Biomimetic and biodegradable separator with high modulus and large ionic conductivity enables dendrite-free zinc-ion batteries
Abstract The advancement of aqueous zinc-based batteries is greatly restricted by zinc dendrites. One potential solution to this challenge lies in the employment of high-modulus separators. However, achieving both high modulus and large ionic conductivity in a single separator remains a formidable t...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Nature Communications |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-56325-8 |
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| author | Hong Ma Hongli Chen Minfeng Chen Anxin Li Xiang Han Dingtao Ma Peixin Zhang Jizhang Chen |
| author_facet | Hong Ma Hongli Chen Minfeng Chen Anxin Li Xiang Han Dingtao Ma Peixin Zhang Jizhang Chen |
| author_sort | Hong Ma |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract The advancement of aqueous zinc-based batteries is greatly restricted by zinc dendrites. One potential solution to this challenge lies in the employment of high-modulus separators. However, achieving both high modulus and large ionic conductivity in a single separator remains a formidable task. Inspired by the wood architecture, this study breaks this trade-off by designing an anisotropic and biodegradable separator. This design significantly improves the modulus along the oriented direction while simultaneously facilitating fast Zn2+ ion transport through aligned vertical channels. Additionally, this configuration resolves the contradiction between low separator thickness and good dendrite-inhibition capability. These benefits are supported by finite element simulations and comprehensive experimental validation, which also underscore the critical role of modulus enhancement for separators. By employing the anisotropic separator, a prolonged life span is realized for Zn||Zn cells, along with improved cyclability in full batteries. This work presents a strategy for separator modification towards dendrite-free metal batteries. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-239edce4336a44c0b3ecfefbb295b99b |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2041-1723 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nature Communications |
| spelling | doaj-art-239edce4336a44c0b3ecfefbb295b99b2025-01-26T12:40:39ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232025-01-0116111310.1038/s41467-025-56325-8Biomimetic and biodegradable separator with high modulus and large ionic conductivity enables dendrite-free zinc-ion batteriesHong Ma0Hongli Chen1Minfeng Chen2Anxin Li3Xiang Han4Dingtao Ma5Peixin Zhang6Jizhang Chen7Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing Forestry UniversityState Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and TechnologyCo-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing Forestry UniversityCo-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing Forestry UniversityCo-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing Forestry UniversityCollege of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen UniversityCollege of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen UniversityCo-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing Forestry UniversityAbstract The advancement of aqueous zinc-based batteries is greatly restricted by zinc dendrites. One potential solution to this challenge lies in the employment of high-modulus separators. However, achieving both high modulus and large ionic conductivity in a single separator remains a formidable task. Inspired by the wood architecture, this study breaks this trade-off by designing an anisotropic and biodegradable separator. This design significantly improves the modulus along the oriented direction while simultaneously facilitating fast Zn2+ ion transport through aligned vertical channels. Additionally, this configuration resolves the contradiction between low separator thickness and good dendrite-inhibition capability. These benefits are supported by finite element simulations and comprehensive experimental validation, which also underscore the critical role of modulus enhancement for separators. By employing the anisotropic separator, a prolonged life span is realized for Zn||Zn cells, along with improved cyclability in full batteries. This work presents a strategy for separator modification towards dendrite-free metal batteries.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-56325-8 |
| spellingShingle | Hong Ma Hongli Chen Minfeng Chen Anxin Li Xiang Han Dingtao Ma Peixin Zhang Jizhang Chen Biomimetic and biodegradable separator with high modulus and large ionic conductivity enables dendrite-free zinc-ion batteries Nature Communications |
| title | Biomimetic and biodegradable separator with high modulus and large ionic conductivity enables dendrite-free zinc-ion batteries |
| title_full | Biomimetic and biodegradable separator with high modulus and large ionic conductivity enables dendrite-free zinc-ion batteries |
| title_fullStr | Biomimetic and biodegradable separator with high modulus and large ionic conductivity enables dendrite-free zinc-ion batteries |
| title_full_unstemmed | Biomimetic and biodegradable separator with high modulus and large ionic conductivity enables dendrite-free zinc-ion batteries |
| title_short | Biomimetic and biodegradable separator with high modulus and large ionic conductivity enables dendrite-free zinc-ion batteries |
| title_sort | biomimetic and biodegradable separator with high modulus and large ionic conductivity enables dendrite free zinc ion batteries |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-56325-8 |
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