Boosting Cathode Activity and Anode Stability of Zn‐S Batteries in Aqueous Media Through Cosolvent‐Catalyst Synergy

Abstract

Aqueous ZnÀ S battery with high energy density represents a promising large-scale energy storage technology, but its application is severely hindered by the poor reversibility of both S cathode and Zn anode. Herein, we develop a "cocktail optimized" electrolyte containing tetraglyme (G4) and water as cosolvents and I 2 as additive. The G4-I 2 synergy could activate efficient polar I 3 À /I À catalyst couple and shield the cathode from water, thus facilitating the conversion kinetics of S and suppressing the interfacial side reactions. Simultaneously, it could stabilize Zn anode by forming an organic-inorganic interphase upon cycling. With boosted electrodes reversibility, the ZnÀ S cell delivers a high capacity of 775 mAh g À 1 at 2 A g À 1 , and retains over 70 % capacity after 600 cycles at 4 A g À 1 .The advances can also be readily generalized to other ethers/water hybrid electrolytes, showing the universality of the "cocktail optimized" electrolyte design strategy.

Enhancing the Kinetics of Zinc Ion Deposition by Catalytic Ion in Polymer Electrolytes for Advanced Zn–MnO2 Batteries

“…It was attributed to the formation of LDH precipitates (Zn x (OTf) y (OH) 2x‐y ∙nH 2 O) on the electrode surface. [ 61,62 ] It was produced by the following reaction: [ 63 ] $$\[ \begin{array}{*{20}{c}}{{\rm{xZ}}{{\rm{n}}^{2 + }} + {\rm{yOT}}{{\rm{f}}^ - } + 2{\rm{x}} - {\rm{yO}}{{\rm{H}}^ - } + {\rm{n}}{{\rm{H}}_2}{\rm{O}} \to {\rm{Z}}{{\rm{n}}_{\rm{x}}}{{\left( {{\rm{OTf}}} \right)}_{\rm{y}}}{{\left( {{\rm{OH}}} \right)}_{2{\rm{x}} - {\rm{y}}}} \cdot {\rm{n}}{{\rm{H}}_2}{\rm{O}}}\end{array} \]$$…”

“…It was attributed to the formation of LDH precipitates (Zn x (OTf) y (OH) 2x-y •nH 2 O) on the electrode surface. [61,62] It was produced by the following reaction: [63] xZn…”

Minireview on Aqueous Zinc–Sulfur Batteries: Recent Advances and Future Perspectives

“…At the fully discharged condition (point D), strong signals of ZnS at 182, 316, 371, and 423 cm −1 occur coupled with a reduction in S at 218 and 475 cm −1 , indicating the conversion of S to ZnS. When the electrode is charged to 1.6 V (point G), the peaks of ZnS practically vanish and the S peaks at 218 and 475 cm −1 reemerge, suggesting the conversion of ZnS to S. 39 These findings are in accordance with the XRD results shown in Figure 13a. The elemental mapping and TEM image of the completely discharged cathode provide additional supporting data.…”

NiFeP Anchored on rGO as a Multifunctional Interlayer To Promote the Redox Kinetics for Li–S Batteries via Regulating d-Bands of Ni-Based Phosphides

“…What is more, sulfur as an active material has the advantages of high natural abundance, relatively low price, and environmental friendliness. However, the practical application progress of Li–S batteries is restricted by severely deteriorated cycle stability and unsatisfactory discharge capacity, especially at a high rate, which is derived from the notorious shuttle effect of LiPSs intermediates and sluggish redox kinetics of LiPSs. − To solve the above issues, lots of strategies including rational constructs of cathode hosts and Li anodes, appropriate additives for electrolytes, and applicable multifunctional interlayers have been applied in Li–S batteries. , …”