Boosting the current capability and reversibility of Zn anode for high-performance Zinc batteries

Abstract

Rechargeable Zinc batteries as energy storage and conversion devices are attracting wide attention due to their merits of intrinsic safety, abundant resources, and inexpensive components. However, the thermodynamic instability of Zn metal anode in the aqueous environment leads to limited cycle life, poor rechargeability, and restricted large-scale employment of Zinc batteries. Herein, we investigate the electrochemical and morphological behavior of Zn anode in an organic aprotic amide, N’N-dimethylacetamide (DMAC) solvent-based electrolyte, which demonstrates highly reversible Zn deposition (CE of ∼ 99.80%), improved anodic stability (∼2.4 V vs. Zn/Zn2+), and a high current capability of 15.0 mA cm−2/15.0 mAh cm−2. Practically, a remarkable performance with high-capacity retention and high CE (≥99%) is attained for Zn||MnO2 full cell, which is a positive step toward the development of rechargeable Zinc batteries.