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[Display omitted] Aqueous rechargeable batteries offer a safe alternative for electrochemical energy storage, integrating cost-efficiency and energy density to meet the demand for stationary applications. Recent efforts have focused on the improvement of electrode materials in aqueous electrolytes, particularly the cycle life and energy reliability of batteries. The anion intercalation chemistry in graphite could be an alternative cathode candidate, often requiring an upper cut-off potential above 4.5 V vs. Li+/Li. Such a potential readily exceeds the electrochemical stability windows of water-based electrolytes. Herein, we provide a progress report and critical comment on the reversible intercalation chemistry in graphite compounds, i.e. , anion and halogen intercalations, for the development of economical, high-energy aqueous rechargeable batteries. In addition, this review focuses on the charge carrier species, their charge storage mechanisms and battery configurations, aiming to provide solutions to solve the remaining key challenges for aqueous batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rechargeable aqueous zinc batteries are ideal for large-scale energy storage due to their low cost and high safety. Here we demonstrate the reversible anion intercalation chemistry in graphite cathode for aqueous zinc battery, thus operating as a high-voltage dual-ion battery system. The use of a hybrid "water-in-salt" electrolyte with zinc and lithium bi-salts can maximize the ionic content, expand the anodic stability, promote dendrite-free zinc plating/stripping, and bring the reversible anion intercalation in graphite cathode. This cell configuration offers a high operating voltage and unprecedented cycling stability with comparable Coulombic efficiency to the organic dual-ion battery, opening new opportunities for the development of high-voltage rechargeable aqueous batteries. Image 1 • Hybrid "water-in-salt" electrolyte for zinc batteries. • Highly reversible Zn stripping/plating reaction. • Graphite cathode for anion intercalation in aqueous electrolyte. • A novel concept of aqueous dual-ion battery with high operating voltage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries offer the greatest promise as an alternative technology for low-cost and high-safety energy storage. However, the development of high-performance cathode materials and their compatibility with aqueous electrolytes are major obstacles to their practical applications. Herein, we report the synthesis of orthorhombic V2O5·nH2O nanorods as cathodes for aqueous zinc batteries. As a result, the electrode delivers a reversible capacity as high as 320 mAh g−1 at 1.0 A g−1 and long-term cycling stability in a wide window of 0.2 to 1.8 V using a mild ZnSO4 aqueous electrolyte. The superior performance can be attributed to the improved stability of materials, inhibited electrolyte decomposition and facilitated charge transfer kinetics of such materials for aqueous zinc storage. Furthermore, a full cell using microsized Zn powder as an anode within capacity-balancing design exhibits high capacity and stable cycling performance, proving the feasibility of these materials for practical application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rechargeable aqueous zinc batteries (AZBs) have been regarded as promising large-scale energy storage technologies, due to their low cost and high safety. However, the dendrite growth and side reactions on the Zn metal anode hinder their practical application. Herein, the cotton textiles-based separators with easily-fabricated and cost-effective features are demonstrated for AZBs. By complexing inorganic fluoperovskite NaZnF 3 and organic Nafion layers, the as-fabricated separator (CT@NZF@N) can regulate the zinc plating/stripping behavior, which will reduce the zinc nucleation overpotential and lower the charge transfer resistance, thus achieving a highly reversible Zn plating/stripping process with corrosion-free and dendrite-free behavior. Consequently, the zinc symmetric cell with CT@NZF@N separator exhibits prolonged cycle life up to 300 h (0.5 mA cm−2, 0.5 mAh cm−2) in a mild ZnSO 4 electrolyte. Moreover, the functional separator also enables V 2 O 5 //Zn battery significantly improved rate capability and cyclability. This work provides an appealing strategy for designing reliable, efficient, and cost-effective separators for high-performance AZBs. [Display omitted] • The NaZnF 3 and Nafion-decorated cellulose-based separators were fabricated. • The separators can regulate the zinc deposition behaviour in aqueous electrolyte. • The separators enable the V 2 O 5 //Zn battery improved performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]