Rechargeable aqueous zinc (Zn) ion batteries (AZIBs) using low-cost and safe Zn metal anodes are considered promising candidates for future grid-scale energy storage systems, but the Zn dendrite problem severely hinders the further prospects of AZIBs. Regulating Zn depositing behaviors toward horizontal alignment is highly effective and thus has received huge attention. However, such a strategy is usually based on previous substrate engineering, which requires complex preparation or expensive equipment. Therefore, it is essential to develop a novel solution that can realize horizontally aligned Zn flake deposition via easy operation and low cost. Herein, we report an ultrathin and robust Kevlar membrane as the interlayer to mechanically suppress Zn dendrite growth. Compared to the randomly distributed flaky dendrites in the control group, the deposited Zn sheets would grow into parallel alignment with the existence of such interlayer. As the dendrites are effectively suppressed, Zn||Cu asymmetric, Zn||Zn symmetric, and Zn||MnO₂ full batteries using Kevlar interlayer deliver significantly improved cycling stabilities. Furthermore, the Zn||MnO₂ pouch cell using a Kevlar interlayer delivers stable cycling performance and shows stable operation during multi-angle folding. We believe this work provides a new possibility for regulating Zn deposition from a crystallographic perspective.

Low electrolyte usage is a key to attaining high-energy-density lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries. However, this is still a tremendous challenge for traditional ether-based electrolytes that follow a dissolution–precipitation mechanism. Highly solvating electrolytes, which can facilitate polysulfide dissolution and alter reaction pathway, are considered a promising strategy. Nonetheless, mechanistic understanding and kinetic evaluation remain insufficient while the principle of Li₂S nucleation and dissociation has not been elucidated. Herein, we unveil the Li-ion solvation and polysulfide speciation in the solvents with different denticity and donicity. The origin of S₃^•– radical-directed path and three-dimensional Li₂S precipitation in high-donicity electrolytes has been uncovered. It is revealed that ammonium ions enable the facile dissolution and dissociation of Li₂S via Lewis acid-base interaction and H···S^2– binding. Consequently, Li–S batteries with a low electrolyte and sulfur (E/S) ratio of 5 μL·mg_s^–1 achieve a high capacity of 1092 mAh·g^–1. Even at a harsh E/S ratio of 3 μL·mg_s^–1 and a high sulfur loading of 4 mg·cm^–2, they still sustain a stable operation over 30 cycles. Our work sheds light on the underlying reaction mechanism and rationalizes the design of highly solvating electrolytes, which in turn opens a new avenue for achieving pragmatic lean-electrolyte Li–S batteries.

In this report, we demonstrate a simple chemical bath deposition approach for the synthesis of layered SnS nanosheets (typically 6 nm or ~10 layers thick) at very low temperature (40 ℃). We successfully synthesized SnS/C hybrid electrodes using a solution-based carbon precursor coating with subsequent carbonization strategy. Our data showed that the ultrathin carbon shell was critical to the cycling stability of the SnS electrodes. As a result, the as-prepared binder-free SnS/C electrodes showed excellent performance as sodium ion battery anodes. Specifically, the SnS/C anodes delivered a reversible capacity as high as 792 mAh·g⁻¹ after 100 cycles at a current density of 100 mA·g⁻¹. They also had superior rate capability (431 mAh·g⁻¹ at 3, 000 mA·g⁻¹) and stable long-term cycling performance under a high current density (345 mAh·g⁻¹ after 500 cycles at 3 A·g⁻¹). Our approach opens up a new route to synthesize SnS-based hybrid materials at low temperatures for energy storage and other applications. Our process will be particularly useful for chalcogenide matrix materials that are sensitive to high temperatures during solution synthesis.