DataVXACS Energy LettersPaper
journal article·2025-06-13

Subzero Temperature Operation of Aqueous Zn Metal Batteries by Tailoring Electrolyte Solvation Structure

Qiao Ni, Lumin Zheng, Orapa Tamwattana, Jaekyun Yoo, Songyan Bai, Myeong Hwan Lee, Joo Hyeon Noh, Chuan Wu, Kisuk Kang

ACS Energy Letters· Volume 10· Issue 6
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Source abstract

Abstract

The declining performance of aqueous zinc metal batteries (AZMBs) at colder temperatures, especially due to aqueous electrolyte solidification and reduced capacity retention at subzero temperatures, poses a considerable challenge. Here, we report a cheap and ecofriendly aqueous electrolyte formulation comprising low-concentration zinc chloride salt and a common antifreeze agent. We show that the glycerin antifreeze co-solvent effectively interacts with free water molecules and weakens the zinc-ion primary solvation structures, thereby considerably mitigating their detrimental effect at low temperatures. Consequently, the optimized electrolyte successfully outputs a depressed liquid–glass transition point down to −99.2 °C and a record-high Zn plating/stripping Coulombic efficiency of ∼99.94% at −40 °C, as well as ∼70% of its room-temperature capacity at −40 °C, opening up a new opportunity for practical AZMBs.
Source: openalex_inverted_index · Quality: baseline

Research context

Energy storageCeramics & glasses

OpenAlex topics: Advanced battery technologies research · Advanced Battery Materials and Technologies · Advanced Battery Technologies Research

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Faculty of Arts and Sciences

Beijing Normal University

Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea

School of Materials Science and Engineering

Beijing Institute of Technology

Department of Physics, Faculty of Science

Khon Kaen University

College of Chemistry

Fuzhou University

Advanced Battery Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), 141 Gajeong-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea

Institute for Rechargeable Battery Innovations

Seoul National University

Center for Nanoparticle Research, Institute of Basic Science (IBS)

Funding

National Research Foundation of Korea · Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation of Guangdong Province · National Natural Science Foundation of China

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