Atomically Dispersed Cu in Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework Nanoflake Array for Dendrite-Free Zn Metal Anode

Yuan Tao, Shou Wei Zuo, Shu Hao Xiao, Peng Xiao Sun, Nian Wu Li, Jun Song Chen*, Hua Bin Zhang*, Le Yu*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

42 Scopus citations

Abstract

Aqueous Zn metal batteries (AZMBs) have been considered as a promising alternative to the existing Li-ion batteries. Nevertheless, the large-scale application of the AZMBs is restricted by the dendrite formation and side reactions within the Zn metal anodes (ZMAs) during cycling. Herein, an atomically dispersed Cu in leaf-like Zn-coordinated zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF-L) nanoflakes on Ti mesh (CuZIF-L@TM) as ZMA host is developed. The 3D conductive network formed by the interconnected ZIF-L nanoflakes can reduce the local current density and homogenize the electric field distribution. Moreover, experimental data and theoretical calculations reveal the Cu single atoms within the ZIF-L can serve as the zincophilic sites to facilitate the Zn deposition. As expected, the CuZIF-L@TM host enables a homogeneous Zn deposition on the surface without dendrites. The resultant CuZIF-L@TM/Zn electrode shows stable Zn plating/stripping over 1100 h at 1 mA cm−2 with a low voltage hysteresis of about 50 mV. As a proof of concept, a full cell based on the designed CuZIF-L@TM/Zn anode shows a stable cycling performance over 1000 cycles.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number2203231
JournalSmall
Volume18
Issue number30
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 27 2022

Keywords

  • single atoms
  • zeolitic imidazolate frameworks
  • zincophilic sites
  • Zn metal anodes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biotechnology
  • General Chemistry
  • Biomaterials
  • General Materials Science

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