Rapid, Large‐Scale, Low‐Energy‐Consumption, Zero‐Carbon Production of High‐Efficiency Electrolytes for Sustainable Zinc‐Ion Batteries

Abstract

ABSTRACT Aqueous zinc‐ion batteries hold promise for grid‐scale storage, yet engineering viability is constrained by dendrite growth and parasitic reactions at the Zn anode. Imidazole‐based organic molecules are used as electrolyte additives to systematically assess how molecular conformation and side‐chain functionality act at the electrode–electrolyte interface. The imidazole‐based molecules, with highly electronegative ring N atoms, preferentially adsorb on Zn and form a compact interfacial layer; functionalized side chains hinder water accumulation, effectively suppress dendrites and side reactions, and promote uniform zinc deposition. Consequently, Zn||Zn symmetric cells and Zn||VO full cells exhibit durable cycling. In parallel, a unified statistical‐process framework is established to jointly evaluate the process burden index (Y) and relative energy consumption index (E). Within this framework, imidazole‐based electrolyte additives reduce relative energy consumption by up to 96.8% in large‐scale manufacturing. This work provides guidance for large‐scale, low‐cost, and low‐carbon fabrication of AZIBs.