Phytic Acid Customized Hydrogel Polymer Electrolyte and Prussian Blue Analogue Cathode Material for Rechargeable Zinc Metal Hydrogel Batteries

A novel phytic acid (PA) modulated zinc hydrogel polymer electrolyte (ZHPE) as an efficient electrolyte and separator for rechargeable Zn-metal hydrogel batteries (ZMHB) is designed. The zincophilic, and hydrogen bonding characteristics of ZHPE help in regulating uniform dendrite-free Zn-deposition over the Zn anode surface. ZHPE in combination with the developed high-voltage zinc hexacyanoferrate (ZHF) cathode performs as an efficient ZMHB. AbstractZinc anode deterioration in aqueous electrolytes, and Zn dendrite growth is a major concern in the operation of aqueous rechargeable Zn metal batteries (AZMBs). To tackle this,  the replacement of aqueous electrolytes with a zinc hydrogel polymer electrolyte (ZHPE) is presented in this study. This method involves structural modifications of the ZHPE by phytic acid through an ultraviolet (UV) light-induced photopolymerization process. The high membrane flexibility, high io nic conductivity (0.085 S cm−1), improved zinc corrosion overpotential, and enhanced electrochemical stability value of ≈2.3 V versus Zn|Zn2+ show the great potential of ZHPE as an ideal gel electrolyte for rechargeable zinc metal hydrogel batteries (ZMHBs). This is the first time that the dominating effect of chelation of phytic acid with M2+ center over H-bonding with water is described to tune the gel electrolyte properties for battery applications. The ZHPE shows ultra-high stability over 360  h with a capacity of 0.50 mAh cm−2 with dendrite-free...

Source: Small - April 15, 2024 Category: Nanotechnology Authors: Swati Dilwale, Priyanka Pandinhare Puthiyaveetil, Athira Babu, Sreekumar Kurungot Tags: Research Article Source Type: research