Challenges and strategies of zinc anode for aqueous zinc-ion batteries

AbstractThe rapid advance of mild aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) is driving the development of the energy storage system market. But the thorny issues of Zn anodes, mainly including dendrite growth, hydrogen evolution, and corrosion, severely reduce the performance of ZIBs. To commercialize ZIBs, researchers must overcome formidable challenges. Research about mild aqueous ZIBs is still developing. Various technical and scientific obstacles to designing Zn anodes with high stripping efficiency and long cycling life have not been resolved. Moreover, the performance of Zn anodes is a complex scientific issue determined by various parameters, most of which are often ignored, failing to achieve the maximum performance of the cell. This review proposes a comprehensive overview of existing Zn anode issues and the corresponding strategies, frontiers, and development trends to deeply comprehend the essence and inner connection of degradation mechanism and performance. First, the formation mechanism of dendrite growth, hydrogen evolution, corrosion, and their influence on the anode are analyzed. Furthermore, various strategies for constructing stable Zn anodes are summarized and discussed in detail from multiple perspectives. These strategies are mainly divided into interface modification, structural anode, alloying anode, intercalation anode, liquid electrolyte, non-liquid electrolyte, separator design, and other strategies. Finally, research directions and prospects are put forward for Zn anodes. This contribution highlights the latest developments and provides new insights into the advanced Zn anode for future research.

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Strategies on regulating Zn2+ solvation structure for dendrites-free and side reactions-suppressed zinc-ion batteries

Energy & Environmental Science ◽

10.1039/d1ee03377h ◽

2022 ◽

Author(s):

Jin Cao ◽

Dongdong Zhang ◽

Xinyu Zhang ◽

Zhiyuan Zeng ◽

Jiaqian Qin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Energy Storage ◽

Hydrogen Evolution ◽

Hydrogen Evolution Reaction ◽

Low Cost ◽

Zinc Ion ◽

Side Reactions ◽

Solvation Structure ◽

Dendrites Growth

High‐safety and low‐cost aqueous zinc‐ion batteries (ZIBs) are an exceptionally compelling technology for grid‐scale energy storage, whereas the corrosion, hydrogen evolution reaction and dendrites growth of Zn anodes plague their...

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Alleviated Mn2+ dissolution drives long-term cycling stability in ultrafine Mn3O4/PPy core-shell nanodots for zinc-ion battery

Journal of Materials Chemistry A ◽

10.1039/d1ta09237e ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Le Jiang ◽

Fei Ye ◽

Zeyi Wu ◽

Lin Zhang ◽

Qiang Liu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Electrochemical Performance ◽

Low Cost ◽

Zinc Ion ◽

Cycling Stability ◽

Core Shell ◽

Environmental Friendliness ◽

Significant Attention

Aqueous Zn-ion batteries (ZIBs) have garnered significant attention regarding the growing demand for electricity energy, owing to their decent electrochemical performance, operation safety, low cost and environmental friendliness. However, optimization...

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2,2’-Dipyridylamine as Organic Molecular Electrocatalyst for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction in Acidic Electrolytes

10.26434/chemrxiv.8273627.v1 ◽

2019 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Xi Yin ◽

Ling Lin ◽

Hoon T. Chung ◽

Ulises Martinez ◽

Andrew M. Baker ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hydrogen Evolution ◽

