Research progresses on cathode materials of aqueous zinc-ion batteries

Electrochemical energy storage and conversion techniques that exhibit the merits such as high energy density, rapid response kinetics, economical maintenance requirements and expedient installation procedures will hold a pivotal role in the forthcoming energy storage technologies revolution. In recent years, aqueous zinc−ion batteries (AZIBs) have garnered substantial attention as a compelling candidate for large−scale energy storage systems, primarily attributable to their advantageous features encompassing cost−effectiveness, environmental sustainability, and robust safety profiles. Currently, one of the primary factors hindering the further development of AZIBs originates from the challenge of cathode materials. Specifically, the three mainstream types of mainstream cathode materials, in terms of manganese−based compounds, vanadium−based compounds and Prussian blue analogues, surfer from the dissolution of Mn2+, in the low discharge voltage, and the low specific capacity, respectively. Several strategies have been developed to compensation the above intrinsic defects for these cathode materials, including the ionic doping, defect engineering, and materials match. Accordingly, this review first provides a systematic summarization of the zinc storage mechanism in AZIBs, following by the inherent merit and demerit of three kind of cathode materials during zinc storage analyzed from their structure characteristic, and then the recent development of critical strategies towards the intrinsic insufficiency of these cathode materials. In this review, the methodologies aimed at enhancing the efficacy of manganese−based and vanadium−based compounds are emphasis emphasized. Additionally, the article outlines the future prospective directions as well as strategic proposal for cathode materials in AZIBs.