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Title: Production of fast-charge Zn-based aqueous batteries via interfacial adsorption of ion-oligomer complexes

Journal Article · · Nature Communications

Abstract Aqueous zinc batteries are attracting interest because of their potential for cost-effective and safe electricity storage. However, metallic zinc exhibits only moderate reversibility in aqueous electrolytes. To circumvent this issue, we study aqueous Zn batteries able to form nanometric interphases at the Zn metal/liquid electrolyte interface, composed of an ion-oligomer complex. In Zn||Zn symmetric cell studies, we report highly reversible cycling at high current densities and capacities (e.g., 160 mA cm −2 ; 2.6 mAh cm −2 ). By means of quartz-crystal microbalance, nuclear magnetic resonance, and voltammetry measurements we show that the interphase film exists in a dynamic equilibrium with oligomers dissolved in the electrolyte. The interphase strategy is applied to aqueous Zn||I 2 and Zn||MnO 2 cells that are charged/discharged for 12,000 cycles and 1000 cycles, respectively, at a current density of 160 mA cm −2 and capacity of approximately 0.85 mAh cm −2 . Finally, we demonstrate that Zn||I 2 -carbon pouch cells (9 cm 2 area) cycle stably and deliver a specific energy of 151 Wh/kg (based on the total mass of active materials in the electrode) at a charge current density of 56 mA cm −2 .

Research Organization:
State Univ. of New York (SUNY), Albany, NY (United States); Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NY (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES); National Science Foundation (NSF)
Grant/Contract Number:
SC0012673; SC0016082; DMR-1719875
OSTI ID:
1899727
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1904464
Journal Information:
Nature Communications, Journal Name: Nature Communications Vol. 13 Journal Issue: 1; ISSN 2041-1723
Publisher:
Nature Publishing GroupCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United Kingdom
Language:
English

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