Controlled Synthesis of ZrO2@Zn Anode and Effect on the Cycle Life of Zinc–Air Battery Under High-Temperature Operating Conditions

Zinc anodes degrade rapidly under high-temperature operating conditions, significantly impeding the development and commercial application of Zn–air batteries. In this study, zirconia-coated zinc (ZrO 2 @Zn) was synthesized using a facile sol–gel method. The composition, structure, and electrochemical properties of the ZrO 2 @Zn anode were characterized. The results show that ZrO 2 @Zn has a core–shell structure contributing to regulating the cycle life of the battery. The passivation current of ZrO 2 @Zn is lower than that of Zn. This indicates that ZrO 2 @Zn exhibits enhanced passivation stability performance. The cycle life of ZrO 2 @Zn can be extended to 72 h at extreme operating temperatures of 60 °C, nearly double that of bare Zn. The coating ZrO 2 applied on the surface of Zn can effectively avoid the direct contact between Zn and electrolyte and reduces the self-corrosion of Zn anode. The increased adsorption of H + ions by ZrO 2 at elevated temperatures without affecting the deposition of Zn 2+ prolongs the lifetime of the ZrO 2 @Zn anode. The core–shell structure of ZrO 2 @Zn effectively mitigates the occurrence of anodic side reactions and inhibits the growth of Zn dendrites, thereby safeguarding the active material and extending the battery’s cycle life.