Zn Deposits Research Articles

Separator pore size induced oriented Zn deposition

Aqueous zinc batteries (AZBs) are promising alternatives to lead-acid batteries for large-scale energy storage. In this work, we developed a TiO2-grafted polyethylene (TiO2-PE) separator for AZBs with excellent hydrophilicity. The TiO2-PE separator demonstrates the thinnest thickness of 9 μm, significantly decreasing the inactive mass of the entire battery comparing with the commercial glass fiber separator (260 μm). We further prove that the separator pore size can modulate the Zn deposition morphology. The (002)-orientated Zn deposition is induced when the pore size is smaller than the crystal critical length. Therefore, the 0.2 μm pores in TiO2-PE induce a (002)-orientated Zn deposition, while the 2 μm pores in glass fiber lead to a randomly oriented growth of Zn metal. This work highlights the opportunities in the pore size-modulated deposition/dissolution process in Zn and other metal batteries.

Unravelling the deposition of Zn and Sn as corrosion inhibitor on aluminum (Al) surface for Al-air battery application with sodium chloride electrolytes

Recently, Aluminum (Al) has been extensively developed as an anode material for Al-air batteries. High corrosion rate and slow kinetic reactions of Al in anode application drive the recent research to coat with other more noble metals. Therefore, the primary objective of this work is identifying the effect of zinc (Zn) and tin (Sn) coating on high purity Al surface for electrochemical properties improvement. The employed method of metal oxide coating was electrodeposition process. The structural and morphological of electrodeposition was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The surface of Zn-Al was finer than Sn–Al. Additionally, the observed cracks on the surface were analyzed and interpreted as indicative of mixed metal oxide (MMO) coating behavior. In electrochemical performance, the Zn–Al half-cell exhibits a consistent open circuit potential value of −0.94 V. This value is the most stable compared with other variables. Remarkably, the discharge time that represents full-cell of Zn–Al and N-doped carbon-based cathode performance was about 14 h, which is nearly fourteen orders compared with Al variables that can only sustain in an hour. The electrodeposition also contributes to enhancing the specific capacity from 40.763 m Ah g−1 to become 324.627 mAh g−1. In line with other measurements, the corrosion rate with linear polarization measurement placed Zn–Al with the smallest corrosion rate, that is 3.71 × 10-5 mm/year. All the electrochemical measurements used 3.5 % NaCl as the model of seawater electrolytes. This finding could be a reliable option of aluminum air battery development on larger scale in the future.

Two Birds with One Stone: Green Solvent Enabled High‐Stability and Durable Zn Anode in Both Non‐Aqueous and Aqueous Electrolytes

AbstractRechargeable zinc batteries are promising choices for eco‐friendly, safe and cost‐effective energy storage solutions. However, their commercial adoption faces challenges such as low Coulombic efficiency (CE) and poor reversibility of Zn anodes. To address these issues, a new green electrolyte based on N,N'‐Dimethylpropyleneurea (DMPU) has been developed, affording a robust, dendrite‐free Zn anode with over 5000 h of cycle stability and a high average CE of 98.49%. Zn anode in DMPU‐electrolyte significantly outperforms aqueous electrolyte with 67 times longer cycle life, demonstrating excellent anode stability. Moreover, ultra‐stable Zn anode in DMPU‐electrolyte cycled for over 10 000 cycles at 1.0 mA cm−2 showcases excellent reversibility. The Dimethylpropyleneurea‐triflate anion generated solid electrolyte interphase enables homogeneous and rapid Zn2+‐diffusion at the electrode interface, leading to a structured hexagonal Zn deposit. Furthermore, as electrolyte additive, DMPU significantly stabilizes Zn anode at severe conditions (5.0 and 10.0 mA cm−2) along with remarkable enhancement in CE (99.12%). This study offers valuable insights into the development of hybrid and organic electrolytes to advance Zn battery technology.

