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Updated: Jul 18, 2025

Development of Heterogeneous Enantioselective Catalysts using Chiral Metal-Organic Frameworks MOFs
Published on: January 17, 2020
Molecular recognition effect enabled by novel crown ether as macrocyclic host towards highly reversible Zn anode
Anbin Zhou1, Huirong Wang1, Xin Hu1
1Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Science and Engineering, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China.
This study introduces supramolecular crown ethers to stabilize aqueous zinc-ion batteries. This approach suppresses dendrite growth and enhances battery performance for safer, large-scale energy storage.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Energy Storage
Background:
- Aqueous Zn2+ ion batteries offer advantages like low cost and safety but suffer from dendrite growth and instability.
- Uncontrolled reactions and water presence lead to poor cyclability and limited practical applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a strategy for stabilizing aqueous Zn2+ ion batteries by controlling the Zn2+ ion coordination environment.
- To suppress dendrite formation and enhance the electrochemical performance of Zn-based batteries.
Main Methods:
- Screening of supramolecular crown ethers as macrocyclic hosts for Zn2+ ions.
- In-situ formation of an organic-inorganic hybrid dual-protective interphase.
- Electrochemical testing in Zn||Cu, Zn||Zn symmetric, and Zn||LMO full cells.
Main Results:
- Crown ethers optimized Zn2+ coordination, suppressed water reactivity, and formed a protective interphase.
- The interphase provided an ion-sieving effect, enabling uniform Zn2+ deposition and suppressing side reactions.
- Achieved 98.4% Coulombic efficiency over 300 cycles (Zn||Cu), 1360h stable cycling (Zn||Zn), and 70% capacity retention over 200 cycles (Zn||LMO).
Conclusions:
- Supramolecular host-guest chemistry offers a promising route to stabilize aqueous Zn2+ ion batteries.
- The developed interphase strategy significantly improves battery cycle life and efficiency.
- This approach presents a viable alternative to lithium-ion batteries for large-scale, low-cost energy storage.
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