A Nanocluster\nColloidal Electrolyte Enables Highly\nStable and Reversible Zinc Anodes

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries represent a favorable technology\nfor\nstationary energy storage systems owing to their safety, reliability,\nand cost-effectiveness. However, Zn anodes suffer uncontrollable dendrite\nformation and harmful side reactions that lead to a short lifespan.\nHerein, we demonstrate a nanocluster colloidal electrolyte strategy\nfor stabilizing the zinc anodes. A copper nanocluster (CuNC) is screened\nout to validate the efficient suppression of messy dendrites and side\nreactions. A CuNC could resurface a zincophilic and protective interlayer\nfor interfacially steering uniform Zn stripping/plating and mitigating\ncorrosion/hydrogen evolution reactions. Impressively, the colloidal\nelectrolyte enables zinc anodes to show a high Coulombic efficiency\nof 99.8% over 2100 cycles and extended lifespans of 2200 and 1300\nh under 0.5 and 5 mA cm<sup>–2</sup>, respectively. A full\ncell based on the modified electrolyte exhibits significantly improved\ncycling durability for more than 15 000 cycles. This work will\naid in the design of nanocluser colloidal electrolytes with respect\nto stable zinc chemistry and beyond.