Preparation of Carbonized Kapok Fiber Porous Carbons by One-Step Carbonization Process and Its Effect on the Stability of Zinc Anode

doi:10.16553/j.cnki.issn1000-985x.2024.0262

Abstract

Abstract: Zinc-ion capacitors are one of the promising options for emerging electrochemical energy storage devices. Nevertheless， the thermodynamic interactions between zinc metal and aqueous electrolyte lead to corrosion and uncontrolled growth of zinc dendrites， which significantly compromise the Coulombic efficiency and the cycle lifespan of zinc-ion capacitors. To mitigate the adverse side effects associated with the zinc anode in aqueous environments， this study presents the development of a kapok fiber porous carbon material （KFC） featuring sub-nano-channels， synthesized through a one-step carbonization process utilizing kapok fiber biomass. Subsequently， zinc anode coated with KFC layer， resulting in the formation of a Zn@KFC composite anode. The sub-nano-channels within the KFC facilitate the continuous adsorption of water molecules from the solvented zinc-ions， thereby promoting a gradual desolvation process that enhances the rapid and uniform transport of zinc-ions. This mechanism effectively reduces water-induced corrosion of the zinc anode and minimizes side effects. The experimental results indicate that the Zn@KFC symmetric cell demonstrates an impressive cycle life exceeding 1 000 h at 1 mA·cm^-2 and 1 mAh·cm^-2. Even under harsh conditions of 5 mA·cm^-2 and 5 mAh·cm^-2， its cycle life can still exceed 400 h. Additionally， the zinc-ion capacitor utilizing the Zn@KFC anode electrode exhibits exceeding 50 000 cycles， with a Coulombic efficiency approaching 100% （capacity retention rate of 98.29%）. This approach to enhancing the reversibility of zinc anode through surface modification offers a novel strategy for the development of high-performance zinc-ion capacitors.

Key words: zinc-ion capacitor; biomass material; porous carbon material; zinc dendrite; desolvation

CLC Number:

TQ127.1⁺1

SONG Qi, JIANG Ling, CHEN Hongming, LI Huifu, HUANG Shuo, LUO Lijie, CHEN Yongjun. Preparation of Carbonized Kapok Fiber Porous Carbons by One-Step Carbonization Process and Its Effect on the Stability of Zinc Anode[J]. Journal of Synthetic Crystals, 2025, 54(5): 882-889.

Figures/Tables 6

Fig.1 SEM images （a），（b）， TEM image （c）， XRD pattern （d）， and nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherms and pore-size distributions （e） of KFC

Fig.2 XPS （a）， high-resolution C 1s （b） and high-resolution O 1s （c） spectra of KFC

Fig.3 Tafel curves （a） and LSV curves （b） of Zn@KFC and bare Zn

Fig.4 Electrochemical performance of symmetrical cells. （a） 1 mA·cm-2 and 1 mAh·cm-2；（b） 5 mA·cm-2 and 5 mAh·cm-2；（c） rate performance；（d） CA curves at an overpotential of -150 mV；（e） EIS spectra of the symmetrical cells

Fig.5 XRD patterns （a）， SEM images （b），（c） and EIS spectra （d），（e） of Zn@KFC and bare Zn after 100 cycles of symmetric cells

Fig.6 Electrochemical performance of aqueous zion-ion capacitors. （a） CV curves；（b） galvanostatic charge/discharge curves；（c） rate performance；（d） cycling performance

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