Metallic zinc as a rechargeable anode material for aqueous batteries has gained tremendous attention with merits of intrinsic safety, low cost, and high theoretical volumetric capacity (5,854 mAh/cm<sup>3</sup>). Among zinc-based batteries, Zn-air batteries are promising with the highest theoretical volumetric energy density (4,931 Wh/L). Rechargeable zinc anode has recently achieved progress in neutral electrolytes, yet developed slowly in alkaline electrolytes, which are kinetically favorable for air cathodes. Passivation, dissolution, and hydrogen evolution are three main reasons for irreversibility of zinc anodes in alkaline electrolytes, which limits the rechargeability and usable energy density. In this talk, I will present our recent works on using nanoscale material design to overcome passivation, dissolution, and hydrogen evolution issues of zinc anode, towards a deeply rechargeable zinc-based battery. I will also introduce the battery-gas chromatography quantitative analysis, as well as in situ microscopy methodologies we have developed, to quantify gas evolution side reaction, as well as visualize the reaction on electrodes during operation.

Deeply rechargeable zinc anodes for ultra-safe high-energy rechargeable batteries

ACS Spring 2022

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