An Electrochemical Perspective of Aqueous Zinc Metal Anode

Based on the attributes of nonflammability,environmental benignity,and cost-effectiveness of aqueous electrolytes,as well as the favorable compatibility of zinc metal with them,aqueous zinc ions batteries(AZIBs)become the leading energy storage candidate to meet the requirements of safety and low cost.Yet,aqueous electrolytes,acting as a double-edged sword,also play a negative role by directly or indirectly causing various parasitic reactions at the zinc anode side.These reactions include hydrogen evolution reaction,passivation,and dendrites,resulting in poor Coulombic efficiency and short lifespan of AZIBs.A comprehensive review of aqueous electrolytes chemistry,zinc chemistry,mechanism and chemistry of parasitic reactions,and their relationship is lacking.Moreover,the understanding of strategies for suppressing parasitic reactions from an electrochemical perspective is not profound enough.In this review,firstly,the chemistry of electrolytes,zinc anodes,and parasitic reactions and their relationship in AZIBs are deeply disclosed.Subsequently,the strategies for suppressing parasitic reactions from the perspective of enhancing the inherent thermodynamic stability of electrolytes and anodes,and lowering the dynamics of parasitic reactions at Zn/electrolyte interfaces are reviewed.Lastly,the perspectives on the future development direction of aqueous electrolytes,zinc anodes,and Zn/electrolyte interfaces are presented.

Effect of aflibercept combined with triamcinolone acetonide on aqueous humor growth factor and inflammatory mediators in diabetic macular edema

AIM:To investigate the efficacy of aflibercept combined with sub-tenon injection of triamcinolone acetonide(TA)in treating diabetic macular edema(DME)and to examine changes in growth factors and inflammatory mediator levels in aqueous humor after injection.METHODS:Totally 67 DME patients(67 eyes)and 30 cataract patients(32 eyes)were enrolled as the DME group and the control group,respectively.The DME group was divided into the aflibercept group(34 cases)and the aflibercept combined with TA group(combined group,33 cases).The aqueous humor of both groups was collected during the study period.The aqueous levels of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF),monocyte chemoattractant protein-1(MCP-1),interleukin-6(IL-6),interleukin-8(IL-8),and interleukin-1β(IL-1β)were detected using a microsphere suspension array technology(Luminex 200TM).Aqueous cytokines,best-corrected visual acuity(BCVA),central macular thickness(CMT),and complications before and after treatment were compared between the aflibercept group and combined group.RESULTS:The concentrations of VEGF,MCP-1,IL-6,and IL-8 in the aqueous humor were significantly higher in the DME group than those of the control group(all P<0.01).After 1mo of surgery,the concentrations of VEGF,MCP-1,IL-6,and IL-8 in the aqueous humor were significantly lower in the combined group than those of the aflibercept group(all P<0.01).The BCVA and CMT values of the two groups were statistically different after 1 and 2mo of treatment(P<0.01).However,the difference was not statistically significant after 3mo of treatment(P>0.05).CONCLUSION:The cytokines VEGF,MCP-1,IL-6,and IL-8 in the aqueous humor of DME patients are significantly increased.Aflibercept and aflibercept combined with TA have good efficacy in DME patients,can effectively reduce CMT,improve the patient’s vision,and have high safety.Aflibercept combined with TA can quickly downregulate the aqueous humor cytokines and help to relieve macular edema rapidly.However,the long-term efficacy is comparable to that of aflibercept alone.

Trend of Developing Aqueous Liquid and Gel Electrolytes for Sustainable,Safe,and High‑Performance Li‑Ion Batteries

