A Double‐Charged Organic Molecule Additive to Customize Electric Double Layer for Super‐Stable and Deep‐Rechargeable Zn Metal Pouch Batteries

Abstract

AbstractThe electrochemical performance of aqueous zinc metal batteries (AZMBs) is highly dependent on the electric double layer (EDL) properties at Zn electrode/electrolyte interface. Herein, a novel reconfigured EDL is constructed via a double‐charged theanine (TN) additive for super‐stable and deep‐rechargeable AZMBs. Experiments and theoretical computations unravel that the positively charged TN not only serves as preferential anchor to form a water‐poor Helmholtz plane onto the Zn anode, but also its anionic end could coordinate with Zn2+ to tailor the solvation structure in the diffusion layer and further reconstruct the inner H‐bonds networks, thus effectively guiding uniform Zn deposition and suppressing the water‐induced side reactions. Consequently, the Zn//Zn cells acquire outstanding cycling stabilities of nearly 800 h at a high depth of discharge of 80%. Moreover, the Zn//VOX full cells deliver substantial capacity retention (94.12% after 1400 cycles at 2 A g−1) under practical conditions. Importantly, the designed 2.7 Ah Zn//VOX pouch cell harvests a recorded energy density of 42.3 Wh Kgcell−1 and 79.5 Wh Lcell–1, with a remarkable capacity retention of 85.93% after 220 cycles at 50 mA g−1. This innovative design concept to reshape the EDL chemistry would inject fresh vitality into developing advanced AZMBs and beyond.