Reconstructed Nanoclay-Based Membranes with Nanofluidic Channels for Ultra-Stable Zinc-Ion Batteries

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) with Zn metal anode are promising for new next-generation energy storage devices owing to the abundant zinc reserves, mild chemical properties, and high energy density. Nevertheless, the dendrite, corrosion, and by-products issues are inherent on Zn metal anode and severely affect the applications of ZIBs. Herein, we propose a lamellated reconstructed montmorillonite-based membranes (RMM) with nanofluidic channels for uniforming the distribution of Zn2+, restraining the growth of Zn dendrite, and suppressing the generation of irreversible products. The RMM with excellent hydrophilicity and stability in electrolyte was sandwiched between the separator and Zn metal anode to assemble cells. The Zn/Zn symmetric cells with RMM-Zn can achieve stable Zn electroplating/electrostripping over 1000 h at a current density of 4.4 mA cm-2 with almost no Zn dendrite. Meanwhile, the Zn/MnO2 cells based on RMM-Zn anode exhibit high durability and capacity retention of 92.6% after 900 cycles at 5 C as well as a smooth and neat morphology. The novel design of reconstructed nanoclay-based membranes has enormous potential for the ultra-stable and high-performance zinc-ion battery.