Clay-Derived Zeolite Membranes for Durable and Efficient Battery Electrolytes

Zeolites hold great promise for next-generation batteries. However, their powdery form and limited processability often impede the formation of seamless ionic pathways between particles, compromising their native ion-transport capabilities. We construct a clay-derived self-supporting zeolite membrane by an in situ solvent-free conversion method for zinc batteries. It integrates a dense zeolite layer with an internally polycrystalline zeolite framework, resulting in a cross-linked ion transport network with reducing migration energy barrier. The resulting electrolyte exhibits a high ionic conductivity of 9.17 mS/cm, sustains over 3000 h of stable Zn plating/stripping with Coulombic efficiency above 99.82%, and delivers specific capacities of 159 mAh/g with 98.11% retention after 2320 cycles at 25 °C, and 100 mAh/g with 80% retention after 19000 cycles at 0 °C in Zn//MnO2 cells at 2 A/g. This work introduces a straightforward and scalable approach to developing durable and efficient electrolytes, offering a viable route toward high-performance batteries.