Facile Electrolytic (111)‐Textured Copper Foil for Dendrite‐Free Zinc Metal Batteries

AbstractAqueous Zn metal batteries are emerging as a promising candidate for the next‐generation largescale energy storage system due to their high safety, low lost, and eco‐friendliness. Nevertheless, their practical application is restricted by the uncontrollable Zn dendrite growth and the limited utilization of the Zn metal anode. Herein, a room temperature electrodeposition strategy based on an optimized rate relationship between the diffusion and consumption of Cu2+ to prepare a (111)‐textured Cu current collector for the construction of the dendrite‐free Zn metal anode with high reversibility is developed. Attributed to the high lattice match between the (002) facet of Zn with the (111) facet of Cu, the deposition of Zn along its [001] orientation is achieved on the (111)‐textured Cu. The (002) facets horizontally aligned with the current collector endow Zn with the dendrite‐free planar construction and superior corrosion resistance, resulting in a high reversibility with a long life‐span over 2186 cycles. Impressively, the resultant Zn anodes can stabilize the operation of pouch cells with an extremely demanding negative‐to‐positive capacity ratio of 2. This work provides a new avenue for the development of the current collectors for the low‐cost sustainable energy storage.

Arrays of Hierarchical Zincophilic Nanorods with Trapping‐and‐Leveling Deposition for Ultrastable Zn Metal Anodes

AbstractRechargeable aqueous zinc‐ion batteries (ZIBs) are highly promising for large‐scale sustainable energy storage applications, but there remain serious problems such as Zn dendrites and side reactions that limit the cycling performance. Herein, arrays of core–shell nanorods on Cu foam are developed to stabilize zinc anodes, which have a hierarchical topological structure consisting of N‐doped carbon layers embedded with a zincophilic component of Cu5Zn8 alloy (Cu5Zn8@NC). It is found that the inner Cu5Zn8 alloys have minimized nucleation barriers and act as preferred nucleation sites, and the hierarchical arrays provide the protective layers to further accommodate the high‐capacity plating Zn, leading to a trapping‐and‐leveling process of Zn deposition. The as‐obtained Zn layers play an important role in homogenizing the interfacial ionic fluxes and reducing the local current densities. As a result, the optimized Cu5Zn8@NC host yields a superb Coulombic efficiency of 99.7% over 5000 plating/stripping cycles, and the corresponding symmetric cell delivers an ultralong dendrite‐free cycle life of 7000 h with a low overpotential of 16.5 mV at 1 mA cm−2 and 1 mAh cm−2. The ZIB assembled with the zinc anode and a V2O5 cathode exhibits long‐term charging/discharging cycles as well, up to 89.2% capacity retention after 10 000 cycles.

Tween-20 induced self-healing deposition towards ultra-stable Zn electrode

Zn-ion battery has revealed potential application in grid energy storage due to the high energy density, cost effectiveness and intrinsic safety. However, its large-scale application is hindered by the unstable Zn electrode caused by the continuous zinc dendrites growth. Herein, Tween-20 is selected as a functional additive of electrolyte to enhance the stability of Zn electrode through inducing self-healing Zn deposition. The Tween-20 molecules with rich carbonyl and ether groups preferentially adsorb on the top surface of vertically grown Zn nanosheets formed by initial corrosion, guiding the Zn deposition between them, and finally constructing smooth surface, demonstrating a self-healing feature. Simultaneously, the absorbed Tween-20 can prevent water molecules and SO42− from directly contacting the zinc surface, reducing the zinc corrosion and thus enhance the stability of Zn electrode. As a result, the Zn||Zn symmetric battery using the modified electrolyte with Tween-20 displays super long-lifespan of more than 6500 h at a current density of 1 mA cm−2 with a capacity of 0.5 mAh cm−2. Even in the practical applications, the electrolyte containing Tween-20 can also enable the Zn||MnO2 battery to cycle more than 2500 times almost without decay at 1.8 A g−1.

