Constructing fast-ion-conductive disordered interphase for high-performance zinc-ion and zinc-iodine batteries

Summary

The issues of Zn dendrite and severe Zn²⁺ transport destabilization in the electrode/electrolyte interface have been the main obstacles to the commercialization of aqueous Zn-based batteries. Here, a disordered zinc silicate (ZSO) artificial solid electrolyte interphase with high Zn²⁺ conductivity (9.29 mS·cm⁻¹) is proposed to address these dilemmas. The disordered ZSO interphase possesses sufficient tunnels for fast Zn²⁺ transport and highly reversible Zn plating/stripping, which can redistribute the Zn²⁺ flux and guide uniform Zn deposition to achieve a dendrite-free Zn metal anode. As a proof of concept in zinc-ion batteries, the Zn@ZSO//NH₄V₄O₁₀ battery delivers a capacity of 336.8 mAh·g⁻¹ at 0.2 A·g⁻¹, with a capacity retention of 90.1% at 5 A·g⁻¹ over 1,000 cycles. As for the Zn@ZSO//I₂ battery, by inhibiting I₃⁻ diffusion, 97.98% of capacity is retained after shelving for 60 h. This work provides enlightenment into interface designing and iodide diffusion suppression to accelerate the commercialization of high-performance zinc-based batteries.