Interhalogen-involved aqueous Zn||halogen batteries (AZHBs) are latent high-energy systems for grid-level energy storage, yet usually suffer from poor high-rate endurability caused by the formation of "dead species". Herein, via an electrochemically-densified cathode-interface-reaction layer (CIRL), Zn||I-Br batteries involving interhalogen reactions between the I cathode and Br from the electrolytes are initially achieved with excellent high-rate endurability. Different from that in diluted electrolytes, the CIRL formed in Br-concentrated electrolyte is denser and water-lean, which enables halogen species conversion with a more rapid charge transfer and lower activation energy.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGradual disability of Zn anode and high negative/positive electrode (N/P) ratio usually depreciate calendar life and energy density of aqueous Zn batteries (AZBs). Herein, within original Zn-free hydrated electrolytes, a steric hindrance/electric field shielding-driven "hydrophobic ion barrier" is engineered towards ultradurable (002) plane-exposed Zn stripping/plating to solve this issue. Guided by theoretical simulations, hydrophobic adiponitrile (ADN) is employed as a steric hindrance agent to ally with inert electric field shielding additive (Mn) for plane adsorption priority manipulation, thereby constructing the "hydrophobic ion barrier".
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNeutrophilic superhalide-anion-triggered chalcogen conversion-based Zn batteries, despite latent high-energy merit, usually suffer from a short lifespan caused by dendrite growth and shuttle effect. Here, a superhalide-anion-motivator reforming strategy is initiated to simultaneously manipulate the anode interface and Se conversion intermediates, realizing a bipolar regulation toward longevous energy-type Zn batteries. With ZnF chaotropic additives, the original large-radii superhalide zincate anion species in ionic liquid (IL) electrolytes are split into small F-containing species, boosting the formation of robust solid electrolyte interphases (SEI) for Zn dendrite inhibition.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMild aqueous Zn batteries (AZBs) generally suffer a low-voltage/energy dilemma, which compromises their competitiveness for large-scale energy storage. Pushing Zn anode potential downshift is an admissible yet underappreciated approach for high-voltage/energy AZBs. Herein, with a mild hybrid electrolyte containing in situ-derived diluted strongly-coordinated Zn-cosolvent pairs, a considerable Zn anode potential downshift is initially achieved for high-voltage Zn-based hybrid batteries.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAqueous rechargeable Mg batteries (ARMBs) usually fail from severe anode passivation, alternatively, executing quasi-underpotential Mg plating/stripping chemistry (UPMC) on a proper heterogeneous metal substrate is a crucial remedy. Herein, a stable UPMC on Zn substrate is initially achieved in new hydrated eutectic electrolytes (HEEs), delivering an ultralow UPMC overpotential and high energy/voltage plateau of ARMBs. The unique eutectic property remarkably expands the lower limit of electrochemical stability window (ESW) of HEEs and undermines the competition between hydrogen evolution/corrosion reactions and UPMC, enabling a reversible UPMC.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWe report a novel chiral interface based on polysaccharides that was integrated via an amidation reaction between the COOH of sodium alginate and the NH of chitosan to form a chiral selector (SA-CS) with three dimensional N-doped graphene-CNT (NGC) as the substrate material. This interface was used for chiral discrimination of tryptophan (Trp) enantiomers via electrochemical measurements. The FT-IR, SEM, TEM and XPS characterization showed that the chiral selector and substrate materials were prepared successfully.
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