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Vol. 18 (2026)

Achieving Ah-Level Zn–MnO2 Pouch Cells via Interfacial Solvation Structure Engineering

https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-025-01935-6
Jing Wei
Institute of Carbon Neutrality, Zhejiang Wanli University, Ningbo 315100, People’s Republic of China
Lichao Tan
Institute of Carbon Neutrality, Zhejiang Wanli University, Ningbo 315100, People’s Republic of China
Qianyi Ma
Institute of Carbon Neutrality, Zhejiang Wanli University, Ningbo 315100, People’s Republic of China
Xintao Long
Power Battery and Systems Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, People’s Republic of China
Shibin Li
Institute of Carbon Neutrality, Zhejiang Wanli University, Ningbo 315100, People’s Republic of China
Yu Shi
Department of Chemical Engineering, Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo N2L 3G1, Canada
Rui Gao
Department of Chemical Engineering, Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo N2L 3G1, Canada
Zijing Xu
Department of Chemical Engineering, Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo N2L 3G1, Canada
Dan Luo
Power Battery and Systems Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, People’s Republic of China
Jie Zhang
Power Battery and Systems Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, People’s Republic of China
Dagang Li
College of Material Science and Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, People’s Republic of China
Xin Wang
Institute of Carbon Neutrality, Zhejiang Wanli University, Ningbo 315100, People’s Republic of China
Aiping Yu
Department of Chemical Engineering, Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo N2L 3G1, Canada
Zhongwei Chen
Power Battery and Systems Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, People’s Republic of China

Corresponding Author: Zhongwei Chen

zwchen@dicp.ac.cn

Nano-Micro Letters, Vol. 18 (2026), Article Number: 124

Abstract

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) offer a safe, cost-effective, and high-capacity energy storage solution, yet their performance is hindered by interfacial challenges at the Zn anode, including hydrogen evolution, corrosion, and dendritic Zn growth. While most studies focus on regulating Zn2+ solvation structures in bulk electrolytes, the evolution of interfacial solvation—where Zn2+ undergoes desolvation and deposition—remains insufficiently explored. Here, we introduce sulfated nanocellulose (SNC), an anion-rich biopolymer, to tailor the interfacial solvation structure without altering the bulk electrolyte composition. Using in situ attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and fluorescence interface-extended X-ray absorption fine structure, we reveal that SNC facilitates the formation of a low-coordinated Zn2+ solvation shell at the interface by weakening H2O coordination. This transformation is driven by electrostatic interactions between Zn2+ and anchored sulfate groups, thereby reducing water activity, improving interfacial stability during charge/discharge, and suppressing parasitic reactions. Consequently, a high average coulombic efficiency of 99.6% over 500 cycles in Zn|Ti asymmetric cells and 1.5 Ah pouch cells (13.4 mg cm−2 loading, remained stable over 250 cycles) were achieved in SNC-induced AZIBs. This work underscores the importance of interfacial solvation structure engineering—beyond traditional bulk electrolyte design—in enabling practical, high-performance AZIBs.


Highlights:
1 This work introduces sulfated nanocellulose as an anion-rich additive to tailor the Zn anode interfacial solvation structure, reducing interfacial H2O activity and suppressing hydrogen evolution.
2 In-situ attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared and fluorescence interface-extended X-ray absorption fine structure reveal the formation of a low-coordination Zn2+ solvation shell at the interface, facilitating rapid desolvation kinetics, enhancing interfacial stability during cycling.
3 Practical aqueous Zn–MnO2 pouch cells (1.5 Ah), underscoring the potential of interfacial solvation engineering for high-performance aqueous zinc-ion batteries.

Keywords

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries In situ spectroscopy Interfacial solvation structure Nanocellulose
Wei, Jing, Lichao Tan, Qianyi Ma, Xintao Long, Shibin Li, Yu Shi, Rui Gao, Zijing Xu, Dan Luo, Jie Zhang, Dagang Li, Xin Wang, Aiping Yu, and Zhongwei Chen. 2026. “Achieving Ah-Level Zn–MnO2 Pouch Cells via Interfacial Solvation Structure Engineering”. Nano-Micro Letters 18 (January):124. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-025-01935-6.
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