Molecular Polarity Attenuation Tailors Weak Solvation Structure with Accelerated Kinetics and Robust SEI for High-Areal-Capacity Large-Format Pouch Zn-Based Batteries.

Yu, Lidong; Ouyang, Kefeng; Hu, Jin; Huang, Yan · Adv Mater · 2026

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Large-format, high-areal-capacity aqueous Zn-ion batteries are pivotal for practical energy storage but remain hindered by sluggish kinetics, heterogeneous local reactions, and drastic interfacial deformation. In this work, a molecular polarity-weakening strategy of electrolyte additive is proposed to customize a rapid-reaction-kinetics solvation structure and a hybrid solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) for Zn metal pouch batteries. Leveraging this synergistic solvation-SEI regulation, a 25 cm<sup>2</sup> Zn||Zn pouch symmetric cell achieves unprecedent 352 h stable cycling at 40 mAh cm<sup>-2</sup> (DOD = 68%, 10 mA cm<sup>-2</sup>). More importantly, a 100 cm<sup>2</sup> Zn||I<sub>2</sub> pouch full battery delivers a high areal capacity of 9.8 mAh cm<sup>-2</sup> and sustains nearly 400 h of stable cycling.