Suppressing Zn pulverization with three-dimensional inert-cation diversion dam for long-life Zn metal batteries

Tremendous attention has been paid to the water-associated side reactions and zinc (Zn) dendrite growth on the electrode-electrolyte interface. However, the Zn pulverization that can cause continuous depletion of active Zn metal and exacerbate hydrogen evolution is severely neglected. Here, we disclose that the excessive Zn feeding that causes incomplete crystallization is responsible for Zn pulverization formation through analyzing the thermodynamic and kinetics process of Zn deposition. On the basis, we introduce 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium cations (EMIm⁺) into the electrolyte to form a Galton-board-like three-dimensional inert-cation (3DIC) region. Modeling test shows that the 3DIC EMIm⁺ can induce the Zn²⁺ flux to follow in a Gauss distribution, thus acting as elastic sites to buffer the perpendicular diffusion of Zn²⁺ and direct the lateral diffusion, thus effectively avoiding the local Zn²⁺ accumulation and irreversible crystal formation. Consequently, anti-pulverized Zn metal deposition behavior is achieved with an average Coulombic efficiency of 99.6% at 5 mA cm^-2 over 2,000 cycles and superb stability in symmetric cell over 1,200 h at -30 °C. Furthermore, the Zn||KVOH pouch cell can stably cycle over 1,200 cycles at 2 A g^-1 and maintain a capacity of up to 12 mAh.