Dendrite Suppression in Zn Batteries through a Heteroepitaxial Residual Stress Shield

Dendrite formation is a long-standing problem for the commercial application of aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs). Here, we investigate the effect of heteroepitaxial residual stresses due to layered coatings on dendrite suppression. We found that atomic and molecular layered coatings can substantially reduce dendritic growth in AZIBs by providing shielding due to residual stresses, even at a single layer or a few layers of coatings. Through a combined experimental and numerical approach, we demonstrate that the residual stresses developed due to the coating of the Zn anodes significantly reduced the chemical potential polarization around dendrite embryos, forcing the deposition of zinc in the regions adjacent to the protuberances. This, in turn, results in a slower rate of dendritic growth and, eventually, dendrite suppression. The fundamental understanding of the effect of residual stresses due to coatings demonstrated herein can be extended to various metal anode batteries, such as Li or Na.