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

Abstract

Quasi‐neutral aqueous zinc‐ion (Zn‐ion) batteries are nowadays among the most promising energy storage devices for smart‐grid applications. However, their practical use remains hindered by the low Zn electrodeposition efficiency at the negative electrode, which is especially reduced due to the parasitic evolution of gaseous hydrogen. Indium is a non‐toxic metal showing poor hydrogen evolution kinetics, but it is also very expensive. Therefore, an optimized mixture of bismuth and indium particles has been used as the substrate for the Zn electrodeposition and dissolution reaction to increase its reversibility and its efficiency in a quasi‐neutral ZnSO4 solution. This strategy not only allowed to prolong the cycle life of a full Zn‐ion cell of 10 times at 0.5 C due to the suppression of the hydrogen evolution reaction, as proved by the operando DEMS analysis, but also led to very homogeneous zinc deposits over prolonged cycling at realistic charge and current densities.

The Role of Surface Coating in P’2‐Na0.67Mn0.67Ni0.33O2: Enhancing Capacity and Stability of Layered Cathodes for Sodium‐ion Batteries

“…To have a qualitative demonstration of the suppression of the oxygen release from the material induced by the coating, in-situ differential electrochemical mass spectrometry (DEMS) was performed on the NMNO_0 and the NMNO_7 samples (Figure 7a) at a current value of 25 mA g À 1 by using a custom cell design validated in previous works. [54,55] In the first de-sodiation process of the uncoated material at potential values higher than 4.3 V a peak associated to oxygen production was clearly detected from the baseline. Neither this peak, nor the de-sodiation process at the same potentials were observed in the subsequent cycles.…”

“…To have a qualitative demonstration of the suppression of the oxygen release from the material induced by the coating, in‐situ differential electrochemical mass spectrometry (DEMS) was performed on the NMNO_0 and the NMNO_7 samples (Figure 7a) at a current value of 25 mA g −1 by using a custom cell design validated in previous works [54,55] …”

In Situ Gas Analysis by Differential Electrochemical Mass Spectrometry for Advanced Rechargeable Batteries: A Review

“…[ 172 ] Additionally, the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) on the Zn anode faces serious issues because it can alter the local pH of the Zn electrode surface, which leads to the formation of undesirable inactive zinc‐oxide/hydroxide‐based species during cycling, and the generated H 2 gas can trigger the formation of dead Zn. [ 173 ] Most DEMS studies on Zn‐ion batteries have been performed to quantify the amount of gaseous hydrogen that evolved during battery operation. [ 173,174 ] Moreover, certain strategies have been adopted to overcome the aforementioned problems of the Zn metal anode.…”

“…[ 173 ] Most DEMS studies on Zn‐ion batteries have been performed to quantify the amount of gaseous hydrogen that evolved during battery operation. [ 173,174 ] Moreover, certain strategies have been adopted to overcome the aforementioned problems of the Zn metal anode. [ 174,175 ] Zhou et al.…”

Electrochemical Assessment of Highly Reversible Sno2−Coated Zn Metal Anodes Prepared Via Atomic Layer Deposition for Aqueous Zn-Ion Batteries

“…The spontaneous corrosion reaction of Zn metal is also considered to be a major factor that hinders the performance of ZIBs in the context of selfdischarge [11]. As a result of this reaction, a passivating lm is formed on the surface that inhibits electrochemical reaction by increasing the hydroxide ion concentration in solution [12]. Based on the aforementioned challenges, it is essential to solve corrosion issues of Zn metal and minimize reduction in surface reactivity to increase the e ciency of the ZIBs.…”