Hybrid Artificial Interfacial Layer for Protecting\nZinc Anodes and Suppressing Polyiodide Shuttle

As a high-capacity and cost-effective\nanode, zinc metal is garnering\nsignificant attention for aqueous energy storage systems. However,\nit suffers from serious issues, such as undesirable side reactions,\npolyiodide shuttle, and uncontrolled Zn dendrite growth. Herein, an\ninnovative solution is proposed by constructing a hybrid artificial\ninterfacial layer on Zn anode surfaces to protect zinc metal anodes.\nBenefiting from the compact structure and negatively charged ionic\nchannels, the as-obtained protective layer can not only promote Zn\nnucleation and accelerate zinc ion migration, thereby resulting in\nremarkable dendrite-free and highly reversible Zn anodes, but also\nserves as an armor to suppress side reactions and polyiodide shuttle,\nthereby avoiding the corrosion of zinc anodes. Consequently, both\nassembled symmetric and aqueous cells deliver a prolonged cycle life.\nThe work offers a promising avenue for achieving ultrastable Zn anodes\nin aqueous energy storage systems.