Towards High-Voltage Cathodes for Zinc-Ion Batteries: Discovery Pipeline and Material Design Rules

Abstract: Efficient energy storage systems are crucial to address the intermittency of renewable energy sources. As multivalent batteries, Zn-ion batteries (ZIBs), while inherently low voltage, offer a promising low cost alternative to Li-ion batteries due to viable use of zinc as the anode. However, to maximize the potential impact of ZIBs, rechargable cathodes with improved Zn diffusion are needed. To better understand the chemical and structural factors influencing Zn-ion mobility within battery electrode materials, we employ a high-throughput computational screening approach to systematically evaluate candidate intercalation hosts for ZIB cathodes, expanding the chemical search space on empty intercalation hosts that do not contain Zn. We leverage a high-throughput screening funnel to identify promising cathodes in ZIBs, integrating screening criteria with DFT-based calculations of Zn$^{2+}$ intercalation and diffusion inside the host materials. Using this data, we identify the design principles that favor Zn-ion mobility in candidate cathode materials. Building on previous work on divalent ion cathodes, this study broadens the chemical space for next-generation multivalent energy storage systems.