Gradient Desolvation–Diffusion Kinetic Layer Promoters for Low-Temperature Dendrite-Free Zn Metal Batteries
Wenbin Wang, Jing Dong, Hongfei Hu, Xiaomin Cheng, Haitao Liu, Canhuang Li, Yongzheng Zhang, Qinghua Guan, Huihua Li, Haifeng Yang, Lujie Jia, Jing Zhang, Hongzhen Lin, Jian Wang
Abstract
Aqueous zinc metal batteries have emerged as strong candidates for large-scale energy applications, but they are inhibited by significant dendrite growth resulting from corresponding depressive desolvation–diffusion kinetics. Herein, the strategy of gradient desolvation–diffusion kinetics is proposed by constructing an organic–inorganic layer on the zinc anode for increasing robust mechanical properties and strengthening ion/atom transport. The electron-insulative polymer layer effectively prevents interfacial electron contact from side reactions, and the phase-transformed Sn and ZnF 2 layer also promotes Zn 2+ transport with lower barrier, as demonstrated by electrochemical and theoretical simulations. Consequently, the fabricated symmetric cell exhibits a surprisingly long-term life of 4000 h with low overpotentials (17 mV) and high average Coulombic efficiency under low-temperature surroundings. Coupled with MnO 2 and V 2 O 5 cathodes, the full cells also show high-capacity retentions under a high rate of 3 A g –1 or low-temperature surroundings, indicating the promising prospect of fast desolvation–diffusion modulation for practical applications.