Hydrogen-Bond-Mediated Interfacial Water-Masking Strategy for Facet-Controlled Zn Deposition in Aqueous Zn Metal Batteries

Aqueous zinc metal batteries (AZMBs) are limited by water-driven parasitic reactions and unstable Zn deposition. We report a hydrogen-bond-mediated interfacial water-masking strategy using isosorbide dimethyl ether (IDE), a symmetric molecule with electron-rich sites and multiple hydrogen-bond acceptors, to regulate Zn interfacial chemistry at the molecular level. Here, IDE reconstructs the outer hydrogen-bonding network to reduce water activity without occupying the primary Zn2+ solvation sheath. Density-functional analysis further reveals facet-selective adsorption of IDE on Zn(100)/(101), guiding deposition toward the low-energy (002) orientation. IDE-related complexes also promote the formation of an…

• NN
  National Natural Science Foundation of China

  Awards: 52422314, 52504056, 52231008, 52402357, U23A20687
• CP
  China Postdoctoral Science Foundation

  Award: GZC20251943
• KR
  Key Research and Development Project of Hainan Province

  Awards: ZDYF2025GXJS005, ZDYF2024GXJS006