Emerging photo‐integrated rechargeable aqueous zinc‐ion batteries and capacitors toward direct solar energy conversion and storage

Abstract Photo‐integrated rechargeable aqueous zinc‐ion batteries (ZIBs)/zinc‐ion capacitors (ZICs) have recently attracted substantial attention as a viable strategy to realize solar to electrochemical energy conversion and storage in a single device. Herein, a timely perspective on the latest advances in photo‐integrated rechargeable ZIBs/ZICs is presented. We first provide a brief introduction for the three different device types and working principles of the photo‐integrated rechargeable ZIB/ZIC devices, including tandem connected photo‐rechargeable hybrid energy systems, photo‐electrode integrated ZIBs, and photo‐rechargeable ZIBs/ZICs. Then, the significant advances in configuration design, materials chemistry, and performance evaluation of photo‐integrated rechargeable ZIBs/ZICs are systematically discussed. At last, the current challenges and future research emphases are suggested, which is to pave the way for the photo‐integrated rechargeable ZIBs/ZICs from laboratory technology to commercialization. This short yet informative perspective aims to evoke more research interests in developing high‐performance photo‐integrated rechargeable ZIBs/ZICs and other hybrid energy systems toward the direct conversion and storage of solar energy to electrochemical energy.