Advanced Materials for Zinc‐Based Flow Battery: Development and Challenge

Zinc‐based flow batteries (ZFBs) are well suitable for stationary energy storage applications because of their high energy density and low‐cost advantages. Nevertheless, their wide application is still confronted with challenges, which are mainly from advanced materials. Therefore, research on advanced materials for ZFBs in terms of electrodes, membranes, and electrolytes as well as their chemistries are of the utmost importance. Herein, the focus is on the scientific understandings of the fundamental design of these advanced materials and their chemistries in relation to the battery performance. The principles of using different materials in different ZFB technologies, the functions and structure of the materials, and further material improvements are discussed in detail. Finally, the challenges and prospects of ZFBs are summarized as well. This review provides valuable instruction on how to design and develop new materials as well as new chemistries for ZFBs. Zinc‐based flow battery technology has always been the cynosure in energy storage applications. Advanced materials, e.g., membranes, electrodes and electrolytes are very important to realize the widespread application of this technology. Herein, the scientific understandings of the fundamental design of the advanced materials and the chemistries in relation to the battery performance are reviewed and summarized.