Boosting Cathode Activity and Anode Stability of Zn‐S Batteries in Aqueous Media Through Cosolvent‐Catalyst Synergy
Min Yang, Zichao Yan, Jin Xiao, Wenli Xin, Lei Zhang, Huiling Peng, Yaheng Geng, Junwei Li, Yunxiao Wang, Li Liu, Zhiqiang Zhu
Abstract
Abstract Aqueous Zn−S battery with high energy density represents a promising large‐scale energy storage technology, but its application is severely hindered by the poor reversibility of both S cathode and Zn anode. Herein, we develop a “cocktail optimized” electrolyte containing tetraglyme (G4) and water as co‐solvents and I 2 as additive. The G4‐I 2 synergy could activate efficient polar I 3 − /I − catalyst couple and shield the cathode from water, thus facilitating the conversion kinetics of S and suppressing the interfacial side reactions. Simultaneously, it could stabilize Zn anode by forming an organic–inorganic interphase upon cycling. With boosted electrodes reversibility, the Zn−S cell delivers a high capacity of 775 mAh g −1 at 2 A g −1 , and retains over 70 % capacity after 600 cycles at 4 A g −1 . The advances can also be readily generalized to other ethers/water hybrid electrolytes, showing the universality of the “cocktail optimized” electrolyte design strategy.