Current lithium-ion batteries(LIBs)rely on organic liquid electrolytes that pose significant risks due to their flammability and toxicity.The potential for environmental pollution and explosions resulting from battery damage or fracture is a critical concern.Water-based(aqueous)electrolytes have been receiving attention as an alternative to organic electrolytes.However,a narrow electrochemicalstability window,water decomposition,and the consequent low battery operating voltage and energy density hinder the practical use of aqueous electrolytes.Therefore,developing novel aqueous electrolytes for sustainable,safe,high-performance LIBs remains challenging.This Review first commences by summarizing the roles and requirements of electrolytes–separators and then delineates the progression of aqueous electrolytes for LIBs,encompassing aqueous liquid and gel electrolyte development trends along with detailed principles of the electrolytes.These aqueous electrolytes are progressed based on strategies using superconcentrated salts,concentrated diluents,polymer additives,polymer networks,and artificial passivation layers,which are used for suppressing water decomposition and widening the electrochemical stability window of water of the electrolytes.In addition,this Review discusses potential strategies for the implementation of aqueous Li-metal batteries with improved electrolyte–electrode interfaces.A comprehensive understanding of each strategy in the aqueous system will assist in the design of an aqueous electrolyte and the development of sustainable and safe high-performance batteries.

A Molecular-Sieving Interphase Towards Low-Concentrated Aqueous Sodium-Ion Batteries

Aqueous sodium-ion batteries are known for poor rechargeability because of the competitive water decomposition reactions and the high electrode solubility.Improvements have been reported by saltconcentrated and organic-hybridized electrolyte designs,however,at the expense of cost and safety.Here,we report the prolonged cycling of ASIBs in routine dilute electrolytes by employing artificial electrode coatings consisting of NaX zeolite and NaOH-neutralized perfluorinated sulfonic polymer.The as-formed composite interphase exhibits a molecularsieving effect jointly played by zeolite channels and size-shrunken ionic domains in the polymer matrix,which enables high rejection of hydrated Na^(+)ions while allowing fast dehydrated Na^(+)permeance.Applying this coating to electrode surfaces expands the electrochemical window of a practically feasible 2 mol kg^(-1) sodium trifluoromethanesulfonate aqueous electrolyte to 2.70 V and affords Na_(2)MnFe(CN)_(6)//NaTi_(2)(PO_(4))_(3) full cells with an unprecedented cycling stability of 94.9%capacity retention after 200 cycles at 1 C.Combined with emerging electrolyte modifications,this molecular-sieving interphase brings amplified benefits in long-term operation of ASIBs.

Progress on Transition Metal Ions Dissolution Suppression Strategies in Prussian Blue Analogs for Aqueous Sodium-/Potassium-Ion Batteries

Aqueous sodium-ion batteries(ASIBs)and aqueous potassium-ion batteries(APIBs)present significant potential for large-scale energy storage due to their cost-effectiveness,safety,and environmental compatibility.Nonetheless,the intricate energy storage mechanisms in aqueous electrolytes place stringent require-ments on the host materials.Prussian blue analogs(PBAs),with their open three-dimensional framework and facile synthesis,stand out as leading candidates for aqueous energy storage.However,PBAs possess a swift capacity fade and limited cycle longevity,for their structural integrity is compromised by the pronounced dis-solution of transition metal(TM)ions in the aqueous milieu.This manuscript provides an exhaustive review of the recent advancements concerning PBAs in ASIBs and APIBs.The dissolution mechanisms of TM ions in PBAs,informed by their structural attributes and redox processes,are thoroughly examined.Moreover,this study delves into innovative design tactics to alleviate the dissolution issue of TM ions.In conclusion,the paper consolidates various strategies for suppressing the dissolution of TM ions in PBAs and posits avenues for prospective exploration of high-safety aqueous sodium-/potassium-ion batteries.

Pairing nitroxyl radical and phenazine with electron-withdrawing/-donating substituents in “water-in-ionic liquid” for high-voltage aqueous redox flow batteries

