Sign in Subscribe
Energy management

Breakthrough in Zinc-ion Capacitors: Spatial Confinement Effect and Defect-dominated Redox Reactions Enhance Energy and Power

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Researchers at the Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) have made a significant discovery in the field of zinc-ion capacitors. By introducing a novel hydrothermal coupling dual-salt activation strategy, they have created oxygen-doped carbon cathodes with abundant 1 nm confined pores. This innovation has led to a substantial increase in the energy and power density of zinc-ion capacitors, with 135.5 Wh kg-1 energy density, 24.00 kW kg-1 power density, and unprecedented 108.2% capacity retention over 150,000 cycles. The spatial confinement effect and defect-dominated redox reactions have been confirmed through DFT simulations and experimental results, providing a simple and easy-to-operate reference for designing high-performance carbon cathode materials for ZICs.

Key Takeaways:

  • A novel hydrothermal coupling dual-salt activation strategy has been introduced to create oxygen-doped carbon cathode with abundant 1 nm confined pores.
  • The spatial confinement effect and defect-dominated redox reactions have been confirmed through DFT simulations and experimental results.
  • The innovation has led to a substantial increase in the energy density of zinc-ion capacitors, with 135.5 Wh kg-1.
  • The power density of zinc-ion capacitors has also been enhanced, with 24.00 kW kg-1.
  • Unprecedented 108.2% capacity retention has been achieved over 150,000 cycles.
  • The synergistic effect of spatial pore confinement and defect-dominated redox reactions endows ZICs with high performance.

Statistics:

  • 135.5 Wh kg-1 energy density
  • 24.00 kW kg-1 power density
  • 108.2% capacity retention over 150,000 cycles
  • 150,000 cycles

Sources:

  • Spatial Confinement Effect and Defect-dominated Redox Reactions Enhance Energy and Power In Zn-ion Capacitors With 150 000 Cycles. Advanced Energy Materials, 2025.
  • Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech). "Study Findings from SUSTech Broaden Understanding of Chemicals and Chemistry." Chemicals & Chemistry, October 17, 2025; p 5666.

Read more