Novel Concept of Separator Design: Efficient Ions Transport Modulator Enabled by Dual‐Interface Engineering Toward Ultra‐Stable Zn Metal Anodes

Abstract

Sluggish transport kinetics and rapid dendrite growth are considered the main obstacles that impair the performance of Zn metal batteries. This work has developed a unique strategy of dual‐interface engineering (DIE) to design the separator as efficient ions transport modulator. The dual function of spontaneous polarization effect and high zincophilicity of BaTiO3 (BTO) is revealed by combining the theoretical and experimental studies. Benefiting from the decoration of BTO on glass fiber and well filling of the surface interspace, the DIE‐modified separator can not only effectively capture and accelerate Zn2+ transport between the fiber–electrolyte interface, but also redistribute the ions transport into homogenization in the separator–anode interface. Therefore, the modified Zn anodes perform highly reversible Zn plating/stripping with ultrahigh cumulative capacity even up to 9500 mAh cm−2 at the high current density of 10 mA cm−2. Meanwhile, the modified Zn‐MnO2 battery can retain a specific capacity of 108 mAh g−1 after 1800 cycles at 1 A g−1. Furthermore, the capacity retention of the battery also can be improved from 37.5% up to 115% at 0.2 A g−1 after 100 cycles. Such a novel concept for separator engineering provides a new perspective to enable ultra‐stable Zn metal anodes and high‐performance Zn metal batteries.

A Molecular‐Sieve Electrolyte Membrane enables Separator‐Free Zinc Batteries with Ultralong Cycle Life

“…As the most frequently used battery separator, glass fiber (GF) has high durability and chemical inductance, but it is expensive and hardly regulates metal-ion flux for lack of the function of protective layers. [14] For example, while metalorganic frameworks have been used to regulate water activity and ion flux, [15] the separator is still required, and the cells exhibit low conductivity and high cost. To make AZIBs a viable and competitive technology with respect to the dominating lithium-ion batteries and lead-acid batteries, cutting the material cost while maintaining long-cycle performance is increasingly required.…”

Multifunctional MXene‐Bonded Transport Network Embedded in Polymer Electrolyte Enables High‐Rate and Stable Solid‐State Zinc Metal Batteries

“…(5855 mA h cm −3 ) and intrinsic safety. [1][2][3][4][5] However, water molecules-associated side reactions, such as corrosion, hydrogen evolution and cathode dissolution, would impair the electrode and leading to the electrochemical failure. [6] In this case, replacing the aqueous electrolyte by solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) is acknowledged to be effective to minimize those harmful effects.…”

The multicomponent synergistic effect of a hierarchical Li0.485La0.505TiO3 solid-state electrolyte for dendrite-free lithium-metal batteries

“…This result shows that BTO in the BP@LPFL membrane can effectively redistribute the ion transport into homogenization in the interface, thus inhibiting the growth of lithium dendrites. 58 On the basis of characterization results, the dendrite formation in the Li/LPFL/Cu and Li/LPL/Cu cell is closely related to the uneven Li-ion flux and local electric field (Fig. S22a and b†).…”