Zn-based batteries have attracted extensive attention due to their high theoretical energy density, safety, abundant resources, environmental friendliness, and low cost. They are a new energy storage and conversion technology with significant development potential and have been widely used in renewable energy and portable electronic devices. Considerable attempts have been devoted to improving the performance of Zn-based batteries. Specifically, battery cycle life and energy efficiency can be improved by electrolyte modification and the construction of highly efficient rechargeable Zn anodes. This review compiles the progress of the research related to Zn anodes and electrolytes, especially in the last five years. This review will introduce fundamental concepts, summarize recent development, and inspire further systematic research for high-performance Zn-based batteries in the future.

A facile strategy was designed for the fabrication of Fe₃O₄-nanoparticle-decorated TiO₂ nanofiber hierarchical heterostructures (FTHs) by combining the versatility of the electrospinning technique and the hydrothermal growth method. The hierarchical architecture of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles decorated on TiO₂ nanofibers enables the successful integration of the binary composite into batteries to address structural stability and low capacity. In the resulting unique architecture of FTHs, the 1D heterostructures relieve the strain caused by severe volume changes of Fe₃O₄ during numerous charge-discharge cycles, and thus suppress the degradation of the electrode material. As a result, FTHs show excellent performance including higher reversible capacity, excellent cycle life, and good rate performance over a wide temperature range owing to the synergistic effect of the binary composition of TiO₂ and Fe₃O₄ and the unique features of the hierarchical nanofibers.