High-Performance InZn Alloy Anodes toward Practical Aqueous Zinc Batteries

Aqueous Zn batteries have high safety, low cost, and the potential to deliver energy density comparable to that of alkali-ion batteries. However, their practical application is largely hampered by the limited cycle life associated with Zn anodes under conditions of high depth of discharge and high current densities. In this work, we report on electrodeposited indium-zinc alloy anodes that have well-dispersed zinc domains surrounding indium domains that form porosity during discharge, which enhances tolerance to dendrites. The InZn anodes (-8-15% In) exhibit low polarization of -5-25 mV and demonstrate 700 cycles at 10 mA cm-2 and 45% depth-of-discharge. Full cells with an InZn anode and dibenzo[b,i]thianthrene5,7,12,14-tetraone (DTT) cathode in 2 M ZnSO4 deliver a capacity of -110 mAh g-1 and good stability over 40 cycles. The work reveals a rational design of Zn-based anodes toward practical battery applications and opens the door to future development of aqueous Zn batteries.

Automated summary

In this work, electrodeposited indium-zinc alloy anodes with well-dispersed zinc domains surrounding indium domains were studied. These anodes exhibited low polarization and demonstrated good cycle life and tolerance to dendrites. This rational design opens the door to practical applications of aqueous Zn batteries.