A hydrated deep eutectic electrolyte with finely-tuned solvation chemistry for high-performance zinc-ion batteries

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Abstract

A hydrated deep eutectic electrolyte with a water-deficient solvation structure and reduced free water in bulk solution is proposed, resulting in highly reversible and stable Zn anodes.

Abstract

Despite their cost-effectiveness and intrinsic safety, aqueous zinc-ion batteries have faced challenges with poor reversibility originating from various active water-induced side reactions. After systematically scrutinizing the effects of water on the evolution of solvation structures, electrolyte properties, and electrochemical performances through experimental and theoretical approaches, a hydrated deep eutectic electrolyte with a water-deficient solvation structure ([Zn(H ₂O) ₂(eg) ₂(otf) ₂]) and reduced free water content in the bulk solution is proposed in this work. This electrolyte can dramatically suppress water-induced side reactions and provide high Zn ²⁺mass transfer kinetics, resulting in highly reversible Zn anodes (∼99.6% Coulombic efficiency over 1000 cycles and stable cycling over 4500 h) and high capacity Zn//NVO full cells (436 mA h g ⁻¹). This work will aid the understanding of electrolyte solvation structure–electrolyte property–electrochemical performance relationships of aqueous electrolytes in aqueous zinc-ion batteries.

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Highly reversible zinc metal anode for aqueous batteries

Chunsheng Wang, Wei Sun, Fudong Han … (2018)

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Issues and opportunities facing aqueous zinc-ion batteries

Boya Tang, Lutong Shan, Shuquan Liang … (2019)

We retrospect recent advances in rechargeable aqueous zinc-ion batteries system and the facing challenges of aqueous zinc-ion batteries. Importantly, some concerns and feasible solutions for achieving practical aqueous zinc-ion batteries are discussed in detail. Zinc-ion batteries built on water-based electrolytes featuring compelling price-points, competitive performance, and enhanced safety represent advanced energy storage chemistry as a promising alternative to current lithium-ion battery systems. Attempts to develop rechargeable aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) can be traced to as early as the 1980s; however, since 2015, the research activity in this field has surged throughout the world. Despite the achievements made in exploring electrode materials so far, significant challenges remain at the material level and even on the whole aqueous ZIBs system, leading to the failure of ZIBs to meet commercial requirements. This review aims to discuss how to pave the way for developing aqueous ZIBs. The current research efforts related to aqueous ZIBs electrode materials and electrolytes are summarized, including an analysis of the problems encountered in both cathode/anode materials and electrolyte optimization. Some concerns and feasible solutions for achieving practical aqueous ZIBs are discussed in detail. We would like to point out that merely improving the electrode materials is not enough; synergistic optimization strategies toward the whole battery system are also deeply needed. Finally, some perspectives are provided on the subsequent optimization design for further research efforts in the aqueous ZIB field.