Toward Simultaneous Dense Zinc Deposition and Broken Side‐Reaction Loops in the Zn//V₂O₅ System

Abstract

The Zn//V2O5 system not only faces the incontrollable growth of zinc (Zn) dendrites, but also withstands the cross‐talk effect of by‐products produced from the cathode side to the Zn anode, inducing interelectrode talk and aggravating battery failure. To tackle these issues, we construct a rapid Zn2+‐conducting hydrogel electrolyte (R‐ZSO) to achieve Zn deposition modulation and side reaction inhibition in Zn//V2O5 full cells. The polymer matrix and BN exhibit a robust anchoring effect on SO42‐, accelerating Zn2+ migration and enabling dense Zn deposition behavior. Therefore, the Zn//Zn symmetric cells based on the R‐ZSO electrolyte can operate stably for more than 1500 h, which is six times higher than that of cells employing the blank electrolyte. More importantly, the R‐ZSO hydrogel electrolyte effectively decouples the cross‐talk effects, thus breaking the infinite loop of side reactions. As a result, the Zn//V2O5 cells using this modified hydrogel electrolyte demonstrate stable operation over 1,000 cycles, with a capacity loss rate of only 0.028% per cycle. Our study provides a promising gel chemistry, which offers a valuable guide for the construction of high‐performance and multifunctional aqueous Zn‐ion batteries.

Amphipathic Phenylalanine-Induced Nucleophilic–Hydrophobic Interface Toward Highly Reversible Zn Anode

“…The Zn anode cycled in ZSO electrolyte exhibits numerous lamellar Zn deposition structure with anisotropic (Fig. 4j), which may enlarge the contact areas between electrode and electrolyte, thus leading to severe corrosion reactions without interrupting [60]. Notably, a dense and smooth Zn deposition layer can be observed in ZSO/Phe electrolyte (Fig.…”

Hydrogel-stabilized zinc ion batteries: progress and outlook

“…Wang et al constructed a fast-conducting Zn 2+ hydrogel electrolyte (R-ZSO) for Zn deposition modulation and side reaction inhibition in Zn//V 2 O 5 full cells. 90 The polymer matrix and boron nitride (BN) exhibited a strong anchoring effect on SO 4 2− , which accelerated Zn 2+ migration and achieved dense Zn deposition behavior (Fig. 8c).…”

Screening metal cation additives driven by differential capacitance for Zn batteries

“…13,14 In the past, various approaches have been explored to improve the reversibility of Zn metal, including the regulation of Zn 2+ solvation and structural design and coating modifications of Zn metal. 15–20 While these traditional methods have shown improved reversibility in Zn metal stripping/plating, the interplay between the EDL and Zn 2+ deposition is overlooked. Hence, there is an urgent need to investigate the role of the EDL in Zn 2+ deposition.…”