@article{discovery10192970, month = {April}, volume = {17}, publisher = {ROYAL SOC CHEMISTRY}, year = {2024}, title = {Amphiphilic electrolyte additive as an ion-flow stabilizer enables superb zinc metal batteries}, journal = {Energy and Environmental Science}, number = {10}, note = {This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher's terms and conditions.}, issn = {1754-5692}, author = {Yang, Z and Sun, Y and Deng, S and Tong, H and Wu, M and Nie, X and Su, Y and He, G and Zhang, Y and Li, J and Chai, G}, url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/d4ee00318g}, abstract = {Irreversible Zn plating/stripping along with interfacial degradation seriously affect the practical applications of aqueous zinc-ion batteries. Herein, 3-(hydroxy(phenyl)phosphoryl)propanoic acid (HPA) is introduced as an electrolyte additive that constructs a spherical micellar molecular network via association of amphiphilic groups and multiple coordination sites to directionally adsorb/transfer Zn2+ in aqueous electrolyte, thus serving as an ion-flow stabilizer. Moreover, the strong adsorption between HPA and the zinc surface induces the formation of an in situ organic-inorganic hybrid solid electrolyte interphase layer, which further promotes the charge transfer kinetics and suppresses interfacial parasitic reactions. As a result, an ultra-high average Zn plating/stripping efficiency of 99.91\% over 2100 cycles at 4 mA cm?2 is achieved. Additionally, the symmetrical cell with HPA exhibits outstanding reversibility at an unprecedentedly high current density of 120 mA cm?2. Surprisingly, the initial coulombic efficiency of Zn//Cu cell is 71.74\% after 7-day calendar aging, which is better than a cell without HPA (42.59\%). Furthermore, the Zn//MnO2 cell exhibits superior capacity retention of 80\% after 1100 cycles at 2 A g?1 compared to the cell without HPA (37\%). This study provides an in-depth insight into understanding the molecular network regulation of aqueous-based electrolytes, thus shedding light on a universal approach toward ultra-stable battery applications.}, keywords = {Science \& Technology, Physical Sciences, Technology, Life Sciences \& Biomedicine, Chemistry, Multidisciplinary, Energy \& Fuels, Engineering, Chemical, Environmental Sciences, Chemistry, Engineering, Environmental Sciences \& Ecology} }