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Updated: Aug 15, 2026
05:33
Solid-state Graft Copolymer Electrolytes for Lithium Battery Applications
Published on: August 12, 2013
Cationic Complex Polymer Separator Confined Anionic [Zn(OH)4]2‒ Reduction for Stable Alkaline Batteries
Zhihao Sun1, Lin Liu1, Junwei Zhang1
1Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Aqueous Battery Center, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, Shanghai Wusong Laboratory of Materials Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, State Key Laboratory of Porous Materials for Separation and Conversion, College of Smart Materials and Future Energy, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
Advanced Materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)
|August 14, 2026
Summary
Alkaline batteries with anionic charge carriers are improved using tailored polymer separators (CCPS). These separators enable stable cycling and high efficiency in Zn-based batteries, accelerating commercialization.
Area of Science:
- Electrochemistry
- Materials Science
- Energy Storage
Background:
- Alkaline batteries offer thermodynamic stability and commercial feasibility due to suppressed hydrogen evolution.
- Commercial separators lack ion regulation, leading to dendrite formation and passivation in alkaline batteries.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop advanced polymer separators with tailored cationic complexes for enhanced alkaline battery performance.
- To enable selective transfer channels for hydroxide and zincate ions.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of alkali-stable cationic complexes in polymer separators (CCPS).
- Synchrotron spectroscopic characterizations and theoretical calculations to analyze complex coordination.
- In situ electrochemical digital holography and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry for interface analysis.
Main Results:
- CCPS constructs selective OH- transfer channels, attracting [Zn(OH)4]2- via electrostatic interactions.
- Homogeneous ion distribution, oriented Zn deposition, and impeded passivation were confirmed at the CCPS-electrode interface.
- Alkaline Zn||Cu cells achieved over 5500 cycles with 99.99% coulombic efficiency; Ni-Zn batteries showed ultrastable cycling.
Conclusions:
- Tailored CCPS significantly enhances the stability and efficiency of alkaline batteries.
- The developed separators address key challenges like dendrite formation and passivation.
- This strategy offers a practical approach for the commercialization of advanced alkaline batteries.
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