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Water-shielding electric double layer and stable interphase engineering for durable aqueous zinc-ion batteries

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Listed:
  • Zhongyou Peng

    (Nanchang University)

  • Shulong Li

    (Nanchang University)

  • Ling Tang

    (Nanchang University)

  • Jinyang Zheng

    (Nanchang University)

  • Licheng Tan

    (Nanchang University)

  • Yiwang Chen

    (Nanchang University
    Gannan Normal University)

Abstract

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries persistently encounter interface issues stemming from the water-rich electrical double layer and unstable solid-electrolyte interphase, drastically compromising reversibility and cyclability. Here we show that trace amounts of nonionic amphiphilic polysorbate additives promote the formation of water-shielding electric double layer and stabilize solid-electrolyte interphase for practical zinc-ion batteries. We demonstrate that polysorbate molecules can produce preferential chemisorption and directional arrangement on the Zn anode, spontaneously forming water-shielding layer to suppress the water-related side reactions. Simultaneously, polysorbate molecules can assist the construction of organic-inorganic hybrid interphase, which effectively regulates the uniform distribution of electric field and guides preferential orientation Zn deposition to achieve ordered plating/stripping with high Zn utilization. Consequently, the polysorbate-containing electrolyte enables a long cycle life of 8060 h at 1 mA cm−2, 1 mAh cm−2 for Zn||Zn cell, and highly reversible Zn plating/stripping in Zn||Cu cell over 3900 cycles. The full cells paired with V2O5/rGO and MnO2 deliver the improved capacity and sustained stability.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhongyou Peng & Shulong Li & Ling Tang & Jinyang Zheng & Licheng Tan & Yiwang Chen, 2025. "Water-shielding electric double layer and stable interphase engineering for durable aqueous zinc-ion batteries," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-13, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-59830-y
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-59830-y
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Chang Li & Ryan Kingsbury & Arashdeep Singh Thind & Abhinandan Shyamsunder & Timothy T. Fister & Robert F. Klie & Kristin A. Persson & Linda F. Nazar, 2023. "Enabling selective zinc-ion intercalation by a eutectic electrolyte for practical anodeless zinc batteries," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-13, December.
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