Atomically Dispersed Zincophilic Sites in N,P-Codoped Carbon Macroporous Fibers Enable Efficient Zn Metal Anodes

Zn dendrite growth and undesired parasitic reactionsseverely restrictthe practical use of deep-cycling Zn metal anodes (ZMAs). Herein,we demonstrate an elaborate design of atomically dispersed Cu andZn sites anchored on N,P-codoped carbon macroporous fibers (denotedas Cu/Zn-N/P-CMFs) as a three-dimensional (3D) versatile host forefficient ZMAs in mildly acidic electrolyte. The 3D macroporous frameworkscan alleviate the structural stress and suppress Zn dendrite growthby spatially homogenizing Zn2+ flux. Moreover, the well-dispersedCu and Zn atoms anchored by N and P atoms maximize the utilizationas abundant active nucleation sites for Zn plating. As expected, theCu/Zn-N/P-CMFs host presents a low Zn nucleation overpotential, highreversibility, and dendrite-free Zn deposition. The Cu/Zn-N/P-CMFs-Znelectrode exhibits stable Zn plating/stripping with low polarizationfor 630 h at 2 mA cm(-2) and 2 mAh cm(-2). When coupled with a MnO2 cathode, the fabricated fullcell also shows impressive cycling performance even when tested underharsh conditions.

Automated summary

In this study, an elaborate design of atomically dispersed Cu and Zn sites anchored on N, P-codoped carbon macroporous fibers (Cu/Zn-N/P-CMFs) was demonstrated as a three-dimensional host for efficient zinc metal anodes (ZMAs) in mildly acidic electrolyte. The 3D macroporous frameworks can alleviate structural stress and suppress zinc dendrite growth by spatially homogenizing zinc ion flux. The well-dispersed Cu and Zn atoms anchored by N and P atoms maximize utilization as active nucleation sites for zinc plating, resulting in a low zinc nucleation overpotential, high reversibility, and dendrite-free zinc deposition.