Aqueous redox-active organic materials-base electrolytes are sustainable alternatives to vanadium-based electrolyte for redoxflow batteries(RFBs)due to the advantages of high ionic conductivity,environmentally benign,safety and low cost.However,the underexplored redox properties of organic materials and the narrow thermodynamic electrolysis window of water(1.23 V)hinder their wide applications.Therefore,seeking suitable organic redox couples and aqueous electrolytes with a high output voltage is highly suggested for advancing the aqueous organic RFBs.In this work,the functionalized phenazine and nitroxyl radical with electron-donating and electron-withdrawing group exhibit redox potential of-0.88 V and 0.78 V vs.Ag,respectively,in“water-in-ionic liquid”supporting electrolytes.Raman spectra reveal that the activity of water is largely suppressed in“water-in-ionic liquid”due to the enhanced hydrogen bond interactions between ionic liquid and water,enabling an electrochemical stability window above 3 V.“Water-in-ionic liquid”supporting electrolytes help to shift redox potential of nitroxyl radical and enable the redox activity of functionalized phenazine.The assembled aqueous RFB allows a theoretical cell voltage of 1.66 V and shows a practical discharge voltage of 1.5 V in the“water-in-ionic liquid”electrolytes.Meanwhile,capacity retention of 99.91%per cycle is achieved over 500 charge/discharge cycles.A power density of 112 mW cm^(-2) is obtained at a current density of 30 mA cm^(-2).This work highlights the importance of rationally combining supporting electrolytes and organic molecules to achieve high-voltage aqueous RFBs.

Polarizable Additive with Intermediate Chelation Strength for Stable Aqueous Zinc‑Ion Batteries

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries are promising due to inherent safety,low cost,low toxicity,and high volumetric capacity.However,issues of dendrites and side reactions between zinc metal anode and the electrolyte need to be solved for extended storage and cycle life.Here,we proposed that an electrolyte additive with an intermediate chelation strength of zinc ion—strong enough to exclude water molecules from the zinc metal-electrolyte interface and not too strong to cause a significant energy barrier for zinc ion dissociation—can benefit the electrochemical stability by suppressing hydrogen evolution reaction,overpotential growth,and den-drite formation.Penta-sodium diethylene-triaminepentaacetic acid salt was selected for such a purpose.It has a suitable chelating ability in aqueous solutions to adjust solvation sheath and can be readily polarized under electrical loading conditions to further improve the passivation.Zn||Zn symmetric cells can be stably operated over 3500 h at 1 mA cm^(-2).Zn||NH4V4O10 full cells with the additive show great cycling stability with 84.6%capacity retention after 500 cycles at 1 A g^(-1).Since the additive not only reduces H2 evolution and corrosion but also modifies Zn2+diffusion and deposition,highlyreversible Zn electrodes can be achieved as verified by the experimental results.Our work offers a practical approach to the logical design of reliable electrolytes for high-performance aqueous batteries.

Stabilizing zinc anode using zeolite imidazole framework functionalized separator for durable aqueous zinc-ion batteries

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries(AZIBs) hold great promise as a viable alternative to lithium-ion batteries owing to their high energy density and environmental friendliness.However,AZIBs are consistently plagued by the formation of zinc dendrites and concurrent side reactions,which significantly diminish their overall service life,In this study,the glass fiber separator(GF) is modified using zeolite imidazole salt framework-8(ZIF-8),enabling the development of efficient AZIBs.ZIF-8,which is abundant in nitrogen content,efficiently regulates the desolvation of [Zn(H_(2)O)_(6)]^(2+) to inhibit hydrogen production.Moreover,it possesses abundant nanochannels that facilitate the uniform deposition of Zn~(2+) via a localized action,thereby hindering the formation of dendrites.The insulating properties of ZIF-8 help prevent Zn^(2+) and water from trapping electron reduction at the layer surface,which reduces corrosion of the zinc anode.Consequently,ZIF-8-GF achieves the even transport of Zn^(2+) and regulates the homogeneous deposition along the Zn(002) crystal surface,thus significantly enhancing the electrochemical performance of the AZIBs,In particular,the Zn|Zn symmetric cell with the ZIF-8-GF separator delivers a stable cycle life at0.5 mA cm^(-2) of 2300 h.The Zn|ZIF-8-GF|MnO_(2) cell exhibits reduced voltage polarization while maintaining a capacity retention rate(93.4%) after 1200 cycles at 1.2 A g^(-1) The unique design of the modified diaphragm provides a new approach to realizing high-performance AZIBs.

