Multifunctional SEI-like structure coating stabilizing Zn anodes at a large current and capacity

The development and application of aqueous zinc-ion batteries still face some obstacles, such as dendrite growth and side reactions triggered by active water. Here, we constructed a PVA@SR-ZnMoO4 multifunctional coating on the Zn anode with an SEI-like structure (SR refers to SO42- receptor). The PVA@SR outer layer can give the coating some flexibility while enhancing Zn2+ mobility and dispersion. The ZnMoO4 inner layer can effectively inhibit dendrite growth and side reactions. Importantly, a fast Zn2+ migration pathway can be established between PVA and ZnMoO4 in the inorganic-organic composite inner layer, ensuring high-current operation of the Zn anode. Thanks to the "mutual cooperation", the Zn anode exhibits a high Coulomb efficiency (CE) of 99.42% and good cycling stability of 1700 h at 5 mA cm(-2) and 5 mA h cm(-2). Moreover, the Zn/alpha-MnO2 full cell can maintain a residual capacity of 141.7 mA h g(-1) without capacity decay after 1000 cycles at 1.0 A g(-1).