Stable Zinc Metal Anode by Nanosecond Pulsed Laser Enabled Gradient Design

The development of long-term stable Zn anodes capableof operatingat high current densities and/or capacities remains a huge challenge.Herein, through the rapid potassium permanganate solution treatmentand laser lithography, we have developed a gradient Zn anode (LLP@TreatedZn) with the insulating and hydrophobic passivated-layer at the topand conductive and hydrophilic fresh-zinc-layer at the bottom. Thismakes the passivation layer prevent the Zn anodes from corrosionand side reactions and induce the preferential deposition of Zn atthe bottom of the microchannel without dendrite growth. As a consequence,the LLP@Treated Zn anodes exhibit a stable cycle life for over 700h at 10 mA cm(-2) and 5 mAh cm(-2). Moreover, the Zn anodes with different surface morphologies (ring,lattice, etc.) could also be obtained by laser lithography, whichproves the flexibility of the pulsed laser lithography strategy inthe preparation of battery materials.

Automated summary

In this study, a gradient Zn anode (LLP@TreatedZn) with a passivated-layer at the top and fresh-zinc-layer at the bottom was developed using potassium permanganate solution treatment and laser lithography. The passivation layer prevents corrosion and side reactions, while promoting preferential deposition of Zn at the bottom of the microchannel. The LLP@Treated Zn anodes exhibited stable cycling performance over 700h at high current densities. Laser lithography also allowed for the fabrication of Zn anodes with different surface morphologies.