Issue 44, 2023

Enhancing organic cathodes of aqueous zinc-ion batteries via utilizing steric hindrance and electron cloud equalization

Abstract

Polyaniline (PANI), with merits of high electronic conductivity and capacity, is a promising material for zinc (Zn)-ion batteries. However, its redox window in Zn batteries is often limited, mainly due to the oxidative degradation at high potentials—in which imine groups can be attacked by water molecules. Here, we introduce phytic acid, a kind of supermolecule acid radical ion, as a dopant and electrolyte additive. Various in/ex situ analyses and theoretical calculations prove that the steric hindrance effect can prevent electroactive sites from the attack by water molecules. Meanwhile, the redox reaction can be stabilized by an even distribution of electron cloud due to the conjugated structure of phenazine groups. Accordingly, the assembled Zn–PANI battery can allow stable and long-term charge–discharge reactions to occur at a potential as high as 2.0 V with a discharged plateau of 1.5 V, and it also shows high rate performance and stable long cycle life (75% capacity retention after 1000 cycles at 10 A g−1).

Graphical abstract: Enhancing organic cathodes of aqueous zinc-ion batteries via utilizing steric hindrance and electron cloud equalization

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Edge Article
Submitted
08 sept. 2023
Accepted
20 oct. 2023
First published
20 oct. 2023
This article is Open Access

All publication charges for this article have been paid for by the Royal Society of Chemistry
Creative Commons BY-NC license

Chem. Sci., 2023,14, 12589-12597

Enhancing organic cathodes of aqueous zinc-ion batteries via utilizing steric hindrance and electron cloud equalization

G. Ma, Z. Ju, X. Xu, Y. Xu, Y. Sun, Y. Wang, G. Zhang, M. Cai, L. Pan and G. Yu, Chem. Sci., 2023, 14, 12589 DOI: 10.1039/D3SC04766K

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