁺ redox process while mitigating I⁺ hydrolysis, Zn dendrite growth, and anode corrosion. This strategy achieves a high specific capacity of 357 mAh g⁻¹ at 1 A g⁻¹ and 86.6% capacity retention over 2200 cycles in a Zn–I₂ battery.