Selectively "size-excluding" water molecules to enable a highly reversible zinc metal anode.

ABSTRACT: Significant water-related side reactions hinder the development of highly safe, low-cost aqueous zinc metal batteries (AZMBs) for grid-scale energy storage. Herein, by regulating the length of alkyl chains, we successfully adjust interstitial voids between the polymer chains of a metal soap interface between 1.48 Å (size of a zinc ion) and 4.0 Å (size of a water molecule). Therefore, water molecules are selectively "size-excluded," while smaller zinc ions are permitted to pass through. Consequently, water-related side reactions (including hydrogen evolution and corrosion) could be effectively inhibited. Furthermore, abundant zinc ion tunnels accompanied with zincophilic components facilitate the homogenization of the Zn²⁺ flux, thus preventing dendrite growth. Therefore, the Zn

SUBMITTER: Shen X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11220579 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature