Aqueous zinc ion battery electrolyte containing 1, 3-dihydroxyacetone as well as preparation method and application of aqueous zinc ion battery electrolyte
By adding 1,3-dihydroxyacetone as an additive to zinc-ion batteries, the solvation structure and electrode interface were regulated, solving the problems of zinc dendrite growth and hydrogen evolution side reactions, and achieving excellent electrochemical performance and long-cycle stability of zinc-ion batteries.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2026-03-10
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-14
AI Technical Summary
Aqueous zinc-ion batteries suffer from uneven zinc dendrite growth, hydrogen evolution side reactions, and negative electrode corrosion during cyclic charging and discharging, which limits their cycle life.
1,3-Dihydroxyacetone was used as an additive to regulate the zinc ion solvation structure and electrode interface behavior, suppress zinc dendrite growth and hydrogen evolution side reaction, and enter the Zn2+ solvation sheath layer through preferential coordination of carbonyl and hydroxyl groups in its molecule to construct a water-poor interface layer.
It significantly improves the electrochemical performance and cycle stability of aqueous zinc-ion batteries, inhibits zinc foil corrosion and dendrite growth, and increases coulombic efficiency.
Smart Images
Figure CN121862903A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application relates to a zinc-ion battery electrolyte, its preparation method, and its application, belonging to the technical field of zinc-ion battery electrolytes. Background Technology
[0002] For decades, fossil fuels have been the core pillar of energy production. However, with the continued high growth in energy demand in modern society, fossil fuels have been over-consumed, facing not only an increasingly severe risk of depletion but also prompting a shift in the energy structure towards a cleaner and more sustainable model. Technological breakthroughs in mobile electronic devices and electric vehicles in recent decades have driven the large-scale application of lithium-ion batteries, a type of electrochemical energy storage device that has fundamentally revolutionized the electronics industry. However, the flammable and toxic organic electrolytes used in lithium-ion batteries pose serious safety hazards. Under conditions of abuse such as overcharging, short circuits, or high temperatures, they are highly susceptible to thermal runaway, leading to battery fires or even explosions. This problem has become a key technological bottleneck restricting its further development.
[0003] To address the aforementioned safety challenges, rechargeable battery systems based on non-flammable aqueous electrolytes have re-emerged as a research focus, potentially serving as an important supplement or alternative to lithium-ion batteries. Among various aqueous battery systems, aqueous zinc-ion batteries have attracted significant attention due to their multiple advantages: their materials are environmentally friendly and non-toxic, and their cost is low; zinc is also abundant in the Earth's crust. Furthermore, this system boasts a capacity of 820 mAh / g. -1 The theoretical specific capacity and the low electrochemical potential of -0.762V relative to the standard hydrogen electrode (SHE) make aqueous zinc-ion batteries a promising candidate for large-scale energy storage applications.
[0004] Despite their significant advantages, the practical application of aqueous zinc-ion batteries still faces key scientific challenges. Three core problems exist with the metallic zinc anode during charge-discharge cycles: First, uneven electric field distribution leads to uneven zinc ion deposition, forming sharp dendrites that may pierce the separator and cause short circuits; second, the zinc anode undergoes a hydrogen evolution reaction with water, causing irreversible electrode wear and reducing coulombic efficiency; third, the side reaction leads to a localized increase in pH at the anode, generating inert byproducts such as basic zinc sulfate that passivate the electrode surface. These problems work synergistically, severely limiting the battery's cycle life.
[0005] To overcome the aforementioned bottlenecks, researchers have conducted extensive work in areas such as electrolyte modification, electrode structure design, and surface coating technology. Among these, electrolyte modification has been proven to be one of the most effective strategies for suppressing zinc dendrite growth and negative electrode side reactions. Based on this, this invention provides a novel electrolyte additive for aqueous zinc-ion batteries, aiming to simultaneously suppress dendrite growth and mitigate hydrogen evolution side reactions by regulating the zinc ion solvation structure and electrode interface behavior, thereby significantly improving the cycle stability and coulombic efficiency of aqueous zinc-ion batteries. Summary of the Invention
[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide an application of a non-polar additive in zinc-ion batteries. This additive can reconstruct the solvation structure and adjust the EDL structure at the zinc anode interface, effectively inhibiting zinc foil corrosion and zinc dendrite growth, thus enabling aqueous zinc-ion batteries to have excellent electrochemical performance and long-cycle stability.
