Wide-Potential-Window Bimetallic Hydrated Eutectic Electrolytes with High-Temperature Resistance for Zinc-Ion Hybrid...

Aqueous zinc-ion hybrid capacitors (ZHCs) are considered ideal energy-storage devices. However, the common aqueous Zn²⁺ -containing electrolytes used in ZHCs often cause parasitic reactions during charging-discharging owing to free water molecules. Hydrated eutectic electrolytes (HEEs) that bind water molecules through solvation shells and hydrogen bonds can be applied at high temperatures and within a wide potential window. This study reports a novel bimetallic HEE (ZnK-HEE), consisting of zinc chloride, potassium chloride, ethylene glycol, and water, which enhances the capacity and electrochemical reaction kinetics of ZHCs. The bimetallic solvation shell in ZnK-HEE is studied by molecular dynamics and density functional theory, confirming its low step-by-step desolvation energy. A Zn//activated carbon ZHC in ZnK-HEE shows a high operating voltage of 2.1 V, along with an ultrahigh capacity of 326.9 mAh g^-1 , power density of 2099.7 W kg^-1 , and energy density of 343.2 Wh kg^-1 at 100 °C. The reaction mechanisms of charging-discharging process are investigated by ex situ X-ray diffraction. This study reports a promising electrolyte for high-performance ZHCs, which exhibits high-temperature resistance and is operable within a wide potential window.