Highly Reversible Zinc Anode Enabled by a Cation-Exchange Coating with Zn-Ion Selective Channels

Rechargeable aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) have attracted extensive attention due to their low cost and high safety. However, the critical issues of dendrite growth and side reactions on the Zn metal anode hinder the commercialization of ZIBs. Herein, we demonstrated that the formation of Zn4SO4(OH)6·5H2O byproducts is closely relevant to the direct contact between the Zn electrode and SO42–/H2O. On the basis of this finding, we developed a cation-exchange membrane of perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) coated on the Zn surface to regulate the Zn plating/stripping behavior. Importantly, the PFSA film with abundant sulfonic acid groups could simultaneously block the access of SO42– and H2O, accelerate the Zn2+…

• NS
  Natural Science Foundation of Shanghai

  Award: 20ZR1427600
• NN
  National Natural Science Foundation of China

  Awards: 21871177, 51773115, 21890730, 21890733