Efficient suppression of dendrites and side reactions by strong electrostatic shielding effect via the additive of Rb2SO4 for anodes in aqueous zinc-ion batteries

Zhang, X., Chen, J., Cao, H., Huang, X., Liu, Y., Chen, Y., Huo, Y., Lin, D., Zheng, Q. and Lam, K.-h. (2023) Efficient suppression of dendrites and side reactions by strong electrostatic shielding effect via the additive of Rb2SO4 for anodes in aqueous zinc-ion batteries. Small, 19(52), 2303906. (doi: 10.1002/smll.202303906) (PMID:37649229)

Abstract

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) have attracted considerable attention due to their low cost and environmental friendliness. However, the rampant dendrite growth and severe side reactions during plating/stripping on the surface of zinc (Zn) anode hinder the practicability of AZIBs. Herein, an effective and non-toxic cationic electrolyte additive of Rb2SO4 is proposed to address the issues. The large cation of Rb+ is preferentially adsorbed on the surface of Zn metal to induce a strong shielding effect for realizing the lateral deposition of Zn2+ ions along the Zn surface and isolating water from Zn metal to effectively inhibit side reactions. Consequently, the Zn||Zn symmetric cell with the addition of 1.5 mm Rb2SO4 can cycle more than 6000 h at 0.5 mA cm−2/0.25 mAh cm−2, which is 20 times longer than that without Rb2SO4. Besides, the Zn||Cu asymmetric cell with Rb2SO4 achieves a very high average Coulombic efficiency of 99.16% up to 500 cycles. Moreover, the electrolyte with Rb2SO4 well matches with the VO2 cathode, achieving high initial capacity of 412.7 mAh g−1 at 5 A g−1 and excellent cycling stability with a capacity retention of 71.6% at 5 A g−1 after 500 cycles for the Zn//VO2 full cell.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: This work was supported by the Natural Science Foundation of SichuanProvince (2022NSFSC0222), the Sichuan Science and Technology Program (2023NSFSC0439), and partially by the University of Glasgow.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Lam, Dr Koko
• Authors: Zhang, X., Chen, J., Cao, H., Huang, X., Liu, Y., Chen, Y., Huo, Y., Lin, D., Zheng, Q., and Lam, K.-h.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Systems Power and Energy
• Journal Name: Small
• Publisher: Wiley
• ISSN: 1613-6810
• ISSN (Online): 1613-6829
• Published Online: 30 August 2023
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2023 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Small 19(52): 2303906
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License