In situ formation of liquid crystal interphase in electrolytes with soft templating effects for aqueous dual-electrode-free batteries

Yuqi Li, Xueli Zheng, Evan Z. Carlson, Xin Xiao, Xiwen Chi, Yi Cui, Louisa C. Greenburg, Ge Zhang, Elizabeth Zhang, Chenwei Liu, Yufei Yang, Mun Sek Kim, Guangxia Feng, Pu Zhang, Hance Su, Xun Guan, Jiawei Zhou, Yecun Wu, Zhichen Xue, Weiyu Li, Michal Bajdich and Yi Cui ()
Additional contact information
Yuqi Li: Stanford University
Xueli Zheng: Stanford University
Evan Z. Carlson: Stanford University
Xin Xiao: Stanford University
Xiwen Chi: Stanford University
Yi Cui: Stanford University
Louisa C. Greenburg: Stanford University
Ge Zhang: Stanford University
Elizabeth Zhang: Stanford University
Chenwei Liu: Stanford University
Yufei Yang: Stanford University
Mun Sek Kim: Stanford University
Guangxia Feng: Stanford University
Pu Zhang: Stanford University
Hance Su: Stanford University
Xun Guan: Stanford University
Jiawei Zhou: Stanford University
Yecun Wu: Stanford University
Zhichen Xue: SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory
Weiyu Li: Stanford University
Michal Bajdich: SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory
Yi Cui: Stanford University

Nature Energy, 2024, vol. 9, issue 11, 1350-1359

Abstract: Abstract Zn/MnO2 batteries, driven by a dual deposition reaction, are a prominent avenue for achieving high energy density in aqueous systems. Introducing an initially dual-electrode-free (anode/cathode) configuration can further boost energy density to over 200 Wh kg−1, but with limited cycle life due to the poor reversibility of Zn/MnO2 deposition and stripping. Drawing inspiration from soft templating strategies in material synthesis, here we apply this approach to electrodeposition and stripping by designing an in situ formed liquid crystal interphase. This concept is achieved by incorporating just 0.1 mM of surfactant molecules into the electrolyte, which induces favourable c-axis orientations in depositing both hexagonal Zn and MnO2. This enhancement subsequently increases the deposition/stripping reversibility and promotes the cycle life of the dual-electrode-free battery, achieving 80% capacity retention after ~950 cycles. This liquid crystal interphase chemistry also holds great promise for regulating deposition in other crystal systems, opening an exciting research direction for next-generation high-energy-density and long-duration energy storage based on aqueous chemistries.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41560-024-01638-z

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