An Ultrastable Na-Zn Solid-State Hybrid Battery Enabled by a Robust Dual-Cross-linked Polymer Electrolyte

Zincophilic Nanospheres Assembled as Solid-Electrolyte Interphase on Zn Metal Anodes for Reversible High-rate Zn-Ion Storage

Aqueous Zn-ion batteries (ZIBs) are considered to be one of the most promising energy storage devices in the post-lithium-ion era with fast ionic conductivity, safety, and low cost. However, excessive accumulation of zinc dendrites will fracture and produce dead zinc, resulting in the unsatisfied utilization rate of Zn anodes, which greatly restricts the lifespan of the battery and reduces the reversibility. In this paper, by constructing a protective layer of ZnSnO3 hollow nanospheres in situ growth on the surface of the Zn anode, more zincophilic sites are established on the electrode surface. It demonstrates that uniform deposition of Zn ions by deepening the binding energy with Zn ion and its unique hollow structure shortens the diffusion distance of Zn ions and enhances the reaction kinetics. The assembled Zn-ion hybrid supercapacitor (ZHSC) of ZnSnO3@Zn//AC achieved a long-term lifespan with 4000 cycles at a current density of 10 mA cm-2 with a Coulombic efficiency of 99.31% and capacity retention of 79.6%. This work offers a new path for advanced Zn anodes interphase supporting the long cycle life with large capacities and improving electrochemical reversibility.

A dual-mode biosensor featuring single-atom Fe nanozyme for multi-pesticide detection in vegetables

The single-atom iron nanozyme (SA-Fe-NZ) exhibits high catalytic activity and excellent electron transfer efficiency in biosensors. However, the binding of bioreceptors to the surface of SA-Fe-NZ results in a decrease in the catalytic activity of the nanozyme due to its toxic effects. We utilized the toxic effects and excellent electrochemical properties of the SA-Fe-NZ to successfully construct a smartphone-assisted dual-mode biosensor. The complex formed by the binding of organophosphorus pesticides (OPs) to the aptamer exhibited toxic effects and inhibited the catalytic activity of the nanozyme, preventing the colorimetric substrate from being catalyzed. Simultaneously, the aptamers labeled with electrochemical signal molecules approached the electrode surface, causing a change in the electrochemical signal. The results demonstrated that the constructed broad-spectrum aptamer biosensor exhibited a low limit of detection of 3.55 fM and a wide linear range of 10-13-10-2 M, allowing for qualitative and quantitative detection of multiple OPs in vegetables.

A Minireview of the Solid-State Electrolytes for Zinc Batteries

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) have gained significant recognition as highly promising rechargeable batteries for the future due to their exceptional safety, low operating costs, and environmental advantages. Nevertheless, the widespread utilization of ZIBs for energy storage has been hindered by inherent challenges associated with aqueous electrolytes, including water decomposition reactions, evaporation, and liquid leakage. Fortunately, recent advances in solid-state electrolyte research have demonstrated great potential in resolving these challenges. Moreover, the flexibility and new chemistry of solid-state electrolytes offer further opportunities for their applications in wearable electronic devices and multifunctional settings. Nonetheless, despite the growing popularity of solid-state electrolyte-based-ZIBs in recent years, the development of solid-state electrolytes is still in its early stages. Bridging the substantial gap that exists is crucial before solid-state ZIBs become a practical reality. This review presents the advancements in various types of solid-state electrolytes for ZIBs, including film separators, inorganic additives, and organic polymers. Furthermore, it discusses the performance and impact of solid-state electrolytes. Finally, it outlines future directions for the development of solid-state ZIBs.

