Ti₃C₂T Filled in EMIMBF₄ Semi-Solid Polymer Electrolytes for the Zinc-Metal Battery

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Energy Storage

Background:

• Zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) offer safe energy storage but suffer from parasitic reactions like dendrite growth and corrosion.
• These issues are exacerbated by the acidic microenvironment within ZIBs, degrading cell performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a stable and efficient gel polymer electrolyte (GPE) for ZIBs.
• To mitigate undesirable side reactions and improve the Zn2+ ion transport.

Main Methods:

• A composite GPE was synthesized by incorporating Ti3C2Tx MXene into a polymer matrix containing zinc trifluoromethanesulfonate and an ionic liquid.
• The mechanical and electrochemical properties of the GPE were evaluated using symmetric cells and full cells with a Na3V2(PO4)3 cathode.

Main Results:

• The composite GPE demonstrated good mechanical strength (0.36 MPa breaking strength) and excellent Zn2+ ion mobility.
• Symmetric cells showed stable zinc plating/stripping without dendrite formation or corrosion.
• Full cells exhibited a reversible capacity of 89 mAh g-1 at C/10, good cycle durability, and controlled self-discharge.

Conclusions:

• The developed MXene-based GPE effectively suppresses parasitic reactions in ZIBs.
• The GPE facilitates reversible Zn2+ ion transport, enhancing battery performance and safety.