Dual-functional nanoengineering via molecular pillaring and conductive hybridization for high-performance aqueous zinc-ion batteries.

Achieving high-rate and durable aqueous rechargeable Zn-Ion batteries by enhancing the successive electrochemical conversion reactions

Existing electrochemical activation mechanisms and related cathode materials for aqueous Zn ion batteries

Small organic molecules for aqueous zinc-ion batteries with stable structure and ultrafast H-ion and Zn-ion diffusion kinetics via coating

A semi-interpenetrating network polymer coating for dendrite-free Zn anodes

Fabrication of silica-decorated graphene oxide nanohybrids and the properties of composite epoxy coatings research

Recent progress and perspectives on aqueous Zn-based rechargeable batteries with mild aqueous electrolytes

An in-situ electrochemical oxidation strategy of VPO4 and its performance as a cathode in aqueous Zn-ion batteries

Aqueous Zn ion batteries (AZIBs) are increasing in interest as next‐generation rechargeable batteries due to the nonflammability of the aqueous electrolyte, the high theoretical capacity (820 mA h g −1 ) of the Zn anode, and their high price competitiveness. However, the capacity and cycle life characteristics are significantly lower than those of current lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) due to the low cycle life caused by dendrite formation on the Zn anode and the decreased capacity problem caused by structure collapse from the cathode. In this work, we utilized the high internal phase emulsion (HIPE) and KOH‐derived ring cleavage reaction techniques to construct a hydrophilic polyimide‐based separator (HPI) with enhanced wettability and ion transfer properties. Comparing this HPI separator to the glass fiber (GF) separator, which is widely used in AZIBs, the cycle life of the Zn anode was increased from 150 h to 350 h at 1 mA cm −2 of current density. Additionally, a full cell using a NaV 3 O 8 cathode achieved a specific capacity of 162.2 mA h g −1 after 1,000 cycles at a current density of 0.5 A g −1 . This is significantly higher than the 89.8 mA h g −1 obtained when using a GF separator, and at a high current density of 2 A g −1 , the capacity was 194.8 mA h g −1 , which is much greater than the 103.4 mA h g −1 obtained when using the GF separator. The polyimide‐based separator with high ion transfer characteristics developed in this study will probably have a crucial role in developing next‐generation AZIBs.

The physical chemistry of electrolytic solutions: by Herbert S. Harned and Benton S. Owen. Second edition, 645 pages, diagrams, 16 × 24 cm. New York, Reinhold Publishing Corp., 1950. Price, $10.00

The potential application of rechargeable multivalent ion batteries in portable devices and renewable energy grid integration have gained substantial research interest in aqueous Zn-ion batteries (ZIBs). Compared to Li-based batteries, ZIBs offer lower costs, higher energy density, and safety that make them more attractive for energy storage in grid integration applications. Currently, more research is required to find a suitable cathode material for ZIBs with high capacity and structural stability during charge/discharge cycling. Vanadium phosphate (VOP) compounds as cathode material for ZIBs have been of particular interest, owing to vanadium’s diverse oxidation states. In this present work, two VOP compounds, [H0.6(VO)3(PO4)3(H2O)3].4H2O and VOPO4.2H2O, were synthesized from phosphoric acid and different sources of vanadium via a simple hydrothermal method. Various characterization techniques were carried out, revealing the layered structure of both products and high purity of [H0.6(VO)3(PO4)3(H2O)3].4H2O. Zn/VOP batteries were prepared using Zn metal as counter and reference electrode and 3 M ZnSO4.7H2O as electrolyte. Electrochemical tests were conducted to evaluate the cycling performance of VOPs as cathode material for aqueous Zn-ion batteries. Based on the results, both compounds have shown highly reversible Zn-ion intercalation and deintercalation. VOPO4.2H2O achieved a higher specific capacity of up to 85 mAh/g during discharging, as opposed to 65 mAh/g for the hydrated VOP complex. However, [H0.6(VO)3(PO4)3(H2O)3].4H2O is more stable with higher reproducibility than VOPO4.2H2O during cycling. Nevertheless, more research is still required to enhance the specific capacity and improve the cycling performance of VOP-based cathodes for their prospective use in aqueous ZIBs.

