Issues and strategies of cathode materials for mild aqueous static zinc-ion batteries

Researchers prefer mild aqueous static zinc-ion batteries (ASZIBs) for their distinct benefits of excellent safety, abundant zinc resources, low cost, and high energy density. However, at the moment there are some issues with the cathode materials of mild ASZIBs, including dissolution, by-products, poor conductivity, and a contentious energy storage system. Consequently, there are numerous difficulties in the development of high-performance mild ASZIBs cathode materials. This overview examines the mechanisms for storing energy and the developments in inorganic, organic, and other novel cathode materials that have emerged in recent years. At the same time, three solutions—structural engineering, interface engineering, and reaction pathway engineering—as well as the difficulties now faced by the cathode materials of mild ASZIBs are forcefully introduced. Finally, a prospect is made regarding the evolution of cathode materials in the future.