Development of Nanofiber Membranes with Dual-Threshold Effect to Suppress Zinc Dendrites
Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries (AZIBs) have recently gained attention as an eco-friendly, safe, and cost-effective energy storage technology. However, the growth of zinc dendrites and side reactions during repeated charge-discharge cycles remain significant challenges, limiting battery lifespan and efficiency.
🧪 Latest Research Findings
A research team led by Professor Yong Liu from Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Professor Ce Wang from Jilin University, and Professor Ping Hu from Tsinghua University published a paper in Advanced Functional Materials titled “Spatial and Electrostatic Dual-Confinement in Hierarchical Hollow Bi-Bi₂O₃@Carbon Nanofibers for Dendrite Suppression and Side Reaction Mitigation in Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries.” This study introduces a novel AZIB anode material fabricated using electrospinning, featuring Bi-Bi₂O₃-loaded carbon nanofibers (Bi-Bi₂O₃@CNF) with a hierarchical hollow structure and grooved surface, achieving the following:
✅ Suppression of Zinc Dendrite Growth
✅ Reduction of Side Reactions
✅ Mitigation of Battery Polarization
Figure 1. Fabrication Process of Bi-Bi₂O₃@CNF Composite Material via Electrospinning
⚙️ Structure and Properties of Bi-Bi₂O₃@CNF Composite Material
The unique structure and material properties of Bi-Bi₂O₃@CNF create a “Spatial & Electrostatic Dual-Confinement Effect”, enabling uniform zinc deposition on the nanofiber surface and suppressing dendrite formation. Compared to a pure zinc anode, this material demonstrated reduced ohmic resistance, suppressed hydrogen evolution reactions, and alleviated polarization.
- Coulombic Efficiency and Cycle Stability: Maintained 73% capacity even after 1,000 charge-discharge cycles.
- High Current Density Performance: Exhibited excellent capacity retention at a high current density of 1,000 mA·g⁻¹.
Figure 2. Electrochemical Performance of Bi-Bi₂O₃@CNF and CNF Half-Cells at Current Densities of 5 mA·cm⁻² and 10 mA·cm⁻²
📊 Electrochemical Performance Comparison
Comparative experiments evaluated the performance of Bi-Bi₂O₃@CNF and conventional CNF (carbon nanofibers) under current densities of 5 mA·cm⁻² and 10 mA·cm⁻². The results showed that Bi-Bi₂O₃@CNF exhibited significantly higher capacity retention and charge-discharge efficiency.
💡 Applications and Future Prospects
This study presents a novel approach to overcoming performance degradation caused by zinc dendrites in AZIBs, laying the foundation for the design of next-generation high-performance and safe battery materials. Future applications include electric vehicles, renewable energy storage systems, and various other fields.
👉 Read the full study here (PDF download requires a fee)
References
Raut, S., & Sahoo, S. K. (2024). Removal of malachite green using ZnO-ZnFe₂O₄ nanofibers. Advanced Functional Materials, 2024, 25358. [Online]