Elucidating the Reaction Mechanism of Mn<sup>2+</sup> Electrolyte Additives in Aqueous Zinc Batteries (Small 38/2023)
Zhao Li, Yi Li, Xiaochuan Ren, Yuanxin Zhao, Zhiguo Ren, Zeyin Yao, Wei Zhang, Hao Xu, Zhong Wang, Nian Zhang, Yueliang Gu, Xiaolong Li, Daming Zhu, Jianxin Zou
Abstract
Aqueous Zinc Batteries In article number 2301770, Yueliang Gu, Xiaochuan Ren, Daming Zhu, Jianxin Zou, and co-workers elucidate the reaction mechanism of Mn2+ electrolyte additives in aqueous zinc batteries (ZIBs) via operando synchrotron X-ray diffraction, ex situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy and electrochemical analyses. A reversible Mn2+/MnO2 deposition/dissolution reaction occurred at the cathode, in which the change in the electrolyte environment enabled Zn2+/Zn4SO4(OH)6•5H2O deposition/dissolution. The chemical reaction of Zn2+/Zn4SO4(OH)6•5H2O contributes no capacity and hinders the diffusion kinetics of the Mn2+/MnO2 reaction, which prevents the operation of ZIBs at high currents.