Strategy to Simultaneously Manipulate Direct Zn Nucleation and Hydrogen Evolution via Surface Modifier Hydrolysis for...

Area of Science:

• Electrochemistry
• Materials Science
• Energy Storage

Background:

• Growing demand for safer batteries due to Li-ion fire risks.
• Zinc-ion batteries offer a safer, water-based alternative but face corrosion and dendrite issues.
• Current solutions are costly and time-consuming.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a cost-effective method to improve zinc-ion battery performance.
• To address Zn-metal anode corrosion and dendritic growth.
• To enhance the reversibility and commercial viability of zinc-ion batteries.

Main Methods:

• Utilized acetamide-derived thioacetamide (TAA) as a surface modifier for the Zn-electrolyte interface.
• Investigated TAA hydrolysis products (acidic byproducts, sulfide ions) and their adsorption on the Zn surface.
• Evaluated TAA's effect on Zn deposition, interfacial layer formation, and side reactions in aqueous electrolytes.
• Tested symmetric cells and Zn|V₆O₁₃ full cells with TAA.

Main Results:

• TAA induced uniform Zn²⁺ deposition and formed a stable interfacial layer.
• Reduced water activity inhibited side reactions, leading to low polarization (50 mV) in symmetric cells.
• Stable cycling for 700 hours at 1 mA cm^-2 was achieved in symmetric cells.
• Full cells demonstrated electrochemical reversibility with 64% capacity retention over 300 cycles.

Conclusions:

• TAA effectively modulates the Zn-electrolyte interface, enhancing battery performance.
• The study presents a simple manufacturing process for competitive zinc-ion batteries.
• Functional electrolyte additives like TAA are crucial for practical zinc-ion battery applications.