Ultra‐Stable Aqueous Zinc Batteries Enabled by β‐Cyclodextrin: Preferred Zinc Deposition and Suppressed Parasitic Reactions

Abstract The intrinsic zinc dendrite growth aggravated by the uneven electric field at the Zn anode surface and the water‐induced parasitic reactions have largely impeded rechargeable aqueous zinc‐ion batteries for the practical applications in large‐scale energy storage. Here, an effective strategy is proposed to manipulate Zn deposition and simultaneously prevent the generation of insulating by‐products (Zn 4 SO 4 (OH) 6 ·xH 2 O) for improved plating/stripping on Zn anodes by the addition of a nontoxic electrolyte additive, β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD). The simulation results indicate that β‐CD molecules prefer to adsorb horizontally on Zn (002) plane, regulating the diffusion pathways and deposition sites of Zn 2+…

• NN
  National Natural Science Foundation of China

  Awards: 22175108, 21802086
• NS
  Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province

  Awards: ZR2020YQ09, ZR2020JQ09, ZR2019MB048
• SF
  Shenzhen Fundamental Research Program

  Award: JCYJ20190807093411445