A Functional Janus Ag Nanowires/Bacterial Cellulose Separator for High-Performance Dendrite-Free Zinc Anode Under Harsh Conditions.
basic_science · Level V
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- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 37730093.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1002/adma.202304667.
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Abstract
Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) offer promising prospects for large-scale energy storage due to their inherent abundance and safety features. However, the growth of zinc dendrites remains a primary obstacle to the practical industrialization of AZIBs, especially under harsh conditions of high current densities and elevated temperatures. To address this issue, a Janus separator with an exceptionally ultrathin thickness of 29 µm is developed. This Janus separator features the bacterial cellulose (BC) layer on one side and Ag nanowires/bacterial cellulose (AgNWs/BC) layer on the other side. High zincophilic property and excellent electric/thermal conductivity of AgNWs make them ideal for serving as an ion pump to accelerate Zn<sup>2+</sup> transport in the electrolyte, resulting in greatly improved Zn<sup>2+</sup> conductivity, deposition of homogeneous Zn nuclei, and dendrite-free Zn. Consequently, the Zn||Zn symmetrical cells with the Janus separator exhibit a stable cycle life of over 1000 h under 80 mA cm<sup>-2</sup> and are sustained for over 600 h at 10 mA cm<sup>-2</sup> under 50 °C. Further, the Janus separator enables excellent cycling stability in AZIBs, aqueous zinc-ion capacitors (AZICs), and scaled-up flexible soft-packaged batteries. This study demonstrates the potential of functional separators in promoting the application of aqueous zinc batteries, particularly under harsh conditions.