Elucidating the Reaction Mechanism of Mn2+ Electrolyte Additives in Aqueous Zinc Batteries (Small 38/2023)

Aqueous Zinc Batteries In article number 2301770, Yueliang Gu, Xiaochuan Ren, Daming Zhu, Jianxin Zou, and co-workers elucidate the reaction mechanism of Mn2+ electrolyte additives in aqueous zinc batteries (ZIBs) via operando synchrotron X-ray diffraction, ex situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy and electrochemical analyses. A reversible Mn2+/MnO2 deposition/dissolution reaction occurred at the cathode, in which the change in the electrolyte environment enabled Zn2+/Zn4SO4(OH)6•5H2O deposition/dissolution. The chemical reaction of Zn2+/Zn4SO4(OH)6•5H2O contributes no capacity and hinders the diffusion kinetics of the Mn2+/MnO2 reaction, which prevents the operation of ZIBs at high currents.