Electrodeposition and stripping behavior of a zinc/polystyrene composite electrode in an ionic liquid

The cycling behavior of a zinc/polystyrene composite electrode in the ionic liquid 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium trifluoromethylsulfonate ([Py-1,Py-4]TfO) was studied at room temperature. A brass substrate covered by polystyrene spheres was used to produce a zinc composite electrode. The obtained electrode was investigated using various techniques like potentiostatic and galvanostatic deposition/stripping cycles, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The effect of a uniaxial mechanical pressure on adhesion and cycling behavior was also investigated. The results show that zinc grows uniformly within the voids of the polystyrene structures with no hints of dendritic growth. Such a composite material is interesting as electrode material for zinc-based batteries.