Because of their high energy density, safety, eco-friendliness, and sustainability, aqueous rechargeable zinc batteries (ARZBs) have attracted burgeoning interests. Manganese oxide cathodes are particularly attractive because they are obtained from earth-abundant and non-toxic materials. However, the diversity of mechanisms that explain the electrochemistry with Zn metal anodes in mildly acidic media hinders ARZBs’ further development. In brief, a specific manganese oxide polymorph, typically MnO₂, in mildly acidic electrolytes has been reported to exhibit different reaction mechanisms under similar electrochemical conditions. Moreover, the recently discussed dissolution/deposition process of MnO₂ in both strong and mildly acidic electrolyte media has revolutionized the conventional intercalation chemistry. To this end, this perspective aims to clarify and seek possible convergence of the conflicting electrochemical mechanisms for mildly acidic Zn-MnO₂ batteries. We also suggest future research directions and opportunities for commercialization that may evolve from the recently researched acid-alkaline Zn-MnO₂ battery technologies.

由于其高能量密度、安全性、环保性和可持续性，水系可充电锌电池 (ARZB) 引起了越来越多的兴趣。氧化锰阴极特别有吸引力，因为它们是从地球上丰富的无毒材料中获得的。然而，解释锌金属负极在弱酸性介质中的电化学反应机制的多样性阻碍了 ARZBs 的进一步发展。简而言之，据报道，弱酸性电解质中的特定氧化锰多晶型物，通常是 MnO _{2 ，​​在相似的电化学条件下表现出不同的反应机制。}此外，最近讨论的 MnO _{2的溶解/沉积过程}在强酸性和弱酸性电解质介质中，已经彻底改变了传统的插层化学。为此，该观点旨在阐明和寻求弱酸性 Zn-MnO ₂电池相互冲突的电化学机制的可能趋同。我们还提出了未来的研究方向和商业化机会，这些方向和机会可能来自最近研究的酸碱 Zn-MnO ₂电池技术。