Dendrite Suppression in Zn Batteries through a Heteroepitaxial Residual Stress Shield

Dendrite formation is a long-standing problem for the
commercial
application of aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs). Here, we investigate
the effect of heteroepitaxial residual stresses due to layered coatings
on dendrite suppression. We found that atomic and molecular layered
coatings can substantially reduce dendritic growth in AZIBs by providing
shielding due to residual stresses, even at a single layer or a few
layers of coatings. Through a combined experimental and numerical
approach, we demonstrate that the residual stresses developed due
to the coating of the Zn anodes significantly reduced the chemical
potential polarization around dendrite embryos, forcing the deposition
of zinc in the regions adjacent to the protuberances. This, in turn,
results in a slower rate of dendritic growth and, eventually, dendrite
suppression. The fundamental understanding of the effect of residual
stresses due to coatings demonstrated herein can be extended to various
metal anode batteries, such as Li or Na.