Design and challenges of high-performance aqueous zinc-based batteries

Guest Speaker：Senior Lecturer Junnan Hao, University of Adelaide, Australia

Inviter: Assoc.Prof. Feili Lai

Date&Time: Tuesday, 18th Aug. 10:00-11:00

Venue: Yiucheng Lecture Hall（500）， Xu Zuyao Building

Biography:

Dr. Junnan Hao received his Ph.D. degree from the University of Wollongong, Australia, in 2020. He is currently a Senior Lecturer at the University of Adelaide, Australia, and also an ARC DECRA Fellow (Australian Research Council Discovery Early Career Researcher Award). He has published over 100 papers in peer-reviewed journals, including more than 30 ESI Highly Cited Papers (top 1% globally). As the first and/or corresponding author, he has published 50 papers in high-impact journals such as Nat. Chem., PNAS, Chem. Soc. Rev., Joule, Sci. Adv., Angew. Chem., JACS, Adv. Mater., Nat. Commun., Energy Environ. Sci., among others. His publications have received over 17,000 citations, with an h-index of 65.

His research interests are centered on energy storage and conversion technologies, including aqueous zinc-ion batteries, redox flow batteries, and flexible energy storage devices. He has received numerous honors and funding supports, including the Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher, ScholarGPS Global Highly Ranked Scholar (Top 0.05%), Stanford University Top 2% Scientists, JMCA Emerging Investigator, ChemComm Emerging Investigator, Australian Battery Society "Energy Renaissance Award", and the Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering (AINSE) "Early Career Research Excellence Award".

Abstract:

Aqueous zinc-based batteries have attracted widespread attention due to their intrinsic safety, cost-effectiveness, and environmental friendliness. On the anode side, despite the advantages of metallic zinc foil, such as high theoretical capacity and abundant resources, issues including zinc dendrite growth and interfacial side reactions persist, leading to decreased Coulombic efficiency, shortened electrode lifespan, and limited depth of discharge (DOD). This report systematically reviews various interfacial regulation and electrolyte optimization strategies aimed at improving the reversibility, utilization, and stability of zinc anodes. On the cathode side, the report focuses on conversion-type reaction mechanisms that differ from conventional intercalation chemistry. These mechanistic studies not only broaden the material selection window for cathodes but also provide theoretical guidance for optimizing the performance of conversion-type cathodes. Through synergistic optimization of electrolytes and both electrodes, Ah-level pouch cells based on conversion chemistry exhibit excellent performance even under harsh conditions, achieving stable operation with high areal loading (>40 mg cm⁻²) and limited zinc DOD (>50%). Furthermore, this report discusses the current challenges facing aqueous zinc-based batteries in terms of separators and current collectors, and offers perspectives on their future commercial development.