Recent advances in material regulation and structure design for high-performance aqueous anode-free zinc batteries

Abstract

Aqueous anode-free zinc batteries (AFZBs) have drawn extensive attention for their aqueous electrolytes, high theoretical Zn capacity, energy density, abundant resources, and easy material handling, which make them potentially cost-effective and scalable for large-scale energy storage. However, without a reservoir of fresh anode metal during cycling, their performance is mainly affected by coulombic efficiency and dendrites. This review focuses on the research on AFZBs in recent years. It starts with presenting the key challenges, then discusses the current strategies and mechanisms for improving the electrochemical performance of AFZBs in terms of electrolytes, additives, and current collectors. Finally, the application prospects of AFZBs are envisioned, with an emphasis on overcoming the current limitations to unlock their full potential as high-performance energy storage solutions.