Regulating Electrode/Electrolyte Interface with Additives towards Dendrite-Free Zinc-Ion Batteries

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) are highly promising for grid-scale energy storage due to their high-safety and low-cost characteristics. Nevertheless, the progress in AZIBs has been impeded due to challenges encompassing corrosion, hydrogen evolution reaction, and the formation of dendrites on Zn anodes. These issues arise from the decomposition of active water molecules in the Zn2+ solvation structure in the electrolyte. Various strategies have been proposed to regulate the electrode/electrolyte interface to effectively address these problems. In spite of remarkable headway, an inadequacy of comprehensive studies addressing the mechanisms and evolutionary dynamics of the electrode/electrolyte interface is evident within scientific literature. This overview aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the strategies for regulating the electrode/electrolyte interface, focusing on dendrite-free and side reactions-suppressed AZIBs. These strategies include the introduction of metal ion additives, inorganic additives, surfactant additives, polymer additives and organic additives. Furthermore, a detailed examination is made on the effects and underlying mechanisms associated with modifying the electrolyte at the interface between the electrode and electrolyte. Moreover, an appraisal is provided on the performance metrics of diverse strategies and prospective research directions are recommended as well. This overview provides comprehensive insights into strategies for regulating electrode/electrolyte interfaces, emphasizing dendrite-free and side-reaction-suppressed AZIBs. Strategies include metal ion, inorganic, surfactant, polymer, and organic additives. It examines effects and mechanisms of electrolyte modification and evaluates performance metrics, offering recommendations for future research. image