A Non-Newtonian Sol Electrolyte with Shear-Thinning Effect for Stable Zn Metal Anodes

Aqueous Zn metal batteries (AZMBs) emerge as promising candidates for large-scale energy storage due to their cost-effectiveness and safety, yet challenges like dendrite growth, hydrogen evolution, and poor cycling stability persist. Herein, a homogeneous non-Newtonian electrolyte (NNE) with shear-thinning property is designed to address these challenges. The NNE is prepared by incorporating a thickening polyquaternary ammonium salt, forming a super-viscous sol electrolyte while maintaining high ionic conductivity (52.0 mS cm^-1) comparable to liquid electrolytes. Owing to its high viscosity (200 Pa s) under static conditions, the NNE suppresses surface turbulence and convection, significantly reducing chemical corrosion during rest periods. Under Zn plating, the NNE's shear-thinning behavior enables sufficient flowability, forming a self-adaptive interface that mitigates dendrite growth and enhances local ionic conduction. These findings demonstrate NNEs as a promising electrolyte design strategy for durable AZMBs.