[0007] According to one aspect of this application, a zinc-ion battery electrolyte is provided, the zinc-ion battery electrolyte comprising a zinc salt, an additive and a solvent, wherein the additive is 1,3-dihydroxyacetone, the zinc salt is selected from at least one of ZnSO4, ZnCl2, and Zn(OTf)2, and the solvent is deionized water.
[0008] Optionally, the 1,3-dihydroxyacetone added to the zinc-ion battery electrolyte is 0.01M, 0.1M, or 1M.
[0009] According to another aspect of this application, a method for preparing the zinc-ion battery electrolyte described above is provided, the method comprising:
[0010] The zinc-ion battery electrolyte is obtained by sonicating a mixture containing zinc salt, solvent, and 1,3-dihydroxyacetone.
[0011] Optionally, the temperature of the ultrasound is 20~25℃, and the stirring time is 5~10min.
[0012] Optionally, the stirring temperature is independently selected from any value of 20°C, 21°C, 22°C, 23°C, 24°C, 25°C, or a range between any two of the above.
[0013] Optionally, the stirring time is independently selected from any value of 5 min, 6 min, 7 min, 8 min, 9 min, 10 min, or a range between any two of the above.
[0014] According to another aspect of this application, the above-described zinc-ion battery electrolyte is provided for use in zinc-ion batteries.
[0015] Optionally, the zinc-ion battery includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a zinc-ion battery electrolyte.
[0016] Optionally, the positive and negative electrodes are zinc sheets.
[0017] This application provides an organic additive for solving corrosion and uneven dendrite growth on zinc metal anodes, specifically:
[0018] By adding a non-polar acidic additive to the zinc-ion battery electrolyte, the solvation structure can be reconstructed and the EDL structure at the zinc anode interface can be adjusted, effectively inhibiting zinc foil corrosion and zinc dendrite growth, thus giving the aqueous zinc-ion battery excellent electrochemical performance and long-cycle stability.
[0019] The beneficial effects that this application can produce include:
[0020] (1) The 1,3-dihydroxyacetone provided in this application, as an electrolyte additive, can be used as Zn 2+ The solvation structure is regulated by preferential coordination of carbonyl and hydroxyl groups in the molecule into Zn. 2+ The solvated sheath layer replaces some of the active water molecules, thereby effectively inhibiting dendrite growth on the surface of the zinc metal anode.
[0021] (2) The additives provided in this application are capable of reconstructing Zn 2+ The solvation structure is obtained, and the double electric layer structure at the electrode or electrolyte interface is controlled by preferential adsorption on the zinc anode surface, thus constructing a water-poor interface layer, which significantly inhibits the corrosion side reactions of zinc foil during the cycling process.
[0022] (3) The aqueous zinc-ion battery provided in this application contains 1,3-dihydroxyacetone additive in its electrolyte, which enables the battery to have excellent electrochemical performance and long cycle stability.
[0023] Additional features and advantages of this invention will be set forth in the description which follows, or may be learned by practicing the invention. Attached Figure Description
[0024] The technical solution and beneficial effects of the present invention will become apparent and readily understood from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0025] Figure 1 This is a comparison of the scaling curves of Example 1 and Comparative Example 1 of this application.
[0026] Figure 2 This is the full battery data for Embodiment 1 of this application. Detailed Implementation
[0027] The technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments.
[0028] Unless otherwise specified, all raw materials used in the embodiments of this application were purchased through commercial channels.
[0029] The chemical reagents used in the examples, such as zinc sulfate (ZnSO4) and 1,3-dihydroxyacetone, were all purchased from CASMA Mall and manufactured by Shanghai Testing and Bid Pharmaceutical.
[0030] Constant current charge or discharge test was conducted using the LANDCT3001A battery system (Wuhan Landian Electronics Co., Ltd.) (current density 1 mA / cm²). -2 The capacity is limited to 1mAh cm⁻¹ -2 ).
[0031] Example 1
[0032] (1) Take 8.6268g ZnSO4·7H2O into a sample bottle, add 10mL of deionized water into the sample bottle using a pipette, and add 9mg, 90mg, and 900mg of 1,3-dihydroxyacetone respectively. Sonicate in an ultrasonic cleaner for 5min. Prepare electrolytes containing 0.01M, 0.1M, and 1M of 1,3-dihydroxyacetone additive respectively, and let them stand for later use.
