Compact Electrodeposition Enabled by Synchronized Charge Transfer for Stable Aqueous Zn Metal Anodes

Abstract Randomly oriented hexagonal zinc (Zn) electrodeposits severely compromise the stability and reversibility of Zn‐metal electrodes. These deposits originate from localized interfacial high current densities and the preferential growth of (002) planes extending into the electrolyte. The electroconvection in the bulk electrolyte can amplify interfacial ion depletion and further exacerbate the uneven interfacial electrochemical reactions. Here, it is demonstrated that benzyl alcohol acts as a blocking agent on the metal substrate, enabling synchronized charge transfer across the electrode‐electrolyte interface. This synchronized charge transfer process facilitates the incorporation of newly formed Zn atoms into step edges of the substrate lattice via a screw dislocation growth mechanism. Such a strategy promotes effective layer‐by‐layer growth, yielding uniform and compact Zn deposits. As a result, Zn||Zn cells exhibit exceptional plating/stripping stability for over 2800 h and maintain resilience at an 80% depth of discharge of Zn (DOD Zn ). Under a limited Zn supply (50% DOD Zn ), Zn||Ti cells achieve an average Coulombic efficiency of 92.8%, highlighting the high reversibility of Zn‐metal electrodes. Additionally, Zn||VS 2 full cells with a 10 µm‐thin Zn‐metal foil show significantly enhanced electrochemical reversibility and capacity retention. This work establishes a universal framework for stabilizing metal electrodes, prioritizing electrodeposition step synchronization over isolated process optimization.

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Publication Details

Journal
Advanced Functional Materials
Published
2025-11-04
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202517609
Primary Topic
Advanced battery technologies research
Type
article
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article

Compact Electrodeposition Enabled by Synchronized Charge Transfer for Stable Aqueous Zn Metal Anodes

Ruirui Zhao, Zhichuan Jason Xu, Zihan Shen, Haoteng Sun et al.
Advanced Functional Materials
Advanced battery technologies research
article

Compact Electrodeposition Enabled by Synchronized Charge Transfer for Stable Aqueous Zn Metal Anodes

Ruirui Zhao, Zhichuan Jason Xu, Zihan Shen, Haoteng Sun, Songzhu Luo
article en

Abstract

Abstract Randomly oriented hexagonal zinc (Zn) electrodeposits severely compromise the stability and reversibility of Zn‐metal electrodes. These deposits originate from localized interfacial high current densities and the preferential growth of (002) planes extending into the electrolyte. The electroconvection in the bulk electrolyte can amplify interfacial ion depletion and further exacerbate the uneven interfacial electrochemical reactions. Here, it is demonstrated that benzyl alcohol acts as a blocking agent on the metal substrate, enabling synchronized charge transfer across the electrode‐electrolyte interface. This synchronized charge transfer process facilitates the incorporation of newly formed Zn atoms into step edges of the substrate lattice via a screw dislocation growth mechanism. Such a strategy promotes effective layer‐by‐layer growth, yielding uniform and compact Zn deposits. As a result, Zn||Zn cells exhibit exceptional plating/stripping stability for over 2800 h and maintain resilience at an 80% depth of discharge of Zn (DOD Zn ). Under a limited Zn supply (50% DOD Zn ), Zn||Ti cells achieve an average Coulombic efficiency of 92.8%, highlighting the high reversibility of Zn‐metal electrodes. Additionally, Zn||VS 2 full cells with a 10 µm‐thin Zn‐metal foil show significantly enhanced electrochemical reversibility and capacity retention. This work establishes a universal framework for stabilizing metal electrodes, prioritizing electrodeposition step synchronization over isolated process optimization.

Advanced Functional MaterialsVol. 36(22)
Nanyang Technological University (SG), John Brown University (US), Brown University (US)
Openalex Percentile: Top 68%
Advanced battery technologies research
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