A Hydrogel Electrolyte toward a Flexible Zinc-Ion Battery and Multifunctional Health Monitoring Electronics.

The compact design of an environmentally adaptive battery and effectors forms the foundation for wearable electronics capable of time-resolved, long-term signal monitoring. Herein, we present a one-body strategy that utilizes a hydrogel as the ionic conductive medium for both flexible aqueous zinc-ion batteries and wearable strain sensors. The poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogel network incorporates nano-SiO2 and cellulose nanofibers (referred to as PSC) in an ethylene glycol/water mixed solvent, balancing the mechanical properties (tensile strength of 6 MPa) and ionic diffusivity at -20 °C (2 orders of magnitude higher than 2 M ZnCl2 electrolyte). Meanwhile, cathode lattice breathing during the solvated Zn2+ intercalation and dendritic Zn protrusion at the anode interface are mitigated. Besides the robust cyclability of the Zn∥PSC∥V2O5 prototype within a wide temperature range (from -20 to 80 °C), this microdevice seamlessly integrates a zinc-ion battery with a strain sensor, enabling precise monitoring of the muscle response during dynamic body movement. By employing transmission-mode operando XRD, the self-powered sensor accurately documents the real-time phasic evolution of the layered cathode and synchronized strain change induced by Zn deposition, which presents a feasible solution of health monitoring by the miniaturized electronics.

Spatial Confinement of Sn/TiO2 Nanoparticles in Hollow Mesoporous Carbon Spheres Opal for Stable Zn Metal Anodes

AbstractThe sluggish Zn2+ diffusion and high nucleation energy barrier induce uncontrolled growth of Zn dendrites and detrimental parasitic reactions, severely hampering the commercialization of Zn metal anodes (ZMAs). Herein, hollow mesoporous carbon sphere opal with confined Sn/TiO2 clusters (HMCSST) is designed as the host to spatially regulate the Zn deposition. Owing to the capillary effect of the ordered hierarchical porous structure, the mass diffusion can be dramatically accelerated to promote a fast deposition kinetics at the interface between ZMA and electrolyte. Besides, the encapsulated ultrafine Sn/TiO2 clusters serve as zincophilic sites to achieve both the uniform Zn deposition on the hierarchical porous opal host and the high thermodynamic stability of ZMAs. Benefiting from the structural and componential merits, the HMCSST host effectively reduces the activation energy to enable a temporal‐spatial ordering of Zn nucleation and growth. As expected, the stable HMCSST‐Zn electrode guarantees steady Zn platting/stripping with long‐term stability over 1300 h in a symmetrical cell at a depth of discharge of 37.5%. As a proof‐of‐concept demonstration, an HMCSST‐Zn||ammonium vanadate full cell shows a long lifespan over 5000 cycles at 10.0 A g−1 with low polarization.

Gyroid Liquid Crystals as Quasi-Solid-State Electrolytes Toward Ultrastable Zinc Batteries.

The potential for optimizing ion transport through triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) structures renders promising electrochemical applications. In this study, as a proof-of-concept, we extend the inherent efficiency and mathematical beauty of TPMS structures to fabricate liquid-crystalline electrolytes with high ionic conductivity and superior structural stability for aqueous rechargeable zinc-ion batteries. The specific topological configuration of the liquid-crystalline electrolytes, featuring a Gyroid geometry, enables the formation of a continuous ion conduction pathway enriched with confined water. This, in turn, promotes the smooth transport of charge carriers and contributes to high ionic conductivity. Meanwhile, the quasi-solid hydrophobic phase assembled by hydrophobic alkyl chains exhibits notable rigidity and toughness, enabling uniform and compact dendrite-free Zn deposition. These merits synergistically enhance the overall performance of the corresponding full batteries. This work highlights the distinctive role of TPMS structures in developing high-performance, liquid-crystalline electrolytes, which can provide a viable route for the rational design of next-generation quasi-solid-state electrolytes.

