image: The synchronous electrolyte aims to address the challenges on both the zinc side and the halogen side simultaneously. This electrolyte system can be achieved through a decoupling strategy. Accordingly, biphasic electrolytes, gradient hydrogels, and ionic liquid electrolytes are considered as promising candidates.
Credit: ©Science China Press
Aqueous zinc-halogen batteries (AZHBs) are emerging as promising candidates for energy storage applications due to their high energy density, abundant raw materials, and environmental friendliness. However, achieving long-term stability and efficiency in these batteries remains challenging, particularly due to issues like zinc corrosion, shuttle effects, and the instability of high-valent halides. In a new review published in National Science Review, researchers explore the design principles and recent advances in synchronous electrolytes that address these challenges.
Synchronous electrolytes are innovative solutions that optimize the performance of both the zinc anode and the halogen cathode simultaneously. This comprehensive review outlines key strategies, including the regulation of solvation structures, hydrogen bond networks, and the development of solid-electrolyte interphases (SEI) to enhance zinc anode stability. For halogen cathodes, approaches like confining polyhalides and stabilizing multi-electron reactions are discussed.
The review not only summarizes existing research but also propose three potential candidates for synchronous electrolytes, including gradient hydrogel electrolytes, biphasic electrolyte and ionic liquids electrolytes. Additionally, the authors emphasize the need for standardized evaluation protocols to ensure consistent and comparable performance metrics. By advancing the design and testing of synchronous electrolytes, the study provides a roadmap for achieving high-energy-density, long-lasting AZHBs.
"This review highlights the importance of synchronous optimization in overcoming the inherent limitations of zinc-halogen batteries," the authors note. "By addressing both electrode challenges concurrently, we can unlock the full potential of these batteries for grid-scale energy storage."