Dense Zinc Deposition Underneath a Zincophobic MoTe 2 Protective Layer via Weakening Electrostatic Repulsion for Durable Zinc Metal Batteries

ABSTRACT Aqueous zinc metal batteries (ZMBs) with low cost and intrinsic safety hold great promise for large‐scale energy storage. However, the unstable zinc‐electrolyte interface chemistry frequently triggers Zn dendrites and side reactions, leading to rapid capacity decay of ZMBs. Herein, an interfacial electrical field based on the work function difference between Zn (3.8 eV) and metallic 1T'‐MoTe 2 nanosheets (4.4 eV) is established to weaken electrostatic repulsion of Zn 2+ ions in the electrical double layer (EDL) for durable ZMBs. Importantly, theoretical and experimental results indicate that the interfacial electric field can effectively compress the EDL thickness and attract more zinc ions to occupy the EDL, greatly suppressing side reactions during zinc deposition; thus, dense and dendrite‐free Zn deposition can be achieved under the zincophobic MoTe 2 protective layer for long‐life ZMBs. Therefore, the assembled MoTe 2 @Zn||MoTe 2 @Zn cells display an ultra‐long cycle life of 5000 h at 1 mA cm −2 and 1 mAh cm −2 , and maintain reversible zinc deposition for 75 h at 1 mA cm −2 and 4 mAh cm −2 even at a depth of discharge of 68%. The resulting MoTe 2 @Zn||MnO 2 ZMBs exhibit outstanding 1000 cycles at 1 A g −1 , and the MoTe 2 @Zn||MnO 2 pouch ZMBs are further demonstrated for practical applications.