Summary
Aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs) have attracted tremendous attention for the application in the field of large-scale energy storage devices due to their instinct properties of non-flammability, low-cost and high ionic conductivity of aqueous electrolyte. Rechargeable anode-free zinc ion batteries (AFZIBs) have multiple advantages over its conventional counterpart, especially by removing Zn metal in its initial state, the weight and volume of anode-free cells is significantly reduced, maximizing the energy density of AZIBs. The obstacles impeding practical applications of AFZIBs originated from the H2 evolution during batteries cycling. In a typical zinc-ion battery electrolyte, Zn2+ solvated with six water molecules forms hydrated zinc ion [Zn(H2O)6]2+. Preliminary research implies that H2 evolution primarily originates from solvated water, rather than free water not interacting with Zn2+, since the interaction between H2O and Zn2+ weakens the O-H bond of H2O, leading to deprotonation of the solvated water. Water-in-salt electrolytes (WiSEs) can prevent the formation of hydrated zinc ions ([Zn(H2O)6]2+), thus, suppressing H2 evolution. However, in such case, boosted electrochemical performance is achieved only at high costs because a large quantity of expensive fluorinated salts is used in electrolyte. In this project, we aim to lower the WiSE salt concentration by diluting the electrolytes with an inert solvent (called a diluent) that dissolves the water but not the salt. Therefore, the diluent does not alter the salt solvation structure of WiEs, forming a localized water-in-salt electrolyte (LWiSE). The as-designed LWiSE is expected to have the same effect as WiSE regarding H2 evolution suppression but is comparable to the conventional dilute aqueous electrolyte in terms of production cost and eco-friendliness. The as-designed LWiSE will be finally demonstrated in different prototypes, from lab-scale coin cells to industry large-scale pouch cells.
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| Web resources: | https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101152353 |
| Start date: | 01-01-2025 |
| End date: | 31-12-2026 |
| Total budget - Public funding: | - 173 847,00 Euro |
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Original description
Aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs) have attracted tremendous attention for the application in the field of large-scale energy storage devices due to their instinct properties of non-flammability, low-cost and high ionic conductivity of aqueous electrolyte. Rechargeable anode-free zinc ion batteries (AFZIBs) have multiple advantages over its conventional counterpart, especially by removing Zn metal in its initial state, the weight and volume of anode-free cells is significantly reduced, maximizing the energy density of AZIBs. The obstacles impeding practical applications of AFZIBs originated from the H2 evolution during batteries cycling. In a typical zinc-ion battery electrolyte, Zn2+ solvated with six water molecules forms hydrated zinc ion [Zn(H2O)6]2+. Preliminary research implies that H2 evolution primarily originates from solvated water, rather than free water not interacting with Zn2+, since the interaction between H2O and Zn2+ weakens the O-H bond of H2O, leading to deprotonation of the solvated water. Water-in-salt electrolytes (WiSEs) can prevent the formation of hydrated zinc ions ([Zn(H2O)6]2+), thus, suppressing H2 evolution. However, in such case, boosted electrochemical performance is achieved only at high costs because a large quantity of expensive fluorinated salts is used in electrolyte. In this project, we aim to lower the WiSE salt concentration by diluting the electrolytes with an inert solvent (called a diluent) that dissolves the water but not the salt. Therefore, the diluent does not alter the salt solvation structure of WiEs, forming a localized water-in-salt electrolyte (LWiSE). The as-designed LWiSE is expected to have the same effect as WiSE regarding H2 evolution suppression but is comparable to the conventional dilute aqueous electrolyte in terms of production cost and eco-friendliness. The as-designed LWiSE will be finally demonstrated in different prototypes, from lab-scale coin cells to industry large-scale pouch cells.Status
SIGNEDCall topic
HORIZON-MSCA-2023-PF-01-01Update Date
26-11-2024
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