Constructing robust heterostructured interface for anode-free zinc batteries with ultrahigh capacities

The development of Zn-free anodes to inhibit Zn dendrite formation and modulate high-capacity Zn batteries is highly applauded yet very challenging. Here, we design a robust two-dimensional antimony/antimony-zinc alloy heterostructured interface to regulate Zn plating. Benefiting from the stronger adsorption and homogeneous electric field distribution of the Sb/Sb2Zn3-heterostructured interface in Zn plating, the Zn anode enables an ultrahigh areal capacity of 200 mAh cm(-2) with an overpotential of 112 mV and a Coulombic efficiency of 98.5%. An anode-free Zn-Br-2 battery using the Sb/Sb2Zn3-heterostructured interface@Cu anode shows an attractive energy density of 274 Wh kg(-1) with a practical pouch cell energy density of 62 Wh kg(-1). The scaled-up Zn-Br-2 battery in a capacity of 500 mAh exhibits over 400 stable cycles. Further, the Zn-Br-2 battery module in an energy of 9 Wh (6 V, 1.5 Ah) is integrated with a photovoltaic panel to demonstrate the practical renewable energy storage capabilities. Our superior anode-free Zn batteries enabled by the heterostructured interface enlighten an arena towards large-scale energy storage applications. The development of dendrite-free, Zn-free anodes is challenging. Here, the authors design a two-dimensional antimony/antimony-zinc alloy heterostructured interface to achieve dendrite-free Zn deposition with areal capacity of 200 mAh cm(-2), and energy density of around 270 Wh kg(-1) for anode-free zinc-bromine battery.