Dynamically Modified Flexible Zn Powder Anodes with Stable Performance at High Rate and High Zn Utilization

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Energy Storage

Background:

• Flexible zinc (Zn) powder batteries are crucial for portable electronics.
• Current limitations include poor rechargeability, low rate capability, and inefficient Zn utilization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To overcome limitations of static Zn anode modifications.
• To develop a flexible Zn powder electrode with enhanced performance.

Main Methods:

• Integration of a shape-variant, liquid metal-based conductive network into Zn powder electrodes.
• Dynamic homogenization of electric-field distribution and electron transport pathways.
• Testing of Zn plating-stripping processes and full-cell performance.

Main Results:

• The dynamic network effectively mitigates Zn dendrites, stress, and Zn loss.
• Exceptional cycling stability achieved at high rates (10 mA cm^-2/1 mAh cm^-2 for 1200 h).
• High Zn utilization demonstrated (55.4% over 400 h, 88.6% over 244 h).
• A flexible NH₄V₄O₁₀||Zn full-cell maintained 87.4% capacity after 9000 cycles at 10 A g^-1.

Conclusions:

• The shape-variant conductive network offers a novel approach for improving Zn anode performance.
• This strategy significantly enhances cycling stability and Zn utilization in flexible batteries.
• The developed technology shows potential for advanced portable power applications.