#South Korea #Seoul #Hanyang University #Zn #Anode-Free Battery

Hanyang University Researchers Unveil Facet-Guided Metal Plating Strategy

Researchers from Hanyang University in South Korea have made a significant advancement in anode-free metal battery technology by introducing a novel facet-guided metal plating strategy. This innovative approach enhances the stability of batteries by addressing common challenges, including dendritic growth and short circuits, typically caused by non-uniform metal deposition.

The Promise of Anode-Free Metal Batteries

Anode-free metal batteries, particularly those utilizing magnesium (Mg), have the potential to achieve high energy densities. Unlike conventional batteries, these devices eliminate the need for prefabricated anodes, instead utilizing a current collector made from materials like copper (Cu) or zinc (Zn). When charged, magnesium is directly deposited onto this collector, forming a thin layer that serves as the anode. This design not only reduces weight and size but also decreases production costs. However, the risk of dendrite formation during charge and discharge cycles poses a significant limitation, often leading to short-circuiting and compromised battery life.

Revolutionary Research Approach

Led by Associate Professor Hee-Dae Lim from the Department of Chemical Engineering, the research team aimed to overcome the dendritic growth issue by focusing on crystallographic control during the plating process. "We proposed a crystallographic strategy to achieve controlled Mg deposition by employing a facet-oriented Zn host with a physicochemically polished surface," elaborated Dr. Lim. The findings were published in the prestigious journal Advanced Energy Materials on September 10, 2025.

The research began with the premise that conventional current collector materials, used in their polycrystalline forms, tend to have randomly oriented grains and a high density of grain boundaries. This irregularity can lead to uneven surfaces where magnesium atoms tend to accumulate, resulting in an undesirable vertical growth pattern that ultimately forms dendrites.

To tackle this issue, the researchers implemented three critical design strategies:
1. Choosing Zn as the Host Metal: Zinc was selected based on its structural similarity to magnesium, promoting compatibility during deposition.
2. Facilitating Stable Facet Orientation: The team carefully engineered a Zn host that selectively exposed the (002) facet. This specific facet orientation provides a smooth path for magnesium to spread evenly across the surface, aiding in uniform growth.
3. Minimizing Grain Boundary Impact: The bare zinc foil (B-Zn) underwent a thermal annealing process to achieve the desired (002) facet. Following this, reactive ion etching was applied to create a polished surface (P-Zn(002)), further reducing the influence of grain boundaries.

Achievements and Future Implications

Through electrochemical testing, the team observed that their designed substrate effectively inhibited dendrite formation, which consequently improved the overall stability of the anode-free magnesium metal batteries. In extensive tests, a full anode-free magnesium cell featuring the facet-guided strategy maintained an impressive 87.58% of its initial capacity over 900 cycles while operating at a high current density of 200 mA g-1. This performance is significantly above typical operating conditions for existing batteries.

Dr. Lim expressed optimism regarding the broader implications of their research, stating, "Our facet-guided Mg-metal platform can lead to the development of next-generation Mg-metal batteries with high energy densities that will be valuable for upcoming renewable energy-based smart grid infrastructure."

This breakthrough underscores the potential of crystallographic control techniques in creating stable anode surfaces and advancing the practical application of anode-free magnesium metal batteries, paving the way for more efficient and reliable energy storage solutions.

Reference

• - Title of Original Paper: Facet-Guided in-Plane Metal Plating via Accelerated Surface Diffusion in Mg Metal Batteries
• - Journal: Advanced Energy Materials
• - DOI: 10.1002/aenm.202503832

About Hanyang University

For more information on this research and the university's other initiatives, visit Hanyang University's website.