Molecular‐Level Zn‐Ion Transfer Pump Specifically Functioning on (002) Facets Enables Durable Zn Anodes

Abstract

The modification of metallic Zn anode contributes to solving the cycling issue of Zn‐ion batteries (ZIBs) by restraining the dendrite growth and side reactions. In this regard, modulating (002) Zn is an effective way to prolong the lifespan of ZIBs with a parallel arrangement of Zn deposition. Herein, the authors propose to add trace amounts of Zn(BF4)2 additive in 3 M ZnSO4 to promote in‐plane Zn deposition by forming a BF4−‐[Zn(H2O)6]2+‐[Zn(BF4)3]− transfer process and specifically functioning on (002) facets. In this way, the optimized electrolyte highly boosts the cycling stability of Zn anodes with a long lifespan at 34.2% Zn utilization (500 h/10 mA cm−2) and 51.3% Zn utilization (360 h/10 mA cm−2; 834 h/1 mA cm−2). Moreover, the electroplated Zn on Cu substrate exhibits a competitive cumulative plating capacity (CPC) of 2.87 Ah cm−2 under harsh conditions. The assembled Zn|(NH4)2V6O16·3H2O full cells with a high cathode loading of 29.12 mg cm−2 also realizes almost no capacity degradation even after 2000 cycles at 2 A g−1. With this cost‐effective strategy, it is promising to push the development of aqueous ZIBs as well as provide inspiration for metal anode optimization in other energy storage systems.

Highly Entangled Hydrogel Enables Stable Zinc Metal Batteries via Interfacial Confinement Effect

“…At a DOD of 34.2%, the W2HE-based zinc symmetric battery can still cycle steadily for over 620 h, while the LE-based zinc symmetric battery can only run for less than 100 h (Figure e). What is more, even under the harsh condition of 68.4% DOD, the W2HE-based Zn//Zn cell shows a prolonged lifespan of over 220 h. Impressively, the deep discharge performance of Zn in this work is better than in most of the reported studies on the modification of ZMBs (Figure f). − This inspiring result suggests the practical prospect of highly entangled hydrogel electrolytes for the deep utilization of Zn anodes.…”

In Situ Etching of Multifunctional Three-Dimensional Interfacial Layers for the Construction of Porous Zn Anodes with Enhanced Surface Textures

“…The 3D PVDF–Zn­(TFO) 2 layer can effectively and uniformly modulate the passage of Zn 2+ ions. Moreover, the porous anode structure with an enhanced (002) fabric further increases the number of nucleation sites and corrosion resistance of the electrode. , …”

Dendrite-free zinc metal anodes enabled by electrolyte additive for high-performing aqueous zinc-ion batteries

“…Generally, the Zn (002) plane is more resistant to dendrite formation than the Zn (100) and Zn (101) counterparts. 8,43,44 The Zn deposited on the Zn electrode in the designed electrolytes exhibited a gradual growth of the Zn (002) plane, and it displayed a significant increase in the intensity ratio of (002) to (100) from initial 11.14 to 15.31 after 40 cycles of plating/stripping (Fig. 3f ).…”