Citation

Yong Cheng, Yucong Jiao*, and Peiyi Wu*. Manipulating Zn 002 deposition plane with zirconium ion crosslinked hydrogel electrolyte toward dendrite free Zn metal anodes.  Energy Environ. Sci. 2023, 16, 4561-4571. 

Abatract

The practical applications of aqueous zinc (Zn) metal anodes are severely impeded by the side reaction and dendrite formations on Zn surface. Here, a silk fibroin-based hydrogel electrolyte, cross-linked by a high valent cation of Zr4+ (SFPAM-Zr) was engineered to regulate the Zn2+ deposition and nucleation behavior for high performance Zn metal anodes. We demonstrate that the Zr4+ can enhance the mechanical property of the hydrogel electrolyte for stable electrochemical interface. In addition, the strong electrostatic shielding effect of Zr4+ can guide Zn2+ deposition with Zn 002 plane and cooperate with SFPAM to resist water molecules for side reaction and dendrite inhibition. Consequently, the SFPAM-Zr hydrogel electrolyte confers the symmetrical Zn battery with a stable reversibility and high depth of discharge (DOD) for 57%. The Zn/active carbon (AC) capacitor can keep stable for 40000 cycles with a capacity retention of 99%, and the Zn/PANI battery can deliver long-term cycling at different temperatures.