Bulk-Phase Reconstruction Enables Robust Zinc Metal Anodes for Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries are inherently safe, but the severe dendrite growth and corrosion reaction on zinc anodes greatly hinder their practical applications. Most of the strategies for zinc anode modification refer to the research of lithium metal anodes on surface regulation without considering the intrinsic mechanisms of zinc anode. Herein, we first point out that surface modification cannot permanently protect zinc anodes due to the unavoidable surface damage during the stripping process by solid–liquid conversion. A bulk-phase reconstruction strategy is proposed to introduce abundant zincophilic sites both on the surface and inside the commercial zinc foils. The bulk-phase reconstructed zinc foil anodes exhibit uniform surfaces with high zincophilicity even after deep stripping, significantly improving the resistance to dendrite growth and side reactions. Our proposed strategy suggests a promising direction for the development of dendrite-free metal anodes for practical rechargeable batteries with high sustainability.     

High Power- and Energy-Density Supercapacitors through the Chlorine Respiration Mechanism

Supercapacitor represents an important electrical energy storage technology with high-power performance and superior cyclability. However, currently commercialized supercapacitors still suffer limited energy densities. Here we report an unprecedentedly respiring supercapacitor with chlorine gas iteratively re-inspires in porous carbon materials, that improves the energy density by orders of magnitude. Both electrochemical results and theoretical calculations show that porous carbon with pore size around 3 nm delivers the best chlorine evolution and adsorption performance. The respiring supercapacitor with multi-wall carbon nanotube as the cathode and NaTi₂(PO₄)₃ as the anode can store specific energy of 33 Wh kg⁻¹ with negligible capacity loss over 30 000 cycles. The energy density can be further improved to 53 Wh kg⁻¹ by replacing NaTi₂(PO₄)₃ with zinc anode. Furthermore, thanks to the extraordinary reaction kinetics of chlorine gas, this respiring supercapacitor performs an extremely high-power density of 50 000 W kg⁻¹.     

Triple-function Hydrated Eutectic Electrolyte for Enhanced Aqueous Zinc Batteries

Aqueous rechargeable zinc-ion batteries (ARZBs) are impeded by the mutual problems of unstable cathode, electrolyte parasitic reactions, and dendritic growth of zinc (Zn) anode. Herein, a triple-functional strategy by introducing the tetramethylene sulfone (TMS) to form a hydrated eutectic electrolyte is reported to ameliorate these issues. The activity of H₂O is inhibited by reconstructing hydrogen bonds due to the strong interaction between TMS and H₂O. Meanwhile, the preferentially adsorbed TMS on the Zn surface increases the thickness of double electric layer (EDL) structure, which provides a shielding buffer layer to suppress dendrite growth. Interestingly, TMS modulates the primary solvation shell of Zn²⁺ ultimately to achieve a novel solvent co-intercalation ((Zn-TMS)²⁺) mechanism, and the intercalated TMS works as a “pillar” that provides more zincophilic sites and stabilizes the structure of cathode (NH₄V₄O₁₀, (NVO)). Consequently, the Zn||NVO battery exhibits a remarkably high specific capacity of 515.6 mAh g⁻¹ at a low current density of 0.2 A g⁻¹ for over 40 days. This multi-functional electrolytes and solvent co-intercalation mechanism will significantly propel the practical development of aqueous batteries.     

MXenes在水系锌离子电池中的应用研究进展

水系锌离子电池(AZIBs)作为一种低成本、高安全的新兴且前景广阔的储能技术近年来备受关注。新型MXenes材料由于其独特的结构特征和物理化学性质,如易调节的二维结构、优异的导电性、化学组成多样和可控的表面化学特性,在AZIBs中表现出独特的应用优势。本文全面综述近年来MXenes在AZIBs中应用的研究进展,探讨MXenes应用于AZIBs正负极的结构设计及性能优化策略：在正极方面,MXenes可直接作为活性物质或活性物质前驱体、基体材料,以获得高活性、优异的循环寿命和倍率性能;在负极方面,MXenes可作为锌沉积的二维/三维载体、亲锌基体及锌金属界面保护层,以减缓电化学反应过程中锌金属的腐蚀和枝晶生长。此外,本文也对MXenes基材料在AZIBs中应用的发展方向进行展望。     

