A brief history of zinc–air batteries: 140 years of epic adventures

Abstract

Aqueous zinc–air batteries constitute cutting-edge technology toward the next-generation sustainable energy storage. A retrospective of its general history can help to understand the battery evolution adventures and guide future development directions. This manuscript provides a retrospect of the history of zinc–air batteries over 140 years with the exciting achievements and tortuous courses. Four historical stages are presented regarding the birth, the arising, the stagnancy, and the revival of zinc–air batteries propelled by both purposive research and historical opportunities. The fundamental understanding, technological developments, epoch-making practices, and far-reaching influence of zinc–air batteries are discussed in detail during each historical stage. An outlook of zinc–air batteries is further proposed to provide instructive guidance for both fundamental explorations and practical applications. This retrospect is expected to inspire the development of modern zinc–air batteries and other related electrochemical energy-storage systems.