Achieving Stable Zinc Metal Anode Via Polyaniline Interface Regulation of Zn Ion Flux and Desolvation

Abstract

Aqueous zinc‐ion batteries feature high safety, low cost, and relatively high energy density; however, their cycle life is hindered by severe Zn dendrite formation and water‐induced parasitic reactions. Herein, a porous polyaniline (PANI) interfacial layer is developed on the surface of Zn metal anode to regulate the transport and deposition of Zn2+, achieving an ultra‐stable and highly reversible Zn anode. Specifically, the abundant polar groups (NH and N) in PANI have a strong attraction to H2O, which can trap and immobilize H2O molecules around Zn2+. Moreover, the protective layer regulates ion flux and deposition behavior of Zn2+ through the ion confinement effect. Consequently, the Zn@PANI anode exhibits improved reversible plating/stripping behavior with a low nucleation overpotential (37.9 mV) at 2.0 mA cm‐2 compared to that of bare Zn anode. The MnO2//Zn@PANI cell demonstrates a high capacity retention of 94.3% after 1000 cycles at 1.0 A g−1. This study lays the foundation for accessible interface engineering and in‐depth mechanistic analysis of Zn anode.

Bionic Mineralization toward Scalable MOF Films for Ampere-Level Biomass Upgrading

“…Thus, the bionic mineralization strategy with the demonstrated feasibility provides an efficient way to prepare advanced electrocatalysts toward efficient biomass upgrading at large scale. Additionally, MOF (e.g., MAF-6) films could also serve as the effective protection layer to impart a zinc anode with a prolonged cycling lifespan (>1200 h) and an enhanced Coulombic efficiency (>99.2%) for rechargeable zinc-based batteries (Figure S56), which is comparable with the recently reported results (Table S7), − indicating a wide range of potential applications of such MOF films formed in situ.…”

A physico-chemo-electrochemically coupled stable interface for high-capacity and durable aqueous zinc metal batteries

“…At the same time, this will lead to OH − aggregation and produce a non-conductive passivation layer on the Zn anode, which makes the distribution of the electric eld chaotic and results in heterogeneous and dendritic deposition of Zn 2+ . [42][43][44] Aer introducing EMIM + ions, both EMIM + and [Zn(H 2 O) 6 ] 2+ migrate to the interface and compete with each other. Based on the adsorption energy of water molecules (−0.13 eV) and EMIM + cations (−1.64 eV) on the surface of the zinc anode (Fig.…”

Research progress on modified Zn substrates in stabilizing zinc anodes

“…To address the above-mentioned issues of ZIB anodes, researchers have proposed various approaches to suppress zinc dendrites. The main strategies used are: (1) zinc anode surface modification, 20–30 (2) electrolyte modification, 31,32 and (3) structural design of zinc anodes. In zinc anode surface modification, carbon materials with excellent conductivity ( e.g.…”

“…To address the above-mentioned issues of ZIB anodes, researchers have proposed various approaches to suppress zinc dendrites. The main strategies used are: (1) zinc anode surface modication, [20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30] (2) electrolyte modication, 31,32 and (3) structural design of zinc anodes. In zinc anode surface modication, carbon materials with excellent conductivity (e.g., graphite power, 36 graphene oxide, 33 carbon nanotubes, 35 and reduced graphene oxide 34 ) can be employed to form a protective layer with a pore structure on the surface of the zinc anode.…”