Zn-Ion Storage in an Anode-Protected High-Performance Aqueous Organic Zinc Ion Battery

In this work, we discuss the complexities of Zn²⁺-ion storage in an organic stacked layered naphthalenediimide (NDI) via systematic experimentation and theoretical calculations. Apart from the possibility of insertion/deinsertion, NDI also provides redox-active docking motifs for Zn²⁺-ions. Additionally, the anode-associated challenges are mitigated using zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc) as an organometallic protective layer. Despite achieving a high coulombic efficiency (>99%) at high cycle numbers, capacity degradation is observed during long-term cycling. The observed capacity fade is attributed to the underlying NDI's transformation from a hexagonal to a flower-like morphology. This structural evolution is attributed to the co-insertion of Zn²⁺ and protons from the electrode/electrolyte interface into the bulk cathode via coordination with carbonyl (─CO) and amine (─NH₂) groups. Additionally, the capacity fade is attributed to the sluggish kinetics of Zn²⁺ stripping/plating. The ZnPc protective layer effectively guides Zn²⁺ deposition along the (002) crystal plane, suppresses side reactions, and enhances both the capacity retention and cycling stability of the battery. Accounting for Zn²⁺-ion storage in a redox-active organic host through the elucidation of key roles in phase transitions, ion diffusion dynamics, and zinc electrodeposition/dissolution processes provides a deep-dive conceptual framework for designing novel organic Zn²⁺-ion hosts for practical AZIBs.