Decoupled dual-salt electrolyte for practical aqueous zinc batteries

Guanjie Li, Qinqin Cai, Shilin Zhang (), Jodie A. Yuwono, Lei Mao, Huanyu Jin and Zaiping Guo ()
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Guanjie Li: The University of Adelaide, School of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology
Qinqin Cai: The University of Adelaide, School of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology
Shilin Zhang: The University of Adelaide, School of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology
Jodie A. Yuwono: The University of Adelaide, School of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology
Lei Mao: The University of Adelaide, School of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology
Huanyu Jin: The University of Adelaide, School of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology
Zaiping Guo: The University of Adelaide, School of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology

Nature Sustainability, 2025, vol. 8, issue 11, 1349-1359

Abstract: Abstract Aqueous zinc batteries (AZBs) are promising for sustainable energy storage due to their safety and affordability. Conventional ‘lean-water’ electrolytes improve cell cyclability and the electrochemical stability window by stabilizing the interface; however, ionic transport in the bulk is limited and the use of high-concentration salt jeopardizes their practical adaptability. Here we report a dual-salt electrolyte involving ZnSO4 and Zn(ClO4)2 that decouples the interfacial chemistry from the bulk. Specifically, SO42− ions populate the Zn/electrolyte interface, whereas ClO4− anions dominate in the bulk. Strongly hydrated SO42− stabilizes interfacial water, while weakly hydrated ClO4− disrupts bulk hydrogen-bond networks, suppressing electrolyte freezing and enabling fast Zn2+ transport. In the absence of high salt concentrations and organic solvents, our decoupled electrolyte achieves a high ionic conductivity of 15.1 mS cm⁻1 and Zn plating/stripping reversibility of 99.97% at −40 °C. Assembled Zn//NaV3O8 pouch cells under practical configurations show a daily self-discharge rate of 0.13%, retain 93% capacity after 900 cycles at 25 °C, and deliver full capacity retention over 3,000 cycles at −40 °C. This decoupled dual-salt electrolyte advances the practical deployment of AZBs and offers a strategy for rational and sustainable electrolyte design beyond aqueous systems.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41893-025-01646-1

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