Journal Article

PUBDB-2025-01893

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Six-electron-conversion selenium cathodes stabilized by dead-selenium revitalizer for aqueous zinc batteries

Du, J.Extern* ; Zhang, J.Extern* ; Chu, X.Extern* ; Xu, H.Extern* ; Zhao, Y. ; Löffler, M. ; Wang, G. ; Li, D. ; Guo, Q.Extern* ; Morag, A.Extern* ; Du, J. ; Zou, J. ; Mikhailova, D.Extern* ; Mazánek, V. ; Sofer, Z. ; Feng, X. (Corresponding author)Extern* ; Yu, M. (Corresponding author)Extern*

2025
Springer Nature [London]

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Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.1038/s41467-025-58859-3  doi:10.3204/PUBDB-2025-01893

Abstract: Aqueous zinc batteries are attractive for large-scale energy storage due to their inherent safety and sustainability. However, their widespread application has been constrained by limited energy density, underscoring a high demand of advanced cathodes with large capacity and high redox potential. Here, we report a reversible high-capacity six-electron-conversion Se cathode undergoing a ZnSe↔Se↔SeCl$_4$ reaction, with Br$^−$/Br$_n$$^−$ redox couple effectively stabilizes the Zn | |Se cell. This Se conversion, initiated in a ZnCl$_2$-based hydrogel electrolyte, presents rapid capacity decay (from 1937.3 to 394.1 mAh g$_{Se}$$^{−1}$ after only 50 cycles at 0.5 A g$_{Se}$$^{−1}$) primarily due to the dissolution of SeCl$_4$ and its subsequent migration to the Zn anode, resulting in dead Se passivation. To address this, we incorporate the Br$^−$/Br$_n$$^−$ redox couple into the Zn | |Se cell by introducing bromide salt as an electrolyte additive. The generated Brn− species acts as a dead-Se revitalizer by reacting with Se passivation on the Zn anode and regenerating active Se for the cathode reaction. Consequently, the cycling stability of the Zn | |Se cell is improved, maintaining 1246.8 mAh g$_{Se}$$^{−1}$ after 50 cycles. Moreover, the Zn | |Se cell exhibits a specific capacity of 2077.6 mAh g$_{Se}$$^{−1}$ and specific energy of 404.2 Wh kg$^{−1}$ based on the overall cell reaction.

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. DOOR-User (DOOR ; HAS-User)

Research Program(s):

1. 6G3 - PETRA III (DESY) (POF4-6G3) (POF4-6G3)
2. DFG project G:(GEPRIS)417590517 - SFB 1415: Chemie der synthetischen zweidimensionalen Materialien (417590517) (417590517)
3. LIGHT-CAP - MULTI-ELECTRON PROCESSES FOR LIGHT DRIVEN ELECTRODES AND ELECTROLYTES IN CONVERSION AND STORAGE OF SOLAR ENERGY (101017821) (101017821)

Experiment(s):

1. PETRA Beamline P65 (PETRA III)

Appears in the scientific report 2025

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