Navigating fast and uniform zinc deposition via a versatile metal–organic complex interphase

Abstract

Rechargeable aqueous Zn metal batteries hold exciting promise for next-generation grid-scale energy storage owing to their virtues of low cost, high safety, and eco-benignity. However, the detrimental corrosion and dendrite issues of metallic Zn anodes severely slow down the commercialization pace. Herein, we propose a universal and versatile metal–organic complex interphase strategy for navigating fast and uniform Zn deposition toward long-life Zn metal batteries. The in situ complexing of metal-phytic acid interphases could construct a zincophilic interface that kinetically homogenizes the nucleation and growth of Zn. Additionally, the functional interlayer could serve as robust armor to safeguard the Zn anode from corrosion. An ultrastable Zn anode is obtained with substantially improved Coulombic efficiency of 99.9% over 800 cycles and an extended cycling lifetime of a superhigh cumulative plated capacity of 4.25 Ah cm⁻². Practical feasibilities based on the modified Zn anodes are demonstrated in Zn//MnO₂ full cells. This work paves a fresh pathway for rational design of metal–organic complex interphases toward high-performance aqueous Zn metal batteries and beyond.