Conductive framework-stabilized Zn-metal anodes for high-performance Zn-Ion batteries and capacitors

Abstract

Aqueous zinc (Zn)-based energy storage devices possess promising applications for large-scale energy storage systems due to the advantage of high safety, low price, and environment-friendliness. However, their development is restricted by dendrite growth and hydrogen evolution issues from the Zn-metal anode. Herein, a facile stress-pressing method is reported for constructing a grid zinc anode (GZn) with a conductive framework. The highly conductive copper (Cu)-mesh framework reduces electrode hydrogen evolution and increases electrode conductivity. Meanwhile, the in situ-formed Cu-Zn nano-alloy stabilizes the Zn deposition interface. As a result, the GZn symmetrical cell presents a low overpotential of 49 mV after cycling for 1,200 h (0.2 mA & BULL;cm-2). In addition, GZn displays its potential application as a universal anode for Zn-ion capacitors and batteries. An activated carbon GZn Zn-ion capacitor delivers a stable cycling performance after 10,000 cycles at 5 A & BULL;g-1 and MnO2 GZn Zn-ion batteries exhibit satisfactory cycle stability and excellent rate performance. This demonstrates that GZn appears to be a promising universal anode for Zn-ion capacitors and batteries.