In Situ Integrating Highly Ionic Conductive LDH‐Array@PVA Gel Electrolyte and MXene/Zn Anode for Dendrite‐Free High‐Performance Flexible Zn–Air Batteries. Issue 34 (27th July 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hui, Xiaobin; Zhang, Peng; Li, Jiafeng; Zhao, Danyang; Li, Zhaoqiang; Zhang, Zhiwei; Wang, Chengxiang; Wang, Rutao; Yin, Longwei
• Is Part Of: Advanced energy materials. Volume 12:Issue 34(2022)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2022-07-27
• Subjects: anodes -- electrochemical energy storage -- gel polymer electrolytes -- interfaces -- zinc–air batteries; Energy harvesting -- Materials -- Periodicals; Energy conversion -- Materials -- Periodicals; Energy storage -- Materials -- Periodicals; Photovoltaics -- Periodicals; Fuel cells -- Periodicals; Thermoelectric materials -- Periodicals; 621.31
• DOI: 10.1002/aenm.202201393
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1614-6832

Abstract

Abstract: Low interfacial ion transfer kinetics and structure instability of solid‐state electrolytes are the bottleneck which seriously limits the working life and energy density of flexible zinc–air batteries (ZABs). Herein, an optimized electrode–electrolyte integrated MXene/Zn‐layered double hydroxides (LDH)‐array@PVA structure is developed via an electrochemical Zn deposition, in situ LDH growth, polymer infiltration, and crosslinking route, integrating anode and gel polymer electrolyte (GPE) for high‐performance flexible ZABs. The highly orientated hydrophilic CoNi‐LDH arrays sufficiently crosslink with poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) chains, which effectively decreases the crystallinity degree of the PVA polymer and provides fast ionic diffusion channels to reduce the ionic transport barrier, endowing LDH‐array@PVA GPE with significantly improved ionic conductivity, water retention capability, and mechanical flexibility. Moreover, the optimized anode‐GPE integrated interface of MXene/Zn‐LDH‐array@PVA demonstrates excellent interfacial compatibility and stability, effectively reduces the interfacial impedance, and promotes the interfacial ionic transfer kinetics, enhancing a uniform zinc deposition without dendrite formation. The optimized ionic transfer kinetics and stable anode‐GPE integrated interface bring the MXene/Zn‐LDH‐array@PVA‐based flexible ZAB a long cycling life up to 50 h, and a high power density of 92.3 mW cm −2 . The rationally designed in situ crosslinking and integration strategies provide enlightening pathways for the design of high‐performance flexible ZABs. Abstract : An electrode–electrolyte integrated MXene/Zn‐layered double hydroxides (LDH)‐array@PVA is developed for high‐performance flexible Zn–air batteries. Vertically oriented CoNi‐LDH arrays sufficiently crosslink with poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) chains to give rise to a gel electrolyte with excellent OH − transfer kinetics, water retention capability, and mechanical flexibility. The anode–electrolyte integrated interface exhibits superior interfacial compatibility and stability, restraining Zn dendrite formation to guarantee outstanding cycling stability.