Long-cycle Zn–air batteries at high depth of discharge enabled by a robust Zn|electrolyte interface

Abstract

It is an urgent need to improve the depth of discharge (DOD) of Zn–air batteries (ZABs), considering that most reported ZABs with long cycle life are realized at low DOD (<1%). In this work, our solid-state ZABs achieved a long cycle life of more than 220 h at 3.2% DOD (the discharge capacity of 10 mA h cm⁻² per cycle). Moreover, benefiting from excellent bifunctional oxygen electrocatalysts (Fe@BNC) and robust Zn|electrolyte interface, the ZABs displayed a long cycle life of 120 h even at high DOD of 23.4% and large discharge capacity of 72 mA h cm⁻². Additionally, the impact of Zn|electrolyte interface on the cycle time at different DODs is analysed and discussed. The unstable interface exacerbated the dendrite growth and uneven deposition of Zn at high DOD, leading to the decay of the cycle life. The work gives insights into the mechanism of the effect of DOD on the cycle life of the batteries.