Issue 37, 2023

Selection criteria for current collectors for highly efficient anode-free Zn batteries

Abstract

Considerable efforts have been invested in replacing standard metallic Zn anodes with diverse conductive substrates in pursuit of higher energy density, durability, and cost-effectiveness in aqueous Zn-based batteries. Despite substantial progress in the development of anode-free Zn systems, there is still a major gap in our fundamental knowledge of how the physicochemical parameters of the substrate (current collector) impact the efficiency of the reversible Zn electrodeposition process. Of particular interest are the interactions between the Zn cations, the accompanied water molecules, and the foreign substrates. As both Zn deposition and hydrogen evolution processes occur at similar potential ranges, the performance of the anode-free cells will be dictated by the catalytic nature of the electrified substrates and the chemistry of their passivation. In this study, we conduct thorough examinations of four prominent current collectors: copper, nickel, titanium, and graphite foils. Using a systematic approach that includes electrochemical investigations supplemented by refined X-ray diffraction analysis and in situ techniques such as online electrochemical mass spectrometry (OEMS) and electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (EQCM-D), we uncover the critical role of these current collectors in the reversible Zn electroplating process. According to our findings, graphitic foils provide significantly more efficient electrodeposition of Zn in mildly acidic electrolyte solutions.

Graphical abstract: Selection criteria for current collectors for highly efficient anode-free Zn batteries

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
28 Jun 2023
Accepted
31 Aug 2023
First published
01 Sep 2023

J. Mater. Chem. A, 2023,11, 19970-19980

Selection criteria for current collectors for highly efficient anode-free Zn batteries

O. Blumen, G. Bergman, K. Schwatrzman, S. Harpaz, S. H. Akella, M. S. Chae, N. Bruchiel-Spanier, N. Shpigel and D. Sharon, J. Mater. Chem. A, 2023, 11, 19970 DOI: 10.1039/D3TA03766E

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements