Toward Simultaneous Dense Zinc Deposition and Broken Side-Reaction Loops in the Zn//V₂ O₅ System

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Energy Storage

Background:

• Zinc-ion batteries face challenges like zinc dendrite growth and cathode-anode cross-talk, leading to premature battery failure.
• These issues compromise the cycle life and safety of zinc-ion battery systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a rapid zinc-ion conducting hydrogel electrolyte (R-ZSO) for zinc//vanadium pentoxide (Zn//V2O5) full cells.
• To modulate zinc deposition and inhibit side reactions, thereby improving battery performance and lifespan.

Main Methods:

• Constructed a hydrogel electrolyte (R-ZSO) utilizing a polymer matrix and Boron Nitride (BN) to anchor sulfate ions (SO4^2-).
• Investigated the effect of the R-ZSO electrolyte on zinc deposition behavior and side reaction mitigation in Zn//Zn symmetric and Zn//V2O5 full cells.

Main Results:

• R-ZSO hydrogel electrolyte demonstrated stable operation in Zn//Zn symmetric cells for over 1500 hours, significantly outperforming blank electrolytes.
• Zn//V2O5 full cells with R-ZSO electrolyte achieved stable cycling over 1000 cycles with a low capacity loss rate of 0.028% per cycle.
• The R-ZSO electrolyte effectively suppressed zinc dendrite formation and mitigated cross-talk effects between electrodes.

Conclusions:

• The R-ZSO hydrogel electrolyte offers a promising solution for enhancing the performance and durability of aqueous zinc-ion batteries.
• This gel chemistry provides a valuable guide for designing advanced electrolytes for high-performance energy storage devices.