Constructing Dual Schottky Junctions for High-Performance Zinc Anode

Abstract

Aqueous zinc ion batteries provide new solutions for achieving environmentally friendly and safe energy storage devices. Unfortunately, the further application is hampered by the growth of zinc dendrites caused by uneven zinc deposition, hydrogen evolution and other side interfacial reactions at the zinc anode. Herein, a multifunctional Bi-Bi₂O₃ hybrid artificial interface layer is constructed on the surface of the zinc anode using an in situ conversion reaction. Among them, the Bi-Bi₂O₃ Schottky structure not only significantly accelerates the migration of Zn²⁺ through its built-in electric field, but also effectively improves the hydrogen evolution barrier (ΔG_H*), thereby suppressing side reactions. Moreover, the Schottky contact formed between the interface layer and the metal zinc interface also regulates the electronic distribution state on the zinc surface and optimizes the deposition process of Zn²⁺, ensuring a more uniform and orderly zinc deposition process. Based on the synergistic effect of dual Schottky junctions, symmetric batteries achieve stable cycling for 2000 h under the conditions of 1.0 mA cm⁻² and 1.0 mAh cm⁻². The full cell assembled with α-MnO₂ as the cathode maintains capacity of 112.7 mAh g⁻¹ after 1000 cycles at 1 A g⁻¹ with a capacity retention rate of 84%.