Recent advances in rechargeable Zn-based batteries

Taking into account the increasing global demand for sustainable energy storage in recent years, it is essential to find advanced environmentally-friendly energy storage systems with low cost and excellent performance. Rechargeable Zn-based batteries (RZBs) have attracted much attention owing to the safety, good reversibility, high theoretical capacity (820 mAh/g), and low redox potential (−0.763 V vs. the standard hydrogen electrode (SHE)) of metallic Zn. In addition, such technology has potential applications in electric vehicles, portable electronic devices, and other electrical systems. This paper first outlines the differences and connections between Zn-ion batteries (ZIBs) and Zn-air batteries (ZABs) and summarizes their reaction mechanisms, theoretical performance, and battery composition, among other properties. Secondly, the influence of the structure of the anode and the cathode materials on the electrochemical performance is summarized, and the bottlenecks encountered in the development of the technology and their corresponding solutions are described. Finally, the development and application potential of wearable batteries are reviewed, and suggestions for improving battery stability, safety, and efficiency are proposed. This review not only summarizes the current research status of ZIBs and ZABs but also provides new ideas for the design of high-performance RZBs.