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Updated: Jun 3, 2026
06:58
Zinc-Sponge Battery Electrodes that Suppress Dendrites
Published on: September 29, 2020
Janus Calix[6]Arene Dual-Site Additive Enables Dendrite-Free Aqueous Zn Batteries
Jinya Tian1, Zhaoyang Jiao1, Jianlong Cong1
1State Key Laboratory of New Textile Materials and Advanced Processing, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
Small (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)
|June 2, 2026
Summary
This study introduces p-sulfonatocalix[6]arene (SC6A) as an electrolyte additive for aqueous zinc batteries. SC6A enhances battery performance by suppressing dendrites and improving stability for long-life energy storage.
Area of Science:
- Electrochemistry
- Materials Science
- Supramolecular Chemistry
Background:
- Aqueous zinc metal batteries offer a safe and sustainable energy storage solution.
- Key challenges include dendrite formation, hydrogen evolution, and interfacial corrosion, limiting battery lifespan.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce p-sulfonatocalix[6]arene (SC6A) as a novel electrolyte additive for aqueous zinc batteries.
- To investigate SC6A's mechanism in modulating the zinc ion solvation sheath and interfacial ion flux.
Main Methods:
- Utilized p-sulfonatocalix[6]arene (SC6A), a water-soluble supramolecular macrocycle, as an electrolyte additive.
- Investigated SC6A's dual functional sites (sulfonates and phenolic hydroxyls) for surface anchoring and ion coordination.
- Evaluated performance in Zn||Cu cells and Zn||NH4V4O10 full cells, including Coulombic efficiency and capacity retention.
Main Results:
- SC6A effectively suppressed side reactions and reduced hydrogen evolution.
- Achieved highly reversible zinc plating/stripping with 99.7% Coulombic efficiency over 1300 cycles in Zn||Cu cells.
- Demonstrated 89% capacity retention after 1500 cycles in Zn||NH4V4O10 full cells at practical loadings.
Conclusions:
- SC6A acts as a Janus-like additive, enabling uniform zinc nucleation and suppressing interfacial issues.
- Established a molecular-level supramolecular design strategy for interfacial engineering in aqueous zinc batteries.
- SC6A facilitates the development of long-life and practical aqueous zinc metal batteries.
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