Neutral zinc-air batteries: multiscale design of electrolytes and interfaces
摘要
Neutral zinc-air batteries (ZABs) have emerged as a promising energy storage technology owing to their intrinsic safety, low cost, and environmental compatibility. However, several critical challenges, including sluggish oxygen electrocatalysis, interfacial pH instability, and limited reversibility of discharge products-continue to hinder their development. In this feature article, we summarize recent progress made by our group in establishing a multiscale regulation framework for neutral ZABs. This framework integrates electrolyte formulation, interfacial engineering, cathode architecture design, and hybrid battery strategies, all aimed at enhancing energy efficiency and cycling stability in neutral environments. Our findings provide new mechanistic insights into interfacial reaction control, electrolyte structure optimization, and discharge product regulation under near-neutral conditions. We also outline the remaining scientific challenges and discuss future directions toward the development of efficient and durable neutral ZABs through holistic electrolyte-electrode integration.