Advanced aqueous batteries are promising solutions for grid energy storage. Compared with their organic counterparts, water-based electrolytes enable fast transport kinetics, high safety, low cost, and enhanced environmental sustainability. However, the presence of protons in the electrolyte, generated by the spontaneous ionization of water, may compete with the main charge-storage mechanism, trigger unwanted side reactions, and accelerate the deterioration of the cell performance. Therefore, it is of pivotal importance to understand and master the proton activities in aqueous batteries. This Perspective commentson the following scientific questions: Why are proton activities relevant? What are proton activities? What doweknow about proton activities in aqueous batteries? How dowebetter understand, control, and utilize proton activities?
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