Long cycle-life aqueous Zn battery enabled by facile carbon nanotube coating on Cu current collector

As an alternative to Li-ion batteries,aqueous Zn batteries have gained attention due to the abundance of Zn metal,low reduction potential(-0.76 V vs.standard hydrogen electrode),and high theoretical capacity(820 mAh g-1)of multivalent Zn2+ion.However,the growth of Zn dendrites and the formation of irreversible surface reaction byproducts pose challenges for ensuring a long battery lifespan and commercialization.Herein,the Cu foil coated with a single-walled carbon nanotube(SWCNT)layer using a facile doctor blade casting method is utilized.The SWCNT-coated Cu foil demonstrates a significantly longer battery lifespan compared to the bare Cu in the half-cell tests.Through operando optical microscopy imaging,we are able to provide intuitive evidence that Zn deposition occurs between the carbon nanotube(CNT)coating and Cu substrate,in agreement with the computational results.Also,with various imaging techniques,the flat morphology and homogeneous distribution of Zn beneath the SWCNT layer are demonstrated.In addition,the full-cell using CNT-coated Cu exhibits a long cycle life compared to the control group,thereby demonstrating improved electrochemical performance with limited Zn for the cycling process.

Polymer engineering for electrodes of aqueous zinc ion batteries

With the increasing demand for scalable and cost-effective electrochemical energy storage,aqueous zinc ion batteries(AZIBs)have a broad application prospect as an inexpensive,efficient,and naturally secure energy storage device.However,the limitations suffered by AZIBs,including volume expansion and active materials dissolution of the cathode,electrochemical corrosion,irreversible side reactions,zinc dendrites of the anode,have seriously decelerated the civilianization process of AZIBs.Currently,polymers have tremendous superiority for application in AZIBs attributed to their exceptional chemical stability,tunable structure,high energy density and outstanding mechanical properties.Considering the expanding applications of AZIBs and the superiority of polymers,this comprehensive paper meticulously reviews the benefits of utilizing polymeric applied to cathodes and anodes,respectively.To begin with,with adjustable structure as an entry point,the correlation between polymer structure and the function of energy storage as well as optimization is deeply investigated in respect to the mechanism.Then,depending on the diversity of properties and structures,the development of polymers in AZIBs is summarized,including conductive polymers,redox polymers as well as carbon composite polymers for cathode and polyvinylidene fluoride-,carbonyl-,amino-,nitrile-based polymers for anode,and a comprehensive evaluation of the shortcomings of these strategies is provided.Finally,an outlook highlights some of the challenges posed by the application of polymers and offers insights into the potential future direction of polymers in AZIBs.It is designed to provide a thorough reference for researchers and developers working on polymer for AZIBs.

Inhibiting the phase transition of WO_(3)for highly stable aqueous electrochromic battery

Aqueous electrochromic battery(ECB)has shown intense potential for achieving energy storage and saving simultaneously.While tungsten oxide(WO_(3))is the most promising EC material for commercialization,the cycling stability of WO_(3)-based aqueous ECBs is currently unsatisfactory due to the repeated phase transition during the redox process and the corrosion by acidic electrolytes.Herein,we present a titanium-tungsten oxide alloy(Ti-WO_(3))with controllable morphology and crystal phase synthesized by a facile hot injection method to overcome the challenges.In contrast to conventional monoclinic WO_(3),the Ti-WO_(3)nanorods can stably maintain their cubic crystal phase during the redox reaction in an acidic electrolyte,thus leading to dramatically enhanced response speed and cycling stability,Specifically,when working in a well-matched hybrid Al^(3+)/Zn^(2+)aqueous electrolyte,our phasetransition-free cubic Ti-WO_(3)exhibits an ultra-high cycling stability(>20000 cycles),fast response speed(3,95 s/4,65 s for bleaching/coloring),as well as excellent discharge areal capacity of 214.5 mA h m^(-2),We further fabricate a fully complementa ry aqueous electrochromic device,for the first time,using a Ti-WO_(3)/Prussian blue device architecture.Remarkably,the complementary ECB shows>10000 stable operation cycles,attesting to the feasibility of our Ti-WO_(3)for practical applications.Our work validates the significance of inhibiting the phase transitions of WO_(3)during the electrochromic process for realizing highly cyclable aqueous ECB,which can possibly provide a generalized design guidance for other high-quality metallic oxides for electrochemical applications.

