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.     

Radiation damage in InGaAs photodiodes by 1 MeV fast neutrons

Irradiation damage in In_0.53Ga_0.47As p-i-n photodiodes by 1 MeV fast neutrons has been studied as a function of fluence for the first time, and the results are discussed in this paper. The degradation of the electrical and optical performance of diodes increases with increasing fluence. The induced lattice defects in the In_0.53Ga_0.47As epitaxial layers and the InP substrate are studied by Deep Level Transient Spectroscopy (DLTS) methods. In the In_0.53Ga_0.47As epitaxial layers, hole and electron capture levels are induced by irradiation. The influence of the type of radiation source on the device degradation is then discussed by comparison to 1 MeV electrons with respect to the numbers of knock-on atoms and the nonionizing energy loss (NIEL). The radiation source dependence of performance degradation is attributed to the difference of mass between the two irradiating particles and the probability of nuclear collision for the formation of lattice defects.     

The Mechanical Properties and Rate of Electrodeposition of Co−W Alloys from a Boron−Gluconate Bath: Impact of Anodic Processes

The effects the anode material has on the rate of electrodeposition (current efficiency) and microhardness of Co–W alloys deposited from a boron–gluconate bath are studied in a broad range of bath ages Q (A h/L). We use nonconsumable (platinum and graphite) and consumable (tungsten, cobalt–tungsten) anodes. With the cobalt–tungsten double anode, the total concentration of W and Co species in the bath is maintained constant during electrodeposition. We find that, as Q increases, the anodic processes have a significant impact on both the rate of deposition and microhardness of the prepared coatings. Departing from the mechanism of induced codeposition in which the first stage is the formation of an intermediate species of the metal component that induces codeposition (Co), here we propose a model that takes into account the effects associated with the anodic processes. In this model, along with reduction at the cathode to give an alloy, this metal component can undergo oxidation at the anode.

     

Epitaxial Electrodeposition of Lead Sulfide on (100)-Oriented Single-Crystal Gold

Small lattice mismatches and gas-phase deposition are typically used for growing epitaxial films on single-crystal substrates. A 1-μm thick film of PbS can be epitaxially electrodeposited onto a Au (100) single crystal. The large lattice mismatch (45.5 %) between Au and PbS is accommodated by the formation of a coincidence lattice, in which the epitaxial film is rotated by 45 degrees relative to the substrate. The coincidence lattice reduces the mismatch to +2.9 %.     

Interfacial Design of Dendrite-Free Zinc Anodes for Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries have rapidly developed recently as promising energy storage devices in large-scale energy storage systems owing to their low cost and high safety. Research on suppressing zinc dendrite growth has meanwhile attracted widespread attention to improve the lifespan and reversibility of batteries. Herein, design methods for dendrite-free zinc anodes and their internal mechanisms are reviewed from the perspective of optimizing the host–zinc interface and the zinc–electrolyte interface. Furthermore, a design strategy is proposed to homogenize zinc deposition by regulating the interfacial electric field and ion distribution during zinc nucleation and growth. This Minireview can offer potential directions for the rational design of dendrite-free zinc anodes employed in aqueous zinc-ion batteries.     

Selective nitrogen doping on carbon cloth to enhance the performance of zinc anode

Metallic zinc is attractive anode material of rechargeable aqueous Zn-based batteries due to its ambient stability,high volumetric capacity,and abundant reserves.Nonetheless,Zn anodes suffer from issues such as low coulombic efficiency(CE),large polarization and dendrite formation.Herein,uniform Zn electrodeposition is reported on carbon substrates by selective nitrogen doping.Combined experimental and theoretical investigations demonstrate that pyrrolic and pyridinic nitrogen doped in carbon play beneficial effect as zinc-philic sites to direct nucleation and growth of metallic Zn,while negligible effect is observed for graphite nitrogen in Zn plating.The carbon cloth with modified amount of doped pyrrolic and pyridinic nitrogen stabilizes Zn plating/stripping with 99.3% CE after 300 cycles and significantly increases the deliverable capacity at high depth of charge and discharge compared to undoped carbon substrate and Zn foil.This work provides a better understanding of heteroatom doping effect in design and preparation of stable 3 D carbon-supported zinc anode.     

Zinc sulfide nanoparticles: a mechanism of formation in aqueous solutions and optical properties

The formation of sols and precipitates of zinc sulfide as a result of the exchange reaction in an aqueous solution was studied. The precipitates consist of aggregates of primary particles about 3 nm in size. The primary ZnS particle size in aqueous sols increases with an increase in the concentration of zinc sulfate and sodium sulfide, with the accumulation of the final reaction product, and with temperature. This effect does not exceed an 1.5-fold increase. At the first step, the particles with a considerable fraction of the amorphous phase are formed and undergo intragrain crystallization. The photoluminescence properties of aqueous sols of zinc sulfide were studied. They are caused by defects in the ZnS lattice and by the presence of the lattice oxygen.     

