High-entropy electrolytes towards advanced aqueous zinc-ion batteries
This perspective consolidates mechanistic insights from non-aqueous systems and the unique properties of aqueous systems to decode the working principles and to guide the rational design of high-entropy electrolytes in aqueous zinc-ion batteries.
In situ construction of solid-electrolyte interfaces for metallic Zn anodes in aqueous zinc batteries
An in situ SEI plays a critical role in ZMBs, and hence, a concise summary is presented comprising its formation mechanisms, materials and functions.
From atoms to algorithms: a review of machine learning approaches to cathode material innovation in zinc-ion batteries
This review explores how ML accelerates data-driven design and synthesis of Zn-ion batteries, addressing data gaps, interpretability, and validation while emphasizing standardized datasets, explainable AI, and experiment–theory integration.
Decoding aromatic diamine polymer for highly stable aqueous ammonium-ion storage with multiple redox-active sites
Poly(o-phenylenediamine) delivers a high ammonium-ion storage capacity and ultralong cycling stability with redox-active sites of C![[double bond, length as m-dash]](https://www.rsc.org/images/entities/char_e001.gif)
N groups and aromatic rings.
Aqueous all-iron flow batteries using surface-modified carbon electrodes improved via electrochemical exfoliation
A facile electrochemical exfoliation strategy enables the fabrication of high activity carbon electrodes with enhanced wettability and redox kinetics, significantly boosting the performance of aqueous all-iron flow batteries.
Paper
Nanostructured sodium vanadate hydrate as a versatile sodium ion cathode material for use in organic media and for aqueous desalination
Hydrated sodium vanadate outperforms the dehydrated form in sodium-ion batteries and shows promise for efficient water desalination, offering greener energy storage and clean water solutions.
Synergistic solvation-surface engineering for high-performance aqueous zinc metal batteries
Cost-effective L-threonine additive in zinc metal batteries enables dendrite-free Zn deposition by modifying Zn2+ solvation structure, breaking hydrogen-bond networks, and forming protective adsorption layers, thereby improving cycling stability.
Adsorption-induced dual-layer solid electrolyte interface toward a highly reversible Zn anode
The in situ formed solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) via an adsorption-induced mechanism suppresses dendrite growth and side reactions, enabling high-performance aqueous zinc-ion batteries.
Paper
Achieving superior stability and cycle life in zinc anodes with aramid surface modification
Aramid interfacial layer improves the durability of aqueous zinc-ion batteries by enabling uniform Zn deposition and suppressing dendrite growth and side reactions.
About this collection
The need for safe, low cost, and sustainable energy storage for large-scale applications motivates the search for advanced aqueous rechargeable batteries. The field is rapidly advancing due to new understanding of aqueous electrochemical interfaces and interphases and the development of new electrode materials and electrolytes. The field’s connection to materials chemistry lies in the design, synthesis, and understanding of electrode and electrolyte materials, involving mechanisms such as ion-insertion coupled electron transfer and electrodeposition/electrodissolution.
Guest edited by Veronica Augustyn (NC State University, USA), Xiulei (David) Ji (Oregon State University, USA), Netanel Shpigel (Ariel University, Israel) and Jang Wook Choi (Seoul National University, Republic of Korea), this themed collection of Journal of Materials Chemistry A aims to provide a platform for recent developments in the design, synthesis, characterization, and understanding of advanced aqueous batteries.