Janus Binder Chemistry for Synchronous Enhancement of Iodine Species Adsorption and Redox Kinetics toward Sustainable Aqueous Zn–I2 Batteries

Currently, the desired research focus in energy storage technique innovation has been gradually shifted to next-generation aqueous batteries holding both high performance and sustainability. However, aqueous Zn–I2 batteries have been deemed to have great sustainable potential, owing to the merits of cost-effective and eco-friendly nature. However, their commercial application is hindered by the serious shuttle effect of polyiodides during reversible operations. In this work, a Janus functional binder based on chitosan (CTS) molecules was designed and prepared; the polar terminational groups impart excellent mechanical robustness to hybrid binders; meanwhile, it can also deliver isochronous enhancement on physical adsorption and redox kinetics toward I2 species. By feat of highly effective remission to shuttle effect, the CTS cell exhibits superb electrochemical storage capacities with long-term robustness, specifically, 144.1 mAh g–1, at a current density of 0.2 mA g–1 after 1500 cycles. Simultaneously, the undesired self-discharging issue could be also well-addressed; the Coulombic efficiency could remain at 98.8 % after resting for 24 h. More importantly, CTS molecules endow good biodegradability and reusable properties; after iodine species were reloaded, the recycled devices could also deliver specific capacities of 73.3 mAh g–1, over 1000 cycles. This Janus binder provides a potential synchronous solution to realize high comprehensive performance with high iodine utilization and further make it possible for sustainable Zn–I2 batteries.