Steric-hindrance Effect Tuned Ion Solvation Enabling High Performance Aqueous Zinc Ion Batteries

Despite many additives have been reported for aqueous zinc ion batteries, steric-hindrance effect of additives and its correlation with Zn²⁺ solvation structure have been rarely reported. Herein, large-sized sucrose biomolecule is selected as a paradigm additive, and steric-hindrance electrolytes (STEs) are developed to investigate the steric-hindrance effect for solvation structure regulation. Sucrose molecules do not participate in Zn²⁺ solvation shell, but significantly homogenize the distribution of solvated Zn²⁺ and enlarge Zn²⁺ solvation shell with weakened Zn²⁺-H₂O interaction due to the steric-hindrance effect. More importantly, STEs afford the water-shielding electric double layer and in situ construct the organic and inorganic hybrid solid electrolyte interface, which effectively boost Zn anode reversibility. Remarkably, Zn//NVO battery presents high capacity of 3.9 mAh ⋅ cm^-2 with long cycling stability for over 650 cycles at lean electrolyte of 4.5 μL ⋅ mg^-1 and low N/P ratio of 1.5, and the stable operation at wide temperature (-20 °C~+40 °C).