Mixed trends in heavy metal-enriched fugitive dust on National Park Service lands along the Red Dog Mine haul road, Alaska, 2006-2017.

This study presents the status and trends of long-term monitoring of the elemental concentrations of zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), and cadmium (Cd) in Hylocomium splendens moss tissue in Cape Krusenstern National Monument (CAKR), Alaska, adjacent to the Red Dog Mine haul road. Spatial patterns of the deposition of these metals were re-assessed for the period from 2006-2017 following an identical study that assessed trends between 2001-2006. In contrast to the widespread and steep declines in Zn and Pb levels throughout most of the study area between 2001-2006, this study showed more mixed results for 2006-2017. At distances within 100 m of the haul road, only Pb decreased between 2006-2017. At distances between 100-5,000 m, however, both Zn and Cd decreased between 2006-2017, with high probabilities of decrease and percent decreases of 11-20% and 46-52% respectively. Lead did not decrease in any of the more distant areas. Following earlier work on lichen species richness in the study area, it appears that 2017 Zn levels are approaching those associated with "background" lichen species richness throughout a relatively large proportion of the study area at least 2,000 m from the haul road and several km from the port site. The findings in this study may be used to plan additional mitigation measures to reduce Zn deposition related to impacts on lichen communities.

Dendrite-free zinc deposition enabled by MXene/nylon scaffold and polydopamine solid-electrolyte interphase for flexible zinc-ion batteries

The rapid growth of wearable and portable electronic devices calls for energy storage devices with good flexibility, high energy density, and safety. Rechargeable aqueous Zn ion batteries (ZIBs) with the merits of environmental benignity, high safety, and low cost have arisen as promising energy storage candidates for wearable electronic systems. However, the unstable Zn anode interface and notorious Zn dendrite formation hinder the application of flexible ZIBs. Herein, a highly stable and flexible Zn anode is developed by taking advantage of highly conductive Ti3C2 MXene coated nylon fabric (MXNY) as a three-dimensional (3D) Zn deposition skeleton and polydopamine (PDA) as a solid electrolyte interface (SEI). The combination of MXNY and PDA SEI provides synergistic benefits such as a stabilized interface for homogenous and dendrite-free Zn deposition and improved corrosion resistance. As a result, a flexible and stable Zn anode with improved Coulombic efficiency of 99.6 % at a current density of 10 mA cm–2 for 1 mA h cm–2, and long cycling stability of more than 3000 h at a current density of 0.5 mA cm–2 for 0.5 mA h cm–2 can be achieved. When paired with a flexible cathode, the quasi-solid-state ZIB can power various electronic devices under different mechanical deformations, indicating its promising potential as flexible energy storage devices for wearable and portable electronics.

Bone characteristics, pre-caecal phytate degradation, mineral digestibility and tissue expression were marginally affected by zinc level and source in phytase-supplemented diets in 21-day-old broiler chickens

ABSTRACT 1. This study determined the effect of dietary Zn concentration and source in phytase-supplemented diets on bone mineralisation, gastrointestinal phytate breakdown, mRNA-level gene expression (in jejunum, liver and Pectoralis major muscle) and growth performance in broiler chickens. 2. Male Cobb 500 broilers were housed in floor pens (d 0-d 21) to test seven treatments with six replicate pens (12 birds per pen). Diets were arranged in a 2 × 3 + 1-factorial arrangement. The experimental factors were Zn source (Zn-oxide (ZnO) or Zn-glycinate (ZnGly) and Zn supplementation level (10, 30 or 50 mg/kg of diet). A maize-soybean meal-based diet without supplementation and formulated to contain 28 mg Zn/kg (analysed to be 35 mg Zn/kg), served as a control. 3. Zinc source and level did not influence (p > 0.05) bone ash concentration and quantity or mineral concentrations in bone ash. Tibia thickness was greater in the treatment ZnO10 than in the treatments ZnO30 and ZnGly50 (Zn level × Zn source: p = 0.036), but width and breaking strength were not affected. 4. Pre-caecal P digestibility and concentrations of phytate breakdown products in the ileum, except for InsP5, were not affected by Zn source or level. Only the expression of EIF4EBP1 (eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E-binding protein 1) and FBXO32 (F-box only protein 32) in Pectoralis major muscle was affected by source, where expression was increased in ZnO compared to ZnGly diets (p < 0.05). 5. In conclusion, Zn level and source did not affect gastrointestinal phytate degradation and bone mineralisation in phytase-supplemented diets. The intrinsic Zn concentration appeared to be sufficient for maximum bone Zn deposition under the conditions of the present study but requires validation in longer-term trials.

