A Dynamic Self‐Healing Protective Layer Enabling Stable Zinc Ion Batteries through Strong Zn‐S Affinity and Intramolecular Hydrogen Bonding

B Bao Li (College of Materials Science and Engineering) B Bo Zhang X Xiang Bai (Key Laboratory of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering on Heavy-Carbon Resources, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Yili Normal University 1 , Yining 835000,) J Jiahui Zhang (Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University) X Xinyue Chang (State Key Laboratory of Natural Product Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering) L Lifeng Hou (College of Materials Science and Engineering) H Hao Huang T TianTian Lu S Shi Wang (Fang Zongxi Center for Marine Evo-Devo and MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China.) Z Zhong Jin (State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, MOE Key Laboratory of Mesoscopic Chemistry, MOE Key Laboratory of High Performance Polymer Materials and Technology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Green Energy Catalysis and Intelligent Chemical Engineering, Suzhou Key Laboratory of Green Intelligent Manufacturing of New Energy Materials and Devices, Tianchang New Materials and Energy Technologies Research Center, Institute of Green Chemistry and Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering) Q Qian Wang

Abstract

Abstract Aqueous Zn‐ion batteries (AZIBs) are promising for large‐scale energy storage, yet Zn metal anodes face issues like hydrogen evolution, dendrite growth, and corrosion. Herein, we develop a self‐healable, adhesive polymer layer for AZIBs by polymerizing thioctic acid (TA) on Zn surfaces. Thanks to the strong and spontaneous affinity between Zn metal surface and S atoms on polymer chains, this protective layer can firmly and dynamically adhere to the Zn surface. Thus, even at a thickness of <1 µm, the protective layer exhibits a strong adhesion force of up to 10.5 N with Zn surface, while the abundant carboxyl groups in the protective layer can form intramolecular hydrogen bonds, endowing its high self‐healing property and enhancing its strength (Young's modulus reaches 15.1 GPa). Such a protective layer effectively inhibits the dendrite growth physically and regulates the Zn 2+ migration and deposition behavior chemically. Therefore, the symmetric cells can be cycled for more than 1000 h at the current densities of 1.0 and 5.0 mA cm −2 , respectively. Full cells with NH4V4O10 also run stably for 1000 cycles with a high capacity retention. This work offers a promising strategy for designing multifunctional polymer coating towards high‐stability and long‐cycling AZIBs.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 64, Issue 29
Published July 14, 2025
ISSN 1433-7851
Publisher Wiley

Journal Info

Angewandte Chemie International Edition

Wiley

ISSN: 1433-7851 Physical Sciences

Authors (11)

B

Bao Li

College of Materials Science and Engineering

B

Bo Zhang

X

Xiang Bai

Key Laboratory of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering on Heavy-Carbon Resources, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Yili Normal University 1 , Yining 835000,

J

Jiahui Zhang

Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University

X

Xinyue Chang

State Key Laboratory of Natural Product Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering

L

Lifeng Hou

College of Materials Science and Engineering

H

Hao Huang

T

TianTian Lu

S

Shi Wang

Fang Zongxi Center for Marine Evo-Devo and MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China.

Z

Zhong Jin

State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, MOE Key Laboratory of Mesoscopic Chemistry, MOE Key Laboratory of High Performance Polymer Materials and Technology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Green Energy Catalysis and Intelligent Chemical Engineering, Suzhou Key Laboratory of Green Intelligent Manufacturing of New Energy Materials and Devices, Tianchang New Materials and Energy Technologies Research Center, Institute of Green Chemistry and Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering

Q

Qian Wang