Recent Advances on Spinel Zinc Manganate Cathode Materials for Zinc‐Ion Batteries

Abstract Zinc metal is abundant in nature, non‐toxic, harmless, and cheap. Zinc‐ion batteries (ZIBs) have also emerged as the times require, which has attracted scholars′ research interest. In the zinc‐ion batteries, the cathode material is indispensable. Manganese oxides are widely used in electrode materials because of their various valence states (+2, +3, +4, +7). ZnMn 2 O 4 (ZMO) is a mixed metal oxide with a spinel structure similar to LiMn 2 O 4 . Due to the synergistic effect of Zn and Mn, it has the advantages of high theoretical capacity. In recent years, researchers have gradually applied ZnMn 2 O 4 to zinc ion batteries. In order to obtain high‐energy‐density zinc ion batteries, it is also very important to match electrolytes with a wide operating voltage window and develop a highly reversible anode. In the first instance, we investigate the research progress of spinel ZnMn 2 O 4 as a reliable candidate material for zinc ion batteries. Later on, we review the optimization and modification measures of anode and electrolyte to improve the electrochemical properties of spinel ZnMn 2 O 4 . On this basis, we propose the reasonable research direction and development prospects for this material. It is hoped that there will be a help to researchers in this field.