Unraveling chemical origins of dendrite formation in zinc-ion batteries via in situ/operando X-ray spectroscopy and imaging

To prevent zinc (Zn) dendrite formation and improve electrochemical stability, it is essential to understand Zn dendrite growth, particularly in terms of morphology and relation with the solid electrolyte interface (SEI) film. In this study, we employ in-situ scanning transmission X-ray microscopy (STXM) and spectro-ptychography to monitor the morphology evolution of Zn dendrites and to identify their chemical composition and distribution on the Zn surface during the stripping/plating progress. Our findings reveal that in 50 mM ZnSO