水系锌离子电池用钒基正极材料的研究进展

水系锌离子电池(aqueous zinc-ion batteries,AZIBs)具有高安全性、低生产成本、锌资源丰富和环境友好等优点,被认为是未来大规模储能系统中极具发展前景的储能装置。目前,AZIBs的研究关键之一在于开发具有稳定结构和高容量的锌离子可脱嵌正极材料。钒基化合物用作AZIBs正极时,表现出可逆容量高和结构丰富可变等特点,受到了广泛的关注和研究。然而,钒基化合物的储锌机理较复杂,不同材料通常表现出各异的电化学性能和储能机理。在本综述中,我们全面地阐述了钒基化合物的储能机制,并探讨了钒基材料在水系锌离子电池中的应用和发展近况,以及它们的性能优化策略。在此基础上,也进一步地展望了水系锌离子电池及其钒基正极材料的发展方向。     

Solid-Electrolyte Interphase Chemistries Towards High-Performance Aqueous Zinc Metal Batteries

Aqueous zinc metal batteries (AZMBs) are deemed a promising technology for electrochemical energy storage due to their high safety, low cost, and high energy density. However, AZMBs still suffer from severe side reactions, including Zn dendrite formation and intrinsic hydrogen evolution reaction. In contrast to the solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer that stabilizes Li/Na/K metal anodes in organic electrolytes, it is difficult to form an SEI layer on the Zn surface because of the difficulty in decomposing the salt anions within the narrow electrochemical potential window of water. A team from the University of Adelaide reports a novel pure or hybrid electrolyte with H₂O by using dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP) as solvent or co-solvent to construct a uniform and stable phosphate-based SEI layer (ZnP₂O₆ and Zn₃(PO₄)₂). As a result, high Coulombic efficiencies and improved capacity retentions are obtained.     

Steric-hindrance Effect Tuned Ion Solvation Enabling High Performance Aqueous Zinc Ion Batteries

Despite many additives have been reported for aqueous zinc ion batteries, steric-hindrance effect of additives and its correlation with Zn²⁺ solvation structure have been rarely reported. Herein, large-sized sucrose biomolecule is selected as a paradigm additive, and steric-hindrance electrolytes (STEs) are developed to investigate the steric-hindrance effect for solvation structure regulation. Sucrose molecules do not participate in Zn²⁺ solvation shell, but significantly homogenize the distribution of solvated Zn²⁺ and enlarge Zn²⁺ solvation shell with weakened Zn²⁺−H₂O interaction due to the steric-hindrance effect. More importantly, STEs afford the water-shielding electric double layer and in situ construct the organic and inorganic hybrid solid electrolyte interface, which effectively boost Zn anode reversibility. Remarkably, Zn//NVO battery presents high capacity of 3.9 mAh ⋅ cm⁻² with long cycling stability for over 650 cycles at lean electrolyte of 4.5 μL ⋅ mg⁻¹ and low N/P ratio of 1.5, and the stable operation at wide temperature (−20 °C~+40 °C).     

电解液调控策略提升水系锌离子电池正极材料电化学性能

水系锌离子电池(ZIBs)因安全性高、成本低、环境友好,以及负极锌高的理论容量(820 mAh·g^-1)和低的氧化还原电位(-0.76 V vs.SHE)等优点而受到研究者们的广泛关注,有望应用于大规模储能领域,但循环寿命仍是限制其规模化应用的瓶颈之一。通过电解液优化调控策略,可有效抑制正极材料的溶解、结构坍塌和界面副反应等问题,从而提高水系ZIBs的电化学性能。本文综述了电解液调控策略提升水系ZIBs正极材料电化学性能的研究进展,讨论了该策略所解决的具体问题和局限性,并对电解液体系的发展方向进行了展望。     

