Regulating uniform nucleation of ZnS enables low-polarized and high stable aqueous Zn–S batteries. (July 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhou, Tiansheng; Wan, Hao; Liu, Mengke; Wu, Qianyao; Fan, Zhechen; Zhu, Yongchun
• Is Part Of: Materials today energy. Volume 27(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-07
• Subjects: Polyethylene glycol -- Nucleation regulation -- Low polarization -- Aqueous zinc ion batteries; Energy development -- Periodicals; Energy industries -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Periodicals; Energy policy -- Periodicals; Energy development; Energy industries; Energy policy; Power resources; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 621.042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mtener.2022.101025
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2468-6069

Abstract

Abstract: Sulfur-based cathode materials can greatly improve the overall energy density of the aqueous zinc ion batteries. However, it suffers from uneven accumulated discharge products of ZnS, which retard the conversion to S during charge process. Herein, we report a regulation strategy for uniform ZnS nucleation by introducing PEG-400 additive into 1 M Zn(CH3 COO)2 electrolyte to form a modified solvation structure. Uniform and small ZnS with the average diameter of 180 nm can be formed, which is favorable for the conversion from ZnS to S. The S@CNTs cathode using such an aqueous electrolyte exhibits a lower voltage hysteresis of 0.47 V, high capacity of 1116 mAh/g at the current density of 0.1 A/g, and a good rate capacity of 774 mAh/g at 1 A/g. Furthermore, the addition of PEG can also improve the stability of Zn anode; as a result, we achieve a Zn–S full cell with a low overpotential performance and stable reversibility. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: The change of solvation structure is proposed in aqueous Zn/S battery with PEG-400. The voltage hysteresis of S@CNTs-50 cathode is only 0.47 V at 0.1 A/g. Stable reversibility is obtained for the aqueous Zn/S battery electrode reaction.