Polymer hetero-electrolyte enabled solid-state 2.4-V Zn/Li hybrid batteries.

Chen, Ze; Wang, Tairan; Wu, Zhuoxi; Hou, Yue; Chen, Ao; Wang, Yanbo; Huang, Zhaodong; Schmidt, Oliver G et al. · Nat Commun · 2024

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

The high redox potential of Zn<sup>0/2+</sup> leads to low voltage of Zn batteries and therefore low energy density, plaguing deployment of Zn batteries in many energy-demanding applications. Though employing high-voltage cathode like spinel LiNi<sub>0.5</sub>Mn<sub>1.5</sub>O<sub>4</sub> can increase the voltages of Zn batteries, Zn<sup>2+</sup> ions will be immobilized in LiNi<sub>0.5</sub>Mn<sub>1.5</sub>O<sub>4</sub> once intercalated, resulting in irreversibility. Here, we design a polymer hetero-electrolyte consisting of an anode layer with Zn<sup>2+</sup> ions as charge carriers and a cathode layer that blocks the Zn<sup>2+</sup> ion shuttle, which allows separated Zn and Li reversibility. As such, the Zn‖LNMO cell exhibits up to 2.4 V discharge voltage and 450 stable cycles with high reversible capacity, which are also attained in a scale-up pouch cell. The pouch cell shows a low self-discharge after resting for 28 days. The designed electrolyte paves the way to develop high-voltage Zn batteries based on reversible lithiated cathodes.