Hydrogen Bond Networks Stabilized High-Capacity Organic Cathode for Lithium-Ion Batteries

High-capacity small organic materials are plagued by their high solubility. Here we proposed constructing hydrogen bond networks (HBN) via intermolecular hydrogen bonds to suppress the solubility of active material. The illustrated 2, 7- diamino-4, 5, 9, 10-tetraone (PTO-NH₂) molecule with intermolecular hydrogen (H) bond between O in −C=O and H in −NH₂, which make PTO-NH₂ presents transverse two-dimensional extension and longitudinal π–π stacking structure. In situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) has tracked the reversible evolution of H-bonds, further confirming the existence of HBN structure can stabilize the intermediate 2-electron reaction state. Therefore, PTO-NH₂ with HBN structure has higher active site utilization (95 %), better cycle stability and rate performance. This study uncovers the H-bond effect and evolution during the electrochemical process and provides a strategy for materials design.     

Solvation Modulation Enhances Anion-Derived Solid Electrolyte Interphase for Deep Cycling of Aqueous Zinc Metal Batteries

Stable Zn anodes with a high utilization efficiency pose a challenge due to notorious dendrite growth and severe side reactions. Therefore, electrolyte additives are developed to address these issues. However, the additives are always consumed by the electrochemical reactions over cycling, affecting the cycling stability. Here, hexamethylphosphoric triamide (HMPA) is reported as an electrolyte additive for achieving stable cycling of Zn anodes. HMPA reshapes the solvation structures and promotes anion decomposition, leading to the in situ formation of inorganic-rich solid-electrolyte-interphase. More interestingly, this anion decomposition does not involve HMPA, preserving its long-term impact on the electrolyte. Thus, the symmetric cells with HMPA in the electrolyte survive ≈500 h at 10 mA cm⁻² for 10 mAh cm⁻² or ≈200 h at 40 mA cm⁻² for 10 mAh cm⁻² with a Zn utilization rate of 85.6 %. The full cells of Zn||V₂O₅ exhibit a record-high cumulative capacity even under a lean electrolyte condition (E/C ratio=12 μL mAh⁻¹), a limited Zn supply (N/P ratio=1.8) and a high areal capacity (6.6 mAh cm⁻²).     

高容量超级电容器电极材料的设计与制备

超级电容器寿命长,安全性高,并可以实现快速充放电,是化学电源研究的热点之一。然而,超级电容器的能量密度较低限制了其更多的应用。因此,超级电容器领域的研究关注点在如何提高超级电容器的能量密度。其中,提高比容量是提高能量密度的一种有效途径。本文通过对电极材料和电解液的优化来研究制备得到高容量超级电容器的方法。电极材料的比表面积、孔道结构和导电性对其电化学性能有着直接的影响。一方面,通过优化电极材料的孔道结构和比表面积可以增加活性位点并提高电解液离子传导率,从而得到高比电容。另一方面,电极材料导电性的提高有利于提升其电子传导率从而得到较高的比容量。本文分别对碳材料和金属氧化物/氢氧化物的优化达到了增加双电层电容和赝电容的目的。不仅如此,还可以通过在电解液中增加氧化还原电对从而得到高比电容。这一方法为高容量超级电容器的制备提供了新的思路。     

含分子内氢键的苯硫酚在水相中的Michael加成反应

苯硫酚的巯基是一个较强的亲核基团,对α,β-不饱和双键的Michael加成反应已有报道．但是当巯基的邻位存在与其形成氢键的基团时,如果按文献条件进行反应,或者反应无法进行,或者要使用反应条件苛刻的丁基锂,或者使用吡啶等毒性较大的反应溶剂,而且产率较低．本文选择     

2D Plasmonic Molecules via Hydrogen Bond Interaction between Polymer-Grafted Nanoparticles