A Diffusion--Reaction Competition Mechanism to Tailor Lithium Deposition for Lithium-Metal Batteries

Lithium metal is recognized as one of the most promising anode materials owing to its ultrahigh theoretical specific capacity and low electrochemical potential. Nonetheless, dendritic Li growth has dramatically hindered the practical applications of Li metal anodes. Realizing spherical Li deposition is an effective approach to avoid Li dendrite growth, but the mechanism of spherical deposition is unknown. Herein, a diffusion-reaction competition mechanism is proposed to reveal the rationale of different Li deposition morphologies. By controlling the rate-determining step (diffusion or reaction) of Li deposition, various Li deposition scenarios are realized, in which the diffusion-controlled process tends to lead to dendritic Li deposition while the reaction-controlled process leads to spherical Li deposition. This study sheds fresh light on the dendrite-free Li metal anode and guides to achieve safe batteries to benefit future wireless and fossil-fuel-free world.     

Mechanistic study of the electrodeposition of nanoporous self-assembled ZnO/Eosin Y hybrid thin films: effect of eosin concentration

ZnO films prepared by one-step electrodeposition in the presence of dissolved eosin molecules present an internal nanoporous hybrid structure resulting from self-assembling processes occurring in solution between ZnO and eosin components. This study aims to better understand the underlying growth mechanism, which is still unexplained. The films were deposited by cathodic electrodeposition from an oxygen-saturated aqueous zinc chloride solution. The effects of the addition of 10 to 100 micromol.L(-1) eosin Y, as a sodium salt, on the growth rate and film properties, were systematically studied while all other parameters remained constant (concentrations of zinc salt and supporting electrolyte, applied potential of -1.4 V versus the mercurous sulfate electrode (MSE), temperature of 70 degrees C, rotating disk electrode at 300 rotations per min, and a glass-coated tin oxide electrode). It is shown that the addition of eosin provokes the formation of a nanoporous "cauliflower" structure whose nodule size and composition depend on the eosin concentration in the bath. The growth rate of the hybrid films increases markedly with the eosin concentration. The ZnO and eosin contents of the films are determined for each concentration by chemical analysis. Comparing with thickness determinations, it is shown that the total porosity increases up to 60-65% in volume fraction toward an eosin concentration of 100 micromol.L(-1). The empty pore volume fraction increases up to about 30% at an eosin concentration of about 20 micromol.L(-1) and then decreases. These correlations have been precisely established for the first time. It is shown that the global composition is fixed by the relative rate of deposition for zinc oxide, which is constant, and for the relative rate of eosin inclusion, which is proportional to the concentration in solution. This is explained on the basis of different steps in the growth mechanism, in particular, a diffusion effect limitation for both oxygen and eosin. This variation explains part of the increase in the growth rate. Another contribution is related by the structural effect on the nanoscale leading to the formation of the interpenetrated porous network. Competition between empty and eosin-filled parts of the pore network is evidenced. The formation of the porous network structure could be governed by a diffusion-limited aggregation mechanism. The system may represent a reference case of competing reactions in the electrochemical self-assembly of hybrid nanostructures.     

电沉积Al/Pb-Ag阳极在电积锌过程中的耐腐蚀性

采用电沉积的方法在甲基磺酸镀液中制备了一种新型的锌电积Al/Pb-0.23%Ag阳极。 腐蚀实验和电化学分析显示,Al/Pb-0.23％Ag阳极与传统Pb-0.25％Ag阳极相比,具有较低的腐蚀速率,较高的腐蚀电位和较低的腐蚀电流密度,较高的电催化活性;金相显微镜、扫描电子显微镜和X射线衍射分析显示,Al/Pb-0.23％Ag阳极的晶粒细小、致密,极化48 h后有PbSO4、α-PbO2和β-PbO2生成。     

A Semi-solid Zinc Powder-based Slurry Anode for Advanced Aqueous Zinc-ion Batteries

The booming of aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) draws the researchers’ attention to issues of zinc metal anodes, such as uncontrollable dendrite growth, corrosion, and volume effects. Zinc powder anode is more suitable for the industrial application of AZIBs than the widely used zinc foil anode due to its low cost, tunability and processability. However, the related solutions are rarely studied because the above issues of zinc metal anode are more serious in zinc powder anode. Herein, for the first time, we design a semi-solid zinc slurry anode consisting of zinc powder and zincophilic tin additive dispersed in a conductive elastic rheological network. Zinc can be deposited homogeneously on the dispersed tin particles, which avoids agglomerative zinc deposition and alleviates volume change during repeated zinc stripping/plating. Moreover, the practical application of the full cell with slurry is very promising since its operating life can be easily extended by facile slurry renewal.     

