An electron-losing regulation strategy for stripping modulation towards a highly reversible Zn anode

Area of Science:

• Electrochemistry
• Materials Science

Background:

• Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) face challenges with low coulombic efficiency (CE) and poor cycle life.
• Current research often focuses on zinc plating, neglecting the critical initial zinc stripping process in AZIBs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate an electron-losing regulation strategy for modulating zinc anode stripping in AZIBs.
• To explore the role of electrolyte additives in achieving uniform zinc stripping and improving battery performance.

Main Methods:

• Utilized Oxolane (OL) as a model additive to study its effect on zinc anode stripping.
• Analyzed the adsorption behavior of OL on the zinc surface and its influence on zinc dissolution kinetics.
• Investigated the impact of OL on zinc surface energy and crystallographic orientation during plating.

Main Results:

• Oxolane (OL) adsorbs onto uneven zinc surfaces, promoting uniform zinc dissolution during stripping.
• OL accelerates the dissolution of zinc tips, leading to a more uniform zinc anode.
• The presence of OL reduces zinc surface energy and favors the exposure of the Zn (002) surface during plating.

Conclusions:

• The proposed electron-losing regulation strategy effectively modulates zinc anode stripping in AZIBs.
• Oxolane (OL) as an electrolyte additive significantly enhances the lifespan and reversibility of AZIBs.
• This research provides a deeper understanding of zinc anode stripping mechanisms and guides the design of future electrolyte additives for AZIBs.