Issue

Vol. 18 (2026)

Activating Progressive Sn2+ Nucleation by Micellar Structure Electrolyte for Dead-Sn-Free Aqueous Batteries

https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-026-02070-6
Xiaojia Lan
School of Chemical Engineering and Light Industry, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, People’s Republic of China
Zhaoyu Zhang
School of Chemical Engineering and Light Industry, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, People’s Republic of China
Yuekai Lin
School of Chemical Engineering and Light Industry, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, People’s Republic of China
Wencheng Du
School of Chemical Engineering and Light Industry, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, People’s Republic of China
Yufei Zhang
School of Chemical Engineering and Light Industry, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, People’s Republic of China
Minghui Ye
School of Chemical Engineering and Light Industry, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, People’s Republic of China
Zhipeng Wen
School of Chemical Engineering and Light Industry, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, People’s Republic of China
Yongchao Tang
School of Chemical Engineering and Light Industry, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, People’s Republic of China
Xiaoqing Liu
School of Chemical Engineering and Light Industry, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, People’s Republic of China
Cheng Chao Li
School of Chemical Engineering and Light Industry, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, People’s Republic of China

Corresponding Author: Cheng Chao Li

licc@gdut.edu.cn

Nano-Micro Letters, Vol. 18 (2026), Article Number: 234

Abstract

The instantaneous nucleation of Sn originating from the uncontrolled diffusion of Sn2+ ions typically forms large, electrochemically inactive “dead Sn” that severely constraints the plating/stripping reversibility of Sn anode for acidic aqueous batteries. Herein, nanoscale spatial confinement of Sn2+ ions is realized in SnSO4 electrolyte by strategically dictating spontaneous assembly of nanomicelles with amphipathic sulfolane. The as-constructed locally heterogeneous environment ensures the sustainable release of Sn2+ ions, which reprograms the nucleation manner from instantaneous to progressive modes. The consequent progressive formation of Sn nuclei triggers size refinement of electrodeposited Sn, thereby alleviating the “dead Sn” issue. Meanwhile, the reaction competitivity of Sn2+ reduction over hydrogen evolution side reaction is effectively strengthened as the consecutive hydrogen bonding network among bulk water is disrupted by the micellar structure. Consequently, Sn anode exerts an unprecedently high average Coulombic efficiency of 99.97% and witnesses a prominent life span extension from 710 to 8400 h (~ 11-fold enhancement). In a dual-plating configuration, the Sn||Mn full battery delivers a 1.6 V discharge plateau and sustains 790 cycles, demonstrating practical feasibility. Our findings underscore the decisive role of the very initial nucleation behavior in regulating metal electrochemistry, applicable to other multivalent anodes.


Highlights:
1 Nanoscale spatial confinement of Sn2+ ions is realized in SnSO4 electrolyte by strategically dictating spontaneous assembly of nanomicelles with amphipathic sulfolane.
2 The sustained release of Sn2+ ions reprograms nucleation from an instantaneous mode to a progressive mode, resulting in a Dead-Sn-free deposition layer that significantly extends the Sn anode life span from 710 to 8400 h.
3 In a dual-electrode-free configuration, the Sn||Mn full battery delivers a high-discharge-voltage plateau at ~1.6 V and exerts stable cycling over 790 cycles.

Keywords

Aqueous electrolyte Sn anode Dead Sn Micellar electrolyte Progressive nucleation
Lan, Xiaojia, Zhaoyu Zhang, Yuekai Lin, Wencheng Du, Yufei Zhang, Minghui Ye, Zhipeng Wen, Yongchao Tang, Xiaoqing Liu, and Cheng Chao Li. 2026. “Activating Progressive Sn2+ Nucleation by Micellar Structure Electrolyte for Dead-Sn-Free Aqueous Batteries”. Nano-Micro Letters 18 (February):234. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-026-02070-6.
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