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Dispersed Zn Nucleation and Growth Induced by Functional Nano-TiO2 Particles for a Stable Zn Metal Anode

  • Topical Collection: Advanced Metal Ion Batteries
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Abstract

Aqueous zinc (Zn) ion batteries have gained great attention for their high safety and low cost, but the poor stability of the Zn anode seriously hinders their rapid development. Herein, nano-size titanium dioxide (nano-TiO2) particles prepared by a one-step hydrothermal method are utilized as a functional electrolyte additive for better induction of the dispersed Zn nucleation, preventing dendrite formation and enhancing anti-corrosion behavior of Zn metal anode. In particular, massive Zn ions and transferred free water can be attracted by these nano-TiO2 particles and then uniformly distributed on the electrode surface, effectively avoiding the concentrated ion distribution and relieving the interfacial corrosion. Because of these intrinsic merits, conducted electrochemical performance has also been greatly improved in the electrolyte loading functional nano-TiO2 additive. When working at 5 mA cm−2 and 3 mAh cm−2, the Zn-based symmetric cell achieves a stable cycling lifetime over 300 h, three times longer than the cell in the electrolyte without functional nano-TiO2 additive. Moreover, an asymmetric cell with Cu electrode not only maintains a high coulombic efficiency of 99.74% over 400 cycles, but also delivers a stable Zn plating/stripping performance. The modification strategy and application of aqueous electrolyte provide a constructive guidance for the development of safe Zn metal anode.

Graphical Abstract

Functional nano-TiO2 particles were applied as the electrolyte additive to promote uniform Zn deposition and enhance the stability of Zn metal anode.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful for the support provided by the Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China (No. LY21E020010), Scientific Fundamental Fund of Zhejiang Sci-Tech University (Grant No. 21212304-Y and 2021Y005).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, 310018, China

    Yaling Ji, Tiancun Liu, Jianhua You, Yue Zhang & Yefeng Yang

  2. Qixin Honor School, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, 310018, China

    Yaling Ji

  3. Institute of Wenzhou, Zhejiang University, Wenzhou, 325006, People’s Republic of China

    Yefeng Yang

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  1. Yaling Ji
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  2. Tiancun Liu
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  3. Jianhua You
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Ji, Y., Liu, T., You, J. et al. Dispersed Zn Nucleation and Growth Induced by Functional Nano-TiO2 Particles for a Stable Zn Metal Anode. J. Electron. Mater. 51, 6645–6653 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11664-022-09984-y

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