Optimization strategies toward advanced aqueous zinc-ion batteries: From facing key issues to viable solutions

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries have attracted extensive attention ascribing to affordability, intrinsic safety, and environmental benignity, which have revealed ideal alternative to lithium-ion batteries for large-scale energy storage systems. Nevertheless, the design of aqueous zinc-ion batteries is plagued by obstacles, such as dissolution of cathode materials, dendrites and side reactions of anode, and electrolyte consumption as compared to commercial lithium-ion batteries. In this regard, from the perspective of predominant issues encountered with aqueous zinc-ion batteries, this comprehensive review aims to systematically summarize the design principles and optimization strategies associated with the cathode, anode, electrolyte, and separator. Meanwhile, the impact of design strategies on electrochemistry, and the relationship between issues and strategies are revealed for guiding the rational design of advanced aqueous zinc-ion batteries. Eventually, a series of critical challenges, constructive solutions, and future trends toward cathode, anode, electrolyte and separator are dedicatedly proposed. We envisage that this review would endow researchers a readily accessible means to rapidly acquaint with optimization strategies and design principles for advanced aqueous zinc-ion batteries.