CO<sub>2</sub>-Derived Polymeric Double-Network Hydrogel Electrolyte for Zinc-Ion Batteries
Apisara Somteds, Pimwipa Tayraukham, Pongpon Pipattanachaiyanan, Wathanyu Kao‐ian, Suttipong Wannapaiboon, Sirinuch Loiha, Nipaka Sukpirom, Manaswee Suttipong, Jia Guo, Soorathep Kheawhom, Junjuda Unruangsri
Abstract
High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide CO 2 emissions drive global warming and demand urgent action. Energy storage systems mitigate the intermittency of renewable energy, while carbon capture and utilization are essential for emission reduction. Zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) offer safe, cost-effective storage but face dendrite and side reaction issues. Herein, a new double-network hydrogel electrolyte (DN-HGE), consisting of polyacrylamide (PAM) and sulfonate-functionalized CO 2 -derived polycarbonate, is introduced. The double-network structure endowed the material with much improved mechanical strengths compared to those of the PAM-hydrogel. The integrated sulfonates in DN-HGE enabling coordination with Zn 2+ created ion-transport channels that enable a consistent flow of Zn 2+ and a regulated deposition of the Zn (002) plane, as well as mitigating side reactions at anodes. These yielded superior electrochemical and battery as well as enhanced cycling stability in both Zn||Zn symmetrical cells (600 h at 1 mA cm –2 /1 mAh cm –2 ) and Zn||δ-MnO 2 batteries with DN-HGE (a capacity retention rate of 66.7% after 1200 cycles, with an excellent average CE of 99.9% under a high current density of 1000 mA g –1 ), compared to PAM-hydrogel and liquid electrolytes. DN-HGE offered superior stability of the surfaces of Zn anode materials. Our work showcases a new strategy for utilizing potentially carbon offset-synthetic polycarbonate as a constituent in hydrogel electrolytes of ZIBs.