Fast electrodeposition of zinc onto single zinc nanoparticles

Abstract

The zinc deposition reaction onto metallic zinc has been investigated at the single particle level through the electrode-particle collision method in neutral solutions, and in respect of its dependence on the applied potential and the ionic strength of a sulphatecontaining solution. Depending on the concentration of sulphate ions in solution, different amounts of metallic zinc were deposited on the single Zn nanoparticles. Specifically, insights into the electron transfer kinetics at the single particles were obtained, indicating an electrically early reactant-like transition state, which is consistent with the rate-determining partial dehydration/de-complexation process. Such information on the reaction kinetics at the nanoscale is of vital importance for the development of more efficient and long-lasting nanostructured Zn-based negative electrodes for Zn-ion battery applications.

Highly Efficient, Dendrite‐Free Zinc Electrodeposition in Mild Aqueous Zinc‐Ion Batteries through Indium‐Based Substrates

“…The former phenomenon leads to an internal short circuit of the cell, while the latter to pressure build‐ups and to a decreased Coulombic efficiency that remains too low to provide a prolonged battery lifespan. Moreover, the hydrogen evolution reaction alters the local pH in the proximity of the zinc‐based electrode's surface, thus inducing an unwanted formation of inactive zinc oxides/hydroxides‐based species and, in the commonly used sulphate‐based electrolytes, of zinc hydroxy sulphates [7,12–16] . Therefore, the effective capacity of the zinc‐based electrode is reduced, and Zn 2+ ions are irreversibly removed from the solution and thus not available for the main reactions of the Zn‐ion battery.…”

“…Moreover, the hydrogen evolution reaction alters the local pH in the proximity of the zinc-based electrode's surface, thus inducing an unwanted formation of inactive zinc oxides/ hydroxides-based species and, in the commonly used sulphatebased electrolytes, of zinc hydroxy sulphates. [7,[12][13][14][15][16] Therefore, the effective capacity of the zinc-based electrode is reduced, and Zn 2 + ions are irreversibly removed from the solution and thus not available for the main reactions of the Zn-ion battery.…”

“…[34] Despite high performance and good reversibility of the zinc electrodeposition reaction have been sometimes claimed, [21,26,32] the use of expensive solid additives and concentrated electrolytes does not match the requirements of easy manufacturing, low-cost processes and environmental sustainability that are strictly dictated by the stationary energy sector. [28,35] Moreover, the capacity limit and the current applied during the analysis of the zinc electrodeposition reaction are not always carefully considered, [6,14,35,36] even if the zinc electrodeposition reaction strongly depends on them. [35] In particular, the role of the current density applied during the Zn electrodeposition/dissolution cycles has a tremendous effect on the homogeneity of the Zn deposits.…”

Zinc Electrodeposition in Acetate‐based Water‐in‐Salt Electrolyte: Experimental and Theoretical Studies

“…[47] In a 2-HEAP (2-hydroxyethyl ammonium propionate) ionic liquid, N value of 1.7 × 10 6 (0.05 M zinc acetate) and 2.4 × 10 7 cm À 2 (0.05 M zinc propionate) at applied potential of À 1.20 V vs. Fc/Fc + are obtained (indium tin oxide working electrode and diffusion coefficient of 0.71 × 10 À 6 cm 2 s À 1 and 0.39 × 10 À 6 cm 2 s À 1 at 25°C, respectively). [42] Differences in reported values of diffusion coefficient, nucleation rate, and number of nucleation sites during electrodeposition of zinc could arise from several factors such as supporting electrolyte characteristics (e. g. viscosity), zinc salt, presence of different zinc species, [32,49,50] hydration level of those species, [51,52] electrode/electrolyte interfacial interactions [49] and applied potential.…”

A True Non-Newtonian Electrolyte for Rechargeable Hybrid Aqueous Battery

“…Scaling up zinc batteries is more difficult. The major limitation of zinc batteries is at the zinc anode, which is not very stable in an aqueous environment (both mild acidic and alkaline) [11][12][13][14][15]. Major problems include passivation, corrosion, and dendrite formation [16].…”