High current density, efficient cycling of Zn2+ in 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium dicyanamide ionic liquid: The effect of Zn2+ salt and water concentration

The electrodeposition and dissolution of Zn2+ have been investigated in 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium dicyanamide [emim][dca] ionic liquid to support the development of Zn-based secondary batteries. Cyclic voltammetry indicates that the zinc salt dissolved in the ionic liquid (IL) is a critical factor in the observed Zn/Zn2+ electrochemistry. The Zn2+ salt anions were found to have varying interaction strengths with the dissolved Zn2+ species in the order dicyanamide