Trace Sulfonic Acid Additives Modulate Zn ²⁺ Transport Through SEI and Desolvation for Highly Reversible Zinc Anodes.

Abstract Zinc metal, a promising anode material, suffers from unpredictable side reactions and dendrite growth. These problems reduce its cycle performance and coulombic efficiency. To solve them, this study uses a bifunctional additive, sodium 1,2‐dihydroxyanthraquinone‐3‐sulfonate (ARS). ARS modifies the solvation structure and forms a micro–hydrophobic interface. As a result, the Zn anode shows good reversibility. The Zn//Zn symmetrical battery can cycle for over 4000 h at 1 mA cm ⁻² . The Zn//Cu half–cell can cycle 4000 times at 4 mA cm ⁻² . The V ₁₀ O ₂₄ ·12H ₂ O//Zn full cell also shows high capacity retention after 2500 cycles. This work offers a way to choose low–cost additives for large–scale ZIB deployment.