Synchronous organic-inorganic co-intercalated ammonium vanadate cathode for advanced aqueous zinc-ion batteries

Vanadium-based cathode materials are attractive for aqueous zinc-ion batteries(AZIBs)owing to the high capacity from their open frameworks and multiple valences.However,the cycle stability and rate capability are still restricted by the low electrical conductivity and trapped diffusion kinetics.Here,we propose an organic-inorganic co-intercalation strategy to regulate the structure of ammonium vanadate(NH_(4)V_(4)O_(10),NVO).The introduction of Al^(3+)and polyaniline(PANI)induces the optimized layered structure and generation of urchin-like hierarchical construction(AP-NVO),based on heterogeneous nucleation and dissolution-recrystallization growth mechanism.Owing to these favorable features,the AP-NVO electrode delivers a desirable discharge capacity of 386 mA h g^(-1) at 1.0 A g^(-1),high-rate capability of 263 mA h g^(-1 )at 5.0 A g^(-1) and excellent cycling stability with 80.4%capacity retention over 2000 cycles at 5.0 A g^(-1).Such satisfactory electrochemical performance is believed to result from the enhanced reaction kinetics provided by the stable layered structure and a high intercalation pseudo-capacitance reaction.These results could provide enlightening insights into the design of layered vanadium oxide cathodematerials.

Recent advances and perspectives in MXene-based cathodes for aqueous zinc-ion batteries

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries(AZIBs)show great potential for applications in grid-scale energy storage,given their intrinsic safety,cost effectiveness,environmental friendliness,and impressive electrochemical performance.However,strong electrostatic interactions exist between zinc ions and host materials,and they hinder the development of advanced cathode materials for efficient,rapid,and stable Zn-ion storage.MXenes and their derivatives possess a large interlayer spacing,excellent hydrophilicity,outstanding electronic conductivity,and high redox activity.These materials are considered“rising star”cathode candidates for AZIBs.This comprehensive review discusses recent advances in MXenes as AZIB cathodes from the perspectives of crystal structure,Zn-storage mechanism,surface modification,interlayer engineering,and conductive network design to elucidate the correlations among their composition,structure,and electrochemical performance.This work also outlines the remaining challenges faced by MXenes for aqueous Zn-ion storage,such as the urgent need for improved toxic preparation methods,exploration of potential novel MXene cathodes,and suppression of layered MXene restacking upon cycling,and introduces the prospects of MXene-based cathode materials for high-performance AZIBs.

Discovering Cathodic Biocompatibility for Aqueous Zn–MnO_(2) Battery:An Integrating Biomass Carbon Strategy

Developing high-performance aqueous Zn-ion batteries from sustainable biomass becomes increasingly vital for large-scale energy storage in the foreseeable future.Therefore,γ-MnO_(2) uniformly loaded on N-doped carbon derived from grapefruit peel is successfully fabricated in this work,and particularly the composite cathode with carbon carrier quality percentage of 20 wt%delivers the specific capacity of 391.2 mAh g^(−1)at 0.1 A g^(−1),outstanding cyclic stability of 92.17%after 3000 cycles at 5 A g^(−1),and remarkable energy density of 553.12 Wh kg^(−1) together with superior coulombic efficiency of~100%.Additionally,the cathodic biosafety is further explored specifically through in vitro cell toxicity experiments,which verifies its tremendous potential in the application of clinical medicine.Besides,Zinc ion energy storage mechanism of the cathode is mainly discussed from the aspects of Jahn–Teller effect and Mn domains distribution combined with theoretical analysis and experimental data.Thus,a novel perspective of the conversion from biomass waste to biocompatible Mn-based cathode is successfully developed.

