An enhanced kinetics and ultra-stable zinc electrode by functionalized boron nitride intermediate layer engineering

The current application of zinc (Zn) anode for aqueous Zn-ion batteries (AZIBs) is faced with several challenges, such as the Zn dendrite growth, hydrogen evolution reaction and by-product generation. Here, an intermediate layer of sulfonate group modified boron nitride nanosheets (S-BN) has been rationally designed and harnessed to regulate Zn plating/stripping behavior and mitigate the side reaction with electrolyte. Benefiting from the nanoscale cavities and surface anionic charge groups, the S-BN intermediate layer endows a dendrite-free electrodeposition behavior via an advanced desolvation process and even interface electronic field. As expected, the S-BN@Zn symmetrical cell enables long-term cycling of 2500 h under 2 mAh & BULL;cm(-2) with a small plating/stripping overpotential of around 45 mV. When coupled with Na2V6O16 & BULL;1.63H(2)O (NVO) cathode, the S-BN@Zn/NVO battery can operate stably up to 1200 cycles, implying the superior durability of S-BN@Zn anode. Accordingly, this novel Zn diffusion intermediate layer provides a promising approach to significantly enhance the anode electrochemical performance of AZIBs.

Automated summary

In this study, an intermediate layer of sulfonate group modified boron nitride nanosheets was designed to regulate the electrochemical behavior of zinc, effectively suppressing dendrite growth and side reactions. The resulting zinc anode showed enhanced performance in aqueous zinc-ion batteries.