Boron-Modified Glass Fiber Separator by Magnetron Sputtering for Simultaneous Suppression of Zinc Dendrites and By-Product Formation in Aqueous Batteries

Abstract

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries have attracted considerable attention as a promising energy storage technology. However, challenges such as zinc dendrite growth, side reactions, and limited cycling lifespan hinder their practical applications. Herein, we report a boron-modified glass fiber separator fabricated via magnetron sputtering. The deposited boron layer exhibits strong zincophilicity facilitating uniform Zn2+ flux and dendrite-free deposition. Meanwhile, the high B-SO42- affinity effectively reduces free SO42- concentration, suppressing side reactions. This work provides an effective separator engineering strategy for high-performance aqueous zinc-ion batteries.