Insight into Sulfur-Containing Zwitter-Molecule Boosting Zn Anode: from Electrolytes to Electrodes.

Numerous organic electrolytes additives have been reported to improve Zn anode performance in aqueous Zn metal batteries (AZMBs). However, the modification mechanism needs to be further revealed in consideration of different environments for electrolytes and electrodes during the charge-discharge process. Herein, sulfur-containing zwitter-molecule (methionine, Met) is used as an additive for ZnSO4 electrolytes. In electrolytes, Met reduces the H2O coordination number and facilitates the desolvation process by virtue of functional groups (─COOH, ─NH2, C─S─C), accelerating Zn2+ transference kinetics and decreasing the amount of active water. On electrodes, Met prefers to adsorb on Zn (002) plane and further transforms into a zincophilic protective layer containing C─SOx─C through an in situ electrochemical oxidization, suppressing H2 evolution/corrosion reactions and guiding dendrite-free Zn deposition. By using Met-containing ZnSO4 electrolytes, the Zn//Zn cells show superior cycling performance under 30mAcm-2/30mAhcm-2. Moreover, the full cells Zn//NH4V4O10 full cells using the modified electrolytes exhibit good performance at temperatures from -8 to 60°C. Notably, a high energy density of 105.30Whkg-1 can be delivered using a low N/P ratio of 1.2, showing a promising prospect of Met electrolytes additives for practical use.

Compositional balance analysis: A novel method for tectono-geochemical anomaly identification and blind ore deposit prediction

Tectono-geochemical exploration always involves the study of tectono-geochemical primary halos. From the perspective of compositional data analysis, this study introduced how to use compositional balance analysis (CoBA) method to recognize tectono-geochemical anomalies and infer blind ore deposits in the deep. A case study for prediction of concealed Pb–Zn ore deposits based on tectono-geochemical data in the Huangzhuguan ore cluster, Gansu Province, China, was employed to demonstrate the potential applications of the CoBA method. First, an optimal element combination (i.e., Pb–Zn –Cd) related to near-ore halo was determined by means of CoBA method and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Then, according to the element zonation sequences of the primary halo in the hydrothermal deposit, the front halo element combination (i.e., As–Sb–Hg) and the tail halo element combination (i.e., W–Sn–Mo–Bi) were selected for compositional balance analysis. Finally, based on knowledge-driven CoBA method, three types of tectono-geochemical primary halos were customized to evaluate blind Pb–Zn deposits in the Huangzhuguan ore cluster. The results indicate that the CoBA method combined with the superimposed characteristics of tectono-geochemical primary haloes, proves to be effective and straightforward in interpreting Pb–Zn mineralization-related anomalies and predicting hidden Pb–Zn targets.

