A High-Rate and Long-Life Aqueous Rechargeable Ammonium Zinc Hybrid Battery

Unlike traditional metal-ion insertion, the emerging aqueous rechargeable ammonium-ion batteries (ARABs) brings new battery chemistries for future stationary energy storage. However, low energy density and low durability hinder the further development of ARABs because of the lack of suitable and cost-efficient anodes. In this study, an aqueous rechargeable ammonium zinc hybrid battery is fabricated from durable corner-truncated sodium iron hexacyanoferrate nanocubes as the cathode and low-cost zinc as the anode. This novel hybrid battery demonstrates an average working voltage of 1.3 V, excellent rate capability, and a high energy density of 81.7 Wh kg⁻¹ at 286 W kg⁻¹ (based on two electrodes’ active mass), as well as a long lifespan with 92.1 % capacity retention after 2000 cycles, outperforming the reported ARABs and many aqueous hybrid batteries. The strategy to assemble the ammonium zinc hybrid battery provides guidance for improving the feasibility of ARABs for practical application.