Anode Potential Evolution During Zinc Metal Plating and Stripping in Dual-Solvent Battery Electrolytes

Area of Science:

• Electrochemistry
• Materials Science
• Chemical Engineering

Background:

• The solvation environment of the working cation is critical in battery electrolyte research.
• Multisolvent electrolytes are increasingly utilized to optimize bulk properties and interfacial reactions in batteries.
• Understanding cation solvation dynamics is essential for advancing battery technology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To elucidate the relationship between cation solvation and interfacial electrochemistry in multisolvent electrolytes.
• To demonstrate how preferential solvation affects interfacial energetics during zinc plating and stripping.
• To provide insights for designing dual-solvent electrolytes with tailored electrochemical properties.

Main Methods:

• Investigated zinc (Zn²⁺) solvation in electrolytes with varying solvent coordinating strengths.
• Analyzed dynamic evolution of interfacial energetics during Zn plating and stripping.
• Quantified shifts in the reversible potential of Zn plating under different solvation conditions.

Main Results:

• Preferential solvation of Zn²⁺ by strong coordinating solvents leads to dynamic interfacial energetic changes.
• Local solvent composition and coordination changes significantly impact interfacial electrochemistry.
• Reversible potential shifts of up to 1 V were observed due to interfacial solvation evolution under mild conditions.

Conclusions:

• The phenomenon of interfacial solvation evolution is general and important in dual-solvent battery electrolytes.
• Solvent design plays a crucial role in tailoring electrochemical behavior, particularly interfacial reactions.
• This work provides a framework for optimizing battery performance through strategic solvent selection and electrolyte engineering.