Heterogeneous molecular catalysts built from β-substituted cobalt porphyrins and carbon nanotubes afford tunable activity for H2O2 synthesis via the two-electron transfer oxygen reduction reaction.
The aqueous Zn ion battery (ZIB) is a potentially sustainable energy storage device. However, its performance is still far from satisfactory. Herein, it is demonstrated that a branched sugar, dextran, widely used in eyedrop products to relieve irritated eyes, is a multifunctional and universal electrolyte additive to enable high‐performance ZIBs. Experimental and theoretical results reveal that dextran has four functions: forming a surface protective layer to minimize side reactions, facilitating stepwise [Zn(H2O)6]2+ desolvation, preferably adsorbing on Zn(0002) planes to supply desolvated Zn2+ and homogenizing electric field. These functions are universally observed in Zn(CF3SO3)2, ZnSO4, Zn(ClO4)2, and ZnCl2 aqueous electrolytes. As demonstrations for practical applications, Zn anodes deliver Coulombic efficiency of 99.97% after 3400 cycles in an electrolyte with 50 mg mL‒1 of dextran and cumulative plating capacity of 3400 mAh cm‒2 at 5 mA cm‒2. Zn//V2O5 full cells with a low negative/positive electrode capacity ratio of 2.18 can be stably cycled over 138 cycles at 1 A g‒1. Pouch full cells can work under mechanical bending conditions. Zn//polyaniline full cells can cycle steadily for 3000 cycles at 0.5 A g‒1 at −10 °C. Dextran shows excellent potential as a low‐cost and non‐toxic electrolyte additive to enable safe and reliable ZIBs.
Rechargeable zinc ion batteries are promising next-generation energy storage devices with inherent safety and low-cost advantages. However, unstable Zn/electrolyte interfaces cause detrimental dendrite growth and Zn anode corrosion, resulting in...
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.