Achieving Ultrahigh-Rate Planar and Dendrite-Free Zinc Electroplating for Aqueous Zinc Battery Anodes

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Energy Storage

Background:

• Aqueous zinc batteries are promising for grid-level energy storage.
• Dendrite formation in zinc anodes compromises battery safety and performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the use of single-crystal zinc anodes to suppress dendrite formation.
• To achieve high-capacity and high-rate reversible zinc electrodeposition.

Main Methods:

• Utilized single-crystal zinc-metal anodes for electrochemical studies.
• Investigated zinc electrodeposition at high current densities.
• Performed prolonged cycling tests to assess electrode stability.

Main Results:

• Achieved reversible planar zinc deposition with a capacity of 8 mAh cm^-2 at 200 mA cm^-2.
• Demonstrated dendrite-free electrode stability over 1200 cycles at 50 mA cm^-2.
• Identified that single-crystal structure suppresses defect generation and favors planar growth.

Conclusions:

• Single-crystal zinc anodes effectively prevent dendrite formation by minimizing defects and promoting planar deposition.
• Perfect atomic-stitching and lattice matching are crucial for ideal high-rate zinc anodes.
• This approach significantly enhances the safety and cycling performance of aqueous zinc batteries.