Advanced In Situ Induced Dual‐Mechanism Heterointerface Towards Ultrastable Aqueous Rocking‐Chair Zinc‐Ion Batteries

Abstract

The practical application of infancy‐stage rocking‐chair Zn‐ion batteries is predominately retarded by the strong electrostatic interaction between traditional anode materials with bivalent Zn2+, resulting in irreversible serious structural damage, unsatisfactory cycling stabilities, and poor rate performances. Herein, an advanced dual electric field in situ induced intercalation/conversion dual‐mechanism Na1.6TiS2/CuSe2 heterointerface anode towards ultrastable aqueous rocking‐chair zinc‐ion batteries is successfully constructed. The rational constructions of huge heterointerfaces between different phases generate built‐in electric fields, reducing the energy barrier for ion migration, facilitating electron/ion diffusion, decreasing charge transfer resistances, and establishing an excellent conducting network. The enhanced interactions of different atoms at the phase interface alleviate the tensile strain and stabilize the lattice, achieving superior Zn2+ diffusion kinetics. The dual‐mechanism Na1.6TiS2/CuSe2 heterostructures can reach a discharge capacity of 142 mAh g−1 at 0.2 A g−1. It still reaches a discharge capacity of 133 mAh g−1 when the current density recovers to 0.2 A g−1 after a high current evaluation of 10 A g−1 with remarkable capacity retention (83.8% at 5A g−1 after 12 000 cycles). This breakthrough opens a new avenue for the targeted design of rocking‐chair zinc‐ion batteries and provides insights into the evolution of heterointerfaces.

Texturing Crystal Plane of Zinc Metal via Cleavage Fracture for a Dendrite-Free Zinc Anode

“…Zn anodes are widely used in aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) for their distinct advantages: (1) zinc metal possesses an ultrahigh theoretical volumetric and gravimetric capacity of 5855 mA h cm –3 and 820 mA h g –1 , respectively; − (2) Zn has good compatibility with neutral or weakly acidic aqueous solution; − and (3) commercial Zn foil is easily available and inexpensive. , However, the dendrite problem seriously hinders the development of Zn metal anodes in aqueous ZIBs. − Young’s modulus of Zn is much higher than that of Li, indicating that zinc dendrites are more likely to penetrate the separator and cause a short circuit of the battery . Furthermore, the shaggy dendrite is loosely connected to the Zn substrate, and the charges on the electrode surface tend to accumulate at the dendritic root, which may cause the dendrite detachment and the formation of “dead Zn,” further leading to the decrease in Coulombic efficiency (CE). , Therefore, a lot of research work has been put into inhibiting the formation and growth of zinc dendrite, such as zinc surface coating, − current collector optimizing, − alloying, and so on. − Although these modification strategies improve the cycling performance of the Zn anode to a certain extent, they sacrifice some advantages of the zinc metal anode, such as good electrical conductivity, fast interfacial reaction kinetics, or high volumetric capacity.…”

In Situ Transition Layer Design Based on Ti Additive Enabling High-Performance Liquid Metal Batteries

“…Energy storage technology can effectively solve the volatility and intermittency of renewable energy generation and improve its utilization efficiency, which is an important step to achieve the goal of carbon neutrality. − Electrochemical energy storage technology has the advantages of flexibility and high efficiency, which is an important development direction of large-scale energy storage technology. − Liquid metal batteries (LMBs) with a three-liquid-layer structure have recently sparked widespread interest. The LMB is composed of three liquid layers: the molten salt electrolyte in the middle and two liquid electrodes at the top and bottom.…”

Controllable CF4 Plasma In Situ Modification Strategy Enables Durable Zinc Metal Anode

“…Aqueous zinc-ion battery (ZIB) with high safety and low cost has been considered one of the feasible solutions for grid-scale energy storage. − However, the dendrite issue of the zinc anode greatly impedes the practical application of ZIBs. − During the charging process of the cell, the growth of zinc dendrite will pierce the separator and cause a short circuit. During the discharging process of the battery, the preferential dissolution of the dendrite root causes the deposited zinc to detach from the substrate and form “dead zinc” .…”