Surface engineering of amide-functionalized microporous polymers for enhanced zincophilicity and dendrite-free zinc anodes

Zinc metal is recognized as a highly promising anode material for aqueous zinc-ion batteries due to its high theoretical capacity and favorable oxidation-reduction potential. Nevertheless, uncontrolled zinc dendrite growth and side reactions pose critical challenges to their practical applications. Herein, the amide groups are introduced into microporous polymers (PIM-CONH 2 , denoted PC) via amine functionalization and applied as a surface engineering coating for zinc anodes. The functionalization of amide groups enhances the zincophilicity of the polymer coating through coordination interactions with Zn 2+ , while also forming hydrogen bonds with water molecules to reduce solvation and prevent side reactions. Additionally, the microporous structure of PIM-CONH 2 facilitates the uniform distribution of Zn 2+ , promoting more even ion flow, enhancing dendrite-free zinc deposition, and improving electrochemical stability. Consequently, the PC@Zn||PC@Zn symmetric battery achieves prolonged cycle stability over 1250 h at 0.5 mA cm −2 /0.5 mAh cm −2 . The PC@Zn||Cu asymmetric battery exhibits stable zinc plating/stripping over 2200 cycles at 2.0 mA cm −2 /1.0 mAh cm −2 and achieves an average CE of 99.8 %, which exhibits exceptional Zn plating/stripping reversibility. The PC@Zn||NVO full battery demonstrates outstanding cycling performance, retaining 72 % specific capacity retention after 2000 cycles at 10 A g −1 . This work establishes a generalizable strategy for high-performance zinc metal anodes through rational design of functional microporous polymer interfaces, opening new avenues for sustainable energy storage systems.