Constructing robust heterostructured interface for anode-free zinc batteries with ultrahigh capacities

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Energy Storage

Background:

• Zinc dendrite formation is a major challenge in high-capacity zinc batteries.
• Developing Zn-free anodes is crucial for battery stability and performance.
• Controlling zinc plating is key to unlocking the potential of zinc batteries.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design a novel heterostructured interface for regulating zinc plating.
• To enhance the performance of anode-free zinc batteries.
• To demonstrate the practical application of these batteries in renewable energy storage.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a two-dimensional antimony/antimony-zinc alloy heterostructured interface.
• Electrochemical characterization of the Zn anode and anode-free Zn-Br2 battery.
• Testing of scaled-up batteries and integrated battery modules with photovoltaic panels.

Main Results:

• The Sb/Sb2Zn3-heterostructured interface facilitated uniform Zn plating with an ultrahigh areal capacity of 200 mAh cm-2.
• Anode-free Zn-Br2 batteries achieved an energy density of 274 Wh kg-1 (cell level) and 62 Wh kg-1 (practical pouch cell).
• Scaled-up Zn-Br2 batteries demonstrated over 400 stable cycles, and integrated modules showed practical renewable energy storage capabilities.

Conclusions:

• The Sb/Sb2Zn3-heterostructured interface effectively suppresses Zn dendrites and enhances Zn anode performance.
• Anode-free Zn-Br2 batteries with this interface offer high energy density and long cycle life.
• This work paves the way for large-scale energy storage applications using advanced zinc battery technology.