The use of macromolecular design features to regulate non-covalent bonding on the nanoscale is a young and emerging fabrication strategy for advanced nanostructures. For the first time, we describe a self-assembly method to create a series of 2D plasmonic molecules (PMs) using hydrogen-bond interaction between a pair of polymer-capped gold nanoparticles (hydrogen-bond donor and acceptor). Due to the nature of hydrogen-bond interaction, we found that polymer interaction and solvation compete with each other during the self-assembly process, which turns out to be the most important condition for controlling the coordination number of PMs. We have conducted an extensive study on the solvent effect, which has helped us to design and fabricate a series of precise PMs with high symmetry.     

Highly Reversible Zinc Metal Anode in a Dilute Aqueous Electrolyte Enabled by a pH Buffer Additive

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries have drawn increasing attention due to the intrinsic safety, cost-effectiveness and high energy density. However, parasitic reactions and non-uniform dendrite growth on the Zn anode side impede their application. Herein, a multifunctional additive, ammonium dihydrogen phosphate (NHP), is introduced to regulate uniform zinc deposition and to suppress side reactions. The results show that the NH₄⁺ tends to be preferably absorbed on the Zn surface to form a “shielding effect” and blocks the direct contact of water with Zn. Moreover, NH₄⁺ and (H₂PO₄)⁻ jointly maintain pH values of the electrode-electrolyte interface. Consequently, the NHP additive enables highly reversible Zn plating/stripping behaviors in Zn//Zn and Zn//Cu cells. Furthermore, the electrochemical performances of Zn//MnO₂ full cells and Zn//active carbon (AC) capacitors are improved. This work provides an efficient and general strategy for modifying Zn plating/stripping behaviors and suppressing side reactions in mild aqueous electrolyte.     

Dynamic Zn/Electrolyte Interphase and Enhanced Cation Transfer of Sol Electrolyte for All-Climate Aqueous Zinc Metal Batteries

Zn metal as one of the promising anodes of aqueous batteries possesses notable advantages, but it faces severe challenges from severe side reactions and notorious dendrite growth. Here, ultrathin nanosheets of α-zirconium phosphate (ZrP) are explored as an electrolyte additive. The nanosheets not only create a dynamic and reversible interphase on Zn but also promote the Zn²⁺ transportation in the electrolyte, especially in the outer Helmholtz plane near ZrP. Benefited from the enhanced kinetics and dynamic interphase, the pouch cells of Zn||LiMn₂O₄ using this electrolyte remarkably improve electrochemical performance under harsh conditions, i.e. Zn powders as the Zn anode, high mass loading, and wide temperatures. The results expand the materials available for this dynamic interphase, provide an insightful understanding of the enhanced charge transfer in the electrolyte, and realize the combination of dynamic interphase and enhanced kinetics for all-climate performance.     

电解液对水系可充电池MnO2正极电化学性能的影响

研究了水系电解液中Li⁺、Zn²⁺和Mn²⁺阳离子对具有不同晶型结构和形貌的MnO₂正极电化学性能的影响,探讨其储能机理。结果表明,在不含Mn(II)离子的水溶液中,MnO₂电极所表现的电化学性能趋同,容量低,衰减快。含有Zn²⁺离子的水溶液中,MnO₂电极因二价锌离子的嵌入-脱出,容量明显提升,但衰减严重。当溶液中同时含有Zn²⁺、Mn²⁺离子时,基于Mn²⁺和Zn²⁺离子之间的协同作用和Mn²⁺离子氧化/还原反应过程的作用,有效抑制MnO₂颗粒的聚集和结构塌陷,削弱碱式硫酸锌杂质不利的影响,保持了锌离子在MnO₂电极中嵌入-脱出的高容量特性(200 mAh·g^-1,电流密度：100 mA·g^-1),及良好的循环稳定性。     

Aqueous rechargeable zinc batteries: Challenges and opportunities

The development of zinc batteries with advantages of high safety, low cost, and environmental friendliness is energetic in recent years because of the increasing requirement on large-scale energy storage systems for integrating renewable energy in the power grid. However, there are still significant challenges in the way of commercialization of aqueous zinc batteries, such as parasitic reaction, zinc dendrite, and structure collapse and dissolution of cathode materials. This review summarizes the Zn²⁺ storage mechanism of cathode materials and the challenges in front of electrode materials and aqueous electrolyte. Meanwhile, corresponding solutions and points that should be paid attention for commercialization are discussed.     