Enabling Stable Zn Anode with PVDF/CNTs Nanocomposites Protective Layer Toward High‐Performance Aqueous Zinc‐Ion Batteries

AbstractDue to its abundance of natural resources, high theoretical capacity, and suitable redox potential (−0.76 V vs SHE), Zn anode has received extensive attention both from academy and industry. However, the coexistence of Zn and H2O, which is unfortunately thermodynamically unstable, always involves severe metal corrosion, H2 evolution, dendrite growth, resulting in low reversibility of Zn anode. Herein, a phase transfer method is adapted to design a porous conductive protective layer on the Zn anode, denoted as (PVDF (Polyvinylidene fluoride)/CNTs(Carbon Nanotubes)‐PT(phase transfer) @ Zn). Based on in situ characterization, COMSOL simulation, and migration energy barrier calculation, it can be demonstrated that PVDF/CNTs‐PT @ Zn effectively inhibited the production of Zn dendrites and the side reactions triggered by H2O, achieving uniform deposition. Especially, the full picture of Zn deposition is observed using in situ computed tomography (CT). The symmetrical cell using the PVDF/CNTs‐PT @ Zn demonstrates dendrite‐free plating/stripping and possesses much better cycle stability than the bare Zn. A stable rechargeable full battery is demoed through coupling the PVDF/CNTs‐PT @ Zn anode with commercial V2O5. The strategy showcases a feasible pathway to inhibit Zn dendrite and side reactions in aqueous Zn ion battery, opening a promising avenue for the construction of metal anode protection layer.

Amphoteric Polymer Strategy with Buffer‐Adsorption Mechanism for Long‐Life Aqueous Zinc Ion Batteries

AbstractWater‐based secondary batteries with multivalent metals anode provide a promising option for energy storage with low cost and high security. However, the electrochemical performance of aqueous Zinc ion batteries (AZIBs) is mainly restricted by problems such as poor reversibility and hydrogen evolution. Herein, an “amphoteric polymer strategy” with buffer‐adsorption mechanism for AZIBs is proposed by introducing poly‐L‐Glutamic Acid (PGA) into the electrolyte. Amphoteric polymer enriched functional carboxyl and amino groups confer high compatibility of the Zn metal anodes as well as the relative stability of the bulk electrolyte pH simultaneously. Partial PGA molecules distributed in bulk electrolyte dynamically dissociate to stabilize pH and correspondingly slow down the generation of inert components, while others specifically adsorbed on zinc foil can relieve electrochemical corrosion and induce dendrite‐free uniform Zn deposition. Consequently, long‐term cycling stability (&gt;1650 h) and high levels of reversibility (Coulombic efficiency&gt;99.5%) of Zn anode are harvested in 2 m ZnSO4 electrolyte with only 0.5 wt% of PGA. In addition, when coupled with Zn0.25V2O5(ZVO) cathode, the full cell exhibits higher capacity retention and less pH fluctuation. This work reveals a novel buffer‐adsorption mechanism offered by amphoteric functional polymer, and provides a new additive design principle for rechargeable AZIBs.

Understanding the Role of Additives on The Electrochemistry and Performance of Zn Energy Storage Devices

AbstractAs the interest in alternative Li‐based energy storage technologies increased during the last years, zinc emerged as a promising candidate. Despite several advantages over Li, Zn cycling stability is still a major issue. In this article, the use of near‐neutral electrolytes (non‐expensive 2 M ZnSO4) with the addition of different additives (dimethylsulfoxide and tetratethylammonium chloride) is proposed as a solution. The Zn deposition/dissolution electrochemistry has been evaluated and the cycling stability was determined in Zn//Zn symmetric coin‐cells. Hybrid supercapacitors were also assembled and tested in a range of 0.2 V–1.8 V for 2000 cycles, using activated carbon electrodes as cathode and Zn foil as anode. The results show that dimethylsulfoxide strongly inhibits the Zn deposition process, evidenced by a decrease in the cathodic current density, as well as in the dissolution peak. DMSO affects the deposition mechanism, whereas tetratethylammonium chloride reduces the exchange current density, consistent with the adsorption of tetraethylammonium ions on the Zn surface. A synergy between both additives leading to further inhibition of Zn2+ reduction is observed allowing cycling up to 250 hours for Zn//Zn devices. In addition, the performance of hybrid supercapacitors has also improved showing better capacity and extended cycle life.

