Zinc metal is considered as one of the best anode choices for rechargeable aqueous Zn-based batteries due to its high specific capacity, abundance, and safety. However, dendrite and corrosion issues remain a challenge for this system. Herein, sieve-element function (selective channel of Zn 2+ ) and uniform-pore distribution (≈3.0 nm) of a kaolin-coated Zn anode (KL-Zn) is proposed to alleviate these problems. Based on the artificial Zn metal/electrolyte interface, the KL-Zn anode not only ensures dendritefree deposition and long-time stability (800 h at 1.1 mA h cm −2 ), but also retards side reactions. As a consequence, KL-Zn/MnO 2 batteries can deliver high specific capacity and good capacity retention as well as a reasonably well-preserved morphology (KL-Zn) after 600 cycles at 0.5 A g −1 . This work provides a deep step toward high-performance rechargeable Zn-based battery system.
Tin and its compounds hold promise for the development of high-capacity anode materials that could replace graphitic carbon used in current lithium-ion batteries. However, the introduced porosity in current electrode designs to buffer the volume changes of active materials during cycling does not afford high volumetric performance. Here, we show a strategy leveraging a sulfur sacrificial agent for controlled utility of void space in a tin oxide/graphene composite anode. In a typical synthesis using the capillary drying of graphene hydrogels, sulfur is employed with hard tin oxide nanoparticles inside the contraction hydrogels. The resultant graphene-caged tin oxide delivers an ultrahigh volumetric capacity of 2123 mAh cm–3 together with good cycling stability. Our results suggest not only a conversion-type composite anode that allows for good electrochemical characteristics, but also a general synthetic means to engineering the packing density of graphene nanosheets for high energy storage capabilities in small volumes.
Tackling the huge volume expansion of silicon (Si) anode desires a stable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) to prohibit the interfacial side reactions. Here, a layered conductive polyaniline (LCP) coating is built on Si nanoparticles to achieve high areal capacity and long lifespan. The conformal LCP coating stores electrolyte in interlamination spaces and directs an in situ formation of LCP‐integrated hybrid SEI skin with uniform distribution of organic and inorganic components, enhancing the flexibility of the SEI to buffer the volume changes and maintaining homogeneous ion transport during cycling. As a result, the Si anode shows a remarkable cycling stability under high areal capacity (≈3 mAh cm−2) after 150 cycles and good rate performance of 942 mAh g−1 at 5 A g−1. This work demonstrates the great potential of regulating the SEI properties by a layered polymer‐directing SEI formation for the mechanical and electrochemical stabilization of Si anodes.
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