Interfacial chemistry regulation via dibenzenesulfonamide-functionalized additives enables high-performance Zn metal anodes

Abstract

Zinc metal with high safety and low cost is considered as a promising anode for rechargeable aqueous batteries, yet its application suffers from the serious dendrite formation and spontaneous corrosion. Here, we report a novel additive design principle to boost highly reversible and dendrite-free zinc anode, via introducing Dibenzenesulfonamide (BBI) into typical ZnSO4 electrolyte. Finding confirms that the formed BBI-derivate is preferentially chemisorbed on Zn surface over solvated H2O to protect Zn-electrode against corrosion effect and suppress hydroxide sulfate formation, and simultaneously contributes to desolvation process of Zn(H2O)62+. More encouragingly, a robust organic-inorganic hybrid solid electrolyte interphase on Zn anode with a hydrophobic ability is in-situ constructed due to the decomposition of BBI, which further regulates Zn-anode interfacial chemistry to favor Zn homogeneous deposition effectively. Consequently, the Zn symmetric cells deliver an extended cycling lifespan of 5000 h (0.5 mA cm−2/0.5 mAh cm−2), and ultrahigh cumulative capacity of 10.6 Ah cm−2 at concurrently large current density and high areal capacity (10 mA cm−2/10 mAh cm−2). This study clearly elucidates the multiple interface-mediated behaviors to stabilize Zn anode, which contributes to a deep insight into the additive regulation mechanisms and brings a promising approach to solve the anode nuisance in aqueous metal batteries.