Boosting Cathode Activity and Anode Stability of Zn-S Batteries in Aqueous Media Through Cosolvent-Catalyst Synergy
journal contribution
posted on 2024-11-17, 13:57authored byMin Yang, Zichao Yan, Jin Xiao, Wenli Xin, Lei Zhang, Huiling Peng, Yaheng Geng, Junwei Li, Yunxiao Wang, Li Liu, Zhiqiang Zhu
Aqueous Zn−S battery with high energy density represents a promising large-scale energy storage technology, but its application is severely hindered by the poor reversibility of both S cathode and Zn anode. Herein, we develop a “cocktail optimized” electrolyte containing tetraglyme (G4) and water as co-solvents and I2 as additive. The G4-I2 synergy could activate efficient polar I3−/I− catalyst couple and shield the cathode from water, thus facilitating the conversion kinetics of S and suppressing the interfacial side reactions. Simultaneously, it could stabilize Zn anode by forming an organic–inorganic interphase upon cycling. With boosted electrodes reversibility, the Zn−S cell delivers a high capacity of 775 mAh g−1 at 2 A g−1, and retains over 70 % capacity after 600 cycles at 4 A g−1. The advances can also be readily generalized to other ethers/water hybrid electrolytes, showing the universality of the “cocktail optimized” electrolyte design strategy.
Funding
National Natural Science Foundation of China (22109041)