Constructing robust heterostructured interface for anode-free zinc batteries with ultrahigh capacities

Abstract

The development of Zn-free anodes to inhibit Zn dendrite formation and modulate high-capacity Zn batteries is highly applauded yet very challenging. Here, we design a robust two-dimensional antimony/antimony-zinc alloy heterostructured interface to regulate Zn plating. Benefiting from the stronger adsorption and homogeneous electric field distribution of the Sb/Sb2Zn3-heterostructured interface in Zn plating, the Zn anode enables an ultrahigh areal capacity of 200 mAh cm−2 with an overpotential of 112 mV and a Coulombic efficiency of 98.5%. An anode-free Zn-Br2 battery using the Sb/Sb2Zn3-heterostructured interface@Cu anode shows an attractive energy density of 274 Wh kg−1 with a practical pouch cell energy density of 62 Wh kg−1. The scaled-up Zn-Br2 battery in a capacity of 500 mAh exhibits over 400 stable cycles. Further, the Zn-Br2 battery module in an energy of 9 Wh (6 V, 1.5 Ah) is integrated with a photovoltaic panel to demonstrate the practical renewable energy storage capabilities. Our superior anode-free Zn batteries enabled by the heterostructured interface enlighten an arena towards large-scale energy storage applications.

Trade-off between Zincophilicity and Zincophobicity: Toward Stable Zn-Based Aqueous Batteries

“…Until now, various materials with high adsorbing ability for Zn atom, including metals (Co, Ni, Cu, Ag, In, Sn, Au, Bi, Sb), ,− alloy (AgZn 3 , Brass, ZnZn 5 ), , inorganic metal compounds (ZnO, ZnF 2 , CuF 2 , MgF 2 ), , polyanionic hydrogel, and MXene have been employed to reinforce the interfacial interaction between substrate and Zn. Meanwhile, inert inorganic oxides (CaCO 3 , TiO 2 , Kaolin, etc.…”

Ion Tunnel Matrix Initiated Oriented Attachment for Highly Utilized Zn Anodes

“…An ideal substrate should continuously regulate (002)-preferred Zn growth parallel to the electrode surface without interference from increased deposition thickness, depth of discharge (DOD), and cycle number. The early reported strategies for zinc-free substrate design, including the introduction of low-lattice-mismatch interfaces [11,14] or zincophillic layers, [13,15] have mostly focused on modifying the 2D plane of the substrate to regulate the epitaxial deposition of Zn. However, the electrodeposition of Zn on a substrate is a classic 3D process.…”

Robust and Wide Temperature‐Range Zinc Metal Batteries with Unique Electrolyte and Substrate Design

“…Zinc metal batteries (ZMBs) are promising for large‐scale energy storage for clean energy (such as wind and solar energy) due to the advantages of low cost, environmental friendliness, and high theoretical specific capacity (820 mAh g −1 ) and low potential (−0.76 V vs standard hydrogen electrode) of the zinc metal anode [1] . However, the zinc metal anode suffers from irreversible side reactions and dendritic problems, resulting in low Coulombic efficiency and cycle life of ZMBs [2] . Since the irreversible side reactions lead to the rapid consumption of the active zinc metal, an extreme excess anode capacity is required to match the low cathode capacity, i.e.…”

“…[1] However, the zinc metal anode suffers from irreversible side reactions and dendritic problems, resulting in low Coulombic efficiency and cycle life of ZMBs. [2] Since the irreversible side reactions lead to the rapid consumption of the active zinc metal, an extreme excess anode capacity is required to match the low cathode capacity, i.e. a high positive to negative (NP) ratio, to assemble a stably operating ZMBs, which significantly reduces the energy density of the batteries.…”