Graded desolvation accelerators based on high-entropy alloys with widely distributed d-band centers for high-performance aqueous zinc-ion batteries

Abstract

As the rate control step in the zinc deposition reaction, the decomposition of reactive water molecules released from the desolvation step within the inner Helmholtz layer severely affects the stability of the electrode. In this paper, a high-entropy alloy (HEA) characterized by a wide d-band center is employed to achieve efficient desolvation through the graded desolvation process catalyzed by the high-entropy material. Benefiting from the catalytic centers with different active states due to the infinite wide d-band center pattern of the HEA, sequential desolvation reactions from the solvated structure can be catalyzed. Such a graded catalytic desolvation mechanism achieves complete dehydration of the solvated structures, allowing the interfacial side reactions to be effectively suppressed to improve the utilization and reversibility of the zinc anode. The graded catalytic strategy of the HEA proposed in this work provides new inspiration for stabilizing zinc anodes from the perspective of efficient desolvation.