Modulating the solvation structure to enhance amorphous solid electrolyte interface formation for ultra-stable aqueous zinc anode
Zeng G, Sun Q, Horta S, Martínez-Alanis PR, Wu P, Li J, Wang S, Ibáñez M, Tian Y, Ci L, Cabot A. 2025. Modulating the solvation structure to enhance amorphous solid electrolyte interface formation for ultra-stable aqueous zinc anode. Energy and Environmental Science.
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Journal Article
| Epub ahead of print
| English
Scopus indexed
Author
Zeng, Guifang;
Sun, Qing;
Horta, SharonaISTA;
Martínez-Alanis, Paulina R.;
Wu, Peng;
Li, Jing;
Wang, Shang;
Ibáñez , MariaISTA
;
Tian, Yanhong;
Ci, Lijie;
Cabot, Andreu

Department
Abstract
Electrolyte additives are extensively validated effective in mitigating dendrite growth and parasitic reactions in aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs). Nonetheless, the mechanisms by which additives influence the formation and characteristics of the inorganic solid–electrolyte interphase (SEI) are not yet fully elucidated. Herein, we investigate how Zn(CF3COO)2 additives influence solvation structure and elucidate the mechanism by which these additives promote the dual reduction of anions. Through cryo-transmission electron microscopy analysis, we identified the SEI as a highly amorphous ZnS/ZnF2 phase. This amorphous hybrid SEI demonstrates exceptional stability, mechanical robustness, and high Zn2+ conductivity, effectively mitigating parasitic reactions and enhancing Zn plating/stripping reversibility. Even under elevated current densities, the Zn anode exhibits ultra-stable longevity and ultra-high reversibility. This study provides a comprehensive understanding of the intrinsic mechanisms governing solvation structure modulation that lead to the formation of amorphous hybrid SEI, underscoring their efficacy in enhancing the performance and durability of AZIBs.
Publishing Year
Date Published
2025-01-06
Journal Title
Energy and Environmental Science
Publisher
Royal Society of Chemistry
Acknowledgement
The authors acknowledge financial support from the Joint Fund of Henan Province Science and Technology R&D Program (235200810097) and the Generalitat de Catalunya (2021SGR01581). This research was supported by the Scientific Service Units (SSU) of ISTA Austria through resources provided by the Electron Microscopy Facility (EMF) and the Nanofabrication Facility (NFF). G. Z. and J. L. thank the China Scholarship Council (CSC) for the scholarship support.
Acknowledged SSUs
ISSN
eISSN
IST-REx-ID
Cite this
Zeng G, Sun Q, Horta S, et al. Modulating the solvation structure to enhance amorphous solid electrolyte interface formation for ultra-stable aqueous zinc anode. Energy and Environmental Science. 2025. doi:10.1039/d4ee03750b
Zeng, G., Sun, Q., Horta, S., Martínez-Alanis, P. R., Wu, P., Li, J., … Cabot, A. (2025). Modulating the solvation structure to enhance amorphous solid electrolyte interface formation for ultra-stable aqueous zinc anode. Energy and Environmental Science. Royal Society of Chemistry. https://doi.org/10.1039/d4ee03750b
Zeng, Guifang, Qing Sun, Sharona Horta, Paulina R. Martínez-Alanis, Peng Wu, Jing Li, Shang Wang, et al. “Modulating the Solvation Structure to Enhance Amorphous Solid Electrolyte Interface Formation for Ultra-Stable Aqueous Zinc Anode.” Energy and Environmental Science. Royal Society of Chemistry, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1039/d4ee03750b.
G. Zeng et al., “Modulating the solvation structure to enhance amorphous solid electrolyte interface formation for ultra-stable aqueous zinc anode,” Energy and Environmental Science. Royal Society of Chemistry, 2025.
Zeng G, Sun Q, Horta S, Martínez-Alanis PR, Wu P, Li J, Wang S, Ibáñez M, Tian Y, Ci L, Cabot A. 2025. Modulating the solvation structure to enhance amorphous solid electrolyte interface formation for ultra-stable aqueous zinc anode. Energy and Environmental Science.
Zeng, Guifang, et al. “Modulating the Solvation Structure to Enhance Amorphous Solid Electrolyte Interface Formation for Ultra-Stable Aqueous Zinc Anode.” Energy and Environmental Science, Royal Society of Chemistry, 2025, doi:10.1039/d4ee03750b.