Tartaric acid as a novel additive for approaching high-performance capacity retention in zinc-ion battery

Among the rechargeable batteries, aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs), due to their safety, low cost, eco-friendly, and simplicity in construction, have received much attentions. One of the most critical parts of the battery technology is the electrolyte additives, which have been less studied against their essential roles. To develop the quality of these batteries, specific parameters such as economics, easy design, significant time duration, high electrical discharge, fast charge/discharge rate, acceptable power/ energy density, and acceptable cycle efficiency are essential. In this report, is focused on the aqueous solution of some white crystalline organic acids as novel electrolyte additives such as succinic, tartaric, citric, maleic, and/or acetic acids as battery over-voltage reducing agents to modify the electrical performance of the ZIBs. For instance, significant characteristics of tartaric acid as specially selected electrolyte additive to the ZIBs, exhibit an excellent capacity up to 374 mAh g^-1 with acceptable rate capability and high-capacity retention as large as 91.0% after 7200 cycles. To investigate the battery behavior and propose the probable mechanism behind this phenomenon, some analytical methods are utilized.