Rechargeable aqueous batteries are an up-and-coming system for potential large-scale energy storage due to their high safety and low cost. However, the freeze of aqueous electrolyte limits the low-temperature operation of such batteries. Here, we report the breakage of original hydrogen-bond network in ZnCl₂ solution by modulating electrolyte structure, and thus suppressing the freeze of water and depressing the solid-liquid transition temperature of the aqueous electrolyte from 0 to –114 °C. This ZnCl₂-based low-temperature electrolyte renders polyaniline||Zn batteries available to operate in an ultra-wide temperature range from –90 to +60 °C, which covers the earth surface temperature in record. Such polyaniline||Zn batteries are robust at –70 °C (84.9 mA h g⁻¹) and stable during over 2000 cycles with ~100% capacity retention. This work significantly provides an effective strategy to propel low-temperature aqueous batteries via tuning the electrolyte structure and widens the application range of temperature adaptation of aqueous batteries.

Batteries and supercapacitors as electrochemical energy storage and conversion devices are continuously serving for human life. The electrochemical performance of batteries and supercapacitors depends in large part on the active materials in electrodes. As an important family, Mn-based oxides have shown versatile applications in primary batteries, secondary batteries, metal–air batteries, and pseudocapacitors due to their high activity, high abundance, low price, and environmental friendliness. In order to meet future market demand, it is essential and urgent to make further improvements in energy and power densities of Mn-based electrode materials with the consideration of multiple electron reaction and low molecular weight of the active materials. Meanwhile, nanomaterials are favourable to achieve high performance by means of shortening the ionic diffusion length and providing large surface areas for electrode reactions. This article reviews the recent efforts made to apply nanostructured Mn-based oxides for batteries and pseudocapacitors. The influence of structure, morphology, and composition on electrochemical performance has been systematically summarized. Compared to bulk materials and notable metal catalysts, nanostructured Mn-based oxides can promote the thermodynamics and kinetics of the electrochemical reactions occurring at the solid–liquid or the solid–liquid–gas interface. In particular, nanostructured Mn-based oxides such as one-dimensional MnO₂ nanostructures, MnO₂–conductive matrix nanocomposites, concentration-gradient structured layered Li-rich Mn-based oxides, porous LiNi_0.5Mn_1.5O₄ nanorods, core–shell structured LiMnSiO₄@C nanocomposites, spinel-type Co–Mn–O nanoparticles, and perovskite-type CaMnO₃ with micro–nano structures all display superior electrochemical performance. This review should shed light on the sustainable development of advanced batteries and pseudocapacitors with nanostructured Mn-based oxides.

High-performance rechargeable Na/FeS₂batteries showing only the intercalation reaction are obtained by selecting a NaSO₃CF₃/diglyme electrolyte and tuning the cut-off voltage to 0.8 V.

Rechargeable lithium batteries (RLBs), including lithium-ion and lithium-metal systems, have recently received considerable attention for electrochemical energy storage (EES) devices due to their low cost, sustainability, environmental friendliness, and temporal and spatial transferability. Most RLBs are harnessed only in favourable environments rather than extreme climates/conditions such as ocean exploration, tropical areas, high altitude drones, and polar expeditions. When chronically or periodically exposed to harsh environments, conventional RLBs will fail to work, especially in low- and high-temperature zones (i.e., below 0 °C and above 60 °C). Constructing alternative electrode materials and electrolyte systems with strong temperature tolerance lays the foundation for developing full-climate RLBs. Herein, the key stumbling blocks to realizing wide-temperature RLBs are first comprehensively discussed. Then the latest research progress to address the challenges at extreme temperatures is gradually introduced. And the fundamental operating mechanism and design strategies of electrolyte and electrode materials for RLBs working within a wide-temperature range are reviewed in detail. Finally, insights into and perspectives on energy materials and battery systems are provided to develop wide-temperature-operating range energy storage devices.