Silane‐Modified Zn Anode Induced (100) Plane Preferential Nucleation Enables Stable Aqueous Zn Batteries

Abstract Detrimental dendrite growth and water‐involved surface corrosion on Zn anode significantly hinder the aqueous Zn batteries implementation. Herein, Triacetoxy(vinyl)silane (VTSE) is employed as an etchant and a protective layer for Zn metal anode. Owing to the preferential adsorption of VTSE on Zn (002) and (101) planes, the treated Zn anode exhibits highly exposure of (100) facet with VTSE coverage. Such VTSE layer with strong Zn─Si─O interaction guides homogeneous Zn 2+ deposition with a good inheritance of (100) plane orientation, further bringing about a reduced nucleation overpotential and accelerated desolvation process. Meanwhile, the dense VTSE layer inhibits the water penetration and suppresses hydrogen evolution corrosion. As expected, the Zn||Cu half cell exhibits prolonged lifespan over 1000 h at 1 mA cm −2 for 1 mAh cm −2 .In the Zn||NVO full cell, a remarkable capacity retention of 73.1% can be reached after 2,000 cycles at 1 A g −1 . This work offers new insights on the crystal plane manipulation engineering for aqueous Zn anode protection.