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Adaptive Hydration Chemistry Enables Fast and Durable Zinc-Ion Batteries
Shan Cai1, Jiugang Hu1, Chengguo Wei1
1College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, P.R. China.
Angewandte Chemie (International Ed. in English)
|September 1, 2025
Summary
A novel strategy using 2-picolinaldehyde (2PA) as a reversible hydration modulator (RHM) enhances aqueous zinc-ion battery (AZIB) stability. This approach dynamically controls interfacial water, improving anode performance and ion transport for reliable large-scale energy storage.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Energy Storage
Background:
- Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) are promising for large-scale energy storage.
- Uncontrolled interfacial water in AZIBs hinders anode stability and ion transport.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel strategy for dynamic regulation of interfacial water in AZIBs.
- To improve anode stability and ion transport by modulating water at the electrode-electrolyte interface.
Main Methods:
- Utilized 2-picolinaldehyde (2PA) as a reversible hydration modulator (RHM).
- Employed spectroscopic and computational analyses to understand RHM's mechanism.
- Fabricated and tested symmetric and full AZIB cells with RHM-modified electrolytes.
Main Results:
- RHM dynamically regulates interfacial water, suppressing hydrogen evolution and corrosion during plating.
- RHM facilitates Zn2+ solvation and migration during stripping by releasing water.
- Symmetric cells achieved over 4000 hours of cycling; full cells operated over 5000 cycles.
- Demonstrated low voltage polarization even at high current densities (20 mA cm-2).
Conclusions:
- The RHM strategy provides adaptive interfacial water management for AZIBs.
- Achieved enhanced interfacial stability and efficient ion transport.
- Presents a novel approach for designing advanced AZIB electrolytes for energy storage.
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