Objective:

To explore the reorganization of water and zinc ion solvation in aqueous electrolytes using ionic liquids for the design of high-voltage zinc batteries.

Key Findings:

• Sixteen combinations formed stable single-phase electrolytes at low water content.
• The optimized low-water electrolyte showed TFSI⁻ anions dominating the Zn²⁺ solvation environment.
• The electrolyte achieved a 3.8 V stability window and supported long-term zinc cycling.

Interpretation:

The study indicates that ionic liquids can create stable electrolytes with unique solvation structures that enhance battery performance.

Limitations:

• The study focused on a limited set of zinc salts and ionic liquids.
• Further research is needed to explore the scalability and practical applications of the findings.

Conclusion:

This research advances electrolyte design from trial-and-error to a more rational approach, enhancing the understanding of molecular arrangements for improved electrochemical properties.