In situ preparation of MOF-74 for compact zincophilic surfaces enhancing the stability of aqueous zinc-ion battery anodes

Abstract

Zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs), while celebrated for their environmental friendliness, abundant material availability, and inherent safety, face significant challenges that curtail their performance and lifecycle. These challenges include the formation of zinc dendrites, susceptibility to electrolyte corrosion, and the propensity for hydrogen evolution reactions. Addressing these critical issues, our research introduces an innovative surface modification strategy for zinc anode of ZIB with mild electrolyte, by the in-situ synthesis of Metal-Organic Framework (MOF-74) facilitated by the mild acidity of a 2,5-dihydroxyterephthalic acid (DHTA) methanol solution. The zincophilic sites and pore structure introduced by MOF-74 to substantially enhance the surface properties of zinc anodes and accelerate the solvation process, enabling uniform zinc deposition, inhibiting dendrite growth, and significantly bolstering corrosion resistance and electrochemical stability. Combination of physical and electrochemical characterization techniques are employed to validate the successful implementation of MOF-74 on the zinc anode surface and its resultant benefits. When tested in full cell setups with α-MnO2 as the cathode, the MOF-74 modified zinc anodes displayed exceptional cyclic stability and rate performance, surpassing those of unmodified counterparts. This investigation highlights the potential of MOF materials to address the electrochemical challenges facing zinc anodes, offering a straightforward yet efficacious strategy to enhance the performance and longevity of ZIBs.