A Synergistic Zincophilic and Hydrophobic Supramolecule Shielding Layer for Actualizing Long‐Term Zinc‐Ion Batteries

Abstract

Abstract The zinc metal anodes are liable to experience detrimental dendrite growth and side reactions, thereby limiting the lifespan of aqueous Zn‐ion batteries. Here, a readily available supramolecule, dimethoxypillar[5]arene (DP[5]), is utilized as a shielding layer to stabilize the Zn anode by exploiting its zincophilicity derived from the ─OCH 3 functional groups and its hydrophobicity from the hydrophobic backbone. The DP[5] shielding layer regulates the solvation sheath of Zn 2+ and facilitates uniform zinc deposition. Swelling and dendrite formation are obviously suppressed in both the symmetric and full cells. The DP[5]‐Zn symmetrical cell cycles stably for 5500 h, and achieves a coulombic efficiency of 99.76% in a DP[5]‐Zn||Cu half‐cell after 2200 cycles. The DP[5]‐Zn||V 2 O 5 full cell maintains 92.03% of initial capacity after 6000 cycles. Given the cost‐effective fabrication and environmental friendliness of DP[5] films, this material may pave the way for practical applications of zinc anodes.