"Water-in-Deep Eutectic Solvent" Electrolytes for High-Performance Aqueous Zn-Ion Batteries

Aqueous Zn-ion batteries have been considered as promising alternatives to Li-ion batteries due to their abundant reserves, low price, and high safety. However, Zn anode shows poor reversibility and cycling stability in most conventional aqueous electrolytes. Here, a new type of aqueous Zn-ion electrolyte based on ZnCl2-acetamide deep eutectic solvent with both environmental and economic friendliness has been prepared. The water molecule introduced in the "water-in-deep eutectic solvent" electrolyte could reduce the Zn2+ desolvation energy barrier by regulating Zn2+ solvation structure to promote uniform Zn nucleation. Zn anode shows improved electrochemical performance (approximate to 98% Coulombic efficiency over 1000 cycles) in the electrolyte whose molar ratio of ZnCl2:acetamide:H2O is 1:3:1. The assembled full battery composed of phenazine cathode and Zn anode could stably cycle over 10 000 cycles with a high capacity retention of 85.7%. Overall, this work offers new insights into exploring new green electrolyte systems for Zn-ion batteries.