Developing high-performance aqueous Zn-based batteries with mild electrolyte

Aqueous Zn-ion batteries (ZIBs) with the mild electrolyte, as a highly promising alternative to lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) for the grid application, have gained a considerable attention in recent ten years. Nevertheless, state-of-the-art ZIB technique is far from satisfactory. To date, numerous strategies have been proposed to develop the advanced ZIBs, including the exploring of high-performance cathode candidates and their working mechanism, developing new functional electrolytes, and designing advanced Zn metal electrodes, which is reviewed in this thesis. My doctoral work main focuses on enhancing the performance of aqueous Zn-based batteries by optimizing the Zn electrode, including introducing electrolyte additive, ex-situ and in-situ building the artificial solid/electrolyte interphase (SEI) layers on Zn metal electrode. In addition, the insights of the promoted electrochemical performance of Zn electrode are thoroughly studied.