Citation: Jialin Zheng, Fang Xu, Ao Wang, Zhenjiang Li, Mengqin Song, Chunyan Xu, Cheng Yun, Beinuo Zhang, Dai-Huo Liu. Cation/anion synergy induced (100) plane dense deposition for dendrite-free aqueous zinc-ion batteries[J]. Chinese Chemical Letters, ;2026, 37(1): 111415. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111415 shu

Cation/anion synergy induced (100) plane dense deposition for dendrite-free aqueous zinc-ion batteries

Key Laboratory of Green Chemical Media and Reactions, Ministry of Education Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Province for Green Manufacturing of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China

xufang@htu.edu.cn

liudaihuo@htu.edu.cn

Received Date: 20 March 2025
Revised Date: 28 May 2025
Accepted Date: 6 June 2025
Available Online: 6 June 2025

Figures(6)

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) have advantages including low economic cost and high safety. Nevertheless, the serious hydrogen evolution reactions (HER) and rampant growth of Zn dendrite hinder their further development. Herein, potassium acetate (KAc) additive with cation/anion synergy effect is added into the ZnSO₄ electrolyte to effectively promote the oriented uniform Zn deposition and suppress side reactions. According to density functional theory calculation and experimental results, CH₃COO⁻ (Ac⁻) anions are capable of forming stronger hydrogen bonds with H₂O molecules, leading to an expanded electrochemical stability window, reduced the reactivity of H₂O, and hence suppressing HER. Meanwhile, Ac⁻ anions can also preferentially adsorb onto the Zn anode, promoting dense deposition towards the (100) crystal plane. Besides, dissociated K⁺ ions serve as electrostatic shielding cations, which significantly promote uniform Zn deposition and prevent dendrite formation. Thus, the ZnZn symmetric cell demonstrates an impressive cycle lifespan of 3000 h at 1.0 mA/cm². Furthermore, the ZnMnO₂ full battery exhibits superior stability with a capacity retention of 86.95% at 2.0 A/g after 4000 cycles. Therefore, the cation/anion synergy effect in KAc additive offers a viable solution to address HER and hinder dendrite growth at the interface of Zn anodes.
- Hydrogen bond network,
- Cation/anion synergy,
- (100) plan dense deposition,
- Electrolyte additive,
- Aqueous zinc-ion battery
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