Artificial Interphase Layer for Stabilized Zn Anodes: Progress and Prospects

Abstract

The burgeoning Li‐ion battery is regarded as a powerful energy storage system by virtue of its high energy density. However, inescapable issues concerning safety and cost aspects retard its prospect in certain application scenarios. Accordingly, strenuous efforts have been devoted to the development of the emerging aqueous Zn‐ion battery (AZIB) as an alternative to inflammable organic batteries. In particular, the instability from the anode side severely impedes the commercialization of AZIB. Constructing an artificial interphase layer (AIL) has been widely employed as an effective strategy to stabilize the Zn anode. This review specializes in the state‐of‐the‐art of AIL design for Zn anode protection, encompassing the preparation methods, mechanism investigations, and device performances based on the classification of functional materials. To begin with, the origins of Zn instability are interpreted from the perspective of electrical field, mass transfer, and nucleation process, followed by a comprehensive summary with respect to functions of AIL and its designing criteria. In the end, current challenges and future outlooks based upon theoretical and experimental considerations are included.

Emerging strategies for steering orientational deposition toward high-performance Zn metal anodes

“…Meanwhile, Zn affords a high theoretical capacity (5855 mA h cm À3 , 820 mA h g À1 ) and is chemically stable in air or water without the risk of explosion, showing great ease of handling. [20][21][22][23][24] Despite these conspicuous advantages of Zn metal, the restricted service life of rechargeable AZIBs still cannot satisfy their pragmatic employment. The performance of Zn metal anodes is handicapped by the spontaneous formation of a College of Energy, Soochow Institute for Energy and Materials Innovations, Key dendrites.…”

“…Meanwhile, Zn affords a high theoretical capacity (5855 mA h cm −3 , 820 mA h g −1 ) and is chemically stable in air or water without the risk of explosion, showing great ease of handling. 20–24…”

Mosaic Nanocrystalline Graphene Skin Empowers Pragmatic Zn Metal Anodes

“…[ 6 , 14 ] To date, a myriad of interface engineering strategies have been explored with an emphasis on tailoring an arti cial interphase layer (AIL). [ [15][16][17] The Zn anodes undergo a dramatic volume change during the cycle. For instance, the average thickness variation reaches ca.…”

Hybrid Organic/Inorganic Interphase for Stabilizing a Zinc Metal Anode in a Mild Aqueous Electrolyte

“…Among them, artificial interphases containing oxide coatings, polymeric films, and organic−inorganic hybrid protection layers were proposed. 18,19 In particular, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)-based coating matrixes, such as PVDF-MOF 20 and PVDF-TiO 2 , 21 can overcome the shortcomings of fully inorganic layers (i.e., brittleness). Additionally, a poly-(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) layer with dissolved Zn salt possesses high ionic conductivity and low crystallinity and can be utilized as a polymer host for gel electrolytes and all-solid-state electrolytes in ZIB.…”

“…Many approaches toward the design of artificial interphases were developed to inhibit anode corrosion and to modify the Zn surface by adjusting the current distribution. Among them, artificial interphases containing oxide coatings, polymeric films, and organic–inorganic hybrid protection layers were proposed. , In particular, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)-based coating matrixes, such as PVDF-MOF and PVDF-TiO 2 , can overcome the shortcomings of fully inorganic layers (i.e., brittleness). Additionally, a poly­(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) layer with dissolved Zn salt possesses high ionic conductivity and low crystallinity and can be utilized as a polymer host for gel electrolytes and all-solid-state electrolytes in ZIB. , In addition, PVDF-HFP can be easily shaped into uniform thin films, which will only slightly sacrifice the overall energy density of the resulting battery …”