Challenges and Research Progress in Zinc Anode Interfacial Stability

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries are regarded a promising energy storage system due to their high safety, low cost, high theoretical specific capacity (820 mAh g<sup>−1</sup>), and low redox potential (−0.76 V). However, in practice, uneven Zn<sup>2+</sup> deposition on the surface...

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Main Authors: Jing Li, Qianxin Liu, Zixuan Zhou, Yaqi Sun, Xidong Lin, Tao Yang, Funian Mo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Energies
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/10/2592
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author Jing Li
Qianxin Liu
Zixuan Zhou
Yaqi Sun
Xidong Lin
Tao Yang
Funian Mo
author_facet Jing Li
Qianxin Liu
Zixuan Zhou
Yaqi Sun
Xidong Lin
Tao Yang
Funian Mo
author_sort Jing Li
collection DOAJ
description Aqueous zinc-ion batteries are regarded a promising energy storage system due to their high safety, low cost, high theoretical specific capacity (820 mAh g<sup>−1</sup>), and low redox potential (−0.76 V). However, in practice, uneven Zn<sup>2+</sup> deposition on the surface of the zinc anode can lead to the uncontrolled growth of zinc dendrites, which can puncture the separator and trigger a short-circuit in the cell. In addition, the inherent thermodynamic instability of weakly acidic electrolytes is prone to trigger side reactions like hydrogen evolution reaction and corrosion, further weakening the stability of the zinc anode. These problems not only affect the cycle life of the battery, but also lead to a significant decrease in electrochemical performance. Therefore, how to effectively inhibit the unwanted side reactions and guide the uniform deposition of Zn<sup>2+</sup> to suppress the growth of dendrites becomes a key challenge in constructing a stable zinc anode/electrolyte interface. Therefore, this paper systematically combs through the main bottlenecks and root causes that hinder the interfacial stability of zinc anodes at present, and summarizes the existing solutions and the progress made. On this basis, this paper also analyzes the application potential of polymer materials in enhancing the interfacial stability of zinc anodes, which provides new ideas for the direction of subsequent research.
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institution Kabale University
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publishDate 2025-05-01
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series Energies
spelling doaj-art-4642b08e07124b99987969cfb8fc0e6f2025-08-20T03:47:48ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732025-05-011810259210.3390/en18102592Challenges and Research Progress in Zinc Anode Interfacial StabilityJing Li0Qianxin Liu1Zixuan Zhou2Yaqi Sun3Xidong Lin4Tao Yang5Funian Mo6School of Energy and Power, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang 212100, ChinaFuture Technology School, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen 518118, ChinaFuture Technology School, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen 518118, ChinaFuture Technology School, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen 518118, ChinaFuture Technology School, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen 518118, ChinaFuture Technology School, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen 518118, ChinaSchool of Materials Science and Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen 518055, ChinaAqueous zinc-ion batteries are regarded a promising energy storage system due to their high safety, low cost, high theoretical specific capacity (820 mAh g<sup>−1</sup>), and low redox potential (−0.76 V). However, in practice, uneven Zn<sup>2+</sup> deposition on the surface of the zinc anode can lead to the uncontrolled growth of zinc dendrites, which can puncture the separator and trigger a short-circuit in the cell. In addition, the inherent thermodynamic instability of weakly acidic electrolytes is prone to trigger side reactions like hydrogen evolution reaction and corrosion, further weakening the stability of the zinc anode. These problems not only affect the cycle life of the battery, but also lead to a significant decrease in electrochemical performance. Therefore, how to effectively inhibit the unwanted side reactions and guide the uniform deposition of Zn<sup>2+</sup> to suppress the growth of dendrites becomes a key challenge in constructing a stable zinc anode/electrolyte interface. Therefore, this paper systematically combs through the main bottlenecks and root causes that hinder the interfacial stability of zinc anodes at present, and summarizes the existing solutions and the progress made. On this basis, this paper also analyzes the application potential of polymer materials in enhancing the interfacial stability of zinc anodes, which provides new ideas for the direction of subsequent research.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/10/2592aqueous zinc-ion batteryzinc anodepolymer materialelectrolyte additivesanodic protection layer
spellingShingle Jing Li
Qianxin Liu
Zixuan Zhou
Yaqi Sun
Xidong Lin
Tao Yang
Funian Mo
Challenges and Research Progress in Zinc Anode Interfacial Stability
Energies
aqueous zinc-ion battery
zinc anode
polymer material
electrolyte additives
anodic protection layer
title Challenges and Research Progress in Zinc Anode Interfacial Stability
title_full Challenges and Research Progress in Zinc Anode Interfacial Stability
title_fullStr Challenges and Research Progress in Zinc Anode Interfacial Stability
title_full_unstemmed Challenges and Research Progress in Zinc Anode Interfacial Stability
title_short Challenges and Research Progress in Zinc Anode Interfacial Stability
title_sort challenges and research progress in zinc anode interfacial stability
topic aqueous zinc-ion battery
zinc anode
polymer material
electrolyte additives
anodic protection layer
url https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/10/2592
work_keys_str_mv AT jingli challengesandresearchprogressinzincanodeinterfacialstability
AT qianxinliu challengesandresearchprogressinzincanodeinterfacialstability
AT zixuanzhou challengesandresearchprogressinzincanodeinterfacialstability
AT yaqisun challengesandresearchprogressinzincanodeinterfacialstability
AT xidonglin challengesandresearchprogressinzincanodeinterfacialstability
AT taoyang challengesandresearchprogressinzincanodeinterfacialstability
AT funianmo challengesandresearchprogressinzincanodeinterfacialstability