Crystallography modulation of zinc (Zn) metal anode is promising to promote Zn reversibility in aqueous electrolytes, but efficiently constructing Zn with specific crystallographic texture remains challenging. Herein, we report a current-controlled electrodeposition strategy to texture the Zn electrodeposits in conventional aqueous electrolytes. Using the electrolytic cell with low-cost Zn(CH3COO)2 electrolyte and Cu substrate as a model system, the texture of as-deposited Zn gradually transforms from (101) to (002) crystal plane as increasing the current density from 20 to 80 mA cm-2. Moreover, the high current accelerates the Zn nucleation rate with abundant nuclei, enabling uniform deposition. The (002) texture permits stronger resistance to dendrite growth and interfacial side reactions than the (101) texture. The resultant (002)-textured Zn electrode achieves deep cycling stability and supports the stable operation of full batteries with conventional V/Mn-based oxide cathodes.

Realizing Textured Zinc Metal Anodes through Regulating Electrodeposition Current for Aqueous Zinc Batteries.

In-situ construction of multifunctional protection interface for ultra-stable zinc anodes

Printing 3D mesh-like grooves on zinc surface to enhance the stability of aqueous zinc ion batteries.

Zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) have been attracting much interest as metallic Zn anodes have high theoretical capacity and low redox potential. However, the practical use of ZIBs are severely hampered by...

Advances and Strategies of Electrolyte Regulation in Zn-ion Batteries

Regulating solvation sheath by introducing multifunctional fluoride boronic esters for highly efficient magnesium stripping/plating

Regulating the Zn deposition orientation is an efficient way to suppress Zn dendrites and stabilize Zn anodes in aqueous Zn ion batteries (ZIBs). Few studies have been conducted to control Zn(002) deposition by altering the Zn2+ solvation structure with a cosolvent. Herein, the bifunctional high-polarity cosolvent hexamethylphosphoramide (HMPA) is proposed in an aqueous electrolyte. It not only suppresses the H2 evolution reaction via the reshaped Zn2+ solvation structure with decreased H2O activity but also induces Zn(002) deposition with a hexagonal-close-packed morphology due to the strong absorption ability of HMPA to Zn(002). With the optimized electrolyte, Zn dendrites and the HER are suppressed and an ultralong cycle life of 1500 cycles with 99.6% Coulombic efficiency is achieved in Zn||Cu cells. Zn||NH4V5O10 and Zn||polyaniline full cells exhibit improved cycling performances compared to that of the bare electrolyte. Our finding provides a feasible and promising way to stabilize Zn anodes and promote the commercial application of ZIBs. 

Yongxin Ma

Papers

Regulating Zn(002) Deposition toward Long Cycle Life for Zn Metal Batteries