Engineering the next generation of photorechargeable zinc-air batteries

Solar energy has been identified as one of the key building blocks of the future energy generation mix required to meet greenhouse gas emissions targets while leading the way to a zero-carbon economy. In our opinion, photorechargeable zinc-air batteries offer a sustainable and affordable option for delivering continuity in electrical energy supply by utilizing solar energy to improve charging performance and energy efficiency while reducing fossil fuel dependence. However, critical issues of low light utilization efficiency, photochemical instability, poor interfacial charge transfer kinetics and energy efficiency surrounding the development of these systems must be addressed to accelerate full-scale implementation. This timely perspective provides a brief overview of current photorechargeable Zn-air batteries while highlighting recent advances, limitations, and emerging opportunities required for this promising technology.