Reversible Zn Metal Anodes Enabled by Trace Amounts of Underpotential Deposition Initiators

• DOI: 10.1002/ange.202301192
• Publication Date: 2023-03-03T13:19:45Z
• Authors: Yuhang Dai; Chengyi Zhang; Wei Zhang; Lianmeng Cui; Chumei Ye; Xufeng Hong; Jinghao Li; Ruwei Chen; Wei Zong; Xuan Gao; Jiexin Zhu; Peie Jiang; Qinyou An; Dan J. L. Brett; Ivan P. Parkin; Guanjie He; Liqiang Mai
• Keywords: Underpotential deposition; Deposition

Abstract Routine electrolyte additives are not effective enough for uniform zinc (Zn) deposition, because they hard to proactively guide atomic‐level Zn deposition. Here, based on underpotential deposition (UPD), we propose an “escort effect” of at the atomic level. With nickel ion (Ni 2+ ) additives, found that metallic Ni deposits preferentially and triggers UPD Ni. This facilitates firm nucleation growth while suppressing side reactions. Besides, dissolves back into after stripping with no influence interfacial charge transfer resistance. Consequently, optimized cell operates over 900 h 1 mA cm −2 (more than 4 times longer blank one). Moreover, universality is identified by using Cr 3+ Co additives. work would inspire a wide range principles controlling electrochemistry various metal batteries.