Study on polyanionic COFs-based composite separators for stabilizing aqueous zinc-ion battery anodes

doi:10.19799/j.cnki.2095-4239.2024.1132

Abstract

Abstract:

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) have emerged as promising candidates for large-scale and long-term energy storage because of their low cost, nontoxicity, and high theoretical capacity. However, issues such as uncontrolled Zinc (Zn) dendrite growth, surface corrosion, and hydrogen evolution at the Zn anode hinder their practical applications. In this study, a composite separator was developed by coating polypropylene (PP) separators with polyanionic covalent organic frameworks (COFs) nanosheets to stabilize the Zn anode. The prepared COF material, featuring unique nanopores and abundant anionic groups, exhibits ion-sieving properties that inhibit the migration of SO₄^2- ions while homogenizing the Zn²⁺ flux. This unique architecture induces a preferential orientation of Zn²⁺ deposition on the (002) plane. As a result, cells using the COF-PP separator achieved a high zinc-ion transference number (0.68) and high ionic conductivity (13.8 mS/cm). The Zn/Zn symmetric cell using COF-PP separators demonstrated cycling stability, exhibiting highly reversible plating/stripping behavior that exceeded 600 h at 1 mA/cm²/1 mAh/cm². Furthermore, when paired with a NaV₃O₈·1.5H₂O cathode, the full cell achieved an impressive initial capacity of 261.5 mAh/g while retaining remarkable stability over 900 cycles. This study provides a novel approach for the development of separators for aqueous batteries, enabling the realization of high-capacity, dendrite-free, and scaleable aqueous zinc-ion batteries.

Key words: aqueous zinc-ion batteries, polyanionic COFs, Zn dendrites, electrochemical performance

CLC Number:

TM 912

Yang LENG, Shuo HUANG, Kaixuan GUI, Wenqi YAN, Qi LIU. Study on polyanionic COFs-based composite separators for stabilizing aqueous zinc-ion battery anodes[J]. Energy Storage Science and Technology, 2025, 14(5): 1900-1909.

Figures/Tables 9

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