Biodegradable Pea Protein Fibril Hydrogel-Based Quasi-Solid-State Zn-Ion Battery

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Sustainable Energy

Background:

• Zinc-ion batteries offer safe, low-cost energy storage but face anode stability challenges like dendrite growth and hydrogen evolution reactions (HERs).
• Current quasi-solid-state electrolytes often use non-biodegradable polymers, hindering sustainable battery development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a biodegradable hydrogel electrolyte for aqueous zinc-ion batteries using plant-based materials.
• To improve zinc anode stability and suppress parasitic reactions for enhanced battery performance and longevity.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of hydrogel electrolytes from biodegradable poly(vinyl alcohol) and pea protein nanofibrils.
• Characterization of hydrogel properties and electrochemical performance in zinc-ion batteries.
• Assembly and testing of Zn||Zn symmetric cells and Zn||AC-I2 hybrid ion batteries.

Main Results:

• The biodegradable hydrogel effectively enhanced zinc anode stability and suppressed HER via a hydrogen-bond network.
• Pea protein nanofibrils facilitated even Zn2+ migration, preventing dendrite formation.
• Zn||Zn symmetric cells demonstrated a lifespan exceeding 3000 hours, with improved capacity retention in hybrid ion batteries.

Conclusions:

• Biodegradable hydrogels derived from plant-based protein nanofibrils are a viable and sustainable alternative for advanced zinc-ion batteries.
• This approach addresses key challenges in zinc anode stability and parasitic reactions, paving the way for eco-friendly energy storage solutions.