Layered electrode materials and methods for rechargeable zinc batteries

A rechargeable zinc battery comprising:

• a positive electrode comprising a layered electrode material, wherein the layered electrode material comprises:
• a plurality of active metal slab layers in a layered configuration, wherein an active metal slab layer comprises:
• a plurality of redox active metal centers, M, comprising manganese and at least two other redox active metals, wherein the at least two other redox active metals maintain the layered configuration of the active metal slab layer during cycling;
• at least one pillar species;
• and
• a closely-packed anionic sublattice;
• a plurality of interlamellar spaces, wherein an interlamellar space separates adjacent active metal slab layers in the layered configuration, and wherein the interlamellar space includes the at least one pillar species;
• wherein the layered electrode material has a combined average metal oxidation state in a range of +3 to +4 in an initial charged state;
• and
• wherein the layered electrode material accepts solvated zinc cations via intercalation into the interlamellar space upon reduction, wherein the zinc cations react with the redox active metal centers, M;
• a negative electrode comprising zinc;
• an electrolyte for ionically coupling the negative electrode to the positive electrode, wherein the electrolyte comprises a zinc salt dissolved in water and has a pH value between 1 and 7;
• and
• a separator disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, wherein the separator is wetted by the electrolyte.