Tian Wang: Department of Electronics and Information Convergence Engineering, Institute for Wearable Convergence Electronics, Kyung Hee University, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, 17104, Republic of Korea.
Qiao Xi: Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics (FSCFE), Shaanxi Institute of Flexible Electronics (SIFE), Northwestern Polytechnical University, 127 West Youyi Road, Xi'an, 710072, China.
Yifan Li: Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics (FSCFE), Shaanxi Institute of Flexible Electronics (SIFE), Northwestern Polytechnical University, 127 West Youyi Road, Xi'an, 710072, China.
Hao Fu: Department of Physics, Dongguk University, Seoul, 04620, Republic of Korea.
Yongbin Hua: Department of Electronics and Information Convergence Engineering, Institute for Wearable Convergence Electronics, Kyung Hee University, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, 17104, Republic of Korea.
Edugulla Girija Shankar: Department of Electronics and Information Convergence Engineering, Institute for Wearable Convergence Electronics, Kyung Hee University, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, 17104, Republic of Korea.
Ashok Kumar Kakarla: Department of Electronics and Information Convergence Engineering, Institute for Wearable Convergence Electronics, Kyung Hee University, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, 17104, Republic of Korea.
Jae Su Yu: Department of Electronics and Information Convergence Engineering, Institute for Wearable Convergence Electronics, Kyung Hee University, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, 17104, Republic of Korea. ORCID
Rational architecture design of the artificial protective layer on the zinc (Zn) anode surface is a promising strategy to achieve uniform Zn deposition and inhibit the uncontrolled growth of Zn dendrites. Herein, a red phosphorous-derived artificial protective layer combined with a conductive N-doped carbon framework is designed to achieve dendrite-free Zn deposition. The Zn-phosphorus (ZnP) solid solution alloy artificial protective layer is formed during Zn plating. Meanwhile, the dynamic evolution mechanism of the ZnP on the Zn anode is successfully revealed. The concentration gradient of the electrolyte on the electrode surface can be redistributed by this protective layer, thereby achieving a uniform Zn-ion flux. The fabricated Zn symmetrical battery delivers a dendrite-free plating/stripping for 1100 h at the current density of 2.0 mA cm . Furthermore, aqueous Zn//MnO full cell exhibits a reversible capacity of 200 mAh g after 350 cycles at 1.0 A g . This study suggests an effective solution for the suppression of Zn dendrites in Zn metal batteries, which is expected to provide a deep insight into the design of high-performance rechargeable aqueous Zn-ion batteries.
