An Anode-Free Zn–MnO 2 Battery

Zhu, Yunpei; Cui, Yi; Alshareef, Husam N.

doi:10.1021/acs.nanolett.0c04519

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An Anode-Free Zn–MnO 2 Battery

Zhu, Yunpei·Cui, Yi·Alshareef, Husam N.

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Abstract

Aqueous Zn-based batteries are attractive because of the low cost and high theoretical capacity of the Zn metal anode. However, the Zn-based batteries developed so far utilize an excess amount of Zn (i.e., thick Zn metal anode), which decreases the energy density of the whole battery. In this study, we demonstrate an anode-free design (i.e., zero-excess Zn), which is enabled by employing a nanocarbon nucleation layer. Electrochemical studies show that this design allows for uniform Zn electrodeposition with high efficiency and stability over a range of current densities and plating capacities. Using this anode-free configuration, we showcase a Zn–MnO 2 battery prototype, showing 68.2% capacity retention after 80 cycles. Our anode-free design opens a new direction for implementing aqueous Zn-based batteries in energy storage systems.

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25 ENERGY STORAGE zinc-ion battery, anode-free, aqueous electrolytes, energy density

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Zhu, Yunpei, Cui, Yi, Alshareef, Husam N.. 2021-01-20. An Anode-Free Zn–MnO 2 Battery. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.nanolett.0c04519

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