High-Loading Gel Cathodes Enabling Energetic Zinc Metal Batteries with Device-Level Capacities Beyond 100 Ah L^-1.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Energy Storage

Background:

• Zinc metal batteries (ZMBs) possess high theoretical capacity.
• A key limitation is the lack of suitable cathodes for high zinc anode loading.
• This hinders the practical energy density of ZMBs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design a novel gel cathode architecture for high-loading zinc metal batteries.
• To enhance interfacial properties and ion transport within the cathode.
• To achieve high volumetric capacity in ZMB full cells.

Main Methods:

• Development of a hydrogel-based cathode architecture.
• Integration of strong interfacial wettability and a porous framework.
• Testing of full cells with zinc anodes and the novel gel cathode.

Main Results:

• Achieved an unprecedented active material loading of 60 mg cm^-2.
• Demonstrated a state-of-the-art volumetric capacity of 120 Ah L^-1 in full cells.
• Validated scalability and practical feasibility with a 1.8 Ah pouch cell.

Conclusions:

• The gel cathode architecture significantly enhances zinc metal battery performance.
• This approach offers a versatile pathway for developing high-loading cathodes.
• The study advances the development of energetic and practical zinc metal batteries.