journal article·2026-01Open access

Janus Adsorption of Polar Ion Hubs for Simultaneous Regulation of Zinc Deposition Kinetics and Interfacial Stability in Long‐Cycle Aqueous Zinc‐Ion Batteries

Chang Dong, Haojie Ji, Tao Yang, Hongbo Wu, Chao Liu, Xuedong Xie, Ouwei Sheng, Dexin Yang, Tianyu Shen, Zeyang Sun, Jian Zhang, Rongkun Zheng, Chaofeng Zhang, Xuefeng Zhang

Advanced Functional Materials· Volume 36· Issue 2

Abstract

Abstract Aqueous zinc‐ion batteries (AZIBs) have garnered significant attention as potential candidates for next‐generation energy storage systems, attributed to their high capacity, cost‐effectiveness, and environmentally benign nature. However, the uncontrolled proliferation of zinc dendrites and severe interfacial side reactions have emerged as substantial obstacles to their practical application. In this study, a novel “polar ionic hub regulation” strategy is introduced, which involves the covalent bonding of hydrophilic‐hydrophobic bifunctional groups to construct an asymmetric topological structure, thereby forming a nanoscale Janus interface at the molecular level. The carboxyl and amide groups synergistically anchor Zn 2+ ions through spatial cooperation, creating localized Zn 2+ ‐rich domains. Meanwhile, the benzene ring repels free water molecules via its hydrophobic effect, effectively blocking the interfacial side reactions initiated by water molecules. Consequently, the zinc anode achieves an ultralong cycling lifespan exceeding 3600 h at 1 mA cm −2 and 1 mAh cm −2 . Moreover, the zinc symmetric cell attains a cumulative plating capacity of 4.875 Ah cm −2 at a high areal capacity of 5 mAh cm −2 . Full cells paired with Na 2 V 6 O 16 ·3H 2 O and I 2 cathodes exhibit significantly enhanced performance. Notably, the Zn||I 2 system demonstrates exceptional cycling durability. This work provides a robust foundation for the practical application of high‐performance aqueous zinc‐ion batteries.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: Advanced battery technologies research · Membrane-based Ion Separation Techniques · Electrocatalysts for Energy Conversion

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

International Research Center for EM Metamaterials & Institute of Advanced Magnetic Materials College of Materials and Environmental Engineering Hangzhou Dianzi University Hangzhou 310012 China

Key Laboratory for Soft Chemistry and Functional Materials of Ministry Education School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Nanjing University of Science and Technology Nanjing 210094 China

Institutes of Physical Science and Information Technology Leibniz International Joint Research Center of Materials Sciences of Anhui Province Anhui University Hefei 230601 China

School of Physics The University of Sydney Camperdown New South Wales 2006 Australia

Funding

National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars · Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province · National Natural Science Foundation of China

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