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Aqueous zinc metal batteries hold great promise for large-scale energy storage because of their high safety, rich material resources and low cost. However, the freeze of aqueous electrolytes hinders low-temperature operation of the batteries. Here, aqueous localized anion-cation aggregated electrolytes composed of Zn(BF4)2 as the salt and tetrahydrofuran (THF) as the diluent, are developed to improve the low-temperature performance of the Zn anode. THF promotes the inclusion of BF4− in the solvation sheath of Zn2+, facilitating the formation of ZnF2-rich solid-electrolyte-interphase. THF als...

As one of most prospective anode materials of aqueous batteries, Zn metal faces severe electrolyte corrosion and fatal dendrite growth. To address these issues, the electrolyte/Zn interface needs to be carefully engineered. Here, a dense and robust layer of polysilane functionalized by -NH2 is coated on Zn in a new way. In this layer, -NH2 provides adequate alkalinity and important interaction with Zn2+, enhancing the hydrolysis and regulating the Zn2+ flux. Propyl groups increase the flexibility to buffer inevitable strain/stress and the hydrophobicity to reduce the permeation of water. Si-O-...

Metallic Zn has been regarded as ideal anodes in aqueous electrolyte owing to its high theoretical capacity, intrinsic safety, low cost, and nontoxicity. However, the Zn dendrite growth and the side-reactions hindered the practical application of Zn anode. Herein, a thin and uniform three-dimensional (3D) COOH-functionalized covalent organic frameworks (COF) film (denoted as 3D-COOH-COF) is designed and in-situ synthesized as a protective layer to stabilize the Zn anode. The thin 3D-COOH-COF protection film with abundant negative functional groups and homogeneous nanochannels facilitates the f...