Preparation of lignin-based hydrogels, their properties and applications

Polymers obtained from biomass are a concerning alternative to petro-based polymers because of their low cost of manufacturing, biocompatibility, ecofriendly and biodegradability. Lignin as the second richest and the only polyaromatics bio-polymer in plant which has been most studied for the numerous applications in different fields. But, in the past decade, the exploitation of lignin for the preparation of new smart materials with improved properties has been broadly sought, because lignin valorization plays one of the primary challenging issues of the pulp and paper industry and lignocellulosic biorefinery. Although, well suited chemical structure of lignin comprises of many functional hydrophilic and active groups, such as phenolic hydroxyls, carboxyls and methoxyls, which provides a great potential to be applied in the preparation of biodegradable hydrogels. In this review, lignin hydrogel is covered with preparation strategies, properties and applications. This review reports some important properties, such as mechanical, adhesive, self-healing, conductive, antibacterial and antifreezing properties were then discussed. Furthermore, herein also reviewed the current applications of lignin hydrogel, including dye adsorption, smart materials for stimuli sensitive, wearable electronics for biomedical applications and flexible supercapacitors. Overall, this review covers recent progresses regarding lignin-based hydrogel and constitutes a timely review of this promising material.

Natural Pyranosyl Materials: Potential Applications in Solid-State Batteries

Solid-state batteries have become one of the hottest research areas today, due to the use of solid-state electrolytes enabling the high safety and energy density. Because of the interaction with electrolyte salts and the abundant ion transport sites, natural polysaccharide polymers with rich functional groups such as -OH, -OR or -COO^- etc. have been applied in solid-state electrolytes and have the merits of possibly high ionic conductivity and sustainability. This review summarizes the recent progress of natural polysaccharides and derivatives for polymer electrolytes, which will stimulate further interest in the application of polysaccharides for solid-state batteries.

Molecular Crowded ″Water-in-Salt″ Polymer Gel Electrolyte for an Ultra-stable Zn-Ion Battery

Recently, the use of a gel polymer electrolyte for the development of robust, flexible, quasi-solid, ultra-stable, high-performance zinc-ion batteries (ZiBs) as an alternative to lithium-ion batteries has attracted widespread attention. However, the performance of ZiBs is limited due to the lack of suitable gel electrolytes. Herein, a ″water-in-salt″ (WiS)-based hydrophilic molecular crowded polymer gel electrolyte and binder free V₂O₅@MnO₂ cathode are introduced to augment the durability, flexibility, safety, and electrochemical performance of ZiBs. The ″free water trapping″ capability of the WiS-based cross-linked molecular crowded polymer electrolyte provides an extended electrochemical stability window (ESW) of the device. The quasi-solid-state ZiB delivers ∼422 mAh g^-1 discharge capacity and shows excellent cycling stability as high as ∼79.83% retention of the initial capacity after 5000 cycles. The durable, flexible, and ultra-stable ZiB with the polymer gel electrolyte performs well under various severe conditions where both the battery safety and energy density are of high priority. This work demonstrates a new approach and application for the development of durable, flexible, ultra-stable, quasi-solid-state ZiBs.

Ultrastable Zinc Anodes Enabled by Anti-Dehydration Ionic Liquid Polymer Electrolyte for Aqueous Zn Batteries

The side reaction and dendrite of a zinc anode in an aqueous electrolyte represent a huge obstacle for the development of rechargeable aqueous Zn batteries. An electrolyte with confined water is recognized to fundamentally stabilize the zinc anode. This work proposes acetamide/zinc perchlorate hexahydrate (AA/ZPH) ionic liquid (IL)-polyacrylamide (PAM) polymer electrolytes, here defined as IL-PAM. The novel Zn²⁺-conducting IL is able to accommodate trace water and can achieve both high conductivity (15.02 mS cm^-1) and alleviation of side reactions (>90% reduction). Cross-linked PAM acts as the three-dimensional framework to suppress dendrites and obtain flexibility. As a result, the Zn anode with IL-PAM can cycle stably over 2000 h with a record highest cumulative capacity of 3000 mAh cm^-2 and well-preserved morphology. Based on IL-PAM, the flexible LFP|Zn hybrid batteries can be successfully assembled and operate normally in series and parallel conditions. Moreover, the low volatility of IL and binding forces exerted by the PAM network endues IL-PAM with an anti-dehydration property. In a 50 °C unsealed environment, the weight loss of IL-PAM is about two-fifths of PAM hydrogel and an aqueous electrolyte, and the corresponding hybrid battery with IL-PAM can also prolong a 4 times longer lifespan.