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Dual role of hBN as an artificial solid-electrolyte interface layer for safe zinc metal anodes

Authors :
Wong, Hoi Lun
Tang, Tsz Wing
Chen, Haoliang
Xu, Mengyang
Wang, Jun
Cai, Yuting
Goddard, William A.
Luo, Zhengtang
Wong, Hoi Lun
Tang, Tsz Wing
Chen, Haoliang
Xu, Mengyang
Wang, Jun
Cai, Yuting
Goddard, William A.
Luo, Zhengtang
Publication Year :
2024

Abstract

Highly reversible and stable cycling of zinc metal anodes remains a challenge due to the undesirable side reaction of the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and dendrite formation. Herein, hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) with large area and continuous growth was developed and used as the artificial solid-electrolyte interface (SEI) coating, which plays two roles to protect the electrode surface by (1) mitigating the side reactions and (2) inducing the epitaxial electrodeposition of hexagonal close-packed (hcp) Zn to form the compact Zn structure aligned in (002) orientation. From the density functional theory (DFT) calculations, hBN exhibits a remarkably small lattice mismatch (4.1%) with the Zn (002) surface. Additionally, insignificant Zn binding energy of hBN (−0.20 eV) reveals a weak interaction between hBN and Zn atoms; therefore fewer seeding points are provided for generating Zn dendrites. In addition, the low surface energy of the hBN interface enhances the electrolyte wettability to the electrode-electrolyte interface, promoting smooth Zn plating. Consistently, highly horizontally aligned Zn metal deposition without dendrites and H2 formation was visualized from an in situ optical cell. The symmetric cell shows stable cycling with a significantly smaller plating overpotential of 0.15 V over 300 cycles, while a full cell with an AlxVOH cathode exhibits highly stable cycling over 50 cycles with a 73.6% capacity retention rate and improved rate capability. © 2024 The Royal Society of Chemistry

Details

Database :
OAIster
Notes :
English
Publication Type :
Electronic Resource
Accession number :
edsoai.on1430645983
Document Type :
Electronic Resource