Achieving Stable Zinc Metal Anode Via Polyaniline Interface Regulation of Zn Ion Flux and Desolvation
Bin Li, Shude Liu, Yifei Geng, Caiwang Mao, Lei Dai, Ling Wang, Seong Chan Jun, Bingan Lu, Zhangxing He, Jiang Zhou
Abstract
Abstract Aqueous zinc‐ion batteries feature high safety, low cost, and relatively high energy density; however, their cycle life is hindered by severe Zn dendrite formation and water‐induced parasitic reactions. Herein, a porous polyaniline (PANI) interfacial layer is developed on the surface of Zn metal anode to regulate the transport and deposition of Zn 2+ , achieving an ultra‐stable and highly reversible Zn anode. Specifically, the abundant polar groups (NH and N) in PANI have a strong attraction to H 2 O, which can trap and immobilize H 2 O molecules around Zn 2+ . Moreover, the protective layer regulates ion flux and deposition behavior of Zn 2+ through the ion confinement effect. Consequently, the Zn@PANI anode exhibits improved reversible plating/stripping behavior with a low nucleation overpotential (37.9 mV) at 2.0 mA cm ‐2 compared to that of bare Zn anode. The MnO 2 //Zn@PANI cell demonstrates a high capacity retention of 94.3% after 1000 cycles at 1.0 A g −1 . This study lays the foundation for accessible interface engineering and in‐depth mechanistic analysis of Zn anode.