Effective Proton Conduction in Quasi-Solid Zinc-Manganese Batteries via Constructing Highly Connected Transfer...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Energy Storage

Background:

• Aqueous zinc-manganese batteries (AZMBs) are promising for grid-scale energy storage but face challenges with ion behavior and stability in aqueous electrolytes.
• Existing electrolyte strategies often overlook the critical role of proton conduction in AZMB operation.
• Improving ion transport and interfacial stability is crucial for practical AZMB applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a water-poor quasi-solid electrolyte with efficient proton transfer pathways for AZMBs.
• To investigate the role of a Pr3+ additive in controlling proton conduction and manganese deposition.
• To enhance the stability and performance of AZMBs for grid-scale energy storage.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a water-poor quasi-solid electrolyte utilizing montmorillonite with a Pr3+ additive.
• In-depth analysis of proton conduction mechanisms within the developed electrolyte.
• Electrochemical testing of Cu@Zn||α-MnO2 cells and ah-scale pouch cells to evaluate performance and stability.

Main Results:

• The Pr3+ additive was found to dominate proton conduction kinetics and regulate reversible manganese interfacial deposition.
• The Cu@Zn||α-MnO2 cell achieved a high specific capacity of 433 mAh g-1 at 0.4 mA cm-2.
• Excellent stability was demonstrated with 92.2% capacity retention after 800 cycles at 0.8 mA cm-2, and ah-scale pouch cells sustained 100 cycles.

Conclusions:

• The developed water-poor quasi-solid electrolyte with Pr3+ additive offers efficient proton transfer and improved interfacial stability for AZMBs.
• This approach significantly enhances the cycle life and capacity retention of AZMBs, addressing key limitations.
• The study presents a new strategy for developing sustainable and practical zinc metal batteries for grid-scale applications.