Future Long Cycling Life Cathodes for Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries in Grid-Scale Energy Storage

Developing sustainable energy storage systems is crucial for integrating renewable energy sources into the power grid. Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) are becoming increasingly popular due to their safety, eco-friendliness, and cost-effectiveness. However, challenges remain in achieving realistic storage time per charge, long cycling life, and high energy storage capacity in practical conditions. Despite advancements in cathode materials, issues such as dissolution and side reactions limit their performance. Optimizing cathode architecture and electrolyte composition is essential to address these challenges. Tailored electrolyte formulations can stabilize electrode-electrolyte interface (EEI and enhance cycling stability. This perspective reviews cathodes from the past decades and compares their performance under different current densities. Emphasizing low current density performance and extended cycling stability is crucial for the widespread adoption of ZIBs in grid-scale applications. By focusing on these aspects, this perspective aims to bridge the gap between research and practical applications, offering insights into optimizing material structure and selecting matching electrolytes for grid-scale energy storage. This work guides future developments in ZIB technology, facilitating their transition from the lab to real-world deployment. © 2025 The Author(s). Advanced Energy Materials published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.