Electrochemical energy storage has the characteristics of high energy density, fast response time, low maintenance cost, flexible and convenient installation, and it is the hot development direction of energy storage technology in the future. In recent years, because of its low cost and high specific capacity, zinc ion battery has a good development prospects. The positive electrodes of aqueous zinc ion batteries are mainly vanadium-based compounds, manganese-based compounds and Prussian blue analogues; the negative electrodes are mainly zinc negative electrodes; the electrolytes include hydrogel electrolytes, ionic liquids, salt-coated electrolytes and electrolytes with additives. However, for positive materials, the dissolution of Mn2+ in manganese compounds, the low discharge voltage of vanadium compounds and the low specific capacity of Prussian blue analogs all affect the performance of zinc ion batteries.The challenges faced by zinc electrodes as negative electrodes for zinc ion batteries include: (i) zinc dendrite growth, (ii) continuous electrolyte consumption and self-discharge, (iii) generation of irreversible by-products. Water decomposition and evaporation occur in the charging and discharging process of water electrolyte, which affects the performance of batteries. In recent years, researchers have been devoted to preparing new electrodes by doping other elements, surface coating and covering to improve the positive electrodes of aqueous zinc ion batteries. By modifying the interface, designing the three-dimensional structure of new zinc negative electrodes and designing and developing new electrolytes, the production of zinc dendrites can be reduced. At the same time, adding other solutions to the electrolyte can broaden the electrochemical window, so as to improve the electrochemical performance of aqueous zinc ion batteries. At present, a new electrode material prepared by doping calcium, magnesium, cobalt and other elements into the cathode material and coating the surface with polypyrrole based polymer conductive polymer has been successfully applied. The appropriate proportion of metal ions doping can not only improve the material capacity, but also form a stable structure which is conducive to the deintercalation of Zn2+. The reversibility and stability of zinc anode can be improved and the growth of zinc dendrite can be inhibited by modifying the surface coating of titanium dioxide (TiO2), gold nanoparticles and polyvinyl butyral (PVB) or adding appropriate additives in the electrolyte. These methods can directly or indirectly improve the cycle stability and coulomb efficiency of aqueous zinc ion batteries. This paper first introduces the general situation of zinc ion batteries, and then focuses on the research progress of cathode materials, anode materials, electrolytes and separators, including the existing challenges and existing solutions. Finally, the future development of electrode materials, electrolytes and separators for aqueous zinc ion batteries is prospected, which provides ideas for the development and preparation of high-performance aqueous zinc ion batteries. © 2022 Cailiao Daobaoshe/ Materials Review. All rights reserved.
