Interface-engineered anode-free aqueous zinc-ion batteries using laser-carbonized metal organic framework

In this work, we present a novel metal organic framework (MOF) derived surface modification strategy to enhance the stability and electrochemical behavior of anode-free aqueous zinc ion batteries (ZIBs). Specifically, copper ions and benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylic acid coordinated (HKUST-1) MOFs are directly synthesized on copper (Cu) foil via a facile wet-chemical route, followed by laser carbonization to form a porous carbon-modified interface (LACI-Cu). Comprehensive structural and electrochemical analyses confirm that the fabricated LACI-Cu anodes exhibit excellent electrochemical stability, significantly improving battery performance. Symmetric cells with LACI-Cu anodes exhibit prolonged cycling stability, sustaining 1000 h at 1.0 mA cm −2 and 750 h at both 2.0 and 5.0 mA cm −2 . Furthermore, full cells with LACI-Cu anodes and vanadium pentoxide (V 2 O 5 ) cathodes deliver a remarkable specific capacity of 269.8 mAh g −1 at 0.1 A g −1 , which is an order of magnitude higher than that of bare Cu//V 2 O 5 cells (24.8 mAh g −1 ), and retain 84.5% of their initial capacity after 1400 cycles at 1.0 A g −1 . These results demonstrate the potential of MOF-derived surface engineering in advancing aqueous ZIBs. The development of anode-free ZIBs represents a pivotal shift in battery architecture to overcome longstanding barriers associated with Zn metal anodes. This work introduces a MOF-derived surface modification strategy to improve the electrochemical performance of anode-free aqueous ZIBs. HKUST-1 MOFs were synthesized on Cu foil via a simple wet-chemical process, then laser-carbonized to form a porous carbon interface (LACI), significantly boosting cycling life and capacity retention in symmetric cells compared to bare Cu. • A laser-assisted carbonization strategy is utilized to achieve Zn-metal free anodes. • A remarkable stability for 1000 h at 1.0 mA cm −2 (1.0 mAh cm −2 ). • Anode-free cells deliver a remarkable specific capacity of 269.8 mAh g −1 at 0.1 A g −1 .