Synergistic Long-Term Protection of Inorganic and Polymer Hybrid Coatings for Free-Dendrite Zinc Anodes

Constructing an artificial solid electrolyte interface protective layer on the surface of the zinc anode is an effective strategy for addressing dendrite growth, passivation, and the hydrogen evolution reaction in aqueous zinc-ion batteries. This study introduces a robust interlayer composed of a polyvinyl butyral matrix decorated with SiO₂ particles (PS). Adsorption of water by Si-OH on the surface of SiO₂ leads to excellent hydrophilicity and accelerates the desolvation of ions. A highly stable and hydrophilic PS coating enhances ion migration and possesses ultralong protection ability, ensuring uniform ion deposition and a lower nucleation barrier. Anodes protected by the PS coating achieve long-term cycling stability of >4000 h at 2 mA cm^-2 in symmetric cells. The assembled PS-Zn//NH₄V₄O₁₀ full cells exhibit superior electrochemical performance, demonstrating their potential for practical applications in rechargeable zinc batteries.