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Vol. 18 (2026)

Ion-Sieving Dual-Scale Asymmetric Cellulose Membrane as a Sustainable Paper-Based Separator for Ultra-Stable Zinc Anodes

https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-026-02165-0
Xinlong Liu
Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, 999077 Hong Kong, People’s Republic of China
Junze Zhang
Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, 999077 Hong Kong, People’s Republic of China
Cuiqin Fang
Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, 999077 Hong Kong, People’s Republic of China
Yana Xiao
Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, 999077 Hong Kong, People’s Republic of China
Yujue Yang
Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, 999077 Hong Kong, People’s Republic of China
Shuai Wang
Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, 999077 Hong Kong, People’s Republic of China
Qingjun Yang
Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, 999077 Hong Kong, People’s Republic of China
Yaopeng Wu
Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, 999077 Hong Kong, People’s Republic of China
Bingang Xu
Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, 999077 Hong Kong, People’s Republic of China

Corresponding Author: Bingang Xu

tcxubg@polyu.edu.hk

Nano-Micro Letters, Vol. 18 (2026), Article Number: 307

Abstract

Conventional glass fiber separators used in aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) are inadequate in suppressing Zn dendrite growth and parasitic reactions due to unregulated ion transport. Here, we design a fully biodegradable and dual-scale asymmetric paper-based membrane that synergistically couples a macroporous paper scaffold with a surface layer of carboxylated nanoporous cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) for ion regulation. This dual-scale architecture establishes coordination-assisted ion-hopping pathways via Zn2+–COOH interactions, homogenizing Zn2+ flux to enable uniform nucleation and inhibit dendrites. Simultaneously, the nanoporous and negatively charged CNF layer functions as an ion sieve, preferentially conducting Zn2+ while restricting water mobility and polyiodide shuttling, thereby mitigating side reactions. When deployed as a separator, the membrane enables an ultra-stable Zn||Zn symmetric cell cycling over 1,900 h at 1.0 mA cm−2 and an average Coulombic efficiency of 97.3% in Zn||Cu cells, achieving a sixfold lifespan extension over commercial glass fiber separators. The corresponding Zn||I2 full cell retains a specific capacity of 172.8 mAh g−1 after 4,000 cycles at 2.0 A g−1, underscoring its efficacy in suppressing shuttle effects. This cellulose-based design reduces separator cost by 83% while ensuring full biodegradability, offering a practical and sustainable pathway toward high-performance ZIBs.


Highlights:
1 A cost-effective and fully biodegradable dual-scale paper-based separator is engineered by intertwining macroporous rice paper with mesoporous nanofibers.
2 Nanoporous ion sieving and molecular confined pathways effectively suppress polyiodide shuttling and water-induced side reactions.
3 Regulated ion transport induces a uniform solid-electrolyte interphase, enabling dendrite-free anodes and high Coulombic efficiency.

Keywords

Cellulose separator Glass fiber Dual-scale Biodegradable Zinc anode
Liu, Xinlong, Junze Zhang, Cuiqin Fang, Yana Xiao, Yujue Yang, Shuai Wang, Qingjun Yang, Yaopeng Wu, and Bingang Xu. 2026. “Ion-Sieving Dual-Scale Asymmetric Cellulose Membrane As a Sustainable Paper-Based Separator for Ultra-Stable Zinc Anodes”. Nano-Micro Letters 18 (March):307. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-026-02165-0.
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