Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 24, 2026
06:58
Zinc-Sponge Battery Electrodes that Suppress Dendrites
Published on: September 29, 2020
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Tailoring cellulose hydrogel electrolyte using deep eutectic solvent for stable zinc-ion hybrid supercapacitors with
Yunhua Bai1, Xiong-Fei Zhang1, Hu Liu1
1Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, 210037, China.
Carbohydrate Polymers
|March 14, 2026
Summary
A novel cellulose-based hydrogel electrolyte effectively suppresses zinc dendrite growth in zinc-ion hybrid supercapacitors. This enhances cycling stability and offers a promising strategy for advanced energy storage systems.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Energy Storage
Background:
- Zinc-ion hybrid supercapacitors (ZHSs) offer low cost and high safety for energy storage.
- Dendrite growth and side reactions limit ZHS capacity and stability.
- Gel electrolytes need mechanical strength and tunable interfaces for zinc deposition control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a cellulose-based hydrogel electrolyte for ZHSs.
- To suppress zinc dendrite growth and improve cycling stability.
- To investigate the role of deep eutectic solvents in electrolyte performance.
Main Methods:
- Prepared a cellulose-based hydrogel (DES-gel-2) using NaOH-urea treatment and deep eutectic solvent (DES) immersion.
- Analyzed the coordination of urea with Zn2+ and water molecules.
- Investigated the effect of residual Na+ ions on ionic conductivity and interfacial charge transport.
- Tested the cycling stability of ZHS devices using the developed electrolyte.
Main Results:
- Urea molecules in DES-gel-2 coordinated with Zn2+ and water, ensuring uniform electric field distribution and suppressing dendrites.
- Residual Na+ ions enhanced ionic conductivity and interfacial charge transport.
- ZHS devices maintained over 86.7% capacity after 10,000 cycles at 10 A·g-1.
- Demonstrated excellent cycling stability and improved electrochemical kinetics.
Conclusions:
- Developed a novel DES-cellulose hydrogel electrolyte effective for regulating zinc deposition.
- The strategy offers new opportunities for high-performance zinc-based energy storage systems.
- The electrolyte shows significant potential for practical large-scale energy storage applications.
Keywords:
Anti-freezing abilityDeep eutectic solventHydrogel electrolyteZinc ion hybrid supercapacitorMore Related Videos
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