Hydrogen Evolution Reaction ◽

Density Functional ◽

Low Cost ◽

Membrane Electrode Assembly ◽

Carbon Surface ◽

Membrane Electrode ◽

Durability Test ◽

Onset Potential ◽

Precious Metal Catalysts

Finding a low-cost and stable electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) as a replacement for scarce and expensive precious metal catalysts has attracted significant interest from chemical and materials research communities. Here, we demonstrate an organic catalyst based on 2,2’-dipyridylamine (dpa) molecules adsorbed on carbon surface, which shows remarkable hydrogen evolution activity and performance durability in strongly acidic polymer electrolytes without involving any metal. The HER onset potential at dpa adsorbed on carbon has been found to be less than 50 mV in sulfuric acid and in a Nafion-based membrane electrode assembly (MEA). At the same time, this catalyst has shown no performance loss in a 60-hour durability test. The HER reaction mechanisms and the low onset overpotential in this system are revealed based on electrochemical study. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations suggest that the pyridyl-N functions as the active site for H adsorption with a free energy of -0.13 eV, in agreement with the unusually low onset overpotential for an organic molecular catalyst.<br>

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2,2’-Dipyridylamine as Organic Molecular Electrocatalyst for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction in Acidic Electrolytes

10.26434/chemrxiv.8273627 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Xi Yin ◽

Ling Lin ◽

Hoon T. Chung ◽

Ulises Martinez ◽

Andrew M. Baker ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hydrogen Evolution ◽

Hydrogen Evolution Reaction ◽

Density Functional ◽

Low Cost ◽

Membrane Electrode Assembly ◽

Carbon Surface ◽

Membrane Electrode ◽

Durability Test ◽

Onset Potential ◽

Precious Metal Catalysts

Finding a low-cost and stable electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) as a replacement for scarce and expensive precious metal catalysts has attracted significant interest from chemical and materials research communities. Here, we demonstrate an organic catalyst based on 2,2’-dipyridylamine (dpa) molecules adsorbed on carbon surface, which shows remarkable hydrogen evolution activity and performance durability in strongly acidic polymer electrolytes without involving any metal. The HER onset potential at dpa adsorbed on carbon has been found to be less than 50 mV in sulfuric acid and in a Nafion-based membrane electrode assembly (MEA). At the same time, this catalyst has shown no performance loss in a 60-hour durability test. The HER reaction mechanisms and the low onset overpotential in this system are revealed based on electrochemical study. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations suggest that the pyridyl-N functions as the active site for H adsorption with a free energy of -0.13 eV, in agreement with the unusually low onset overpotential for an organic molecular catalyst.<br>

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Na0.76V6O15/Activated Carbon Hybrid Cathode for High-Performance Lithium-Ion Capacitors

Materials ◽

10.3390/ma14010122 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

pp. 122

Author(s):

Renwei Lu ◽

Xiaolong Ren ◽

Chong Wang ◽

Changzhen Zhan ◽

Ding Nan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Activated Carbon ◽

Energy Density ◽

Power Density ◽

Cathode Materials ◽

Low Cost ◽

Lithium Ion ◽

High Energy ◽

Cycling Stability ◽

High Energy Density ◽

Artificial Graphite

Lithium-ion hybrid capacitors (LICs) are regarded as one of the most promising next generation energy storage devices. Commercial activated carbon materials with low cost and excellent cycling stability are widely used as cathode materials for LICs, however, their low energy density remains a significant challenge for the practical applications of LICs. Herein, Na0.76V6O15 nanobelts (NaVO) were prepared and combined with commercial activated carbon YP50D to form hybrid cathode materials. Credit to the synergism of its capacitive effect and diffusion-controlled faradaic effect, NaVO/C hybrid cathode displays both superior cyclability and enhanced capacity. LICs were assembled with the as-prepared NaVO/C hybrid cathode and artificial graphite anode which was pre-lithiated. Furthermore, 10-NaVO/C//AG LIC delivers a high energy density of 118.9 Wh kg−1 at a power density of 220.6 W kg−1 and retains 43.7 Wh kg−1 even at a high power density of 21,793.0 W kg−1. The LIC can also maintain long-term cycling stability with capacitance retention of approximately 70% after 5000 cycles at 1 A g−1. Accordingly, hybrid cathodes composed of commercial activated carbon and a small amount of high energy battery-type materials are expected to be a candidate for low-cost advanced LICs with both high energy density and power density.

