Electrolyte design for reversible zinc metal chemistry

Bao Zhang, Jia Yao, Chao Wu, Yuanjian Li, Jia Liu, Jiaqi Wang, Tao Xiao, Tao Zhang, Daqian Cai, Jiawen Wu, Zhi Wei Seh, Shibo Xi, Hao Wang, Wei Sun (), Houzhao Wan () and Hong Jin Fan ()
Additional contact information
Bao Zhang: University of Electronic Science and Technology of China
Jia Yao: Hubei University
Chao Wu: Sichuan University
Yuanjian Li: Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)
Jia Liu: National University of Singapore
Jiaqi Wang: University of Electronic Science and Technology of China
Tao Xiao: Nanyang Technological University
Tao Zhang: Nanyang Technological University
Daqian Cai: Nanyang Technological University
Jiawen Wu: Nanyang Technological University
Zhi Wei Seh: Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)
Shibo Xi: Agency for Science Technology and Research (A*STAR)
Hao Wang: Hubei University
Wei Sun: University of Electronic Science and Technology of China
Houzhao Wan: Hubei University
Hong Jin Fan: Nanyang Technological University

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Abstract Metal anodes hold significant promise for next-generation energy storage, yet achieving highly reversible plating/stripping remains challenging due to dendrite formation and side reactions. Here we present a tailored electrolyte design to surpass 99.9% Coulombic efficiency (CE) in zinc metal anodes by co-engineering salts and solvents to address two critical factors: plating morphology and the anode-electrolyte interface. By integrating a dual-salt approach and organic co-solvent design, these issues can be effectively addressed. The resulting hybrid dual-salt electrolyte renders CE of 99.95% at 1 mA cm−2 at a medium concentration (3.5 m). Building upon the near-unity CE, an anode-free cell with ZnI2 cathode can stably run more than 1000 cycles under practical conditions with minimal capacity loss. Our findings provide a promising pathway for the design of reversible metal anodes, advancing metal-based battery technologies for broader energy storage applications.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-55657-1

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