Interfacial Manipulation via In Situ Grown ZnSe Cultivator toward Highly Reversible Zn Metal Anodes

Abstract

Zn metal anode has garnered growing scientific and industrial interest owing to its appropriate redox potential, low cost, and high safety. Nevertheless, the instability of Zn anode caused by dendrite formation, hydrogen evolution, and side reactions has greatly hampered its commercialization. Herein, an in situ grown ZnSe overlayer is crafted over one side of commercial Zn foil via chemical vapor deposition in a scalable manner, aiming to achieve optimized electrolyte/Zn interfaces with large‐scale viability. Impressively, thus‐derived ZnSe coating functions as a cultivator to guide oriented growth of Zn (002) plane at the infancy stage of stripping/plating cycles, thereby inhibiting the formation of Zn dendrites and the occurrence of side reactions. As a result, high cyclic stability (1530 h at 1.0 mA cm−2/1.0 mAh cm−2; 172 h at 30.0 mA cm−2/10.0 mAh cm−2) in symmetric cells is harvested. Meanwhile, when paired with V2O5 based cathode, assembled full cell achieves an outstanding capacity (194.5 mAh g−1) and elongated lifespan (a capacity retention of 84% after 1000 cycles) at 5.0 A g−1. The reversible Zn anode enabled by the interfacial manipulation strategy via ZnSe cultivator is anticipated to satisfy the demand of commercial use.

In Situ Constructing Coordination Compounds Interphase to Stabilize Zn Metal Anode for High‐Performance Aqueous Zn–SeS2 Batteries

“…The more positive corrosion potential and lower corrosion current of Zn-ATMP@Zn electrodes (E corr = −0.987 V, I corr = 6.3 × 10 −4 A cm −2 ) than that of the bare Zn (E corr = −0.995 V, I corr = 3.6 × 10 −3 A cm −2 ) indicates a much lower corrosion rate. [32] The above results indicate that Zn-ATMP film can form a stable interface to inhibit interfacial corrosion and mitigates side reactions between electrolyte and Zn anode, thus achieving a strong protection effect and thermodynamic stability of Zn anode. The wettability of anode is directly relevant to the interfacial diffusion process.…”

Nitrogen‐Doped Carbon Fibers Embedded with Zincophilic Cu Nanoboxes for Stable Zn‐Metal Anodes

“…The cell failure might be attributed to accumulation of "dead" Zn, exhaustion of electrolyte, and detrimental side reactions. [44,45] FESEM and XRD characterizations are conducted for the Cu NBs@NCFs-Zn electrode after the long-term cycling test (Figure S26, Supporting Information). The Cu NBs@NCFs-Zn electrode shows a dendrite-free and compact surface after 400 h. Besides, the XRD pattern indicates the formation of Zn 4 SO 4 (OH) 6 •5H 2 O (JCPDS No.…”

Recent progress, mechanisms, and perspectives for crystal and interface chemistry applying to the Zn metal anodes in aqueous zinc‐ion batteries

“…This method has also been expanded to other elements, such as ZnF 2 and ZnSe (Figure 8B), which in situ creates the multifunctional layers. 82,83 The DFT is a good proof to support the mechanism which concentrates on the adsorption energy and charge distribution of the interface between the protective layer and the Zn metal surface (Figure 8C). The high adsorption energy indicates the Zn atoms could be seized easily because of the intense zincophilicity.…”

“…Reproduced with permission. [83] Copyright 2021, Wiley. (C) The result of the DFT calculation corresponds to the in situ constructed ZnF 2 on the Zn substrate.…”