Nitrogen-Doped Porous Carbon Films from Polyacrylonitrile: A Transformative Approach for High-Stability Zinc Anodes

Zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) are gaining popularity for being a safe, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly alternative to lithium-ion batteries. However, their practical application is hampered by issues related to the zinc (Zn) metal anode, such as dendrite formation, parasitic side reactions, and mechanical instability during cycling. To overcome these challenges, we created a new polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-derived N-heteroatom-doped porous carbon (c-PAN) coating on Zn anodes using a scalable spray-coating technique, followed by preoxidation and laser-assisted carbonization. The c-PAN coating stabilizes the interface, reducing dendritic formation and improving Zn²⁺ ion transport. In symmetrical cell configurations, the c-PAN/Zn anodes exhibit remarkable cycling stability for over 2800 h at a current density of 1.0 mA cm^-2. In full-cell configurations, the c-PAN/Zn anodes achieve a high specific capacity of 317 mAh g^-1 at 0.2 A g^-1. Moreover, the c-PAN/Zn∥V₂O₅ cell retains 71% of its capacity after 1000 cycles at 1.0 A g^-1. The c-PAN/Zn anode outperforms existing carbonized polymer coatings, with its N-doped porous carbon network providing superior mechanical strength, elevated conductivity, and chemical stability. This research demonstrates how PAN polymer-derived carbon coatings may revolutionize ZIB technology.