A Synergistic Strategy of Organic Molecules Introduced a High Zn²⁺ Flux Solid Electrolyte Interphase for Stable Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries

Aqueous rechargeable zinc-ion batteries (ARZIBs) are considered as attractive candidates for the next generation of high-safety and low-cost energy storage in large-scale power grids. However, challenges such as the dendrites and the corrosion on the zinc (Zn) surface result in short battery life and low reversibility of Zn plating/stripping. In this work, a method of preconditioning of a zinc anode in hybrid electrolytes (based on poly(ethylene glycol)-200 and H2O) to form a solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) that prevents anode corrosion and dendrites is proposed. Though surface composition analysis and density functional theory calculation, this SEI has dense organic and inorganic components due to the induction of organic molecules and anions and has rapid kinetic and high-throughput properties for the transport of zinc ions. As a result, the SEI-modified Zn anode can maintain a low-voltage hysteresis stable cycle for more than 1600 h in aqueous electrolyte. The anode also exhibits impressive reversibility with a high Coulomobic efficiency of 99.23% over 1300 cycles. Furthermore, the ARZIB encapsulated by this anode and Mn-doped V6O13 cathode enables an outstanding electrochemical stability (181.8 mAh g-1 after 800 cycles at room temperature, 102.2 mAh g-1 after 1000 cycles at -15 degrees C). This work provides an intriguing idea for the stability maintenance of the anode for ARZIBs or other metal-ion batteries.