Liquid Alloy Interlayer for Aqueous Zinc-Ion Battery

Abstract

Ameliorating the interfacial issues of the zinc anode, particularly dendrite growth and electrode corrosion, is imperative for rechargeable zinc metal batteries. Herein, an electrochemical-inert liquid gallium–indium alloy coating is designed toward the zinc anode, inspired by the gallium–indium–zinc phase diagram. This unique liquid coating prefers an inward-deposition of Zn underneath the liquid coating assisted by ultrafast mass/charge transport when charging. Moreover, the corrosion of the modified zinc anode is improved as well, depiciting a hydrogen-evolution reaction overpotential higher than that of the reference zinc anode. Consequently, it enables a polarization of 24 mV, the lowest to the best of our knowledge, at 0.25 mA cm–2 with a prolonged lifespan (2100 h), which further enables the corresponding MnO2 full cells with improved capacity retention and stage of charge above 96% after 48 h. This effective approach provides a universal idea for the future development of rechargeable metal batteries beyond zinc-storage systems.

Advanced Zinc Anode with Nitrogen‐Doping Interface Induced by Plasma Surface Treatment

“…Figure 2e summarizes the voltage hysteresis and lifespan of N‐Zn along with those of other related works introducing artificial surface modification methods for the Zn anode of ZIBs. [ 15 , 16 , 27 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 ] It is worth noting that this work shows loner cycling life and lower voltage hysteresis under 1mA cm –2 compared to other reported approaches. In addition, the symmetrical N‐Zn cell maintained a stable lifespan for 1000 h at 2 mA cm −2 and 500 h at 5 mA cm –2 , demonstrating the high reversibility of zincophilic sites under large current density.…”

Zinc Anode for Mild Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries: Challenges, Strategies, and Perspectives

“…e Dendrite-free GaIn@Zn anode by alloying-diffusion synergistic strategy; f Voltage profiles of symmetric cells using bare Zn foil and GaIn@Zn at a current density of 0.25 mA cm −2 [116]. Copyright 2021, American Chemical Society Differently, liquid alloys have high fluidity and deformability and can avoid the formation of dendrites through a selfhealing mechanism [116,117]. The high Zn affinity of liquid Ga-In alloy enables the preferential formation of Ga-In-Zn ternary alloy (Fig.…”

“…Zn can be fused with various elements to form Zn-based alloys, classified into binary alloys, ternary alloys, and multi-element alloys according to the number of their components. In addition to Ga–In–Zn [ 116 , 117 ] and Zn–Sn–Pb [ 118 ] alloys, the Zn alloys currently reported on mild aqueous Zn anodes are mainly binary alloys, such as Cu–Zn [ 89 , 119 , 120 ], Ag–Zn [ 89 , 121 – 123 ], Zn–Al [ 124 ], Zn–Mn [ 125 ], Zn–Sb [ 115 ], and Zn-P [ 69 ]. The interaction between alloy components will form an alloy phase with a specific structure and composition, which can be divided into solid solution and intermetallic compound [ 126 ].…”

“…However, excessive Zn deposition will still form a Zn layer on the alloy surface, inducing dendrite growth. Differently, liquid alloys have high fluidity and deformability and can avoid the formation of dendrites through a self-healing mechanism [ 116 , 117 ]. The high Zn affinity of liquid Ga–In alloy enables the preferential formation of Ga–In–Zn ternary alloy (Fig.…”

“…Copyright 2021, American Chemical Society. e Dendrite-free GaIn@Zn anode by alloying–diffusion synergistic strategy; f Voltage profiles of symmetric cells using bare Zn foil and GaIn@Zn at a current density of 0.25 mA cm −2 [ 116 ]. Copyright 2021, American Chemical Society …”