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Vol. 17 (2025)

Electrolyte Additive-Assembled Interconnecting Molecules–Zinc Anode Interface for Zinc-Ion Hybrid Supercapacitors

https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-025-01794-1
Yang Li
School of Materials and Energy, Foshan University, Foshan 528000, People’s Republic of China
Xu Li
College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, People’s Republic of China
Xinya Peng
College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, People’s Republic of China
Xinyu Yang
College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, People’s Republic of China
Feiyu Kang
Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, People’s Republic of China
Liubing Dong
College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, People’s Republic of China

Corresponding Author: Liubing Dong

donglb@jnu.edu.cn

Nano-Micro Letters, Vol. 17 (2025), Article Number: 268

Abstract

Zinc-ion hybrid supercapacitors (ZHSs) are promising energy storage systems integrating high energy density and high-power density, whereas they are plagued by the poor electrochemical stability and inferior kinetics of zinc anodes. Herein, we report an electrolyte additive-assembled interconnecting molecules–zinc anode interface, realizing highly stable and fast-kinetics zinc anodes for ZHSs. The sulfobutyl groups-grafted β-cyclodextrin (SC) supramolecules as a trace additive in ZnSO4 electrolytes not only adsorb on zinc anodes but also self-assemble into an interconnecting molecule interface benefiting from the mutual attraction between the electron-rich sulfobutyl group and the electron-poor cavity of the adjacent SC supramolecule. The interconnecting molecules–zinc anode interface provides abundant anion-trapping cavities and zincophilic groups to enhance Zn2+ transference number and homogenize Zn2+ deposition sites, and meanwhile, it accelerates the desolvation of hydrated Zn2+ to improve zinc deposition kinetics and inhibit active water molecules from inducing parasitic reactions at the zinc deposition interface, making zinc anodes present superior reversibility with 99.7% Coulombic efficiency, ~ 30 times increase in operation lifetime and an outstanding cumulative capacity at large current densities. ZHSs with 20,000-cycle life and optimized rate capability are thereby achieved. This work provides an inspiring strategy for designing zinc anode interfaces to promote the development of ZHSs.


Highlights:
1 An important topic about zinc-ion hybrid supercapacitors is proposed, i.e., how to achieve not only ultrastable but also fast-kinetics zinc anodes to match capacitive cathodes featuring ultralong cycle life and fast charge storage ability.
2 An electrolyte additive-assembled interconnecting molecules–zinc anode interface is proposed, and its regulation mechanisms on zinc plating/stripping behaviors are revealed.
3 A scalable strategy is reported for achieving highly stable and fast-rate zinc anodes toward zinc-based electrochemical energy storage systems.

Keywords

Zinc-ion hybrid supercapacitor Zinc anode Electrolyte additive Cycling stability Electrochemical kinetics
Li, Yang, Xu Li, Xinya Peng, Xinyu Yang, Feiyu Kang, and Liubing Dong. 2025. “Electrolyte Additive-Assembled Interconnecting Molecules–Zinc Anode Interface for Zinc-Ion Hybrid Supercapacitors”. Nano-Micro Letters 17 (May):268. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-025-01794-1.
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