Opportunities and challenges of eutectic electrolytes for advanced zinc-iodine batteries

Aqueous zinc-iodine batteries have garnered extensive attention due to their lowcost, high safety and favorable voltage characteristics. However, theirperformance is limited by the severe shuttle effect and side reactions, whichimpede operability, energy density and cycling stability. This perspective beginsby outlining the configuration of zinc-iodine batteries, detailing their chemicalredox mechanism and associated challenges. It then shifts focus to zinc salt-basedeutectic electrolytes, exploring their fundamental properties and potentialapplications in zinc batteries. The role and functions of eutectic electrolytes inzinc-iodine batteries are emphasized in following, highlighting theirachievements in enhancing stability and energy density. Given that research oneutectic electrolytes is still in its infancy, remaining challenges and futuredirections are also discussed, offering insights for the rational design of advancedeutectic electrolytes and zinc-iodine batteries.