Decoding Hydrogen‑bond Network of Electrolyte for Cryogenic Durable Aqueous Zinc‑ion Batteries

Why It Matters

By eliminating freezing, dendrites, and side‑reactions, the technology unlocks reliable, high‑power zinc‑ion storage in polar and high‑altitude grids, expanding the market for low‑cost aqueous batteries in harsh environments.

Key Takeaways

• Glycerol + MSA lower freezing point to –45 °C.
• (100) Zn orientation cuts stripping energy ~50 %.
• Symmetric cells survive 5,400 h at –20 °C.
• Full cells retain 85 % capacity after 2,000 cycles.
• Enables 10‑minute charging at sub‑zero temperatures.

Pulse Analysis

The rapid growth of renewable energy has pushed storage solutions into ever more demanding settings, from Arctic research stations to mountainous micro‑grids. Traditional aqueous zinc‑ion batteries, prized for safety and low cost, stumble when temperatures dip below –20 °C because water freezes, dendrites pierce the separator, and the hydrogen‑evolution reaction erodes efficiency. By targeting the electrolyte’s hydrogen‑bond lattice, the new glycerol‑MSA formulation raises configurational entropy, effectively depressing the freezing point and reshaping ion solvation. This entropy‑driven strategy not only thwarts ice nucleation but also curtails water’s access to the zinc surface, mitigating corrosion and dendrite growth.

At the heart of the breakthrough is a synergistic dual‑additive system. Fifty percent glycerol disrupts the bulk H‑bond network, while a 1 M concentration of methylsulfonamide trims the coordination number of water around Zn²⁺ from 5.7 to 4.2, fostering a compact, ZnCO₃‑rich solid‑electrolyte interphase. In‑situ spectroscopy confirms blue‑shifted O‑H vibrations, and molecular dynamics simulations reveal preferential ion pathways that preserve high conductivity despite increased viscosity. The engineered (100) crystal orientation on the zinc anode halves the activation energy for stripping, enabling reversible plating at 40 mA cm⁻² and cathode rates of 5 A g⁻¹ without concentration polarization.

The commercial implications are significant. Cryogenic‑stable AZIBs can now power remote grid installations, delivering 78 % capacity after 600 cycles at 1 A g⁻¹ in pouch formats, while also supporting 10‑minute fast‑charging for portable electronics and e‑bikes operating below zero. Because the electrolyte relies on inexpensive, widely available components, integration into existing ZnSO₄ supply chains is straightforward, paving the way for scalable deployment. Future work aims to couple the platform with antifouling polymers for brine environments and fire‑retardant additives for aerospace use, positioning hydrogen‑bond engineered electrolytes as a cornerstone of next‑generation, low‑cost energy storage in extreme climates.

Decoding hydrogen‑bond network of electrolyte for cryogenic durable aqueous zinc‑ion batteries

Nanotechnology Now · Press Release

Location: Shanghai, China

Date: January 30 th, 2026

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Abstract

As renewable energy storage expands into polar and high‑altitude regions, conventional aqueous zinc‑ion batteries (AZIBs) face a triple threat: dendrite growth, hydrogen‑evolution corrosion, and electrolyte freezing below ‑20 °C. Researchers from Southern University of Science and Technology, Soochow University and Guilin University of Technology—led by Prof. Lin Zeng, Prof. Yongbiao Mu and Prof. Jingyu Sun—report a dual‑additive electrolyte that rewires the hydrogen‑bond network, guides (100)‑oriented zinc deposition, and delivers record lifespan from room temperature down to ‑40 °C. The work provides a universal recipe for cryogenic‑tolerant, high‑rate AZIBs deployable in extreme climates.

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Why Hydrogen‑Bond Reconstruction Matters

• Anti‑Freeze & Anti‑Dendrite: Glycerol (GL) and methylsulfonamide (MSA) raise configurational entropy, suppress ice nucleation and lower the freezing point to ‑45 °C while blocking water access to the Zn surface.

• (100)‑Textured Anode: Cooperative adsorption of GL on Zn(101) and MSA on Zn(002) channels growth along the highly active Zn(100) plane, cutting activation energy for stripping by ~50 %.

• Entropy‑Driven Kinetics: Elevated disorder offsets viscosity penalty, enabling 40 mA cm⁻² reversible plating and 5 A g⁻¹ cathode rates without concentration polarization.

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Innovative Design & Features

• Dual‑Additive Synergy: 50 vol % GL disrupts the H‑bond lattice; 1 M MSA tunes the solvation shell from 5.7 to 4.2 coordinated H₂O per Zn²⁺, suppressing HER and forming a 7–10 nm SEI rich in ZnCO₃ and ZnS.

• In‑Situ Spectroscopy & MD: ATR‑FTIR, Raman and NMR capture blue‑shifted O‑H modes; MD simulations reveal Cl⁻ enrichment near GL and Li⁺ clustering along PEI chains, validating lane‑separated ion transport.

• Cryo‑Electrochemistry: Symmetric cells run 5 400 h at ‑20 °C (0.5 mA cm⁻², 0.5 mAh cm⁻²) and 600 h at 40 mA cm⁻² (30 °C), while full cells retain 85 % capacity after 2 000 cycles at ‑20 °C.

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Applications & Future Outlook

• Grid Storage in Cold Climates: Pouch cells (300 µL electrolyte) deliver 78 % capacity retention after 600 cycles at 1 A g⁻¹, proving scalability for alpine micro‑grids and polar base stations.

• Fast‑Charging Devices: Critical current density rises to 60 mA cm⁻² at 30 °C and 25 mA cm⁻² at ‑20 °C, unlocking 10‑minute charge capability for portable electronics and e‑bikes.

• Electrolyte Platform: The entropy‑boosted, H‑bond‑engineered concept is compatible with existing ZnSO₄ supply chains; next steps include antifouling polymers for natural brine and fire‑retardant variants for aerospace.

This comprehensive study demonstrates that entropy‑mediated hydrogen‑bond reconstruction can simultaneously defeat dendrites, hydrogen evolution and electrolyte freezing, pushing aqueous zinc batteries into the cryogenic frontier.

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Contact for More Information

Bowen Li

Shanghai Jiao Tong University Journal Center

Office: 021‑6280 0059

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