Rational Screening of Artificial Solid Electrolyte Interphases on Zn for Ultrahigh-Rate and Long-Life Aqueous Batteries

Solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) on Zn anodes plays a pivotal role for high-rate and long-life aqueous batteries, because it effectively inhibits side reactions and dendritic growth. Many materials are explored as SEIs by a trial-and-error approach. Herein, an exercisable way is proposed to screen the potential SEIs on Zn anodes in view of dendrite-suppressing ability and charge-transfer property theoretically. As an output of this screening, Zn-3(BO3)(2) (ZBO) is checked experimentally. In symmetrical cells, Zn@ZBO runs over 250 h at an ultrahigh current density of 50 mA cm(-2) for a large areal capacity 10 mAh cm(-2). In full cells, Zn@ZBO||MnO2 shows an impressive cumulative capacity (approximate to 406 mAh cm(-2)) under harsh conditions, i.e., a lean electrolyte condition (10 mu L mAh(-1)), limited Zn supply (negative/positive electrode capacity ratio, N/P ratio = 2.3), and high areal capacity (5.0 mAh cm(-2)). The significance of this work lies in not only the first report of ZBO on Zn showing excellent electrochemical performance, but also a feasible way to screen the promising SEI materials for other metal anodes.