Crystallographic Customization of Zinc Anode for High Performance Aqueous Metal Batteries

Aqueous zinc metal batteries (AZMBs) are an energy storage system that is expected to replace traditional lithium batteries. However, the practical application of AZMBs is hampered by some inherent drawbacks. Herein, an amino acid additive with a screening property is introduced. The additives effectively erode Zn(002) by binding to a specific zinc crystallographic plane, achieving an ordered layered three-dimensional structure anode, and the shielding effect of additives can inhibit the activated H₂O and induce uniform Zn deposition. Accordingly, a stable long-term cycling for 3750 h at 1 mA cm^–2 and an ultrahigh Coulombic efficiency (99.7%) are obtained. The cell also achieves a cycling life of nearly 1000 h, even at 10 mA cm^–2 (cumulative capacity over 5 Ah cm^–2). Moreover, a capacity retention of 80% after 1000 cycles and a superior rate are exhibited for Zn//V₂O₅ cells. The work provides theoretical support for achieving highly reversible Zn anode.