Nanoflower-liked metal-organic frameworks as bifunctional interfacial layer for zinc anode through confinement and coordination effects

Constructing an interfacial layer on the anode is crucial for mitigating the growth of dendrites and the generation of undesired by-products, ultimately enhancing comprehensive performance of aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs). Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are prospective materials for zinc anode modification owing to the characteristics of porosity, high specific surface area, structural tunability and surface functionalization. In this work, a nanoflower-liked zirconium-based MOF, CJLU-1, was utilized as bifunctional interfacial layer to protect zinc anodes (Zn@CJLU-1). Porous CJLU-1 induced zinc ion transport through ion confinement effect, resulting in a smoother zinc coating. The desolvation of [Zn(H 2 O) 6 ] 2+ was facilitated by a significant interaction between -COOH and zinc ions. Constructing the CJLU-1 interfacial layer effectively suppressed zinc dendrites and side reactions. When Zn@CJLU-1 was paired with an α-MnO 2 cathode to form a Zn@CJLU-1||MnO 2 cell, a specific capacity of 146.7 mAh g -1 was maintained even after 1000 cycles at 1 A g -1 . The capacity retention of Zn@CJLU-1||MnO 2 cell was 29.3% higher than that of bare Zn||MnO 2 cell. This study offers insights into the development of advanced dendrite-free and side reaction-resistant anode for AZIBs. A nanoflower-liked zirconium-based MOF, CJLU-1, was utilized as bifunctional interfacial layer to protect zinc anodes (Zn@CJLU-1). Porous CJLU-1 induces more uniform deposition of zinc ions by inducing zinc ion transport through ion confinement effect. The strong interaction between -COOH and [Zn(H 2 O) 6 ] 2+ on CJLU-1 facilitates the desolvation of [Zn(H 2 O) 6 ] 2+ . Constructing the CJLU-1 interfacial layer effectively suppresses zinc dendrite formation and side reactions on the anode.