Recent trends in the benign-by-design electrolytes for zinc batteries

An electrolyte is a vital component that creates an avenue for zinc ions to migrate and forms a cathode–anode intermediary in zinc based battery system. Zinc metal is thermodynamically unstable and prone to dissolve in acidic aqueous solutions. Indeed, there are still a lot of issues with using a liquid electrolyte on a frequent basis. Given its intimate connection with the ionic conductivity and electrochemical stability window, the ionic liquids (ILs) and deep eutectic solvents (DESs) as ‘Designer electrolytes’ are investigated by controlling their components and structures to address the problems related to the reversible method of Zn plating/stripping, Zn anode stability, and cathode efficiency. Despite the great achievements, the field of ‘Ionic liquid surface science concerning zinc system’ is quite an infant, so investigating this interface is even more inconclusive. This review gives an overview of ILs energy storage applications by presenting both electrochemistry and mechanisms involved in zinc battery setup and the scope of employing DESs based electrolytes as prospects to boost the development of this field.