posted on 2021-09-10, 14:33authored byHuaizhi Liu, Guanhua Zhang, Lei Wang, Xianan Zhang, Zexu Zhao, Fengjun Chen, Lijun Song, Huigao Duan
Increasing development of microelectronic systems and miniature
electronic devices greatly boosts the demands for the miniaturization
of energy storage devices, especially microbatteries with high energy
density and high rate performance. Nevertheless, conventional alkaline
(Li, Na, and K) microbatteries suffer from safety and environmental
issues owing to the noxious and flammable organic electrolytes, as
well as the poor kinetic performance. In this work, a three-dimensional
(3D) nanocone array (NCA) architecture-engineered aqueous Zn–Mn
microbattery is successfully constructed through highly efficient
femtosecond laser scribing and subsequent multistep electrodeposition.
Herein, the introduced 3D NCA architecture enables the enhanced electrical
conductivity and wettability, an intimate contact with active materials,
and the shortened ion diffusion distance between the cathode and anode.
Moreover, the unique 3D microstructure is favorable for the excellent
conductive framework, the shortened electron transmission path, and
remarkable ion transport ability. Besides, quantitative electrochemical
kinetic analysis of the 3D Zn–Mn microbattery indicates that
a surface capacitive behavior dominates in the process of cycling.
With the merits of high areal capacity and superior rate capability,
the aqueous Zn–Mn microbattery is believed to be promising
in driving portable microelectronic devices and integrated microsystems.