Organic cathode materials for aqueous zinc-organic batteries

Abstract

Aqueous zinc batteries that utilize metallic Zn as the anode are considered as a promising alternative to lithium-ion batteries due to their intrinsic high safety, low cost, and relatively high energy density. Compared to inorganic cathodes, organic cathodes exhibit several advantages including high theoretical capacity, tunable structure, abundant sources, and environmental friendliness. In this paper, we summarize the recent progress in organic cathodes for aqueous zinc-organic batteries, covering the working mechanisms of three typical types of organic cathodes, their electrochemical performance, and common strategies for further improvement. Finally, we discuss the current challenges and possible future research directions. We hope this review will offer useful information for exploring high-performance organic cathodes.