The stable Zn metal anode is pivotal for advancing aqueous Zn-ion batteries, yet it remains challenged by rampant dendrite growth and parasitic side reactions. Herein, the spinel structured ZnV 2 O 4 with moderate oxygen vacancies serves as an ion-sieve interphase on the Zn anode, whose superior selectivity of tunnel size enables a high ionic conductivity up to 10.56 mS cm -1 . The surface oxygen vacancies can promote the strong adsorption towards Zn ions and subsequent desolvation. The moderate oxygen cavancy content preserve the inner integrality of connectivity tunnels for ZnV 2 O 4 interphase facilitating the rapid ion transport kinetics. COMSOL simulation and DFT calculation conjointly confirm the higher Zn 2+ flux and the accelerated desolvation kinetics. Consequently, equipped with ZnV 2 O 4 @Zn anode, the symmetric cell delivers an ultra-stable cycling lifespan exceeding 3700 h at 4 mA cm -2 /1 mAh cm -2 . Even at the condition of 8 mA cm -2 /1 mAh cm -2 , the symmetric cell maintains a stable cycling for over 900 h. This work underscores the critical factor of the compatibility of oxygen vacancy and ion sieve tunnel geometry, thereby paving a promising avenue for constructing durable aqueous Zn-ion batteries.
Lu et al. (2026) studied this question.