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Updated: Aug 5, 2026
06:58
Zinc-Sponge Battery Electrodes that Suppress Dendrites
Published on: September 29, 2020
Ferroelectric-Conductive Cathode-Collector Contacts Enable Deep and Reversible Zn Storage
Bing Wang1, Haoyu Xiao2,3, Xinquan Ma1
1State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Materials Synthesis and Processing, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, China.
Small (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)
|August 3, 2026
Summary
Researchers developed a novel interlayer for aqueous zinc-ion batteries to improve cathode performance. This interlayer enhances ion and electron transport, enabling deeper and more reversible charge storage for grid-scale applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Energy Storage
Background:
- Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) show promise for grid-scale energy storage.
- Cathode capacity in AZIBs is often limited by slow zinc ion kinetics and poor reversibility during deep insertion.
- The interface between the cathode and current collector is a critical, yet overlooked, bottleneck for ion and electron transport.
Purpose of the Study:
- To address the kinetic limitations at the cathode-current collector interface in AZIBs.
- To improve the synchronization of ionic and electronic transport during charge and discharge cycles.
- To enhance the depth and reversibility of charge storage in AZIB cathodes.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a ferroelectric-conductive BaTiO3@carbon nanotube (BTO@CNT) bridging interlayer.
- Integration of the BTO@CNT interlayer between VO2 cathodes and Ti current collectors using catalytic pyrolysis.
- Electrochemical testing of modified and control Zn||VO2 pouch cells.
Main Results:
- The BTO@CNT interlayer established durable ohmic contact and efficient electronic conduction via the CNT network.
- Ferroelectric polarization of BTO mitigated voltage hysteresis during deep Zn2+ insertion.
- The interlayer improved Zn2+ insertion/electron delivery synchronization, suppressed kinetic trapping, and enabled deeper, reversible storage.
- Modified cells demonstrated stable cycling over 130 cycles, unlike control cells which faded rapidly.
Conclusions:
- The ferroelectric-conductive BTO@CNT interlayer effectively optimizes the cathode-current collector interface in AZIBs.
- This strategy enhances electrochemical performance by improving ion and electron transport kinetics.
- Functional interlayers offer a practical approach to enhance the performance of aqueous batteries for grid-scale storage.
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