Nanoscale Ultrafine Zinc Metal Anodes for High Stability Aqueous Zinc Ion Batteries

Aqueous Zn batteries (AZBs) are a promising energy storage technology, due to their high theoretical capacity, low redox potential, and safety. However, dendrite growth and parasitic reactions occurring at the surface of metallic Zn result in severe instability. Here we report a new method to achieve ultrafine Zn nanograin anodes by using ethylene glycol monomethyl ether (EGME) molecules to manipulate zinc nucleation and growth processes. It is demonstrated that EGME complexes with Zn2+ to moderately increase the driving force for nucleation, as well as adsorbs on the Zn surface to prevent H corrosion and dendritic protuberances by refining the grains. As a result, the nanoscale anode delivers high Coulombic efficiency (ca. 99.5%), long-term cycle life (over 366 days and 8800 cycles), and outstanding compatibility with state-of-the-art cathodes (ZnVO and AC) in full cells. This work offers a new route for interfacial engineering in aqueous metal-ion batteries, with significant implications for the commercial future of AZBs.

Automated summary

A new method of achieving ultrafine Zn nanograin anodes in aqueous Zn batteries (AZBs) has been reported, using ethylene glycol monomethyl ether (EGME) molecules to manipulate zinc nucleation and growth processes. The addition of EGME increased the driving force for nucleation and prevented H corrosion and dendritic protuberances by refining the grains. The nanoscale anode demonstrated high Coulombic efficiency, long-term cycle life, and compatibility with state-of-the-art cathodes, suggesting significant implications for the commercial future of AZBs.