Regulating Interfacial Kinetics Boost the Durable Ah-Level Zinc-ion Batteries

Abstract

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) with low cost and inherited safety have been viewed as crucial candidates for the energy storage system, whose commercialization is hindered by the interfacial instability including the growth of dendritic zinc (Zn), passivation on electrodes from H2O-derived parasitic side-reactions, etc. Here, a kind of adjustable-kinetical electrolyte containing tetramethylene glycol with rich ethers and hydroxyl groups as co-solvent is designed to stabilize the Zn anode and achieve highly reversible and durable AZIBs. Lowering interfacial kinetics can effectively minimize the variations of Faradic current density, refining the nuclei and homogenizing the electrodeposition of Zn metal. Moreover, it can also be involved in the solvation reconstruction of Zn2+ to weaken the side-reaction and passivation on the cathode. Consequently, Zn|Zn symmetrical cells with this low-kinetical electrolyte show high reversibility and an exceptionally 7000-hour lifespan at 1.0 mA cm-2. Moreover, the NH4V4O10|Zn pouch cell delivers a capacity of 110 mAh and maintains stable cyclic stability for 450 cycles without capacity degradatio. A a proof of concept, 1.3-Ah NH4V4O10|Zn AZIB lasts more than 25 days in deep charge/discharge operation. In this contribution, lowing interfacial kinetics is certificated as a new perspective to accelerate the commercialization of AZIBs with a satisfactory lifespan.