Suppressing the dendritic growth of zinc in an ionic liquid containing cationic and anionic zinc complexes for battery applications

Abstract

Metallic zinc is a promising negative electrode for high energy rechargeable batteries due to its abundance, low-cost and non-toxic nature. However, the formation of dendritic zinc and low Columbic efficiency in aqueous alkaline solutions during charge/discharge processes remain a great challenge. Here we demonstrate that the dendritic growth of zinc can be effectively suppressed in an ionic liquid electrolyte containing highly concentrated cationic and anionic zinc complexes obtained by dissolving zinc oxide and zinc trifluoromethylsulfonate in a protic ionic liquid, 1-ethylimidazolium trifluoromethylsulfonate. The presence of both cationic and anionic zinc complexes alters the interfacial structure at the electrode/electrolyte interface and influences the nucleation and growth of zinc, leading to compact, homogeneous and dendrite-free zinc coatings. This study also provides insights into the development of highly concentrated metal salts in ionic liquids as electrolytes to deposit dendrite-free zinc as an anode material for energy storage applications.

Sustainable Gel Electrolyte Containing Pyrazole as Corrosion Inhibitor and Dendrite Suppressor for Aqueous Zn/LiMn2O4 Battery

“…Aqueous Zn–Ni, Zn–polymer, Zn–air, and Zn–ion batteries are reported . The commercialization prospects of secondary Zn‐based batteries are still elusive because of a severe problem: dendrite formation on the Zn anode after successive charge–discharge cycles . Furthermore, the corrosion and hydrogen gas evolution on the Zn anode are major side reactions …”

“…Dendrite formation on the Zn electrode is a natural but complicated problem . When the Zn battery is working, Zn is stripped off the surface to create Zn 2+ under battery discharge, and the Zn 2+ deposits on Zn under battery charge.…”

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] The commercialization prospects of secondary Zn-based batteries are still elusive because of as evere problem:d endrite formation on the Zn anode after successive charge-discharge cycles. [11][12][13][14][15][16] Furthermore,t he corrosion and hydrogen gas evolution on the Zn anode are major side reactions. [17,18] Recently,Znhas been used as the anode in the rechargeable hybrid aqueous battery (ReHAB).…”

“…Dendrite formation on the Zn electrode is an atural but complicated problem. [11][12][13][14][15][16] When the Zn battery is working, Zn is stripped off the surfacet oc reate Zn 2 + under battery discharge,a nd the Zn 2 + deposits on Zn under battery charge. This process is repeatedf rom cycle to cycle, but the Zn stripping and plating does not occur at the same position.…”

Electrical conductivity and porosity in stainless steel 316L scaffolds for electrochemical devices fabricated using selective laser sintering

“…Literature studies have shown several approaches to improving the performance of metal-air batteries such as suppressing zinc dendrite growth in an ionic liquid electrolyte containing highly concentrated cationic and anionic zinc complexes [15] and the use of Co3O4 nanoparticles that were synthesized on N-doped Vulcan carbon as a hybrid bifunctional electrolcatalyst [16]. Another approach with a particular focus on the anode focused on the production of the electrode as foam [17] or fibrous [18] materials to improve life cycle and energy density.…”