Understanding intercalation chemistry for sustainable aqueous zinc–manganese dioxide batteries

Yifei Yuan, Ryan Sharpe, Kun He (), Chenghang Li, Mahmoud Tamadoni Saray, Tongchao Liu, Wentao Yao, Meng Cheng, Huile Jin, Shun Wang, Khalil Amine, Reza Shahbazian-Yassar (), M. Saiful Islam () and Jun Lu ()
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Yifei Yuan: Wenzhou University
Ryan Sharpe: University of Bath
Kun He: Wenzhou University
Chenghang Li: Wenzhou University
Mahmoud Tamadoni Saray: University of Illinois at Chicago
Tongchao Liu: Argonne National Laboratory
Wentao Yao: University of Illinois at Chicago
Meng Cheng: University of Illinois at Chicago
Huile Jin: Wenzhou University
Shun Wang: Wenzhou University
Khalil Amine: Argonne National Laboratory
Reza Shahbazian-Yassar: University of Illinois at Chicago
M. Saiful Islam: University of Bath
Jun Lu: Argonne National Laboratory

Nature Sustainability, 2022, vol. 5, issue 10, 890-898

Abstract: Abstract Rechargeable aqueous Zn–MnO2 technology combines one of the oldest battery chemistries with favourable sustainability characteristics, including safety, cost and environmental compatibility. However, the ambiguous charge storage mechanism presents a challenge to fulfil the great potential of this energy technology. Here we leverage on advanced electron microscopy, electrochemical analysis and theoretical calculations to look into the intercalation chemistry within the cathode material, or α-MnO2 more specifically. We show that Zn2+ insertion into the cathode is unlikely in the aqueous system; rather, the charge storage process is dominated by proton intercalation to form α-HxMnO2. We further reveal anisotropic lattice change as a result of entering protons proceeding from the surface into the bulk of α-MnO2, which accounts for the structural failure and capacity decay of the electrode upon cycling. Our work not only advances the fundamental understanding of rechargeable zinc batteries but also suggests the possibility to optimize proton intercalation kinetics for better-performing cell designs.

Date: 2022
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DOI: 10.1038/s41893-022-00919-3

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