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Wittichenite semiconductor of Cu3BiS3 films for efficient hydrogen evolution from solar driven photoelectrochemical water splitting

Nature Communications ◽

10.1038/s41467-021-24060-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Dingwang Huang ◽

Lintao Li ◽

Kang Wang ◽

Yan Li ◽

Kuang Feng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hydrogen Evolution ◽

Water Splitting ◽

Low Cost ◽

Solar Hydrogen ◽

Onset Potential ◽

Term Stability ◽

Long Term Stability ◽

Solar Water Splitting ◽

Current Densities

AbstractA highly efficient, low-cost and environmentally friendly photocathode with long-term stability is the goal of practical solar hydrogen evolution applications. Here, we found that the Cu3BiS3 film-based photocathode meets the abovementioned requirements. The Cu3BiS3-based photocathode presents a remarkable onset potential over 0.9 VRHE with excellent photoelectrochemical current densities (~7 mA/cm2 under 0 VRHE) and appreciable 10-hour long-term stability in neutral water solutions. This high onset potential of the Cu3BiS3-based photocathode directly results in a good unbiased operating photocurrent of ~1.6 mA/cm2 assisted by the BiVO4 photoanode. A tandem device of Cu3BiS3-BiVO4 with an unbiased solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency of 2.04% is presented. This tandem device also presents high stability over 20 hours. Ultimately, a 5 × 5 cm2 large Cu3BiS3-BiVO4 tandem device module is fabricated for standalone overall solar water splitting with a long-term stability of 60 hours.

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Oxygen-Deficient β-MnO2@Graphene Oxide Cathode for High-Rate and Long-Life Aqueous Zinc Ion Batteries

Nano-Micro Letters ◽

10.1007/s40820-021-00691-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Shouxiang Ding ◽

Mingzheng Zhang ◽

Runzhi Qin ◽

Jianjun Fang ◽

Hengyu Ren ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Graphene Oxide ◽

Manganese Oxides ◽

Rate Capability ◽

High Energy ◽

Zinc Ion ◽

Cycling Stability ◽

High Rate ◽

High Energy Density ◽

Superior Performance ◽

Long Life

AbstractRecent years have witnessed a booming interest in grid-scale electrochemical energy storage, where much attention has been paid to the aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs). Among various cathode materials for AZIBs, manganese oxides have risen to prominence due to their high energy density and low cost. However, sluggish reaction kinetics and poor cycling stability dictate against their practical application. Herein, we demonstrate the combined use of defect engineering and interfacial optimization that can simultaneously promote rate capability and cycling stability of MnO2 cathodes. β-MnO2 with abundant oxygen vacancies (VO) and graphene oxide (GO) wrapping is synthesized, in which VO in the bulk accelerate the charge/discharge kinetics while GO on the surfaces inhibits the Mn dissolution. This electrode shows a sustained reversible capacity of ~ 129.6 mAh g−1 even after 2000 cycles at a current rate of 4C, outperforming the state-of-the-art MnO2-based cathodes. The superior performance can be rationalized by the direct interaction between surface VO and the GO coating layer, as well as the regulation of structural evolution of β-MnO2 during cycling. The combinatorial design scheme in this work offers a practical pathway for obtaining high-rate and long-life cathodes for AZIBs.

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A High-Performance Free-Standing Zn Anode for Flexible Zinc-Ion Batteries

Nanoscale ◽

10.1039/d1nr01266e ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Chenxi Gao ◽

Jiawei Wang ◽

Yuan Huang ◽

Zixuan Li ◽

Jiyan Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Energy Density ◽

High Performance ◽

Low Cost ◽

High Energy ◽

Zinc Ion ◽

High Energy Density ◽

Free Standing ◽

Energy Device ◽

Zn Anode ◽

Significant Attention

Zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) have attracted significant attention owing to their high safety, high energy density, and low cost. ZIBs have been studied as a potential energy device for portable and...

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