Functional Ultrathin Separators Proactively Stabilizing Zinc Anodes for Zinc‐Based Energy Storage

Abstract Ultrathin separators are indispensable to high‐energy‐density zinc‐ion batteries (ZIBs), but their easy failure caused by zinc dendrites poses a great challenge. Herein, 23 µm‐thick functional ultrathin separators (FUSs), realizing superb electrochemical stability of zinc anodes and outstanding long‐term durability of ultrathin separators, are reported. In the FUSs, an ultrathin but mechanically strong nanoporous membrane substrate benefits fast and flux‐homogenized Zn 2+ transport, while a metal–organic framework (MOF)‐derived C/Cu nanocomposite decoration layer provides rich low‐barrier zinc nucleation sites, thereby synergistically stabilizing zinc anodes to inhibit zinc dendrites and…

• NN
  National Natural Science Foundation of China

  Award: 52002149
• BA
  Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation of Guangdong Province

  Award: 2020A1515111202