High-Areal-Loading Zinc-Ion Batteries with Long-Term Cycling at Practical Current Densities with Scalable Electrode...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Energy Storage

Background:

• Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) are promising for stationary energy storage due to safety and cost.
• Challenges include achieving long-term cycling stability with high areal loadings and low C-rates.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a durable, high-loading, and scalable ZIB for grid-level applications.
• To enhance the cycling stability and rate capability of aqueous ZIBs.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a polyaniline-based ZIB utilizing a 3D interconnected sponge-like carbon nanotube (CNT) host.
• Incorporation of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as an electrolyte additive.
• Implementation of a solvent-free dry electrode process for scalability.

Main Results:

• The CNT host architecture supports high active material loading (up to 6 mg cm^-2) and provides mechanical resilience and conductivity.
• The ZIB retained 70% capacity over ~6,000 cycles at 0.68C with DMSO additive, showing excellent low-rate stability.
• The battery demonstrated high-rate capability, maintaining ~9,000 cycles at 6.8C.
• A solvent-free process achieved 7.9 mg cm^-2 areal loading, delivering 140 mAh g^-1 at 0.5 C.

Conclusions:

• The novel polyaniline-based ZIB with a CNT host offers a significant advancement in durable, high-loading, and scalable energy storage.
• This technology addresses key challenges in ZIB performance, paving the way for practical grid-level applications.