Electrocrystallization Regulation Enabled Stacked Hexagonal Platelet Growth toward Highly Reversible Zinc Anodes

Area of Science:

• Electrochemistry
• Materials Science
• Energy Storage

Background:

• Dendrite formation in zinc metal anodes causes short circuits and premature battery failure.
• Controlling zinc electrocrystallization is crucial for stable and long-lasting batteries.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate methods for achieving durative, flattened, and dendrite-free zinc metal configurations.
• To optimize zinc electrodeposition through interface and solvation structure control.

Main Methods:

• Regulating the molecular structure of the inner Helmholtz plane (HIP).
• Employing electrolyte engineering for in situ mediation.
• Analyzing electrochemical reaction kinetics and adatom self-diffusion.

Main Results:

• Weakened solvated ion adsorption at the interface shifted deposition to activation control.
• Achieved conformal stratiform zinc growth with dominant Zn (0001) texture.
• Demonstrated improved plating/stripping efficiency and charge passed under extreme conditions (3 mAh cm⁻² areal capacity, -40–60°C).

Conclusions:

• Controlling the HIP molecular structure is effective for optimizing zinc metal anodes.
• Engineered solvation structures and electrolyte mediation enable high-performance zinc batteries.
• This approach offers a pathway to durable and efficient zinc-based energy storage.