Micro‐Stepwise (100) Crystal Face Coupling Molecular‐Layer Engineering Promises High‐Performance Zn‐Iodine Batteries in Wide pH and Seawater Electrolytes

C Chengxiu Huang (Engineering Research Center of Polymer Green Recycling of Ministry of Education Fujian Key Laboratory of Pollution Control & Resource Reuse College of Environmental and Resource Sciences Fujian Normal University Fuzhou Fujian China) H Hui Lin F Fuyu Xiao Y Yixing Fang (Engineering Research Center of Polymer Green Recycling of Ministry of Education Fujian Key Laboratory of Pollution Control & Resource Reuse College of Environmental and Resource Sciences Fujian Normal University Fuzhou Fujian China) C Chuyuan Lin (Engineering Research Center of Polymer Green Recycling of Ministry of Education Fujian Key Laboratory of Pollution Control & Resource Reuse College of Environmental and Resource Sciences Fujian Normal University Fuzhou Fujian China) Z Zhenyang Huang (Engineering Research Center of Polymer Green Recycling of Ministry of Education Fujian Key Laboratory of Pollution Control & Resource Reuse College of Environmental and Resource Sciences Fujian Normal University Fuzhou Fujian China) F Fenqiang Luo (Engineering Research Center of Polymer Green Recycling of Ministry of Education Fujian Key Laboratory of Pollution Control & Resource Reuse College of Environmental and Resource Sciences Fujian Normal University Fuzhou Fujian China) J Jia‐Lin Yang (State Key Laboratory of Integrated Optoelectronics MOE Key Laboratory for UV Light‐Emitting Materials and Technology Northeast Normal University Changchun Jilin China) Y Yangyang Liu (State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, School of Instrument Science and Technology) Q Qingrong Qian (Engineering Research Center of Polymer Green Recycling of Ministry of Education Fujian Key Laboratory of Pollution Control & Resource Reuse College of Environmental and Resource Sciences Fujian Normal University Fuzhou Fujian China) Q Qinghua Chen X Xing‐Long Wu (MOE Key Laboratory For UV Light‐Emitting Materials and Technology Northeast Normal University Changchun Jilin P. R. China) L Lingxing Zeng (Engineering Research Center of Polymer Green Recycling of Ministry of Education Fujian Key Laboratory of Pollution Control & Resource Reuse College of Environmental and Resource Sciences Fujian Normal University Fuzhou Fujian China)

Abstract

ABSTRACT Aqueous zinc–iodine batteries (ZIBs) are promising for large‐scale energy storage but suffer from interfacial challenges in wide pH and seawater electrolytes, such as polyiodide shuttling, chloride‐induced pitting, and dendrite growth. This study proposes the engineering of micro‐stepwise structures with exposed (100) facets via molecular modulation, which guides uniform distribution of zinc species preventing the formation of passivation layers in wide pH electrolytes. Additionally, the molecular layer reduces interfacial H 2 O activity via hydrogen bonds and physically blocks the migration of Cl − and polyiodides towards the anode, alleviating corrosion and pitting within seawater electrolytes. Benefiting from the coupling effect of micro‐stepwise and molecular layers, the Ah‐level Zn||I 2 pouch cells deliver high capacities of 1.13 (2 mA cm −2 ) and 0.61 (4 mA cm −2 ) Ah after 110 and 1000 cycles in acidic electrolytes. The full cells also operate stably in acidic and alkaline electrolytes. It's worth noting that the Zn||I 2 full cell delivers a high capacity of 180 mAh g −1 at 20 A g −1 after 20 000 cycles in seawater electrolyte. This study presents an effective interface engineering strategy for balancing long‐term stability with rapid electrochemical reaction kinetics of ZIBs under diverse electrolyte scenarios.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 1, Issue 1
Published June 16, 2026
ISSN 1433-7851
Publisher Wiley

Journal Info

Angewandte Chemie International Edition

Wiley

ISSN: 1433-7851 Physical Sciences

Authors (13)

C

Chengxiu Huang

Engineering Research Center of Polymer Green Recycling of Ministry of Education Fujian Key Laboratory of Pollution Control & Resource Reuse College of Environmental and Resource Sciences Fujian Normal University Fuzhou Fujian China

H

Hui Lin

F

Fuyu Xiao

Y

Yixing Fang

Engineering Research Center of Polymer Green Recycling of Ministry of Education Fujian Key Laboratory of Pollution Control & Resource Reuse College of Environmental and Resource Sciences Fujian Normal University Fuzhou Fujian China

C

Chuyuan Lin

Engineering Research Center of Polymer Green Recycling of Ministry of Education Fujian Key Laboratory of Pollution Control & Resource Reuse College of Environmental and Resource Sciences Fujian Normal University Fuzhou Fujian China

Z

Zhenyang Huang

Engineering Research Center of Polymer Green Recycling of Ministry of Education Fujian Key Laboratory of Pollution Control & Resource Reuse College of Environmental and Resource Sciences Fujian Normal University Fuzhou Fujian China

F

Fenqiang Luo

Engineering Research Center of Polymer Green Recycling of Ministry of Education Fujian Key Laboratory of Pollution Control & Resource Reuse College of Environmental and Resource Sciences Fujian Normal University Fuzhou Fujian China

J

Jia‐Lin Yang

State Key Laboratory of Integrated Optoelectronics MOE Key Laboratory for UV Light‐Emitting Materials and Technology Northeast Normal University Changchun Jilin China

Y

Yangyang Liu

State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, School of Instrument Science and Technology

Q

Qingrong Qian

Engineering Research Center of Polymer Green Recycling of Ministry of Education Fujian Key Laboratory of Pollution Control & Resource Reuse College of Environmental and Resource Sciences Fujian Normal University Fuzhou Fujian China

Q

Qinghua Chen

X

Xing‐Long Wu

MOE Key Laboratory For UV Light‐Emitting Materials and Technology Northeast Normal University Changchun Jilin P. R. China

L

Lingxing Zeng

Engineering Research Center of Polymer Green Recycling of Ministry of Education Fujian Key Laboratory of Pollution Control & Resource Reuse College of Environmental and Resource Sciences Fujian Normal University Fuzhou Fujian China