Regulating zinc ion transport behavior and solvated structure towards stable aqueous Zn metal batteries

Aqueous Zn metal batteries(AZMBs)with intrinsic safety,high energy density and low cost have been regarded as promising electrochemical energy storage devices.However,the parasitic reaction on metallic Zn anode and the incompatibility between electrode and electrolytes lead to the deterioration of electrochemical performance of AZMBs during the cycling.The critical point to achieve the stable cycling of AZMBs is to properly regulate the zinc ion solvated structure and transfer behavior between metallic Zn anode and electrolyte.In recent years,numerous achievements have been made to resolve the formation of Zn dendrite and interface incompatible issues faced by AZMBs via optimizing the sheath structure and transport capability of zinc ions at electrode-electrolyte interface.In this review,the challenges for metallic Zn anode and electrode-electrolyte interface in AZMBs including dendrite formation and interface characteristics are presented.Following the influences of different strategies involving designing advanced electrode structu re,artificial solid electrolyte interphase(SEI)on Zn anode and electrolyte engineering to regulate zinc ion solvated sheath structure and transport behavior are summarized and discussed.Finally,the perspectives for the future development of design strategies for dendrite-free Zn metal anode and long lifespan AZMBs are also given.

An aqueous magnesium-ion hybrid supercapacitor operated at-50℃

The recent advances in aqueous magnesium-ion hybrid supercapacitor(MHSC)have attracted great attention as it brings together the benefits of high energy density,high power density,and synchronously addresses cost and safety issues.However,the freeze of aqueous electrolytes discourages aqueous MHSC from operating at low-temperature conditions.Here,a low-concentration aqueous solution of 4 mol L^(-1) Mg(ClO_(4))_(2) is devised for its low freezing point(-67℃)and ultra-high ionic conductivity(3.37 mS cm^(-1) at-50℃).Both physical characterizations and computational simulations revealed that the Mg(ClO_(4))_(2) can effectively disrupt the original hydrogen bond network among water molecules via transmuting the electrolyte structure,thus yielding a low freezing point.Thus,the Mg(ClO_(4))_(2) electrolytes endue aqueous MHSC with a wider temperature operation range(-50℃–25℃)and a higher energy density of 103.9 Wh kg^(-1) at 3.68 kW kg^(-1) over commonly used magnesium salts(i.e.,MgSO_(4) and Mg(NO_(3))_(2))electrolytes.Furthermore,a quasi-solid-state MHSC based on polyacrylamide-based hydrogel electrolyte holds superior low-temperature performance,excellentflexibility,and high safety.This work pioneers a convenient,cheap,and eco-friendly tactic to procure low-temperature aqueous magnesium-ion energy storage device.

Vanadium oxide nanospheres encapsulated in N-doped carbon nanofibers with morphology and defect dual-engineering toward advanced aqueous zinc-ion batteries

Vanadium-based electrodes are regarded as attractive cathode materials in aqueous zinc ion batteries(ZIBs)caused by their high capacity and unique layered structure.However,it is extremely challenging to acquire high electrochemical performance owing to the limited electronic conductivity,sluggish ion kinetics,and severe volume expansion during the insertion/extraction process of Zn^(2+).Herein,a series of V_(2)O_(3)nanospheres embedded N-doped carbon nanofiber structures with various V_(2)O_(3)spherical morphologies(solid,core-shell,hollow)have been designed for the first time by an electrospinning technique followed thermal treatments.The N-doped carbon nanofibers not only improve the electrical conductivity and the structural stability,but also provides encapsulating shells to prevent the vanadium dissolution and aggregation of V_(2)O_(3)particles.Furthermore,the varied morphological structures of V_(2)O_(3)with abundant oxygen vacancies can alleviate the volume change and increase the Zn^(2+)pathway.Besides,the phase transition between V_(2)O_(3)and Zn_XV_(2)O_(5-m)·n H_(2)O in the cycling was also certified.As a result,the as-obtained composite delivers excellent long-term cycle stability and enhanced rate performance for coin cells,which is also confirmed through density functional theory(DFT)calculations.Even assembled into flexible ZIBs,the sample still exhibits superior electrochemical performance,which may afford new design concept for flexible cathode materials of ZIBs.