辉光放电低温等离子体分解乙醇水溶液制氢

在辉光放电分解乙醇制氢过程中, 高能电子在反应中起到了最为关键的作用, 非法拉第效应使得电流效率获得大幅度提升, 产物产量远远高于理论产量. 本文研究了乙醇水溶液辉光放电等离子体电解制氢的过程. 实验研究发现, 辉光放电分解乙醇水溶液的产物主要以H₂和CO为主, 还有少量的C₂H₄、CH₄、O₂和C₂H₆. H₂体积分数能达到59%以上, CO为20%左右. 通过对影响辉光放电的因素进行实验后发现: 乙醇体积分数的大小不会影响辉光放电的伏安特性参数; 电导率的提高会使‘Kellogg 区’收窄, 同时使放电尽快进入辉光放电. 此外, 乙醇体积分数越高H₂体积分数越低, 产气速率在乙醇体积分数为30%和80%附近时达到极大值; 提高放电电压和电导率对辉光放电的影响规律是相类似的, 其实质都是增大了辉光放电加载在等离子鞘层两端的电压,H₂体积分数基本不随二者的变化而变化, 但提高溶液的电导率更有利于减少辉光放电引起的焦耳热.     

Solubility of Zinc Silicate and Zinc Ferrite in Aqueous Solution to High Temperatures

Crystalline zinc silicate, Zn₂SiO₄, and zinc ferrite, ZnFe₂O₄, were prepared and characterized. The solubilities of these phases were measured using flow-through apparatus from 50 to 350 °C in 100 °C intervals over a wide range of pH. Both solid phases dissolve incongruently, presumably to form ZnO(s) and Fe₂O₃(s) (or the corresponding hydroxide phases at low temperature), respectively. The respective concentrations of zinc(II) and iron(III) matched those of ZnO(cr) and Fe₂O₃(s) (≥150 °C) reported in the literature, whereas the corresponding Si(IV) and Zn(II) concentrations were at least an order of magnitude below the solubility limits for their pure oxide phases. Therefore, the solubility constants for zinc silicate and ferrite were determined with respect to the known solubility constants for ZnO(cr) and Fe₂O₃(s) (≥150 °C), respectively, and the corresponding concentrations of Si(IV) and Zn(II) measured in this study. The results of independent experiments, as well as those reported in the literature provide insights into the mechanism(s) of formation of zinc silicate and ferrite in the primary circuits of nuclear reactors. D.A. Palmer is retired.     

A Two-Dimensional Porphyrin Coordination Supramolecular Network Cathode for High-Performance Aqueous Dual-Ion Battery

Iodine has great potential in the energy storage, but high solubility of I₃⁻ has seriously delayed its promotion. Benefited from abundant active sites and the open channel, two-dimensional coordination supramolecular networks (2D CSNs) is considered to be a candidate for the energy storage. Herein, a 2D porphyrin-CSN cathode named Zn-TCPP for aqueous iodine dual-ion battery (DIB) shows an excellent specific capacity of 278 mAh g⁻¹, and a high energy density of 340 Wh kg⁻¹ at 5 A g⁻¹, as well as a durable cycle performance of 5000 cycles and a high Coulombic efficiency of 98 %. Molecular orbital theory, UV/VIS, Raman spectroscopy and density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal charge-transfer interaction between the donor of porphyrin nitrogen and the acceptor of I₃⁻, and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations demonstrate the contribution of 2D layered network structure of Zn-TCPP to the penetration of I₃⁻.