Scientists design "hydrophobic-zincophilic" interface to unlock ultra-stable zinc-ion batteries

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) are widely regarded as a safer and more cost-effective alternative to lithium-ion batteries for large-scale energy storage. However, their commercial viability has long been hindered by “parasitic” issues at the zinc anode: chemical corrosion, hydrogen evolution, and the uncontrolled growth of zinc dendrites that can short-circuit the cell.

In a study recently published in the journal ENGINEERING Energy, a research team led by Professors Jun Zhang and Feng Yuan from Qingdao University has unveiled a breakthrough interfacial engineering strategy. By using Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD), they developed a dual-functional “hydrophobic-zincophilic” coating composed of palladium (Pd) nanoparticles dispersed on a graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) matrix. This nanometer-scale shield allows zinc batteries to operate with unprecedented stability for over 2,500 hours.

Solving the “Water Problem”

The primary challenge in aqueous batteries is the electrolyte itself. While water makes the battery safe and non-flammable, it also reacts with the zinc anode. “Traditional hydrophilic coatings often trap free water molecules at the interface, which actually accelerates corrosion and hydrogen gas production,” explain research team.

To counter this, the team utilized the naturally hydrophobic properties of g-C₃N₄. When combined with a polymer binder, this matrix creates a “water-repellent” barrier that effectively isolates the zinc surface from bulk electrolyte water, drastically reducing side reactions.

Guiding Zinc with Atomic Precision

Hydrophobicity alone is not enough; the battery must still be able to move zinc ions efficiently. The researchers used ALD—a technique that deposits materials one atomic layer at a time—to anchor zincophilic palladium (Pd) nanoparticles onto the porous g-C₃N₄ sheets.

These Pd sites act as “seeds” or nucleation centers. By lowering the energy barrier for zinc to deposit (the nucleation overpotential), the Pd nanoparticles guide zinc ions to plate smoothly and uniformly across the anode rather than forming the jagged, needle-like dendrites that typically plague these systems.

Excellent Performance

The results are attractive. The modified Pd/g-C₃N₄@Zn anode achieved:

• Ultra-long cycle life: Over 2,500 hours of stable operation in symmetric cells.
• High Efficiency: A Coulombic efficiency of 99.56% over 5,000 cycles, indicating almost no loss of zinc during the charging process.
• Full-Cell Stability: When paired with a manganese dioxide (MnO₂) cathode, the battery maintained stable capacity for over 5,000 cycles at high current densities.

“This ‘hydrophobic-zincophilic’ design provides a generalizable strategy,” say research team. “By simultaneously blocking water-induced corrosion and regulating zinc deposition at the atomic level, we can move closer to high-performance, long-lasting zinc-ion batteries for the next generation of the power grid.”

Journal: ENGINEERING Energy

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Cite this article: Shi Z, Sang H, Li S, et al. Atomic-layer-deposited hydrophobic-zincophilic Pd/g-C₃N₄ coating for ultra-stable aqueous Zn batteries. ENGINEERING Energy, 2026, 20(3): 10615. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11708-026-1061-5