Few-layer bismuth selenide cathode for low-temperature quasi-solid-state aqueous zinc metal batteries

Yuwei Zhao, Yue Lu, Huiping Li, Yongbin Zhu, You Meng, Na Li, Donghong Wang, Feng Jiang, Funian Mo, Changbai Long, Ying Guo, Xinliang Li, Zhaodong Huang, Qing Li, Johnny C. Ho, Jun Fan, Manling Sui, Furong Chen, Wenguang Zhu (), Weishu Liu () and Chunyi Zhi ()
Additional contact information
Yuwei Zhao: City University of Hong Kong
Yue Lu: Beijing University of Technology
Huiping Li: University of Science and Technology of China
Yongbin Zhu: Southern University of Science and Technology
You Meng: City University of Hong Kong
Na Li: City University of Hong Kong
Donghong Wang: City University of Hong Kong
Feng Jiang: Southern University of Science and Technology
Funian Mo: City University of Hong Kong
Changbai Long: Xidian University
Ying Guo: City University of Hong Kong
Xinliang Li: City University of Hong Kong
Zhaodong Huang: City University of Hong Kong
Qing Li: City University of Hong Kong
Johnny C. Ho: City University of Hong Kong
Jun Fan: City University of Hong Kong
Manling Sui: Beijing University of Technology
Furong Chen: City University of Hong Kong
Wenguang Zhu: University of Science and Technology of China
Weishu Liu: Southern University of Science and Technology
Chunyi Zhi: City University of Hong Kong

Nature Communications, 2022, vol. 13, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Abstract The performances of rechargeable batteries are strongly affected by the operating environmental temperature. In particular, low temperatures (e.g., ≤0 °C) are detrimental to efficient cell cycling. To circumvent this issue, we propose a few-layer Bi2Se3 (a topological insulator) as cathode material for Zn metal batteries. When the few-layer Bi2Se3 is used in combination with an anti-freeze hydrogel electrolyte, the capacity delivered by the cell at −20 °C and 1 A g−1 is 1.3 larger than the capacity at 25 °C for the same specific current. Also, at 0 °C the Zn | |few-layer Bi2Se3 cell shows capacity retention of 94.6% after 2000 cycles at 1 A g−1. This behaviour is related to the fact that the Zn-ion uptake in the few-layer Bi2Se3 is higher at low temperatures, e.g., almost four Zn2+ at 25 °C and six Zn2+ at −20 °C. We demonstrate that the unusual performance improvements at low temperatures are only achievable with the few-layer Bi2Se3 rather than bulk Bi2Se3. We also show that the favourable low-temperature conductivity and ion diffusion capability of few-layer Bi2Se3 are linked with the presence of topological surface states and weaker lattice vibrations, respectively.

Date: 2022
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28380-y

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