Unique Electrochemistry of Zn Electrode in Zn-Edta Aqueous Solutions and its Application for High-Voltage Zn-Mno2 Cell

•Strong chelation ability of EDTA brings about unique electrochemistry of Zn electrode in Zn-EDTA aqueous electrolyte.•Stripping potential of Zn anode in 0.1 M Zn-EDTA solution keeps unchanged with applied currents.•Nucleation over potential of Zn is much larger in 0.1 M Zn-EDTA than that in 0.1 M ZnCl2.•MnO2-Zn full cell using 0.1 M Zn-EDTA reveals 2.05 V voltage and 86.4 % capacity retention after 500 cycles.