锌电池寿命显著延长

The transition to renewable energy requires efficient methods for storing large amounts of electricity. Researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) have developed a new method that could extend the lifespan of aqueous zinc-ion batteries by several orders of magnitude. Instead of lasting just a few thousand cycles, they could now endure several hundred thousand charge and discharge cycles.
向可再生能源转型需要高效的电力存储方法。慕尼黑工业大学（TUM）的研究人员开发了一种新方法，可将水系锌离子电池的寿命延长数个数量级。这种电池的充放电循环次数从原先的仅数千次提升至数十万次。

The key to this innovation is a special protective layer for the zinc anodes of the batteries. This layer addresses previous issues such as the growth of needle-like zinc structures -- known as zinc dendrites -- as well as unwanted chemical side reactions that trigger hydrogen formation and corrosion.
这项创新的关键在于电池锌阳极上的一层特殊保护层。该保护层解决了此前存在的问题，如针状锌结构（即锌枝晶）的生长，以及引发氢气形成和腐蚀的不良化学反应。

The research team, led by Prof. Roland A. Fischer, Chair of Inorganic and Metal-Organic Chemistry at the TUM School of Natural Sciences, uses a unique material for this purpose: a porous organic polymer called TpBD-2F. This material forms a stable, ultra-thin, and highly ordered film on the zinc anode, allowing zinc ions to flow efficiently through nano-channels while keeping water away from the anode.
由TUM自然科学学院无机与金属有机化学系主任Roland A. Fischer教授领导的研究团队为此使用了一种独特材料：名为TpBD-2F的多孔有机聚合物。该材料在锌阳极表面形成稳定、超薄且高度有序的薄膜，使锌离子能通过纳米通道高效流动，同时阻隔水分接触阳极。

Zinc Batteries as a Cost-Effective Alternative to Lithium-Ion Batteries
锌电池作为锂离子电池的经济高效替代品

Da Lei, Ph.D. student and lead author of the research published in Advanced Energy Materials, explains: "Zinc-ion batteries with this new protective layer could replace lithium-ion batteries in large-scale energy storage applications, such as in combination with solar or wind power plants. They last longer, are safer, and zinc is both cheaper and more readily available than lithium." While lithium remains the first choice for mobile applications like electric vehicles and portable devices, its higher costs and environmental impact make it less attractive for large-scale energy storage.
达磊博士是发表在《Advanced Energy Materials》上的这项研究的第一作者，他解释道：“采用这种新型保护层的锌离子电池有望在大规模储能应用中取代锂离子电池，例如与太阳能或风能发电厂配套使用。这类电池寿命更长、安全性更高，且锌材料比锂更便宜易得。”虽然锂仍是电动汽车和便携设备等移动应用领域的首选，但其较高成本和环境影响使其在大规模储能领域吸引力不足。

Prof. Roland A. Fischer adds: "This is truly a spectacular research result. We have shown that the chemical approach developed by Da Lei not only works but is also controllable. As fundamental researchers, we are primarily interested in new scientific principles -- and here we have discovered one. We have already developed a first prototype in the form of a button cell. I see no reason why our findings couldn't be translated to larger applications. Now, it's up to engineers to take up the idea and develop appropriate production processes."
罗兰·A·菲舍尔教授补充道："这确实是一项惊人的研究成果。我们证明了Da Lei开发的化学方法不仅有效，而且具有可控性。作为基础研究者，我们主要关注新科学原理——而这里我们发现了一个。我们已以纽扣电池形式开发出首个原型。我认为没有理由不能将我们的发现转化为更大规模的应用。现在，轮到工程师们接手这个想法并开发合适的生产工艺了。"