Functional Aerogel Driven Synchronous Modulation of Zn<sup>2+</sup> Interfacial Migration Behavior and Electrolyte Microenvironment Enables Highly Reversible Zn Anodes
Zhenhai Shi, Junhong Guo, Zhuanyi Liu, Zijian Xu, Jiayi Yu, Jianguo Ren, Suli Chen, Tianxi Liu
Abstract
Abstract Uncontrolled dendrite growth and electrolyte‐induced intricate parasitic reactions are two great challenges that hinder the commercial applications of aqueous zinc‐ion batteries. Herein, a synchronous modulation strategy for Zn 2+ interfacial migration behavior and electrolyte microenvironment is proposed by constructing a functional lanthanum hydroxide aerogel (LAG) interface layer on Zn anode surface. The in situ derivation of ion‐conducting zinc hydroxide sulfate (ZHS) from LAG layer results in the spontaneous generation of a hierarchic interface layer during the plating process, where the high Zn 2+ selectivity of the upper dense ZHS layer can limit SO 4 2− migration and allow for fast Zn 2+ interfacial migration kinetics, while the aerogel layer with well‐defined nanochannels near the anode side can homogenize Zn 2+ distribution, thus leading to the effective suppression of both dendrites and side reactions. Additionally, the pH microenvironment of the acidic electrolyte can be synchronously regulated by slightly soluble La(OH) 3 aerogel, further inhibiting electrolyte corrosion and HER. Consequently, the modified Zn anode delivers highly reversible Zn plating/stripping and low‐voltage hysteresis, and the high areal‐capacity Zn||MnO 2 full cells demonstrate considerable electrochemical performances under high Zn utilization conditions. This functional aerogel‐driven synchronous modulation strategy of Zn 2+ migration behavior and electrolyte microenvironment provides new insight for stabilizing Zn metal anodes.