Triggering Zn2+ Unsaturated Hydration Structure via Hydrated Salt Electrolyte for High Voltage and Cycling Stable Rechargeable Aqueous Zn Battery

Ocean-like free water in conventional aqueous electrolytes limits operating voltage and induces parasitic reactions in rechargeable Zn metal batteries (AZMBs). Herein, a hydrated salt electrolyte (HSE), which suppresses the presence of free water and triggers an unsaturated hydration structure (Zn(H2O)(n)(2+), n < 6), is proposed to circumvent the parasitic reactions occurring on the zinc anode and cathode and elevate the decomposition voltage (to approximate to 2.55 V vs Zn2+/Zn). In a full cell with a transition metal oxide cathode, the parasitic reactions of dissolution and diffusion of discharge products are inhibited, and high discharge capacity retention above 80% at 500 mA g(-1) and super-stable Coulombic efficiency (average value approximate to 99.97%) are delivered. Moreover, when applied in a high-voltage AZMB with zinc hexacyanoferrate cathode, the full cell yields an average output voltage above 1.8 V together with a 132.3 Wh kg(-1) energy density at 10 mA g(-1) and 1.78 V output voltage combining high energy density and power density (88.5 Wh kg(-1)/106.2 W kg(-1)). The exceptional electrochemical performance of HSE indicates rosy prospects for the prevention of parasitic reactions in AZMBs, a key step on the road to further commercialization of AZMBs.

Automated summary

This study proposes a hydrated salt electrolyte that suppresses the presence of free water and elevates the decomposition voltage in zinc metal batteries. The electrolyte effectively inhibits parasitic reactions on the zinc anode and cathode, resulting in stable discharge capacity and high energy density.