3D Porous Zinc Scaffold Anodes for Enhanced Stability and Performance in Zinc-Ion Energy Storage Systems

Irregular Zn plating and stripping behaviors, along with the growth and detachment of Zn dendrites, pose a critical challenge to the rechargeability of zinc (Zn)-ion energy storage systems. In this study, a dynamic hydrogen bubble template (DHBT) method is introduced to construct an in situ 3D porous Zn scaffold on a Zn foil anode, which acts as a stable host to address morphological inhomogeneities during cycling. The pore walls provide abundant nucleation sites, effectively confining Zn growth within the scaffold and preventing vertical penetration into the separator. Consequently, the optimized 3D porous Zn scaffold symmetric cell exhibits a stable cycling life of over 1000 h at an areal current of 1 mA cm^-2 and an areal capacity of 1 mAh cm^-2. Furthermore, the modified 3D porous Zn scaffold anode delivers higher specific capacity and stability when paired with various cathode materials and electrolytes in full cell configurations, including Zn-ion batteries and Zn-ion capacitors. Significantly, the modified 3D porous Zn scaffold anodes demonstrate not only enhanced stability but also substantially improved charge storage performance compared to conventional Zn anodes, even under identical cathode conditions. This study underscores the critical role of surface modifications in Zn anodes, showcasing their ability to significantly enhance charge storage performance.