An asymmetric electrolyte to simultaneously meet contradictory requirements of anode and cathode.

Abstract in brief

• The text discusses a new design for zinc metal batteries that uses an asymmetric electrolyte system: an inorganic solid-state electrolyte near the zinc anode to prevent dendrite growth and corrosion, and a hydrogel electrolyte at the cathode to allow efficient hydrogen and zinc ion insertion for high capacity and long life.
• This innovative approach addresses the conflicting needs of the anode and cathode, enabling high performance with high areal capacities (up to 10 mAh/cm²) and long cycle stability, evidenced by over 1000 cycles with minimal capacity loss.
• The batteries made with this design, such as ZnMnO and ZnVO, demonstrate excellent cycling stability, showing no hydrogen evolution or dendrite formation, and retain over 90% of their initial capacity after hundreds of cycles.]