Researchers at Chungnam National University have developed a nanoscale zinc-bonded polyacrylic acid (ZHP) layer that significantly improves the performance and stability of zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs).
Aqueous ZIBs are gaining more traction as a safer and more affordable alternative to lithium-ion technology.
Led by Associate Professor Woo-Jin Song, the team created an ultra-thin selective-ion transport layer (SITL) using oxygen plasma treatment and spin-coating techniques. “In this study, we developed a nanoscale zinc-bonded polyacrylic acid (Zn–PAA) protective layer for zinc anodes via oxygen plasma treatment,” said Dr Song. “Unlike conventional thick and complex coatings, our approach offers a simpler fabrication process and is scalable for large-area applications.”
The ZHP layer prevents dendritic growth, corrosion and side reactions, stabilising the anode interface and enhancing ion transfer. In full-cell tests, the ZHP-coated anode retained 95% capacity after 500 cycles, while pouch cells showed stable performance over 300 cycles.
“The enhanced stability of water-based electrolytes makes ZHP based ZIBs ideal for safety-critical industries such as grid-scale energy-storage systems and detection sensors,” said Dr Song. “And due to their low cost and toxicity, these batteries are also well-suited for portable electronics and wearables.”
Image: The polyacrylic acid layer prevents corrosion, undesirable side reactions and dendritic growth on the anodes, stabilising the anode surface and leading to improved cycling performance and stability of ZIBs.
