Features of Separator Configuration in Determining the Cycle Life of Zn Metal Anode

ABSTRACT Glass fiber (GF) is a widely used separator in zinc‐metal batteries, and its geometrical configuration significantly affects the battery's cycle performance. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we examine how the separator's geometry influences battery cycle life, which is determined by the competition between internal short circuits caused by Zn dendrite growth and the deteriorated charge transfer during repeated electrochemical cycling—both of which are affected by the separator's configuration. As the dominance of these failure mechanisms varies with battery processing parameters (e.g., cycling current density and capacity), the systematic study presented here offers guidance for separator choice in Zn metal batteries.