Crystallographically textured zinc nucleation and planar electrodeposition for zinc metal batteries via magnetoelectric and magnetization effects

Abstract

The premature failure of zinc metal anodes is critically associated with the uncontrollable nucleation and random orientation of hexagonal Zn electrodeposits. Herein, we realize to control the crystallographical texture of zinc crystal nuclei and enable planar electrodeposition by simply applying a magnetic field. We unveil the novel mechanism of magnetoelectric and magnetization effects on the different deposition behavior under magnetic fields. The magnetohydrodynamic effect can flatten the uneven electrode surface during electrodeposition by deflecting the motion of Zn2+ ions. Especially, influences of the Hall effect on electrode polarization and magnetization effect on crystallographical Zn nucleation are first uncovered and validated. We demonstrate the proper use of these magnetic field-related effects is propitious to dense, homogeneous, and highly reversible deposition/dissolution of Zn metal anodes. The cycle lives of Zn anodes are extended 2–4 times at different currents and cycling capacities. Moreover, exceptional reversibility of 99.85 % is achieved. Full cells with a low N/P ratio of 5.4 and ultrahigh cathode mass loading of 19.98 mg cm−2 can release stable capacity up to 3.2 mAh cm−2. Our study provides new paradigms for magnetic field regulation of Zn metal battery electrochemistry, as well as for other external field applications in adjusting battery performance.