Cathode strategies to improve the performance of zinc-ion batteries

Abstract

Zinc-ion battery (ZIB) has been attracting extensive attention due to its high theoretical capacity, high safety, and low cost. However, the exploration of suitable cathode materials to host Zn ions remains a challenge, owing to the strong electrostatic interactions and large steric hindrance effects between Zn ion and host materials. Great efforts have been devoted to the optimization of the structure and electrochemical property of the cathode materials. In this review article, we summarize recent cathode-based strategies to address the issues of performance degradation and structural collapse of electrode materials within the context of microstructure design and ion/charge transport mechanism, and include a perspective to highlight the challenges and promises in the exploitation of cathode materials for further enhancement of the performance of ZIBs.