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Stable Aqueous Anode‐Free Zinc Batteries Enabled by Interfacial Engineering
Author(s) -
An Yongling,
Tian Yuan,
Zhang Kai,
Liu Yongpeng,
Liu Chengkai,
Xiong Shenglin,
Feng Jinkui,
Qian Yitai
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
advanced functional materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.069
H-Index - 322
eISSN - 1616-3028
pISSN - 1616-301X
DOI - 10.1002/adfm.202101886
Subject(s) - materials science , electrolyte , anode , faraday efficiency , dissolution , zinc , galvanic anode , chemical engineering , inert , aqueous solution , energy storage , nanotechnology , electrode , cathodic protection , metallurgy , chemistry , organic chemistry , power (physics) , physics , quantum mechanics , engineering
Anode‐free zinc batteries (AFZBs) are proposed as promising energy storage systems due to their high energy density, inherent safety, low cost, and simplified fabrication process. However, rapid capacity fading caused by the side reactions between the in situ formed zinc metal anode and electrolyte hinders their practical applications. To address these issues, aqueous AFZBs enabled by electrolyte engineering to form a stable interphase are designed. By introducing a multifunctional zinc fluoride (ZnF 2 ) additive into the electrolyte, a stable F‐rich interfacial layer is formed. This interfacial layer can not only regulate the growth orientation of zinc crystals, but also serve as an inert protection layer against side reactions such as H 2 generation. Based on these synergy effects, zinc deposition/dissolution with high reversibility (Coulombic efficiency > 99.87%) and stable cycling performance up to 600 h of are achieved in the electrolyte optimized by ZnF 2 . With this electrolyte, the cycling life of AFZBs is significantly improved. The work may initiate the research of AFZBs and be useful for the design of high energy, high safety, and low‐cost power sources.