Synergy of Dendrites-Impeded Atomic Clusters Dissociation and Side Reactions Suppressed Inert Interface Protection for Ultrastable Zn Anode.

Abstract

The sluggish ions-transfer and inhomogeneous ions-nucleation induce the formation of randomly oriented dendrites on Zn anode, while the chemical instability at anode-electrolyte interface triggers detrimental side reactions. Herein, this report in situ designs a multifunctional hybrid interphase of Bi/Bi2 O3 , for the first time resulting in a novel synergistic regulation mechanism involving: (i) chemically inert interface protection mechanism suppresses side reactions; and more fantastically, (ii) innovative thermodynamically favorable Zn atomic clusters dissociation mechanism impedes dendrites formation. Assisted by collaborative modulation behavior, the Zn@Bi/Bi2 O3 symmetry cell delivers an ultrahigh cumulative plating capacity of 1.88 Ah cm-2 at 5mA cm-2 and ultralong lifetimes of 300h even at high current density and depth of discharge (10mA cm-2 , DODZn : 60%). Furthermore, under a low electrolyte-to-capacity ratio (E/C: 45µL mAh-1 ) and negative-to-positive capacity ratio (N/P: 6.3), Zn@Bi/Bi2 O3 ||MnO2 full-cell exhibits a superior capacity retention of 86.7% after 500 cycles at 1 A g-1 , which outperforms most existing interphases. The scaled-up Zn@Bi/Bi2 O3 ||MnO2 battery module (6V, 1 Ah), combined with the photovoltaic panel, presents excellent renewable-energy storage ability and long output lifetime (12h). This work provides a fantastic synergistic mechanism to achieve the ultrastable Zn anode and can be greatly promised to apply it into other metal-based batteries.