Water-based zinc batteries tackle a barrier that has long blocked cheap, stable renewable energy storage

Key Points:

• Researchers at the University of Maryland and Brookhaven National Laboratory have developed new aqueous electrolyte solutions that enhance the performance and cycle life of zinc (Zn) metal batteries by stabilizing the molecular structure around Zn anodes.
• These electrolytes use water combined with salts containing fluorinated anions and specific donor numbers, forming an "anion-bridged secondary solvation sheath" that reduces zinc dendrite formation and water-induced side reactions, leading to improved battery stability.
• The newly designed Zn batteries demonstrated a coulombic efficiency of 99.99% over 1,000 cycles and energy densities up to 130 Wh/kg, indicating significant advancements toward long-lasting, efficient, and low-cost energy storage.
• This electrolyte design strategy could be applied to other aqueous electrolyte systems, potentially accelerating the commercialization of safe, environmentally friendly Zn batteries for storing renewable energy.
• Future research will focus on extending this approach to other electrolyte types and using advanced techniques to better understand interfacial processes, aiming to further improve electrochemical energy storage technologies.