Graphene quantum dots enable dendrite-free zinc ion battery. (February 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, Hao; Guo, Ruiting; Li, Shuo; Liu, Cheng; Li, Haoyang; Zou, Guoqiang; Hu, Jiugang; Hou, Hongshuai; Ji, Xiaobo
• Is Part Of: Nano energy. Volume 92(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-02
• Subjects: Zinc ion batteries -- Zinc anode -- Dendrites -- Graphene quantum dots -- Electrolyte additive; Nanoscience -- Periodicals; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; Nanostructured materials -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Technological innovations -- Periodicals; Nanoscience; Nanostructured materials; Nanotechnology; Power resources -- Technological innovations; Periodicals; 621.042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nanoen.2021.106752
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2211-2855

Abstract

Abstract: The practical application of aqueous Zn-ion batteries has been largely plagued by the poor reversibility of Zn anode, mainly associated with the dendritic growth and interfacial parasitic reaction. Hereby, electrochemically stable Zn anode is successfully designed by manipulating nucleation process through the introduction of hydrophilic graphene quantum dots (GQDs). Notably, the enhanced binding effect of GQDs with Zn 2+ is aroused from the lower electronegativity of GQDs, which is conducive to accelerating uniform Zn deposition, resulting in the robust Zn anode without dendrites. Concomitantly, interfacial hydrogen bonds are excited by the GQDs with oxygen-containing groups, which is beneficial for mitigating water-induced side reaction and improving Zn ion reaction kinetics. Greatly, polarization voltage of symmetric cells is decreased from 80 to 50 mV at 0.8 mA cm −2, presenting a prolonged lifespan of 2200 h. As a result, the assembled ZIBs with vanadium cathode exhibit superior performance with capacity of 164.3 mAh g −1 after 600 cycles at 1 A g −1 . Given this, this elaborate work might inaugurate a potential avenue for rationally tuning the electrode/electrolyte interface evolution towards advanced aqueous batteries. Graphical Abstract: ga1 Highlights: Enhanced binding effect of GQDs with Zn2+ can manipulate the Zn nucleation process. Interfacial hydrogen bonds between GQDs and H2O can mitigate the water-induced side reaction. Uniform Zn deposition with a prolonged lifespan of 2200 h at 0.8 mA cm -2 is obtained.