Unlocking the stable interface in aqueous zinc-ion battery with multifunctional xylose-based electrolyte additives

The growth of dendrites and the side reactions occurring at the Zn anode pose significant challenges to the commercialization of aqueous Zn-ion batteries (AZIBs). These challenges arise from the inherent conflict between mass transfer and electrochemical kinetics. In this study, we propose the use of a multifunctional electrolyte additive based on the xylose (Xylo) molecule to address these issues by modulating the solvation structure and electrode/electrolyte interface, thereby stabilizing the Zn anode. The introduction of the additive alters the solvation structure, creating steric hindrance that impedes charge transfer and then reduces electrochemical kinetics. Furthermore, in-situ analyses demonstrate that the reconstructed electrode/electrolyte interface facilitates stable and rapid Zn²⁺ ion migration and suppresses corrosion and hydrogen evolution reactions. As a result, symmetric cells incorporating the Xylo additive exhibit significantly enhanced reversibility during the Zn plating/stripping process, with an impressively long lifespan of up to 1986 h, compared to cells using pure ZnSO₄ electrolyte. When combined with a polyaniline cathode, the full cells demonstrate improved capacity and long-term cyclic stability. This work offers an effective direction for improving the stability of Zn anode via electrolyte design, as well as high-performance AZIBs.