Boosting the performance of aqueous zinc‐ion battery by regulating the electrolyte solvation structure

AbstractThe practical implementation of aqueous Zn‐ion batteries (ZIBs) for large‐scale energy storage is impeded by the challenges of water‐induced parasitic reactions and uncontrolled dendrite growth. Herein, we propose a strategy to regulate both anions and cations of electrolyte solvation structures to address above challenges, by introducing an electrolyte additive of 3‐hydroxy‐4‐(trimethylammonio)butyrate (HTMAB) into ZnSO4 electrolyte. Consequently, the deposition of Zn is significantly improved leading to a highly reversible Zn anode with paralleled texture. The Zn/Zn cells with ZnSO4/HTMAB exhibit outstanding cycling performance, showcasing a lifespan exceeding 7500 h and an exceptionally high accumulative capacity of 16.47 Ah cm−2. Zn/NaV3O8·1.5H2O full cell displays a specific capacity of ~130 mAh g−1 at 5 A g−1 maintaining a capacity retention of 93% after 2000 cycles. This work highlights the regulation on both cations and anions of electrolyte solvation structures in optimizing interfacial stability during Zn plating/stripping for high performance ZIBs.image

Nanodiamond Implanted Zinc Metal Anode for Long‐Life Aqueous Zinc Ion Batteries

AbstractThe practical application of aqueous zinc ion batteries is greatly hindered by the severe dendrite growth and side reactions on the Zn metal anode. To address these challenges, nanodiamond (ND) particles are implanted on the Zn foil surface by a straightforward mechanical rolling process, which serves as heterogeneous seeds, enhancing the cycling stability of Zn metal anode. ND particles with carboxyl groups facilitate the even distribution of electric fields and Zn2+ ions in their vicinity, which promotes the homogeneous deposition of Zn. Moreover, the excellent corrosion resistance of ND particles alleviates the side reactions of the electrode, thus effectively protecting the Zn metal anode in aqueous electrolyte. Benefited from these advantages, the ND@Zn anode shows over 4100 h reversible cycles in symmetric cells, and 99.7% Coulombic efficiency in asymmetric cells. The ND@Zn||MnO2 full cell achieves a stable life of 1000 cycles with 87.0% capacity retention at 1 A g−1 current density. This cost‐effective fabrication process holds the potential for scalability, making it amenable to large‐scale production of zinc metal anodes.

Bimetal-Initiated Concerted Zn Regulation Enabling Highly Stable Aqueous Zn-Ion Batteries

Aqueous zinc ion batteries are highly sought after for the next generation of sustainable energy storage systems. However, their development is significantly impeded by the presence of undesired zinc dendrites, which greatly reduce their cycle life. It is well-received that surface passivation by introducing foreign metals represents a compelling measure to enhance the stability of Zn anodes. Nevertheless, the vast potential of effecting concerted interplay between multiple metal elements for enhanced overall performance in Zn ion batteries remains elusive, due to the overwhelming challenge in creating uniform textures from hetero-units and understanding the mechanism underlying the synergistic performance gain. In this work, an innovative bimetallic overlaying strategy is proposed that renders possible the synergy between AgZn3 and CuZn5 in effecting uniform Zn deposition in a laterally confined and compact manner. The seeded growth of Zn on the bimetal-modulated interface effectively reduces the nucleation potential barrier, yielding a low nucleation overpotential (25 mV). In full cell testing with a commercial MnO2 applied as the cathode, superb cycling stability, surpassing the results reported in previous works, is achieved. The cell delivers an outstanding remaining capacity of 215 mA h g−1 after 300 cycles with almost no capacity degradation observed. The simple and highly efficient bimetal design, which synergizes the strengths of distinct metals, has the potential to drive innovations in the development of multicomponent aqueous Zn batteries with exceptional performance.