Layered zirconium phosphate-based artificial solid electrolyte interface with zinc ion channels towards dendrite-free Zn metal anodes

The irrepressible demand for safe and renewable energy storage systems is spurring the rise of aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs). Nonetheless, the severe dendrites growth and side reactions on Zn metal anode hinder the application of aqueous ZIBs. Herein, a versatile zirconium phosphate (ZrP)-based artificial solid electrolyte interface (ASEI) on Zn anode (Zn@ZrP) is constructed by spraying method to solve this dilemma. The unique layer structure and ion exchange properties of ZrP enable the formation of zinc ion channels in the interlayers of ZrP, which can redistribute the Zn2+ ion flux and promote the transport of Zn2+ ion at the interface of Zn anode. Moreover, the ZrP-based ASEI shows the merits of improved Zn2+ desolvation capability, high ionic conductivity and thus greatly facilitates the Zn deposition kinetics. The results reveal that the ZrP-based ASEI improves the Coulombic efficiency to 99.6% for 2000 cycles and enables the Zn@ZrP symmetric cell to realize a dendrite-free plating/stripping with a low voltage hysteresis (45 mV) and a long lifespan (780 h) at 0.5 mA cm(-2). Moreover, the feasibility of Zn@ZrP is evaluated by coupling with common MnO2 and V2O5 as full batteries. Notably, the Zn@ZnP//V2O5 cell exhibits outstanding cycling stability (a capacity retention of 72.8% after 5000 cycles).