Undesired Reactions in Aqueous Rechargeable Zinc Ion Batteries

Rechargeable zinc-ion batteries (RZIBs) utilizing aqueous \nelectrolytes can offer high safety, low cost, and fast charge/discharge \nratings for large-scale energy storage. The use of water as electrolyte \nsolvent facilitates low cost, facile processing, reduced safety concerns, and \nfast ion kinetics. However, free water molecules also instigate many \nsimultaneously occurring undesired reactions in the RZIB system, leading \nto capacity fade and limited operational lifetime. Here, our review traces \neach undesired reaction and its cascade of detrimental ramifications on \nRZIB cycling. We discuss balancing merits, reported strategies, and future \nperspectives to mitigate these undesired reactions and further improve the \nRZIBs’ operational lifetimes.