Asymmetric Electrolytes Design for Aqueous Multivalent Metal Ion Batteries

With the rapid development of portable electronics and electric road vehicles,high-energy-density batteries have been becoming front-burner issues.Traditionally,homogeneous electrolyte cannot simultaneously meet diametrically opposed demands of high-potential cathode and low-potential anode,which are essential for high-voltage batteries.Meanwhile,homogeneous electrolyte is difficult to achieve bi-or multi-functions to meet different requirements of electrodes.In comparison,the asymmetric electrolyte with bi-or multi-layer disparate components can satisfy distinct requirements by playing different roles of each electrolyte layer and meanwhile compensates weakness of individual electrolyte.Consequently,the asymmetric electrolyte can not only suppress by-product sedimentation and continuous electrolyte decomposition at the anode while preserving active substances at the cathode for high-voltage batteries with long cyclic lifespan.In this review,we comprehensively divide asymmetric electrolytes into three categories:decoupled liquid-state electrolytes,bi-phase solid/liquid electrolytes and decoupled asymmetric solid-state electrolytes.The design principles,reaction mechanism and mutual compatibility are also studied,respectively.Finally,we provide a comprehensive vision for the simplification of structure to reduce costs and increase device energy density,and the optimization of solvation structure at anolyte/catholyte interface to realize fast ion transport kinetics.

Novel high-voltage cathode for aqueous zinc ion batteries:Porous K_(0.5)VOPO_(4)·1.5H_(2)O with reversible solid-solution intercalation and conversion storage mechanism

Cathode materials that possess high output voltage,as well as those that can be mass-produced using facile techniques,are crucial for the advancement of aqueous zinc-ion battery(ZIBs)applications,Herein,we present for the first time a new porous K_(0.5)VOPO_(4)·1.5H_(2)O polyanionic cathode(P-KIVP)with high output voltage(above 1.2 V)that can be manufactured at room temperature using straightforward coprecipitation and etching techniques.The P-KVP cathode experiences anisotropic crystal plane expansion via a sequential solid-solution intercalation and phase co nversion pathway throughout the Zn^(2+)storage process,as confirmed by in-situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction and ex-situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.Similar to other layered vanadium-based polyanionic materials,the P-KVP cathode experiences a progressive decline in voltage during the cycle,which is demonstrated to be caused by the irreversible conversion into amorphous VO_(x).By introducing a new electrolyte containing Zn(OTF)_(2) to a mixed triethyl phosphate and water solution,it is possible to impede this irreversible conversion and obtain a high output voltage and longer cycle life by forming a P-rich cathode electrolyte interface layer.As a proof-of-concept,the flexible fiber-shaped ZIBs based on modified electrolyte woven into a fabric watch band can power an electronic watch,highlighting the application potential of P-KVP cathode.

Design Strategies for Aqueous Zinc Metal Batteries with High Zinc Utilization: From Metal Anodes to Anode-Free Structures

Aqueous zinc metal batteries(AZMBs)are promising candidates for next-generation energy storage due to the excellent safety, environmental friendliness, natural abundance, high theoretical specific capacity, and low redox potential of zinc(Zn) metal. However,several issues such as dendrite formation, hydrogen evolution, corrosion, and passivation of Zn metal anodes cause irreversible loss of the active materials. To solve these issues, researchers often use large amounts of excess Zn to ensure a continuous supply of active materials for Zn anodes. This leads to the ultralow utilization of Zn anodes and squanders the high energy density of AZMBs. Herein, the design strategies for AZMBs with high Zn utilization are discussed in depth, from utilizing thinner Zn foils to constructing anode-free structures with theoretical Zn utilization of 100%, which provides comprehensive guidelines for further research. Representative methods for calculating the depth of discharge of Zn anodes with different structures are first summarized. The reasonable modification strategies of Zn foil anodes, current collectors with pre-deposited Zn, and anode-free aqueous Zn metal batteries(AF-AZMBs) to improve Zn utilization are then detailed. In particular, the working mechanism of AF-AZMBs is systematically introduced. Finally, the challenges and perspectives for constructing high-utilization Zn anodes are presented.