Lithiophilic Sites in Doped Graphene Guide Uniform Lithium Nucleation for Dendrite-Free Lithium Metal Anodes

Lithium (Li) metal is the most promising electrode for next-generation rechargeable batteries. However, the challenges induced by Li dendrites on a working Li metal anode hinder the practical applications of Li metal batteries. Herein, nitrogen (N) doped graphene was adopted as the Li plating matrix to regulate Li metal nucleation and suppress dendrite growth. The N-containing functional groups, such as pyridinic and pyrrolic nitrogen in the N-doped graphene, are lithiophilic, which guide the metallic Li nucleation causing the metal to distribute uniformly on the anode surface. As a result, the N-doped graphene modified Li metal anode exhibits a dendrite-free morphology during repeated Li plating and demonstrates a high Coulombic efficiency of 98 % for near 200 cycles.     

Constructing Solid Electrolyte Interphase for Aqueous Zinc Batteries

Problems of zinc anode including dendrite and hydrogen evolution seriously degrade the performance of zinc batteries. Solid electrolyte interphase (SEI), which plays a key role in achieving high reversibility of lithium anode in aprotic organic solvent, is also beneficial to performance improvement of zinc anode in aqueous electrolyte. However, various studies about interphase for zinc electrode is quite fragmented, and lack of deep understanding on root causes or general design rules for SEI construction. And water molecules with high reactivity brings serious challenge to the effective SEI construction. Here, we reviewed the brief development history of zinc batteries firstly, then summarized the approaches to construct SEI in aqueous electrolyte. Furthermore, the formation mechanisms behind approaches are systematically analyzed, together with discussion on the SEI components and evaluation on electrochemical performance of zinc anode with various types of SEI. Meanwhile, the challenge between lab and industrialization are also discussed.     

金属锂负极的成核机制与载体修饰

金属锂具有电位低、比容量高等突出优点,是极具吸引力的下一代高能量密度电池的负极材料,然而存在枝晶、死锂、副反应严重、库伦效率低、循环稳定性差等问题,限制了其实际应用。金属锂负极的成核是电化学沉积过程中的重要步骤,锂在集流体或导电载体上的均匀成核和稳定生长对于抑制枝晶死锂、提高充放电效率和循环性能具有关键作用。本文从成核机制与载体效应的角度概述了锂金属负极的研究进展,介绍了锂成核驱动力、异相成核模型、空间电荷模型等内容,分析了锂核尺寸及分布与过电位和电流密度的关系,并通过三维载体分散电流密度、异相晶核/电场诱导成核、晶格匹配等方面的研究实例讨论了载体修饰对锂负极的性能提升。     

Growth modes in homo- and heteroepitaxial growth

Due to scientific and technological interest many studies are concerned with growth modes for the first monolayers of epitaxial growth. By combination of microscopy (like STM) and diffraction (like spot profile analysis of LEED) the important steps of film formation via deposition, migration, nucleation and film completion are studied. Temperature, deposition rate and defects of substrate and of the growing film influence drasticly the growth modes in homoepitaxial systems of metals and semiconductors. For heteroepitaxial growth the misfit has to be accommodated during growth. For different systems the processes are quite different. For metals on metals the film is more or less floating where only the orientation is provided by the substrate. For metals on semiconductors some influence on the lattice constant is seen, which depends on the temperature of deposition. For semiconductors on semiconductors a one-to-one correspondence of film atoms to substrate atoms requires a clear transition from pseudomorphic to relaxed growth of the film by dislocations at the interface.

The wide variety of growth modes may be well distinguished by a careful analysis of diffraction spot profiles, which should be recorded during deposition with varying scattering conditions.     

An Interface-Bridged Organic–Inorganic Layer that Suppresses Dendrite Formation and Side Reactions for Ultra-Long-Life Aqueous Zinc Metal Anodes

Aqueous zinc (Zn) batteries (AZBs) are widely considered as a promising candidate for next-generation energy storage owing to their excellent safety features. However, the application of a Zn anode is hindered by severe dendrite formation and side reactions. Herein, an interfacial bridged organic–inorganic hybrid protection layer (Nafion-Zn-X) is developed by complexing inorganic Zn-X zeolite nanoparticles with Nafion, which shifts ion transport from channel transport in Nafion to a hopping mechanism in the organic–inorganic interface. This unique organic–inorganic structure is found to effectively suppress dendrite growth and side reactions of the Zn anode. Consequently, the Zn@Nafion-Zn-X composite anode delivers high coulombic efficiency (ca. 97 %), deep Zn plating/stripping (10 mAh cm⁻²), and long cycle life (over 10 000 cycles). By tackling the intrinsic chemical/electrochemical issues, the proposed strategy provides a versatile remedy for the limited cycle life of the Zn anode.     