[0033] (2) Use the prepared electrolyte, zinc sheet positive and negative electrodes to assemble the battery and compact it.
[0034] (3) The installed battery was subjected to electrochemical performance testing in a constant temperature chamber.
[0035] Example 1 Performance Test
[0036] The electrolytes prepared in Comparative Example 1 and Example 1 were assembled into batteries, and their electrical performance was tested. Battery assembly: Then, the negative electrode zinc sheet was combined with the positive electrode to obtain the test battery.
[0037] Charge and discharge performance test
[0038] The test parameters are: 0.3, 0.6, 1.8, 3, 4.2, 6, 12 mA / cm. -2 Constant current charge / discharge, limited to capacities of 0.3, 0.6, 1.8, 3, 4.2, 6, and 12 mAh cm⁻¹. -2 The voltage range is -2V to 2V. Test results are as follows: Figure 1 The figure shows a comparison of the charge-discharge electrochemical performance of Comparative Example 1 and Experimental Example 1, as follows: Figure 2The data shown is the rate cycling data of the full cell assembled with the positive electrode in Experimental Example 1. It can be seen that Experimental Example 1 significantly reduces the charge and discharge overpotential, and the system exhibits high cycle stability.
[0039] Comparative Example 1
[0040] (1) Take 8.6268g of ZnSO4·7H2O into a sample bottle, add 10mL of deionized water into the sample bottle using a pipette, and sonicate in an ultrasonic cleaner for 5min. Prepare a 3M ZnSO4 electrolyte and let it stand for later use.
[0041] (2) Use the prepared electrolyte, zinc sheet positive and negative electrodes to assemble the battery and compact it.
[0042] (3) The installed battery was subjected to electrochemical performance testing in a constant temperature chamber at 28°C.
[0043] In summary, the beneficial effects that this application can produce include:
[0044] (1) The 1,3-dihydroxyacetone provided in this application, as an electrolyte additive, can be used as Zn 2+ The solvation structure is regulated by preferential coordination of carbonyl and hydroxyl groups in the molecule into Zn. 2+ The solvated sheath layer replaces some of the active water molecules, thereby effectively inhibiting dendrite growth on the surface of the zinc metal anode.
[0045] (2) The additives provided in this application are capable of reconstructing Zn 2+ The solvation structure is obtained, and the double electric layer structure at the electrode or electrolyte interface is controlled by preferential adsorption on the zinc anode surface, thus constructing a water-poor interface layer, which significantly inhibits the corrosion side reactions of zinc foil during the cycling process.
[0046] (3) The aqueous zinc-ion battery provided in this application contains 1,3-dihydroxyacetone additive in its electrolyte, which enables the battery to have excellent electrochemical performance and long cycle stability.
[0047] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described above, it is understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make changes, modifications, substitutions and variations to the above embodiments within the scope of the present invention.
Claims
1. An aqueous zinc-ion battery electrolyte containing 1,3-dihydroxyacetone, characterized in that, The aqueous zinc-ion battery electrolyte includes a zinc salt, an additive, and a solvent. The additive is 1,3-dihydroxyacetone, the zinc salt is selected from at least one of ZnSO4, ZnCl2, and Zn(OTf)2, and the solvent is deionized water.
2. The aqueous zinc-ion battery electrolyte containing 1,3-dihydroxyacetone as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The added content of 1,3-dihydroxyacetone is 0.01M, 0.1M, and 1M.
3. The aqueous zinc-ion battery electrolyte containing 1,3-dihydroxyacetone as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The preparation method of the aqueous zinc-ion battery electrolyte containing 1,3-dihydroxyacetone includes: The zinc-ion battery electrolyte is obtained by sonicating a mixture containing zinc salt, solvent, and 1,3-dihydroxyacetone of different concentrations.
4. The aqueous zinc-ion battery electrolyte containing 1,3-dihydroxyacetone as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The concentration of the zinc salt mixed with the solvent is 3M.
5. The aqueous zinc-ion battery electrolyte containing 1,3-dihydroxyacetone as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The temperature of the ultrasound is 20~25℃, and the duration of the ultrasound is 5-10 minutes.
6. The aqueous zinc-ion battery electrolyte containing 1,3-dihydroxyacetone as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Application of the aqueous zinc-ion battery electrolyte containing 1,3-dihydroxyacetone in zinc-ion batteries.