Facile preparation of Zn@CNF for high-stability zinc anodes

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) are renowned for their exceptional safety and eco-friendly design, are being considered as a prospective option for emerging energy storage technologies. However, the selected Zn foil as the anode material in existing AZIBs encounters significant challenges, including dendrite formation due to uneven zinc deposition/stripping, and undesirable side reactions. These issues considerably degrade the lifespan and capacity of the battery, thereby impeding its practical application and commercialization. To address these problems, this research introduces a highly stable Zn@CNF anode for AZIBs by using carboxylated cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) as a protective coating. Under consistent testing conditions, the symmetric batteries of Zn@CNF maintain stable Zn deposition/stripping behavior for 500 h, while the unprotected Zn symmetric batteries fail after merely 100 h. Additionally, during full-cell evaluations, the Zn@CNF||MnO₂ batteries increase capacity compared to Zn||MnO₂ battery. This approach offers a practical way for developing highly stable Zn anodes.