Stepwise Kinetics Promotion for High‐Rate Aqueous Zn Metal Batteries

Y Yusen Fu (State Key Laboratory of Bio‐based Fiber Materials Tianjin Key Laboratory of Pulp and Paper China Textile Industry Key Laboratory of High‐performance Fibers Wet‐laid Nonwoven Materials Tianjin University of Science and Technology Tianjin China) L Long Jiao J Jiajia Liu Q Qiaoyun Liu C Chuang Wang X Xuesong Yang (State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry) S Shanshan Yu L Leixin Yang D Dengkun Shu (State Key Laboratory of Bio‐based Fiber Materials Tianjin Key Laboratory of Pulp and Paper China Textile Industry Key Laboratory of High‐performance Fibers Wet‐laid Nonwoven Materials Tianjin University of Science and Technology Tianjin China) S Shuo Yang (Department of Polymer Science & Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, MOE Key Laboratory of High Performance Polymer Materials and Technology, School of Chemistry) C Chenyang Li (State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics) H Huan Li W Wenjun Zhang B Bowen Cheng (Tianjin Key Laboratory of Brine Chemical Engineering and Resource Eco-utilization, College of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin 300457, P. R. China)

Abstract

ABSTRACT Metallic zinc anodes in aqueous zinc batteries suffer from uncontrolled dendrite growth and parasitic side reactions, leading to poor cycling stability, especially under high‐rate and high‐capacity conditions. Herein, we proposed a stepwise kinetics promotion process to achieve high‐rate and durable Zn metal anodes, in which the desolvation, bulk transfer, and deposition steps of Zn 2+ are systematically considered and synergistically regulated. Experimental and computational analyses reveal that N‐methyl morpholine‐N‐oxide (NMMO) molecular regulator captures—rather than substitutes—coordinated water molecules in the Zn 2+ solvation sheath, thereby suppressing Zn corrosion and hydrogen evolution without increasing desolvation barriers. Furthermore, the strong interaction between NMMO and free water reconstructs the hydrogen‐bond network, creating an unimpeded proton‐transport channel that accelerates Zn 2+ bulk transfer. Additionally, the preferential adsorption of the NMMO molecule on non‐(101) Zn facets promotes the selective exposure of highly active Zn (101) texture, boosting Zn deposition kinetics. Consequently, Zn||Zn symmetrical cell delivers exceptional lifespan— over 6100 h at 5 mA cm −2 and 1300 h at 30 mA cm −2 —with low overpotentials. Notably, the Zn anodes still maintain stable cycling even at a 70% depth of discharge and ensure stable operation of full cells with a low negative/positive capacity ratio of 2.1.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 65, Issue 25
Published June 15, 2026
ISSN 1433-7851
Publisher Wiley

Journal Info

Angewandte Chemie International Edition

Wiley

ISSN: 1433-7851 Physical Sciences

Authors (14)

Y

Yusen Fu

State Key Laboratory of Bio‐based Fiber Materials Tianjin Key Laboratory of Pulp and Paper China Textile Industry Key Laboratory of High‐performance Fibers Wet‐laid Nonwoven Materials Tianjin University of Science and Technology Tianjin China

L

Long Jiao

J

Jiajia Liu

Q

Qiaoyun Liu

C

Chuang Wang

X

Xuesong Yang

State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry

S

Shanshan Yu

L

Leixin Yang

D

Dengkun Shu

State Key Laboratory of Bio‐based Fiber Materials Tianjin Key Laboratory of Pulp and Paper China Textile Industry Key Laboratory of High‐performance Fibers Wet‐laid Nonwoven Materials Tianjin University of Science and Technology Tianjin China

S

Shuo Yang

Department of Polymer Science & Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, MOE Key Laboratory of High Performance Polymer Materials and Technology, School of Chemistry

C

Chenyang Li

State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics

H

Huan Li

W

Wenjun Zhang

B

Bowen Cheng

Tianjin Key Laboratory of Brine Chemical Engineering and Resource Eco-utilization, College of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin 300457, P. R. China