The well-defined conductive carbon hybrid matrix is established featuring prominent interfacial charge transfer, which is induced by intense interaction between the interconnected CNT network and uniformly dispersed Cu−Zn brass alloy particles. This Interlayer results in desired electric field distribution and favorable Zn redox kinetics, contributing to dendrite-free growth of Zn against the “tip effect”.

Abstract

Aqueous Zn-ion batteries (AZIBs) have served as a promising candidate for next-generation energy storage applications. Nonetheless, interfacial issues concerning the metallic Zn anode including hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), chemical corrosion, and dendrite growth remain to be carefully addressed. Herein, we present a facile and cost-effective strategy to implant carbon nanotube (CNT) framework with a commercial brass alloy as the protective interlayer. The conductive network constructed by interconnected CNTs ensures an optimal electric field distribution over the entire electrode surface. The embedded brass alloy not only inhibits the aggregation of CNTs, but also mitigates surface corrosion through its abundance of chemically inert Cu sites. Leveraging the synergy within the carbon hybrids featuring high Zn-affinity and abundant nucleation sites for Zn²⁺, lowered energy barriers and promoted redox kinetics for Zn deposition enable highly stabilized and reversible Zn anodes. As a result, symmetric cells demonstrate extended cycling lifespan of 3000 h and 1200 h at 2 mA cm⁻² and 5 mA cm⁻² for 1 mAh cm⁻², respectively. Furthermore, the optimized Zn||MnO₂ full cells exhibit impressive cycling stability for 1000 cycles at 2 A g⁻¹.