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Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) have been considered next-generation promising high-energy storage systems due to their cost-effectiveness and high safety. Nevertheless, the instability of the Zn metal anode posed by dendrite growth and volume changes presents a significant hurdle for AZIB commercialization. Here, we introduce a novel approach using a ZnIn2S4 nanoflower-coated carbon cloth (ZISG-CC) with hierarchical spatial channels to guide the nucleation and deposition of Zn, thereby constructing a stable Zn metal anode. The designed ZISG-CC electrode exhibits distinctive features, including an enlarged surface area, enhanced zincophilicity, and in situ formation of a ZnS/In interphase during the initial discharge process. These characteristics facilitate uniform Zn nucleation and the formation of a stable electrolyte–anode interface, enabling excellent reversibility of the Zn anode. As a result, the Zn/ZISG-CC anode demonstrates outstanding charge–discharge cycling performance in a symmetric cell, achieving 550 cycles at 10 mA cm−2/5 mA h cm−2 and 500 cycles at 20 mA cm−2/10 mA h cm−2. Furthermore, the Zn/ZISG-CC‖MnO2-graphene full cell exhibits a high capacity retention of 87.5% after 1000 cycles at 1 A g−1, along with favorable flexibility. This study introduces a novel strategy that utilizes the interaction between the electrode and electrolyte to stabilize the electrolyte–anode interface, enabling advanced Zn anodes in high-performance AZIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The low cost and intrinsic safety of rechargeable aqueous zinc‐ion batteries (ZIBs) contribute to their significant potential in grid‐level energy storage systems. However, the limited cathode options still hinder the development of ZIBs, which always delivers poor rate capacities and cycling stability. Herein, Monoclinic phase H3.78V6O13 microspheres with a stable internal framework and intrinsic metallic properties as a high‐performance cathode for ZIBs are proposed and utilized. The reversible Zn2+insertion/de‐insertion mechanism in H3.78V6O13through ex situ X‐ray diffraction, X‐ray absorption near‐edge structure, and in situ Raman involves the enlargement/shrink of interplanar distance, the decrease/increase of the V valance, and the open/recombine of V─O/V─V bonds. Further, experiments and theoretical calculations elucidate the superior electrochemical performance and extraordinary reaction kinetics in H3.78V6O13. The as‐prepared H3.78V6O13 cathode delivers high specific capacity of 406 mAh g–1 at 0.1 A g–1, excellent structure stability with 100% manifested after 120 cycles at 0.5 A g–1, 72.9% retained after 15 000 cycles at 10 A g–1. This research offers distinctive perspectives on the development of high‐performance cathode materials for ZIBs and enhances the understanding of the electrochemical reaction mechanisms of vanadium oxides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cost‐effectiveness and environmental benefits of aqueous zinc‐ion batteries (ZIBs) have attracted considerable attention. However, practical applications are hindered by side processes including dendritic growth and hydrogen evolution corrosion. Herein, gallium ions (Ga3+) have been chosen as a multifunctional electrolyte additive to improve the reversibility of zinc‐ion batteries (ZIBs). Remarkably, Ga3+ ions adhere to the anode surface, establishing a dynamic electrostatic shielding layer that modulates Zn2+ deposition and prevents side reactions. Typically, Ga3+ ions preferentially adsorb onto the (002) and (110) planes of Zn, facilitating preferential deposition on the (100) plane, resulting in a dendrites‐free zinc anode. Consequently, the Zn||Zn symmetrical cell with Ga3+‐modified electrolyte demonstrates a prolonged lifespan of 4000 h, while the Zn||Ti asymmetric cell exhibits an impressive coulombic efficiency of 99.12% for zinc stripping and plating at 2 mA cm−2. Additionally, the Zn||VO2 cell maintains high capacity retention after 1500 cycles at 5 A g−1. This work presents Ga3+ ions as an electrolyte additive, facilitating the development of a durable dynamic electrostatic shielding effect and preferential (100) plane electroplating, ensuring zinc deposition free from dendrite formation. Such discoveries form a basis for future investigations into novel materials to propel advancements in metal battery technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aqueous zinc ion batteries (ZIBs) are emerging as a promising candidate in the post-lithium ion battery era, while the limited choice of cathode materials plagues their further development, especially the tunnel-type cathode materials with high electrochemical performance. Here, a tunnel-type vanadium-based compound based on hydrogen vanadium bronze (H x V 2 O 5 ) microspheres has been fabricated and employed as the cathode for fast Zn 2+ ions' intercalation/deintercalation, which delivers an excellent capacity (425 mAh g -1 at 0.1 A g -1 ), a remarkable cyclability (91.3% after 5000 cycles at 20 A g -1 ), and a sufficient energy density (311.5 Wh kg -1 ). As revealed by the experimental and theoretical results, such excellent electrochemical performance is confirmed to result from the fast ions/electrons diffusion kinetics promoted by the unique tunnel structure (3.7 × 4.22 Å 2 , along the c direction), which accomplishes a low Zn 2+ ion diffusion barrier and the superior electron-transfer capability of H x V 2 O 5 . These results shed light on designing tunnel-type vanadium-based compounds to boost the prosperous development of Zn 2+ ion storage cathodes.

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) with cost-effective and safe features are highly competitive in grid energy storage applications, but plagued by the sluggish Zn 2+ diffusion kinetics and poor cyclability of cathodes. Herein, a one-stone-two-birds strategy of La 3+ incorporation (La-V 2 O 5 ) is developed to motivate Zn 2+ insertion/extraction kinetics and stabilize vanadium species for V 2 O 5 . Theoretical and experimental studies reveal the incorporated La 3+ ions in V 2 O 5 can not only serve as pillars to expand the interlayer distance (11.77 Å) and lower the Zn 2+ migration energy barrier (0.82 eV) but also offer intermediated level and narrower band gap (0.54 eV), thus accelerating the electron/ion diffusion kinetics. Importantly, the steadily doped La 3+ ions effectively stabilize the V-O bonds by shortening the bond length, thereby inhibiting vanadium species dissolution. Therefore, the resulting La-V 2 O 5 -ZIBs deliver an exceptional rate capacity of 405 mA h g -1 (0.1 A g -1 ), long-term stability with 93.8% retention after 5000 cycles (10 A g -1 ), and extraordinary energy density of 289.3 W h kg -1 , outperforming various metal-ions-doped V 2 O 5 cathodes. Moreover, the La-V 2 O 5 pouch cell presents excellent electrochemical performance and impressive flexibility and integration ability. The strategies of incorporating rare-earth-metal ions provide guidance to other well-established aqueous ZIBs cathodes and other advanced electrochemical devices.