| Phase: |
Theme |
| Theme: | Grids and Storage (T06) |
| Status: | Active |
| Start Date: | 2025-04-01 |
| End Date: | 2026-08-31 |
| Principal Investigator |
| Ivey, Douglas |
Highly Qualified Personnel
Project Overview
Zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) are promising candidates for grid storage, due to their merits such as low cost, high theoretical capacity, and improved safety relative to lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), brought about by the use of non-flammable aqueous electrolytes. However, challenges such as hydrogen evolution, by-product formation, and dendrite formation hinder the use of ZIBs in actual applications. The electrolyte is an essential component of a ZIB, since it transfers charge carriers between the cathode and anode. To solve the aforementioned challenges, electrolyte engineering is proposed. Various approaches, such as utilizing functional electrolyte additives and exploring zinc stripping and plating behavior, are being explored. The main objective of this project is to enhance the performance of ZIBs through electrolyte engineering.
Outputs
| Title |
Category |
Date |
Authors |
| ECS Travel Grant for 247th ECS MeetingCompetitive award to help fund travel to ECS conference. University of Alberta | Award | 2025-04-04 | Cui, J. |
| Zn Stripping and Plating Behavior in ZnSO4, Zn(ClO4)2, and ZnCl2 as a Function of Current Density and CapacityZinc stripping and plating behaviors in different electrolytes and under various current densities. University of Alberta | Activity | 2025-05-20 | Cui, J., Ivey, D. |
| Interplay of surface effects and electrolyte properties governs zinc stripping behavior in aqueous electrolytesAqueous zinc-ion batteries offer safe and low-cost energy storage, yet poor Zn electrode reversibility remains a critical challenge. Here, the interplay of crystal orientation, surface heterogeneity, and electrolyte chemistry in governing Zn stripping behavior is elucidated using ZnSO4 and Zn(ClO4)2 electrolytes. Although Zn deposits formed in both electrolytes preferentially orient along the low-energy (1120) plane and are intrinsically favorable for stripping than a (0001)-oriented Zn substrate, their post-stripping morphologies differ dramatically ZnSO4 exhibited preferential removal of Zn deposits and uniform dissolution, whereas Zn(ClO4)2 showed localized substrate dissolution and significant pit formation. Morphological, crystallographic, and electrochemical analyses and density functional theory suggest that strong SO42− adsorption likely suppresses local electric field intensification at energetically favorable sites, while weaker ClO4− adsorption, along with lower pH and higher ionic conductivity, are proposed to promote oxide thinning, hydrogen evolution, and pit growth. These findings establish a mechanistic basis for regulating Zn stripping through electrolyte–surface interactions in aqueous Zn batteries. University of Alberta | Publication | 2026-04-27 | Cui, J., "Yue Li", Zhang, H., Ivey, D. |
| Revealing Zn Stripping and Plating Behavior in ZnSO4, Zn(ClO4)2, and ZnCl2 as a Function of Current Density and Capacity in Aqueous Zinc Ion BatteriesZn-ion batteries (ZIBs) are promising candidates for stationary energy storage due to
their enhanced safety and cost-effectiveness. However, challenges such as dendrite
and by-product formation severely restrict their practical application. Numerous
strategies have been proposed to address these issues, yet only a few fundamental
studies have systematically investigated Zn plating and stripping behavior on Zn
electrodes or the role of anions in these processes. In this study, correlations between
electrolyte characteristics and Zn stripping/plating behavior are established. The
reversibility of Zn followed the order ZnSO4 > ZnCl2 > Zn(ClO4)2. Several trends were
observed. Zn preferentially deposited on protruding areas in all electrolytes. At a
constant current density, increasing the areal capacity led to the formation of larger Zn
particles. At a fixed areal capacity, increasing the current density resulted in smaller Zn
deposits but a greater number of individual Zn islands. Zn in Zn(ClO4)2 exhibited
preferential stripping from the Zn substrate, whereas in ZnSO4 and ZnCl2, more Zn
was stripped from deposited Zn. These findings provide fundamental insights into Zn
plating and stripping behavior and may inspire new strategies to enhance the
performance and reversibility of ZIBs. University of Alberta | Publication | 2025-05-08 | Cui, J., "Yue Li", Zhang, H., Ivey, D. |
