Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 24, 2026

Zinc-Sponge Battery Electrodes that Suppress Dendrites
Published on: September 29, 2020
Ion-Electron Diffusion Interphase Enables Fast Kinetics toward Dendrite-Free Zinc Metal Anodes
Yidong Miao1, Weihao Li2, Jia Xu1
1Key Laboratory of Functional Materials for Production, Storage and Utilization of Industrial Byproduct Hydrogen in Jiangsu's Universities, School of Material and Chemical Engineering, Xuzhou University of Technology, Xuzhou221018, China.
Abstract:
Aqueous zinc metal batteries are promising for safe and low-cost energy storages, but their practical operation is limited by unstable Zn/electrolyte interfacial reactions, sluggish Zn2+ transport, parasitic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), and dendritic growth. Here, we report a strategy of constructing a dual-functional rapidly ion-accelerated versatile electron-regulating interphase on Zn metal anode (DRIVE@Zn) through a room-temperature immersion co-deposition process. Specifically, the Ag/Bi-derived DRIVE interphase regulates Zn2+ pathway, facilitates desolvation, homogenizes Zn2+ flux, and guides Zn deposition at the interface rather than on random exposed surface defects, which are verified by simulations and in situ electrochemical analyses. Consequently, DRIVE@Zn delivers an average Coulombic efficiency of 99.65%, stable Zn∥Zn cycling for over 3100 h at 5 mA cm-2, and durable Zn∥I2 full-cell lifespan for 25,000 cycles at 5 A g-1. This work highlights interphase-regulated Zn2+ pathway as an effective route toward long-cycling aqueous Zn metal anodes.
Related Concept Videos
Formation of Complex Ions
Electrochemical Systems
Standard Electrode Potentials
Processes at Electrodes
Electrodeposition
Electrodeposition can...
Electrolysis

