Ultrastable Zinc Anodes Enabled by Anti-Dehydration Ionic Liquid Polymer Electrolyte for Aqueous Zn Batteries

The side reaction and dendrite of a zinc anode in an aqueous electrolyte represent a huge obstacle for the development of rechargeable aqueous Zn batteries. An electrolyte with confined water is recognized to fundamentally stabilize the zinc anode. This work proposes acetamide/zinc perchlorate hexahydrate (AA/ZPH) ionic liquid (IL)-polyacrylamide (PAM) polymer electrolytes, here defined as IL-PAM. The novel Zn2+-conducting IL is able to accommodate trace water and can achieve both high conductivity (15.02 mS cm(-1)) and alleviation of side reactions (>90% reduction). Cross-linked PAM acts as the three-dimensional framework to suppress dendrites and obtain flexibility. As a result, the Zn anode with IL-PAM can cycle stably over 2000 h with a record highest cumulative capacity of 3000 mAh cm(-2) and well-preserved morphology. Based on IL-PAM, the flexible LFP vertical bar Zn hybrid batteries can be successfully assembled and operate normally in series and parallel conditions. Moreover, the low volatility of IL and binding forces exerted by the PAM network endues IL-PAM with an anti-dehydration property. In a 50 degrees C unsealed environment, the weight loss of IL-PAM is about two-fifths of PAM hydrogel and an aqueous electrolyte, and the corresponding hybrid battery with IL-PAM can also prolong a 4 times longer lifespan.