Anticorrosion and Hydrophobic Surface Protection Inducing Dendrite‐Free Zn Anode for Aqueous Zn‐Ion Batteries

Abstract

Zinc is widely used as an anode in zinc‐ion batteries (ZIBs) due to its nontoxicity, favorable theoretical specific capacity, and low oxidation–reduction potential. Nevertheless, irreversible Zn dendritic growth and unavoidable side reactions limit its cyclic stability and high‐rate capability. This research puts forward a surface protection strategy by introducing a hydrophobic polyvinylidene fluoride and carborundum nanocoating (PVDF‐SiC) coating on the surface of Zn anode to synergistically restrain side reactions and Zn dendrites. PVDF improves the hydrophobicity of Zn anode at the solid–liquid interface, which can avoid side reactions between Zn anode and water. SiC nanoparticles with high porosity and small size pore can also homogenize the Zn2+ flux, which can cause uniform Zn deposition and inhibit Zn dendrite growth. The hydrophobic PVDF‐SiC@Zn symmetric battery accordingly exhibits an invariable overvoltage (<40 mV) after 780 h at 1 mA cm−2 with 0.25 mAh cm−2. Simultaneously, constant and convertible Zn deposition in PVDF‐SiC@Zn//Ti asymmetric battery is implemented. The PVDF‐SiC@Zn//V2O5 full battery exhibits 68% capacity retention after 400 cycles. The porous/hydrophobic PVDF‐SiC composite modification efficiently restrains the side reactions and Zn dendrite growth on the Zn anode, providing an innovative idea for achieving long‐life ZIBs.