Ultrathin Zn(002) textured zinc anodes for dendrite-free and hydrogen evolution-inhibited zinc batteries

For practical rechargeable aqueous zinc-ion batteries, the long-term cycling stability of the zinc anode remains significantly constrained by its low utilization efficiency and the persistent challenge of hydrogen evolution . This study demonstrates the fabrication of ultrathin zinc electrodes with a robust Zn (002) texture while ensuring an adequate supply of zinc metal for use as an anode material . This approach effectively suppresses the tendency of zinc atoms to undergo deposition transformation due to dislocation-induced phenomena. Compared to zinc foils with higher deposition amount, the ultrathin Zn anode exhibits enhanced resistance to dendrite growth and interfacial side reactions. Assembled symmetrical cells based on this ultra-thin Zn anode show a cycle life of 1750 h (1 mAcm −2 , 0.5 mAhcm − 2 ), maintaining stable cycling for over 100h even at a high depth of discharge (DOD) of 46.23%. Additionally, the full cell couple with V 10 O 24 exhibits a high initial capacity of 429.6 mAh g −1 and a capacity retention of 75.8% after 1000 cycles.