Stable anode-free zinc-ion batteries enabled by alloy network- modulated zinc deposition interface

Newly-proposed anode-free zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) are promising to remarkably enhance the energy density of ZIBs, but are restricted by the unfavorable zinc deposition interface that causes poor cycling stability. Herein, we report a Cu-Zn alloy network-modulated zinc deposition interface to achieve stable anode-free ZIBs. The alloy network can not only stabilize the zinc deposition interface by suppressing 2D diffusion and corrosion reactions but also enhance zinc plating/stripping kinetics by accelerating zinc desolvation and nucleation processes. Consequently, the alloy network-modulated zinc deposition inter-face realizes high coulombic efficiency of 99.2% and high stability. As proof, Zn//Zn symmetric cells with the alloy network-modulated zinc deposition interface present long operation lifetimes of 1900 h at 1 mA/cm2 and 1200 hat 5 mA/cm2, significantly superior to Zn//Zn symmetric cells with unmodified zinc deposition interface (whose operation lifetime is shorter than 50 h), and meanwhile, Zn3V3O8 cathode -based ZIBs with the alloy network-modified zinc anodes show notably enhanced rate capability and cycling performance than ZIBs with bare zinc anodes. As expected, the alloy network-modulated zinc deposition interface enables anode-free ZIBs with Zn3V3O8 cathodes to deliver superior cycling stability, better than most currently-reported anode-free ZIBs. This work provides new thinking in constructing high-performance anode-free ZIBs and promotes the development of ZIBs. (c) 2022 Science Press and Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Published by ELSEVIER B.V. and Science Press. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

In this study, a Cu-Zn alloy network-modulated zinc deposition interface was reported for stable anode-free zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs). The alloy network can stabilize the zinc deposition interface and enhance zinc plating/stripping kinetics. The results showed that ZIBs with the alloy network-modulated zinc deposition interface demonstrated high efficiency and stability, outperforming ZIBs with unmodified zinc deposition interface.