Nitrate Radical Induced "Two in One" Interface Engineering toward High Reversibility of Zn Metal Anode

Advanced interfacial engineering performs a forceful modulation effect on Zn2+ plating/stripping with simultaneous inhibition of hydrogen evolution reaction, chemical corrosion, and dendrite growth, which is responsible for high reversibility of Zn anode. Herein, a "two in one" interface engineering is developed to improve the reversibility of Zn anode, in which multi-functional Zn5(NO3)2(OH)8 center dot 2H2O layer and preferential Zn (002) texture are constructed simultaneously. Due to nucleophilicity to Zn2+ arising from electronegativity, the layer can accelerate the desolvation process of [Zn (H2O)6]2+ and transfer kinetics of Zn2+ ions, leading to uniform nucleation and effective inhibition of water-induced side reactions. Meanwhile, the latter is beneficial to guiding Zn (002)-preferred orientation deposition with compact structure. Consequently, the Zn electrodes with such complementary interface modulation exhibit prominent reversibility. With an area capacity of 1 mAh cm-2 at 1 mA cm-2, the symmetric cell operates steadily for 4000 h. Highly reversible Zn anode is maintained even at 50 mA cm-2. For full cells coupled with MnO2 cathode, impressive rate capability and cycling stability with a high capacity beyond 100 mAh g-1 at 1 A g-1 after 2000 cycles are achieved. The results provide new insights into Zn anodes with high reversibility for next-generation aqueous zinc ion batteries. A "two in one" interface engineering is developed to improve the reversibility of Zn anode, in which multi-functional Zn5(NO3)2(OH)8 center dot 2H2O layer and preferential Zn (002) texture are constructed simultaneously.Besides inhibiting water-induced side reactions, , such complementary interface not only can accelerate the desolvation process of [Zn (H2O)6]2+ and transfer kinetics of Zn2+ ions, but also guide Zn (002)-preferred orientation deposition. . image