Multifunctional\nZinc Vanadium Oxide Layer on Metal\nAnodes Via Ultrathin Surface Coating for Enhanced Stability in Aqueous\nZinc-Ion Batteries

An ultrathin zinc vanadium oxide (ZVO) layer is introduced\nonto\na Zn anode surface using a surface-coating method. This ZVO layer\nis shown to inhibit corrosion of the Zn anode and promote uniform\nZn deposition. Consequently, the ZVO-coated Zn (ZVO@Zn) anode significantly\nenhances the performance and stability of zinc ion batteries (ZIBs),\ndemonstrating long-term cycling stability for 1000 h in a Zn symmetric\ncell at 2 mA cm<sup>–2</sup>. Additionally, the ZVO@Zn||MnO<sub>2</sub> cell shows improved capacity retention and rate capabilities\nin full-cell tests. The ZVO@Zn||MnO<sub>2</sub> cell achieves specific\ncapacities of 227.3 and 131.8 mAh g<sup>–1</sup> at 0.3 and\n2 C, respectively, compared to those of the bare Zn||MnO<sub>2</sub> cell. Furthermore, the ZVO@Zn||MnO<sub>2</sub> cell demonstrates\nrelatively stable cycling without significant initial capacity decay,\nthereby indicating its enhanced long-term performance. This work presents\na promising approach for accelerating the development and enhancing\nthe performance and reliability of ZIBs.