journal article·2025-04Open access

Reconfiguring Zn2+ Solvation Structures and Modulating the Inner Helmholtz Plane Via Janus Supramolecules

Xiaoyu Wu, Wanting Wang, Xing Chen, Ju Xie, Xueyang Li, Longfei Li, Min Zhao, Chunsheng Li, Yuanzhe Piao, Ming Chen

Advanced Functional Materials· Volume 35· Issue 15

Abstract

Abstract Zn metal anodes (ZMAs) are plagued by dendritic growth and side reactions, which results in the degradation of their electrochemical performance. In this study, a carboxylated pillar[5]arene (CP5) is introduced with Janus properties to reconstruct the solvation structure of Zn2+ and modulate the inner Helmholtz plane (IHP). The electron‐rich cavity of CP5 adsorbs Zn2+ through electrostatic interactions synergistically reconfiguring the solvated structure of Zn. Concurrently, the zincophilic carboxyl groups preferentially adsorb onto the Zn electrode interface, while the hydrophobic cavity modulates the IHP by repelling certain H₂O molecules. The synergistic impact of this dual reconfiguration strategy effectively suppresses the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), and curtails dendrite formation and associated side reactions, thereby enhancing the long‐term stability of the electrode‐electrolyte interface. The results demonstrate that a Coulombic efficiency (CE) of 99.1% in the Zn||Cu asymmetric cell is achieved during the galvanization/stripping process at 5 mA cm−2 under 1 mAh cm−2. Furthermore, the optimized electrolyte maintains a capacity retention of 91.4% after 1000 cycles in a Zn‐I2 battery, demonstrating exceptional cycling stability. This study offers a viable strategy for optimizing the Zn2+ solvation structure and informs the design of electrolytes for highly reversible metal‐anode batteries.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: Advanced battery technologies research · Electrocatalysts for Energy Conversion · Perovskite Materials and Applications

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

Affiliations

School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Yangzhou University Yangzhou 225002 P. R. China

Institutes of Physical Science and Information Technology Anhui University Hefei 230601 P. R. China

Key Laboratory of Advanced Electrode Materials for Novel Solar Cells for Petroleum and Chemical Industry of China School of Chemistry and Life Sciences Suzhou University of Science and Technology Suzhou Jiangsu 215009 P. R. China

Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology Seoul National University 45 Gwanggyo‐ro Suwon‐si Gyeonggi‐do 16229 Republic of Korea

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China

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