Reconstructing zinc anode interface for enhanced aqueous zinc-ion batteries using a trace-amount C₃H₆O₃ additive

Area of Science:

• Electrochemistry
• Materials Science
• Energy Storage

Background:

• Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) offer safe, eco-friendly, and affordable energy storage.
• Challenges include hydrogen evolution, corrosion, and zinc dendrites at the anode, hindering AZIB performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of dihydroxyacetone (C3H6O3) as a low-cost additive in AZIBs.
• To enhance zinc anode stability and improve the reversibility of zinc plating/stripping.

Main Methods:

• Utilized 20 mM dihydroxyacetone as an additive in the electrolyte.
• Evaluated zinc anode performance using Zn||Cu cells and Zn||Zn symmetric cells.
• Analyzed the effects on zinc deposition, solvation sheath, and surface interactions.

Main Results:

• Achieved high Coulombic efficiency (>99%) at 1 mA cm⁻² in Zn||Cu cells.
• Demonstrated stable cycling (>1600 h) with low overpotential in Zn||Zn symmetric cells at 1 mA cm⁻².
• Sustained operation for 220 h at a high current density of 10 mA cm⁻².

Conclusions:

• Dihydroxyacetone effectively reconstructs the Zn2+ solvation sheath and inhibits anode corrosion.
• The additive promotes uniform zinc plating, significantly enhancing zinc anode stability.
• Presents a viable strategy for developing high-performance and stable AZIBs.