Unconventional Zn (1 0 2)/(1 0 3) deposition via N-acetylcysteamine-constructed hydrophobic self-assembled layer to suppress dendrites growth

Regulating the crystal texture of zinc deposition is a promising approach to suppress dendrite formation and improve the reversibility of zinc anodes in aqueous zinc-ion batteries. While previous research has mainly focused on developing the Zn (0 0 2) texture, investigations into other crystal planes remain scarce. However, exploring alternative crystal planes is crucial for advancing zinc anode performance, as different planes may offer unique advantages in terms of stability and reversibility. Herein, we introduce N-acetylcysteamine (NAC) as an electrolyte additive. It revealed that NAC induces an unexpected exfoliation of the electrodeposited zinc layer, which exhibits preferred orientations along the (1 0 2) and (1 0 3) planes. Inspired by this anomalous deposition phenomenon, we achieved unconventional Zn (1 0 2) and Zn (1 0 3) oriented deposition. We demonstrate that NAC molecules adsorb on the Zn surface via thiol groups, modulating the surface energy of different planes to promote the exposure of the two textures. Further characterization, including electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance, electric double-layer capacitance, and contact angle tests, confirms that NAC forms a hydrophobic self-assembled layer, effectively suppressing side reactions. Benefiting from this multifunctional additive, the zinc anode exhibited a long lifespan of 1150 and 780 h under 1 mA cm⁻²/1 mAh cm⁻² and 5 mA cm⁻²/5 mAh cm⁻², respectively. Moreover, the assembled Zn||V₂O₅·H₂O full cells demonstrated prominent electrochemical reversibility. This work not only achieves unconventional Zn (1 0 2) and Zn (1 0 3) oriented deposition but also provides a novel strategy for designing high-performance zinc-ion batteries.