A Novel Ultrathin Multiple‐Kinetics‐Enhanced Polymer Electrolyte Editing Enabled Wide‐Temperature Fast‐Charging Solid‐State Zinc Metal Batteries

Abstract

The sluggish ion transport kinetics and poor interface compatibility are the major challenges for developing high‐performance solid‐state zinc metal batteries. Here, using the densified polyacrylonitrile/silicon dioxide (PAN‐SiO2) nanofiber membrane as a unique multifunctional mediator, a novel mediator‐bridged type of ultrathin (28.6 µm) polymer electrolyte that is rationally designed. The PAN/SiO2 /polyethylene oxide/Zn(OTf)2(PSPZ) polymer electrolyte is demonstrated to significantly enhance multiple kinetics. In addition to superior mechanical properties, the efficient thermal conductive effect endows it with good high‐temperature structural stability. Interestingly, a unique PAN skeleton‐locking‐anion‐enabled fast ion transport mechanism is uncovered to achieve a high Zn2+ migration number (0.71). Moreover, an efficient dendrite‐free Zn deposition guided by a flat dense SEI is demonstrated. In this case, highly reversible Zn metal anodes can be realized in the temperature range extending to −25–80 °C, as well as an impressive 4800 h‐cycle lifespan at the condition of 0.1 mA cm−2. Beyond that, wide‐temperature, high‐rate, durable PSPZ‐based solid‐state Zn/VO2 batteries are also successfully verified. This brand‐new concept of multiple‐kinetics‐enhanced polymer electrolyte design can provide a new perspective for developing all‐climate fast‐charging solid‐state batteries, including but not limited to zinc metal batteries.

Regulating dielectricity of a polymer electrolyte to promote cation mobility for high-performance solid zinc hybrid batteries

“…We compared the cycle performance achieved in this work with other reported results (Fig. 3(g)), 25,30,50,51,57–60 demonstrating the superior cycling stability of Zn‖Zn symmetric cells with the PVTF SPE. Therefore, it could be summarized that the high ionic conductivity achieved by the SPE with a high ε r plays a significant role in the high reversibility and stability of Zn anodes, showing more advantages than other SPEs.…”

“…4(g) to verify the advantageous effects of our fabricated PVTF SPE, demonstrating the superiority of the as-prepared SPE with high dielectricity among various SPEs. 24,25,30,49,51,[62][63][64][65] The high power density of the Zn8LMO and Zn8LFP full cells further confirmed the fast Li + and Zn 2+ migration kinetics enabled by the PVTF SPE, which is ascribed to its high ionic conductivity and great cation mobility triggered by excellent dielectric performances. The higher dissociation ability of the PVTF SPEs towards Zn(OTf) 2 and LiOTf produced by high dielectricity could alleviate the polarization of SPEs during cycling and, therefore, yield a higher discharge capacity at high current rates.…”