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Zinc ion batteries (ZIBs) exhibit significant promise in the next generation of grid‐scale energy storage systems owing to their safety, relatively high volumetric energy density, and low production cost. Despite substantial advancements in ZIBs, a comprehensive evaluation of critical parameters impacting their practical energy density (Epractical) and calendar life is lacking. Hence, we suggest using formulation‐based study as a scientific tool to accurately calculate the cell‐level energy density and predict the cycling life of ZIBs. By combining all key battery parameters, such as the capacity ratio of negative to positive electrode (N/P), into one formula, we assess their impact on Epractical. When all parameters are optimized, we urge to achieve the theoretical capacity for a high Epractical. Furthermore, we propose a formulation that correlates the N/P and Coulombic efficiency of ZIBs for predicting their calendar life. Finally, we offer a comprehensive overview of current advancements in ZIBs, covering cathode and anode, along with practical evaluations. This Minireview outlines specific goals, suggests future research directions, and sketches prospects for designing efficient and high‐performing ZIBs. It aims at bridging the gap from academia to industry for grid‐scale energy storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aqueous Zn‐Iodine (I2) batteries are attractive for large‐scale energy storage. However, drawbacks include, Zn dendrites, hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), corrosion and, cathode "shuttle" of polyiodines. Here we report a class of N‐containing heterocyclic compounds as organic pH buffers to obviate these. We evidence that addition of pyridine /imidazole regulates electrolyte pH, and inhibits HER and anode corrosion. In addition, pyridine and imidazole preferentially absorb on Zn metal, regulating non‐dendritic Zn plating /stripping, and achieving a high Coulombic efficiency of 99.6 % and long‐term cycling stability of 3200 h at 2 mA cm−2, 2 mAh cm−2. It is also confirmed that pyridine inhibits polyiodines shuttling and boosts conversion kinetics for I−/I2. As a result, the Zn‐I2 full battery exhibits long cycle stability of >25 000 cycles and high specific capacity of 105.5 mAh g−1 at 10 A g−1. We conclude organic pH buffer engineering is practical for dendrite‐free and shuttle‐free Zn‐I2 batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zinc metal battery (ZMB) is promising as the next generation of energy storage system, but challenges relating to dendrites and corrosion of the zinc anode are restricting its practical application. Here, to stabilize Zn anode, we report a controlled electrolytic method for a monolithic solid‐electrolyte interphase (SEI) via a high dipole moment solvent dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP). The DMMP‐based electrolytes can generate a homogeneous and robust phosphate SEI (Zn3(PO4)2 and ZnP2O6). Benefiting from the protecting impact of this in situ monolithic SEI, the zinc electrode exhibits long‐term cycling of 4700 h and a high Coulombic efficiency 99.89 % in Zn|Zn and Zn|Cu cell, respectively. The full V2O5|Zn battery with DMMP‐H2O hybrid electrolyte exhibits a high capacity retention of 82.2 % following 4000 cycles under 5 A g−1. The first success in constructing the monolithic phosphate SEI will open a new avenue in electrolyte design for highly reversible and stable Zn metal anodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]