Hyaluronate molecular layer with capture-deposition mechanism for durable zinc metal anode

Zinc metal anode (ZMA) suffers from severe interface issues, such as hydrogen evolution reaction, corrosion, and zinc dendrite. Herein, a novel capture-deposition mechanism has been proposed to stabilize the ZMA by spontaneously and dynamically reconstructing hyaluronate molecular layer. The hyaluronate anion with multiple electronegative groups adsorbs onto the surface of ZMA via electrostatic interaction. The molecular layer is able to continuously shield the attack of H₂O and improve the interface stability, while the branched chains of the adsorbed molecular layer are capable to capture Zn²⁺ ions from bulk electrolyte and then induce the deposition. Hyaluronate molecular layer endows ZMA with a low hydrogen evolution overpotential and corrosion current density, and a flat and dense deposition morphology. Accordingly, the symmetric batteries exhibit extended cycle life over 1500 h at 3 mA cm⁻² and 1 mAh cm⁻², and Zn||V₂O₅ full batteries display a high capacity retention of 78 % (111 mAh g⁻¹) after 5000 cycles at 10 A g⁻¹. This work demonstrates constructing a molecular interface layer with boosted capture-deposition ability is advantageous to develop durable ZMA.