Realizing highly reversible and deeply rechargeable Zn anode by porous zeolite layer

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries are of high interest due to their intrinsic safety, low cost, and high volume capacity. However, entrenched problems such as the dendrite growth and complex side reactions of zinc metal anodes severely reduce the reversibility of the battery. In this work, the modified porous natural zeolite materials are used to prepare a protective coating layer for the zinc anode. Such coating layer has a positive effect on inhibiting side reactions associated with dendrites as confirmed by test results. As a consequence, the modified zinc metal anodes can operate over 1200 h at 1 mA cm -2 with 0.5 mAh cm -2 in symmetric cells and achieve a lifespan up to 500 h at an ultrahigh areal capacity of 30 mAh cm-2 (10 mA cm-2 for 3 h). The full cells using modified Zn anodes and the V10O24-PANI nanosheet cathodes deliver a capacity of 332 mAh g- 1 at 1 A g-1 and also show great cycling stability with 89% retained capacity after 1000 cycles at 10 A g-1. By solving the electrochemical problems of zinc anodes, the proposed strategy provides a new opportunity for the widespread applications of high-performance aqueous batteries in next-generation energy storage systems.

Automated summary

This study presents a strategy to improve the reversibility and cycling stability of aqueous zinc-ion batteries by using modified porous natural zeolite materials as a protective coating for the zinc anode. The modified zinc anodes exhibited long cycling lifespan and high capacity, demonstrating the potential of this approach for high-performance aqueous batteries.