Challenges and Design Strategies Toward Aqueous Zinc‐Ion Batteries Beyond Laboratory

Abstract

Aqueous zinc‐ion batteries (ZIBs) are widely regarded as one of the most promising candidates for next‐generation large‐scale energy storage due to their high safety, cost‐effectiveness, and environmental benignity. Despite recent progress in materials design and interfacial chemistry, practical deployment remains hindered by the gap between laboratory‐scale breakthroughs and industrial requirements. In this review, the critical bottlenecks hindering the practical application of aqueous ZIBs are analyzed from the perspectives of energy density, fast‐charging capability, cycling stability, and wide‐temperature adaptability. The main limitations underlying these challenges, together with their physicochemical origins, are discussed. This is followed by the corresponding approaches involving cathode design, zinc anode regulation, electrolyte optimization, and separator modification for addressing these issues and challenges. Finally, fundamental perspectives on future development pathways toward practical application of high‐energy, safety, and long‐life aqueous ZIBs are presented.