Batteries based on multivalent metals have the potential to meet the future needs of large-scale energy storage, due to the relatively high abundance of elements such as magnesium, calcium, aluminium and zinc in the Earth’s crust. However, the complexity of multivalent metal-ion chemistries has led to rampant confusions, technical challenges, and eventually doubts and uncertainties about the future of these technologies. In this Review, we clarify the key strengths as well as common misconceptions of multivalent metal-based batteries. We then examine the growth behaviour of metal anodes, which is crucial for their safety promises but hitherto unestablished. We further discuss scrutiny of anode efficiency and cathode storage mechanism pertaining to complications arising from electrolyte solutions. Finally, we critically review existing cathode materials and discuss design strategies to enable genuine multivalent metal-ion-based energy storage materials with competitive performance.

由于地壳中镁，钙，铝和锌等元素的含量较高，因此基于多价金属的电池有潜力满足未来大规模储能的需求。然而，多价金属离子化学的复杂性导致了混乱的局面，技术挑战，并最终对这些技术的未来产生了怀疑和不确定性。在这篇评论中，我们阐明了多价金属基电池的主要优势以及常见的误解。然后，我们检查了金属阳极的生长行为，这对于它们的安全承诺至关重要，但迄今尚未确立。我们将进一步讨论与电解液引起的复杂性有关的阳极效率和阴极存储机理的审查。最后，