Han Mingming, Li Tian Chen, Chen Xiang, Yang Hui Ying
Hangzhou Institute of Advanced Studies, Zhejiang Normal University, Hangzhou, 311231, China.
Pillar of Engineering Product Development, Singapore University of Technology and Design, 8 Somapah Road, Singapore, 487372, Singapore.
Small. 2024 Jan;20(3):e2304901. doi: 10.1002/smll.202304901. Epub 2023 Sep 11.
Aqueous rechargeable Zn metal batteries (ARZBs) are extensively studied recently because of their low-cost, high-safety, long lifespan, and other unique merits. However, the terrible ion conductivity and insufficient interfacial redox dynamics at low temperatures restrict their extended applications under harsh environments such as polar inspections, deep sea exploration, and daily use in cold regions. Electrolyte modulation is considered to be an effective way to achieve low-temperature operation for ARZBs. In this review, first, the fundamentals of the liquid-solid transition of water at low temperatures are revealed, and an in-depth understanding of the critical factors for inferior performance at low temperatures is given. Furthermore, the electrolyte modulation strategies are categorized into anion/concentration regulation, organic co-solvent/additive introduction, anti-freezing hydrogels construction, and eutectic mixture design strategies, and emphasize the recent progress of these strategies in low-temperature Zn batteries. Finally, promising design principles for better electrolytes are recommended and future research directions about high-performance ARZBs at low temperatures are provided.
水系可充电锌金属电池（ARZBs）因其低成本、高安全性、长寿命等独特优点，近年来受到广泛研究。然而，低温下糟糕的离子电导率和不足的界面氧化还原动力学限制了它们在极地探测、深海勘探以及寒冷地区日常使用等恶劣环境中的广泛应用。电解质调制被认为是实现ARZBs低温运行的有效途径。在这篇综述中，首先揭示了低温下水的液-固转变基本原理，并深入了解了低温下性能不佳的关键因素。此外，电解质调制策略分为阴离子/浓度调节、有机共溶剂/添加剂引入、抗冻水凝胶构建和低共熔混合物设计策略，并强调了这些策略在低温锌电池中的最新进展。最后，推荐了更好电解质的有前景的设计原则，并提供了关于低温高性能ARZBs的未来研究方向。
