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Vol. 16 (2024)

Amphipathic Phenylalanine-Induced Nucleophilic–Hydrophobic Interface Toward Highly Reversible Zn Anode

https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-024-01380-x
Anbin Zhou
Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Science and Engineering, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, People’s Republic of China
Huirong Wang
Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Science and Engineering, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, People’s Republic of China
Fengling Zhang
Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Science and Engineering, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, People’s Republic of China
Xin Hu
Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Science and Engineering, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, People’s Republic of China
Zhihang Song
Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Science and Engineering, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, People’s Republic of China
Yi Chen
Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Science and Engineering, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, People’s Republic of China
Yongxin Huang
Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Science and Engineering, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, People’s Republic of China
Yanhua Cui
Institute of Electronic Engineering, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang 621900, People’s Republic of China
Yixiu Cui
Institute of Electronic Engineering, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang 621900, People’s Republic of China
Li Li
Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Science and Engineering, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, People’s Republic of China
Feng Wu
Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Science and Engineering, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, People’s Republic of China
Renjie Chen
Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Science and Engineering, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, People’s Republic of China

Corresponding Author: Renjie Chen

chenrj@bit.edu.cn

Nano-Micro Letters, Vol. 16 (2024), Article Number: 164

Abstract

Aqueous Zn2+-ion batteries (AZIBs), recognized for their high security, reliability, and cost efficiency, have garnered considerable attention. However, the prevalent issues of dendrite growth and parasitic reactions at the Zn electrode interface significantly impede their practical application. In this study, we introduced a ubiquitous biomolecule of phenylalanine (Phe) into the electrolyte as a multifunctional additive to improve the reversibility of the Zn anode. Leveraging its exceptional nucleophilic characteristics, Phe molecules tend to coordinate with Zn2+ ions for optimizing the solvation environment. Simultaneously, the distinctive lipophilicity of aromatic amino acids empowers Phe with a higher adsorption energy, enabling the construction of a multifunctional protective interphase. The hydrophobic benzene ring ligands act as cleaners for repelling H2O molecules, while the hydrophilic hydroxyl and carboxyl groups attract Zn2+ ions for homogenizing Zn2+ flux. Moreover, the preferential reduction of Phe molecules prior to H2O facilitates the in situ formation of an organic–inorganic hybrid solid electrolyte interphase, enhancing the interfacial stability of the Zn anode. Consequently, Zn||Zn cells display improved reversibility, achieving an extended cycle life of 5250 h. Additionally, Zn||LMO full cells exhibit enhanced cyclability of retaining 77.3% capacity after 300 cycles, demonstrating substantial potential in advancing the commercialization of AZIBs.


Highlights:
1 The amphipathic phenylalanine-adsorbed layer contributes to form a nucleophilic–hydrophobic interface that homogenizes Zn2+ flux while repelling H2O molecules from contacting Zn anode.
2 The preferential reduction of phenylalanine (Phe) prior to H2O facilitates in situ formation of an organic–inorganic hybrid solid electrolyte interphase, enhancing the interfacial stability.
3 Benefiting from the triple protection of Phe, the Zn||Zn and Zn||LMO cells display significantly improved electrochemical performances, even at extreme diluted electrolytes.

Keywords

Zn anode Phenylalanine Adsorption energy Solvation sheath
Zhou, Anbin, Huirong Wang, Fengling Zhang, Xin Hu, Zhihang Song, Yi Chen, Yongxin Huang, Yanhua Cui, Yixiu Cui, Li Li, Feng Wu, and Renjie Chen. 2024. “Amphipathic Phenylalanine-Induced Nucleophilic–Hydrophobic Interface Toward Highly Reversible Zn Anode”. Nano-Micro Letters 16 (March):164. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-024-01380-x.
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