Tendency Regulation of Competing Reactions Toward Highly Reversible Tin Anode for Aqueous Alkaline Batteries

Investigating dendrite-free stripping/plating anodes is highly significant for advancing the practical application of aqueous alkaline batteries. Sn has been identified as a promising candidate for anode material, but its deposition/dissolution efficiency is hindered by the strong electrostatic repulsion between Sn(OH)(3)(-) and the substrate. Herein, this work constructs a nondense copper layer which serves as stannophile and hydrogen evolution inhibitor to adjust the tendency of competing reactions on Sn foil surface, thus achieving a highly reversible Sn anode. The interactions between the deposited Sn and the substrates are also strengthened to prevent shedding. Notably, the ratio of Sn redox reaction is significantly boosted from approximate to 20% to approximate to 100%, which results in outstanding cycling stability over 560 h at 10 mA cm(-2). A Sn//Ni(OH)(2) battery device is also demonstrated with capacities from 0.94 to 22.4 mA h cm(-2) and maximum stability of 1800 cycles.

Automated summary

Investigating dendrite-free stripping/plating anodes is crucial for advancing practical applications of aqueous alkaline batteries. This work presents a highly reversible Sn anode by constructing a nondense copper layer as a stannophile and hydrogen evolution inhibitor to adjust the tendency of competing reactions on Sn foil surface. The redox reaction of Sn is significantly boosted, resulting in outstanding cycling stability and a demonstrated Sn//Ni(OH)2 battery device.