Fast ion transport network enhanced 3D Zn anode for ultra-stable zinc ion batteries

Utilizing reversible Zn metal anode is the most attractive way to meet the urgent demand for rechargeable Zn-ion batteries with high energy density. For reliable and stable zinc-ion batteries, it is of particular importance to understand and prevent the issues associated with the chemically reactive, ionically blocking and mechanically unstable interfaces/interphases of the Zn metal anode. It is well known that increasing the surface area of electrode can create a more uniform ion/electron field, facilitating uniform ion deposition. However, larger surface area often exacerbates corrosion issues, and the impact of the geometric structure of electrode on ion diffusion-nucleation-growth mode remains unclear. Herein, a fast ion transport network enhanced 3D Zn anode prepared by 3D printing is reported to regulate the electrochemistry of Zn. 3D structure design help to explore the impact of geometric constraints on ion diffusion-nucleation behaviors, validating boundary conditions of nucleation theories, so as to achieve a dense and uniform deposition morphology. And the Zn(OTF) 2 -PEO hydrogel components within the 3D Zn powder electrode construct a 3D ion transport network. The hydrogel network optimizes the nucleation process by reducing the surface energy, which can address the corrosion issue caused by the increased surface area.