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Stable, high-performance, dendrite-free, seawater-based aqueous batteries

Author

Listed:
  • Huajun Tian

    (NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida)

  • Zhao Li

    (NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida)

  • Guangxia Feng

    (Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, W306, Engineering Building 2, University of Houston)

  • Zhenzhong Yang

    (Physical and Computational Sciences Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory)

  • David Fox

    (NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida
    University of Central Florida)

  • Maoyu Wang

    (School of Chemical, Biological, and Environmental Engineering, Oregon State University)

  • Hua Zhou

    (X-ray Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory)

  • Lei Zhai

    (NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida
    University of Central Florida)

  • Akihiro Kushima

    (NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida
    University of Central Florida
    University of Central Florida)

  • Yingge Du

    (Physical and Computational Sciences Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory)

  • Zhenxing Feng

    (School of Chemical, Biological, and Environmental Engineering, Oregon State University)

  • Xiaonan Shan

    (Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, W306, Engineering Building 2, University of Houston)

  • Yang Yang

    (NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida
    University of Central Florida
    University of Central Florida)

Abstract

Metal anode instability, including dendrite growth, metal corrosion, and hetero-ions interference, occurring at the electrolyte/electrode interface of aqueous batteries, are among the most critical issues hindering their widespread use in energy storage. Herein, a universal strategy is proposed to overcome the anode instability issues by rationally designing alloyed materials, using Zn-M alloys as model systems (M = Mn and other transition metals). An in-situ optical visualization coupled with finite element analysis is utilized to mimic actual electrochemical environments analogous to the actual aqueous batteries and analyze the complex electrochemical behaviors. The Zn-Mn alloy anodes achieved stability over thousands of cycles even under harsh electrochemical conditions, including testing in seawater-based aqueous electrolytes and using a high current density of 80 mA cm−2. The proposed design strategy and the in-situ visualization protocol for the observation of dendrite growth set up a new milestone in developing durable electrodes for aqueous batteries and beyond.

Suggested Citation

  • Huajun Tian & Zhao Li & Guangxia Feng & Zhenzhong Yang & David Fox & Maoyu Wang & Hua Zhou & Lei Zhai & Akihiro Kushima & Yingge Du & Zhenxing Feng & Xiaonan Shan & Yang Yang, 2021. "Stable, high-performance, dendrite-free, seawater-based aqueous batteries," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:12:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-020-20334-6
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-20334-6
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