Long-lasting Zn metal anode coated with an industrially available amorphous InGaZnO layer

Aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs) are expected to be a strong candidate for future mass storage devices due to their high safety and cost-effectiveness. However, uneven zinc ion deposition and interfacial corrosion reactions significantly affect the battery’s service life. In this study, an industrially available amorphous InGaZnO (IGZO) layer with high flatness and superior zincophilicity is prepared by magnetron sputtering to achieve dendrite-free and durable Zn anode. The presence of the amorphous IGZO layer serves to prevent direct contact between the electrolyte and the anode, effectively suppressing corrosion reactions. Theoretical simulations indicate that IGZO@Zn has a high zincophilicity, effectively reducing the nucleation barrier for Zn2+, promoting the rapid deposition, and facilitating uniform nucleation of Zn2+ due to the evenly distributed nucleation sites on the protective layer. Therefore, the IGZO@Zn symmetric cell can cycle for 3,800 h at 0.5 mA cm−2. Moreover, the full cell consisting of IGZO@Zn and Zn-V2O5 (ZVO) has a long cycle life with a specific capacity of 175 mAh/g, reaching 84.3 % after 4,000 cycles at 10 A/g. The Zn anode protective layer strategy with zinc affinity prepared by the magnetron sputtering method provides a practical guideline for designing high-performance anode materials.