3D Printing-Induced Phase Transition in Ferroelectric Porous Polymer Coatings for Stable Zinc Anodes

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Energy Storage

Background:

• Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) offer a sustainable energy storage solution due to zinc's abundance and environmental friendliness.
• Key challenges hindering AZIB development include zinc dendrite formation and side reactions, which compromise battery stability and lifespan.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a novel strategy for protecting zinc anodes in AZIBs.
• To enhance the electrochemical performance and cycle stability of AZIBs by mitigating dendrite growth and side reactions.

Main Methods:

• A ferroelectric porous PVDF-HFP protective layer (PH-ZF) was constructed on the zinc anode surface using 3D printing technology.
• The PH-ZF layer was characterized for its structure and properties, focusing on the high content of β-phase PVDF-HFP achieved without post-treatment.
• The protective layer's ability to regulate ion concentration and promote uniform Zn2+ deposition was investigated.

Main Results:

• Symmetric AZIBs with the PH-ZF layer demonstrated extended cycle lifetimes of 1200 h at 0.5 mA cm⁻² and 2000 h at 1.0 mA cm⁻².
• Full AZIBs utilizing MnO₂ cathodes exhibited a discharge specific capacity of approximately 88.3 mA g⁻¹ after 1000 cycles at 1.0 A g⁻¹, significantly outperforming bare zinc anodes (51 mAh g⁻¹).
• The ferroelectric porous polymer layer effectively suppressed zinc dendrite formation and side reactions.

Conclusions:

• The 3D-printed ferroelectric porous PVDF-HFP layer provides an effective and simplified method for zinc anode protection in AZIBs.
• This approach significantly enhances the cycle stability and electrochemical performance of AZIBs, paving the way for their practical application.