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Predeposited lead nucleation sites enable a highly reversible zinc electrode for stable zinc-bromine flow batteries

Author

Listed:
  • Yichan Hu

    (Hunan University
    Shenzhen University of Advanced Technology)

  • Zhiwen Min

    (Shenzhen University of Advanced Technology
    Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Macau)

  • Guangyu Zhu

    (Shenzhen University of Advanced Technology)

  • Yuanwei Zhang

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Yixian Pei

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Cong Chen

    (Qinghai Minzu University)

  • Yuanmiao Sun

    (Shenzhen University of Advanced Technology
    Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Guojin Liang

    (Shenzhen University of Advanced Technology
    Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Hui-Ming Cheng

    (Shenzhen University of Advanced Technology
    Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Chinese Academy of Sciences)

Abstract

Aqueous zinc-bromine flow batteries are promising for grid storage due to their inherent safety, cost-effectiveness, and high energy density. However, they have a low energy/power density and inferior cycle stability due to irreversible reactions of uncontrolled zinc dendrite growth and hydrogen evolution reaction. Here, we develop a highly reversible carbon felt electrode with uniformly distributed Pb nanoparticles, which can be realized via an effective in situ predeposition strategy. Owing to abundant Pb nanoparticles as zincophilic nucleation sites, the Pb nanoparticles effectively induce uniform Zn deposition with a dendrite-free morphology. Moreover, the Pb-modified electrode accommodates higher hydrogen evolution reaction overpotential to inhibit the H2 evolution. Consequently, the modified electrode-based zinc-bromine flow batteries demonstrate a cumulative plating capacity (23 Ah cm−2) over 2300 h with an average Coulombic efficiency of over 97.4%. This work contributes insights into the design of highly reversible Zn electrode in Zn-based flow batteries.

Suggested Citation

  • Yichan Hu & Zhiwen Min & Guangyu Zhu & Yuanwei Zhang & Yixian Pei & Cong Chen & Yuanmiao Sun & Guojin Liang & Hui-Ming Cheng, 2025. "Predeposited lead nucleation sites enable a highly reversible zinc electrode for stable zinc-bromine flow batteries," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-13, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-58473-3
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-58473-3
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Peipei Zuo & Chunchun Ye & Zhongren Jiao & Jian Luo & Junkai Fang & Ulrich S. Schubert & Neil B. McKeown & T. Leo Liu & Zhengjin Yang & Tongwen Xu, 2023. "Near-frictionless ion transport within triazine framework membranes," Nature, Nature, vol. 617(7960), pages 299-305, May.
    3. Yunxiang Zhao & Shan Guo & Manjing Chen & Bingan Lu & Xiaotan Zhang & Shuquan Liang & Jiang Zhou, 2023. "Tailoring grain boundary stability of zinc-titanium alloy for long-lasting aqueous zinc batteries," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-11, December.
    4. Zhiquan Wei & Zhaodong Huang & Guojin Liang & Yiqiao Wang & Shixun Wang & Yihan Yang & Tao Hu & Chunyi Zhi, 2024. "Starch-mediated colloidal chemistry for highly reversible zinc-based polyiodide redox flow batteries," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-11, December.
    5. Yanxin Yao & Jiafeng Lei & Yang Shi & Fei Ai & Yi-Chun Lu, 2021. "Assessment methods and performance metrics for redox flow batteries," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 6(6), pages 582-588, June.
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