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A Highly Reversible Zinc Anode for Rechargeable Aqueous Batteries
Qinping Jian1,2, Yuhan Wan1,2, Yanke Lin1,2
1Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|November 1, 2021
Summary
Researchers developed a new protective layer for zinc anodes in aqueous batteries. This layer prevents dendrite growth and side reactions, enabling stable battery performance for over 1000 cycles.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Energy Storage
Background:
- Zinc anodes offer high capacity and low cost for aqueous batteries.
- Challenges include dendrite formation and electrolyte side reactions, limiting practical use.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a strategy for suppressing dendrite growth and side reactions in zinc anodes.
- To enhance the stability and performance of aqueous batteries.
Main Methods:
- Constructed an ultrathin sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) on the Zn anode via spin-coating.
- Investigated the protective mechanisms of the SPEEK SEI on Zn anode behavior.
- Fabricated and tested symmetric Zn cells and full cells with MnO2 cathodes.
Main Results:
- The SPEEK SEI effectively blocked water and anions, uniformized ion flux, and facilitated Zn2+ desolvation.
- Suppressed side reactions and Zn dendrite formation, enabling over 1000 cycles in symmetric cells at 5 mA cm-2.
- Full cells demonstrated high Coulombic efficiency (>99%), superior rate capability (127 mAh g-1 at 2 A g-1), and stable cycling (70% retention over 1000 cycles at 1 A g-1).
Conclusions:
- The facile SPEEK SEI strategy effectively addresses critical challenges in Zn anodes.
- This approach paves the way for developing high-performance rechargeable aqueous batteries.
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