Recent Progress in Cathode-Free Zinc Electrolytic MnO2 Batteries: Electrolytes and Electrodes

Shiwei Liu; Zhongqi Liang; Hang Zhou; Weizheng Cai; Jiazhen Wu; Qianhui Zhang; Guoshen Yang; Walid A. Daoud; Zanxiang Nie; Pritesh Hiralal; Shiqiang Luo; Gehan A. J. Amaratunga

doi:10.3390/batteries11050171

Recent Progress in Cathode-Free Zinc Electrolytic MnO₂ Batteries: Electrolytes and Electrodes

Shiwei Liu
, Zhongqi Liang
, Hang Zhou
, Weizheng Cai
, Jiazhen Wu
, Qianhui Zhang
, Guoshen Yang
, Walid A. Daoud
, Zanxiang Nie
, Pritesh Hiralal
, Shiqiang Luo^*
, Gehan A. J. Amaratunga^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Research output: Journal Publications and Reviews › RGC 21 - Publication in refereed journal › peer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

7 Downloads (CityUHK Scholars)

Abstract

Zinc–manganese dioxide (Zn–MnO₂) batteries, pivotal in primary energy storage, face challenges in rechargeability due to cathode dissolution and anode corrosion. This review summarizes cathode-free designs using pH-optimized electrolytes and modified electrodes/current collectors. For electrolytes, while acidic systems with additives (PVP, HAc) enhance ion transport, dual-electrolyte configurations (ion-selective membranes/hydrogels) reduce Zn corrosion. Near-neutral strategies utilize nanomicelles/complexing agents to regulate MnO₂ deposition. Moreover, mediators (I⁻, Br⁻, Cr³⁺) reactivate MnO₂ but require shuttle-effect control. For the electrodes/current collectors, electrode innovations including SEI/CEI layers and surfactant-driven phase tuning are introduced. Electrode-free designs and integrated “supercapattery” systems combining supercapacitors with Zn–MnO₂/I₂ chemistries are also discussed. This review highlights electrolyte–electrode synergy and hybrid device potential, paving the way for sustainable, high-performance Zn–MnO₂ systems. © 2025 by the authors.

Original language	English
Article number	171
Journal	Batteries
Volume	11
Issue number	5
Online published	23 Apr 2025
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.3390/batteries11050171
Publication status	Published - May 2025

Funding

This work is supported by the Guangdong Introducing Innovative and Entrepreneurial Teams Program, the Shenzhen Science and Technology Program and the Shenzhen Association for Science and Technology.

Research Keywords

electrode interface modification
electrode-free design
electrolyte engineering
redox mediators
zinc anode protection

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This full text is made available under CC-BY 4.0. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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Cite this

@article{e0eb8a17af0045828ed7cf3326477c00,

title = "Recent Progress in Cathode-Free Zinc Electrolytic MnO2 Batteries: Electrolytes and Electrodes",

abstract = "Zinc–manganese dioxide (Zn–MnO2) batteries, pivotal in primary energy storage, face challenges in rechargeability due to cathode dissolution and anode corrosion. This review summarizes cathode-free designs using pH-optimized electrolytes and modified electrodes/current collectors. For electrolytes, while acidic systems with additives (PVP, HAc) enhance ion transport, dual-electrolyte configurations (ion-selective membranes/hydrogels) reduce Zn corrosion. Near-neutral strategies utilize nanomicelles/complexing agents to regulate MnO2 deposition. Moreover, mediators (I−, Br−, Cr3+) reactivate MnO2 but require shuttle-effect control. For the electrodes/current collectors, electrode innovations including SEI/CEI layers and surfactant-driven phase tuning are introduced. Electrode-free designs and integrated “supercapattery” systems combining supercapacitors with Zn–MnO2/I2 chemistries are also discussed. This review highlights electrolyte–electrode synergy and hybrid device potential, paving the way for sustainable, high-performance Zn–MnO2 systems. {\textcopyright} 2025 by the authors.",

keywords = "electrode interface modification, electrode-free design, electrolyte engineering, redox mediators, zinc anode protection",

author = "Shiwei Liu and Zhongqi Liang and Hang Zhou and Weizheng Cai and Jiazhen Wu and Qianhui Zhang and Guoshen Yang and Daoud, \{Walid A.\} and Zanxiang Nie and Pritesh Hiralal and Shiqiang Luo and Amaratunga, \{Gehan A. J.\}",

year = "2025",

month = may,

doi = "10.3390/batteries11050171",

language = "English",

volume = "11",

journal = "Batteries",

issn = "2313-0105",

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TY - JOUR

T1 - Recent Progress in Cathode-Free Zinc Electrolytic MnO2 Batteries

T2 - Electrolytes and Electrodes

AU - Liu, Shiwei

AU - Liang, Zhongqi

AU - Zhou, Hang

AU - Cai, Weizheng

AU - Wu, Jiazhen

AU - Zhang, Qianhui

AU - Yang, Guoshen

AU - Daoud, Walid A.

AU - Nie, Zanxiang

AU - Hiralal, Pritesh

AU - Luo, Shiqiang

AU - Amaratunga, Gehan A. J.

PY - 2025/5

Y1 - 2025/5

N2 - Zinc–manganese dioxide (Zn–MnO2) batteries, pivotal in primary energy storage, face challenges in rechargeability due to cathode dissolution and anode corrosion. This review summarizes cathode-free designs using pH-optimized electrolytes and modified electrodes/current collectors. For electrolytes, while acidic systems with additives (PVP, HAc) enhance ion transport, dual-electrolyte configurations (ion-selective membranes/hydrogels) reduce Zn corrosion. Near-neutral strategies utilize nanomicelles/complexing agents to regulate MnO2 deposition. Moreover, mediators (I−, Br−, Cr3+) reactivate MnO2 but require shuttle-effect control. For the electrodes/current collectors, electrode innovations including SEI/CEI layers and surfactant-driven phase tuning are introduced. Electrode-free designs and integrated “supercapattery” systems combining supercapacitors with Zn–MnO2/I2 chemistries are also discussed. This review highlights electrolyte–electrode synergy and hybrid device potential, paving the way for sustainable, high-performance Zn–MnO2 systems. © 2025 by the authors.

AB - Zinc–manganese dioxide (Zn–MnO2) batteries, pivotal in primary energy storage, face challenges in rechargeability due to cathode dissolution and anode corrosion. This review summarizes cathode-free designs using pH-optimized electrolytes and modified electrodes/current collectors. For electrolytes, while acidic systems with additives (PVP, HAc) enhance ion transport, dual-electrolyte configurations (ion-selective membranes/hydrogels) reduce Zn corrosion. Near-neutral strategies utilize nanomicelles/complexing agents to regulate MnO2 deposition. Moreover, mediators (I−, Br−, Cr3+) reactivate MnO2 but require shuttle-effect control. For the electrodes/current collectors, electrode innovations including SEI/CEI layers and surfactant-driven phase tuning are introduced. Electrode-free designs and integrated “supercapattery” systems combining supercapacitors with Zn–MnO2/I2 chemistries are also discussed. This review highlights electrolyte–electrode synergy and hybrid device potential, paving the way for sustainable, high-performance Zn–MnO2 systems. © 2025 by the authors.

KW - electrode interface modification

KW - electrode-free design

KW - electrolyte engineering

KW - redox mediators

KW - zinc anode protection

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U2 - 10.3390/batteries11050171

DO - 10.3390/batteries11050171

M3 - RGC 21 - Publication in refereed journal

SN - 2313-0105

VL - 11

JO - Batteries

JF - Batteries

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M1 - 171

ER -