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have become essential for storing electrical energy in portable electronics and electric vehicles due to their high energy density, light weight, and excellent reversibility and cyclability. Despite their widespread use across various electronic devices, their use in Energy Storage Systems (ESS) with substantial capacities is limited by safety concerns. This is because enhancing storage capacity also increases the volume of flammable organic solvents. As a result, there have been significant research efforts toward developing safer alternatives, such as aqueous batteries, with aqueous Zn-ion batteries (AZIBs) being a representative example. Compared to conventional LIBs, ZIBs are more cost-effective, safer, and environmentally friendly. However, the practical application of AZIBs faces significant challenges, particularly regarding Zn dendrite growth, corrosion, and the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) on the Zn anode side, which critically reduces the cyclability of ZIBs. To mitigate these challenges, several solutions have been proposed, such as modifying the Zn ion hydration structure, using water-in-salt electrolytes, and adding additives to modulate the properties of the Zn surface. In this presentation, we will introduce organic additives aimed at regulating the electrochemical Zn growth to enhance the cyclability of the Zn anode. These organic additives influence the kinetics of the Zn deposition/dissolution processes and alter the morphology of the Zn deposits. We will discuss the effect of organic additives on Zn growth and the cyclability of Zn||Zn symmetric cells in relation to the molecular structure and adsorption behavior of the additives. By considering all results, we will determine which functional group is critical for controlling Zn growth and propose the most effective organic additive for enhancing the performance of AZIBs.

Hydrogel dressings have received extensive attention for the skin wound repair, while it is still a challenge to develop a smart hydrogel for adapting the dynamic wound healing process. Herein, we develop a novel graphene oxide (GO) hybrid hydrogel scaffold with adjustable mechanical properties, controllable drug release, and antibacterial behavior for promoting wound healing. The scaffold was prepared by injecting benzaldehyde and cyanoacetate group-functionalized dextran solution containing GO into a collection pool of histidine. As the GO possesses obvious photothermal behavior, the hybrid hydrogel scaffold exhibited an obvious stiffness decrease and effectively promoted cargo release owing to the breaking of the thermosensitive C=C double bond at a high temperature under NIR light. In addition, NIR-assisted photothermal antibacterial performance of the scaffold could be also achieved with the local temperature rising after irradiation. Therefore, it is demonstrated that the GO hybrid hydrogel scaffold with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) encapsulation can achieve the adjustable mechanical properties, photothermal antibacterial, and angiogenesis during the wound healing process. These features indicated that the proposed GO hybrid hydrogel scaffold is potentially valuable for promoting wound healing and other biomedical application.

Ultrafine manganese hexacyanoferrate with low defects regulated by potassium polyacrylate for high-performance aqueous Zn-ion batteries

The aqueous Zn-ion batteries (AZIBs) have been deemed as one of the most promising energy storage devices owing to their high safety, low cost, and environmental benignity. Nevertheless, the severe corrosion of zinc metal anode and side reactions between the anode and electrolyte greatly hinder the practical application of AZIBs. To address above-mentioned issues, herein, a nano-CaSiO3 layer was coated on the surface of Zn metal anode via the solution casting method. Results showed that this hydrophobic coating layer could effectively inhibit the direct contact of Zn metal anode with electrolyte, suppressing its corrosion and side reactions during Zn deposition/stripping. When applied in symmetrical cells, the nano-CaSiO3 coated Zn (CSO-Zn) electrode exhibited much longer cycle life than bare Zn electrode. Moreover, with this nano-CaSiO3 modified Zn anode, both vanadium-based and manganese-based full cells depicted excellent capacity retention. This nano-CaSiO3 coating layer provides a good choice for improving the stability of Zn metal anode for high-performance AZIBs.

Optimized strategies to enhance electrochemical properties of ammonium vanadates for aqueous Zn ion batteries