电子功能外延薄膜的电沉积

电沉积作为一种在温和条件下从溶液中合成材料的技术已被广泛应用于在导体和半导体基底表面合成各种功能材料。电沉积一般由人为施加于基底的电刺激（如：施加电位/电流）来触发。这种电刺激通过氧化或还原靠近基底表面的溶液层内部的离子、 分子或配合物从而使该溶液层偏离其热力学平衡状态,随后引起目标产物在基底表面的沉积。在电沉积过程中, 许多实验参数都可能从不同的方面对沉积物的物化性质造成影响。迄今为止,已通过电沉积制备出多种单质（包括金属和非金属单质）、 化合物（例如：金属氧化物、金属氢氧化物、 金属硫化物等）以及复合材料。电沉积制备的这些材料大多为多晶、 织构或外延薄膜的形式。其中, 外延薄膜是一种具有特定的面外和面内晶体生长取向且其晶体取向受基底控制的类单晶薄膜。由于外延薄膜中高度有序的原子排列,它们常呈现出独特的电磁性质。本文总结了常见的电沉积合成路线及影响沉积物外延生长的关键实验因素。此外, 本文简要介绍了用于表征外延薄膜的技术。最后, 本文还讨论了一些采用电沉积制备的具有特殊电子、 电磁及光电特性的功能外延薄膜。     

水系锌离子电池锌负极保护策略

水系锌离子电池采用金属锌作为负极材料,具有绿色环保、安全等优势,有望用于大规模储能。锌金属的储量比锂更加丰富,也更容易开采与提纯。同时,锌具有较低的氧化还原电位(-0.76V vs SHE)和较高的理论比容量(820 mAh·g^-1)和体积容量密度(5 854 mAh·cm^-3)。由于充放电过程中存在锌枝晶和不可逆副产物(如H₂、ZnO、Zn₄(OH)₆SO₄)等问题,造成锌负极的库仑效率较低,严重缩短了电池的循环寿命,限制了其实际应用。本文针对锌负极在实际应用中遇到的困难与瓶颈,从微观层面分析了锌负极沉积/溶解的动力学与热力学机理,并从锌电极表面改性、锌片内部结构优化、电解液改性和新型隔膜等方面,介绍了锌负极保护的各种策略,并通过具体实例,分析了其制备方法和改性机理以及最终对电池性能的改善效果,为实用高效的锌负极保护方法提供了思路。最后,文章讨论了锌负极在商业化过程中面临的机遇和挑战,并对未来的研究前景和热点进行了展望。     

Molecular dynamics simulation of DNA‐directed assembly of nanoparticle superlattices using patterned templates

DNA‐directed assembly is a well developed approach in constructing desired nano‐architectures. On the other hand, E‐beam lithography is widely utilized for high resolution nano‐scale patterning. Recently, a new technique combining these two methods was developed to epitaxially grow DNA‐mediated nanoparticle superlattices on patterned substrates. However, defects are observed in epitaxial layers which restricts this technique from building large‐scale superlattices for real applications. Here we use molecular dynamics simulations to study and predict defect formation on adsorbed superlattice monolayers. We demonstrate that this epitaxial growth is energetically driven by maximizing DNA hybridization between the epitaxial layer and the substrate and that the shape anisotropy of the DNA‐mediated template posts leads to structural defects. We also develop design rules to dramatically reduce defects on epitaxial layers. Ultimately, with the assist of the computational study, this technique will open the door to constructing well‐ordered, three‐dimensional novel nanomaterials. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2016 , 54, 1687–1692     

Two‐Dimensional Layered Zinc Silicate Nanosheets with Excellent Photocatalytic Performance for Organic Pollutant Degradation and CO2 Conversion

Two‐dimensional (2D) photocatalysts are highly attractive for their great potential in environmental remediation and energy conversion. Herein, we report a novel layered zinc silicate (LZS) photocatalyst synthesized by a liquid‐phase epitaxial growth route using silica derived from vermiculite, a layered silicate clay mineral, as both the lattice‐matched substrate and Si source. The epitaxial growth of LZS is limited in the 2D directions, thus generating the vermiculite‐type crystal structure and ultrathin nanosheet morphology with thicknesses of 8–15 nm and a lateral size of about 200 nm. Experimental observations and DFT calculations indicated that LZS has a superior band alignment for the degradation of organic pollutants and reduction of CO₂ to CO. The material exhibited efficient photocatalytic performance for 4‐chlorophenol (4‐CP) degradation and CO₂ conversion into CO and is the first example of a claylike 2D photocatalyst with strong photooxidation and photoreduction capabilities.