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Wang Y, Wang T, Bu S, Zhu J, Wang Y, Zhang R, Hong H, Zhang W, Fan J, Zhi C. Sulfolane-containing aqueous electrolyte solutions for producing efficient ampere-hour-level zinc metal battery pouch cells. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1828. [PMID: 37005392 PMCID: PMC10067964 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37524-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Aqueous zinc metal batteries are appealing candidates for grid energy storage. However, the inadequate electrochemical reversibility of the zinc metal negative electrode inhibits the battery performance at the large-scale cell level. Here, we develop practical ampere-hour-scale aqueous Zn metal battery pouch cells by engineering the electrolyte solution. After identifying the proton reduction as the primary source of H2 evolution during Zn metal electrodeposition, we design an electrolyte solution containing reverse micelle structures where sulfolane molecules constrain water in nanodomains to hinder proton reduction. Furthermore, we develop and validate an electrochemical testing protocol to comprehensively evaluate the cell's coulombic efficiency and zinc metal electrode cycle life. Finally, using the reverse micelle electrolyte, we assemble and test a practical ampere-hour Zn||Zn0.25V2O5•nH2O multi-layer pouch cell capable of delivering an initial energy density of 70 Wh L-1 (based on the volume of the cell components), capacity retention of about 80% after 390 cycles at 56 mA g-1cathode and ~25 °C and prolonged cycling for 5 months at 56 mA g-1cathode and ~25 °C.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Wang
- Hong Kong Center for Cerebro-Cardiovascular Health Engineering (COCHE), Hong Kong SAR, Shatin, N. T, 999077, China
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, Kowloon, 999077, China
| | - Tairan Wang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, Kowloon, 999077, China
| | - Shuyu Bu
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, Kowloon, 999077, China
| | - Jiaxiong Zhu
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, Kowloon, 999077, China
| | - Yanbo Wang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, Kowloon, 999077, China
| | - Rong Zhang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, Kowloon, 999077, China
| | - Hu Hong
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, Kowloon, 999077, China
| | - Wenjun Zhang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, Kowloon, 999077, China
| | - Jun Fan
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, Kowloon, 999077, China.
| | - Chunyi Zhi
- Hong Kong Center for Cerebro-Cardiovascular Health Engineering (COCHE), Hong Kong SAR, Shatin, N. T, 999077, China.
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, Kowloon, 999077, China.
- Hong Kong Institute for Advanced Study, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Kowloon, 999077, China.
- Hong Kong Institute for Clean Energy, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Kowloon, 999077, China.
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Hao H, Ruiz Pestana L, Qian J, Liu M, Xu Q, Head‐Gordon T. Chemical transformations and transport phenomena at interfaces. WIRES COMPUTATIONAL MOLECULAR SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/wcms.1639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hongxia Hao
- Kenneth S. Pitzer Theory Center and Department of Chemistry University of California Berkeley California USA
- Chemical Sciences Division Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Berkeley California USA
| | - Luis Ruiz Pestana
- Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering University of Miami Coral Gables Florida USA
| | - Jin Qian
- Chemical Sciences Division Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Berkeley California USA
| | - Meili Liu
- Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering University of Miami Coral Gables Florida USA
| | - Qiang Xu
- Chemical Sciences Division Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Berkeley California USA
| | - Teresa Head‐Gordon
- Kenneth S. Pitzer Theory Center and Department of Chemistry University of California Berkeley California USA
- Chemical Sciences Division Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Berkeley California USA
- Department of Bioengineering and Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering University of California Berkeley California USA
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