Dual-Induced Directed Deposition Mechanism Based on Anionic Surfactants Enables Long Cycle Aqueous Zinc Ion Batteries

Aqueous zinc-ion battery has low cost, and environmental friendliness, emerging as a promising candidate for next-generation battery systems. However, it still suffers from a limited cycling life, caused by dendritic Zn growth and severe side reactions. Recent research highlights that the Zn (002) crystal plane exhibits superior anti-corrosive properties and a horizontal growth pattern. However, achieving uniform deposition on the Zn (002) plane remains a formidable challenge. Here, preferential rapid growth of the Zn (002) plane is manipulated via the dual-induced deposition effect of anionic surfactant (2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid, AMPS), achieving Zn metal anode with ultralong cycle life. AMPS can preferentially adsorb on the Zn (100) and Zn (101) crystal planes, exposing the Zn (002) plane as a nucleation site for Zn²⁺ ions, while the abundant presence of amide groups in AMPS can form fast ion channels, inducing rapid and uniform Zn deposition. Thus, even using 30 µm Zn foils, the symmetric cells can maintain a stable plating-stripping process over 5000 h, and Zn.