Fast-Charging and Ultrahigh-Capacity Zinc Metal Anode for High-Performance Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries

Although some strategies have been triggered to address the intrinsic drawbacks of zinc (Zn) anodes in aqueous Zn-ion batteries (ZIBs), the larger issue of Zn anodes unable to cycle at a high current density with large areal capacity is neglected. Herein, the zinc phosphorus solid solution alloy (ZnP) coated on Zn foil (Zn@ZnP) prepared via a high-efficiency electrodeposition method as a novel strategy is proposed. The phosphorus (P) atoms in the coating layer are beneficial to fast ion transfer and reducing the electrochemical activation energy during Zn stripping/plating processes. Besides, a lower energy barrier of Zn²⁺ transferring into the coating can be attained due to the additional P. The results show that the as-prepared Zn@ZnP anode in the symmetric cell can be cycled at a current density of 15 mA cm⁻² with an areal capacity of 48 mAh cm⁻² (depth of discharge, DOD ≈ 82%) and even at an ultrahigh current density of 20 mA cm⁻² and DOD ≈ 51%. Importantly, a discharge capacity of 154.4 mAh g⁻¹ in the Zn/MnO₂ full cell can be attained after 1000 cycles at 1 A g⁻¹. The remarkable effect achieved by the developed strategy confirms its prospect in the large-scale application of ZIBs for high-power devices.