Multifunctional fullerene protective layer for dendrite-free Zn metal anode

[Display omitted] •The functional C60 layer synergistically inhibit Zn dendrites and side reactions.•C60 with good electron affinity benefits the ohmic contact at interface.•The C60 coating induces Zn2+ ions to orient along the Zn(002) plane.•Symmetric cells deliver low voltage hysteresis and prolonged lifespan of 3800 h. Although the aqueous zinc batteries are deemed as the most competitive alternatives in the next-generation batteries, there are still annoying issues, including obdurate dendrites formation and side reactions, limiting practical applications. Hence, a uniform artificial C60 layer via an ex-situ approach is successfully assembled to construct robust Zn anode (denoted as Zn@C60). The functional C60 layer allows the formation of the ohmic contact interface between the C60 layer and Zn anode, inducing a low nucleation barrier and restraining 2D diffusion of Zn ions. More importantly, density functional theory calculations and simulation of the electric field contribution demonstrate that the C60 layer can facilitate the deposition of Zn on the Zn(002) plane and homogenize the electric field distribution. Consequently, the Zn@C60 electrode is obtained with a cycling stability over 3800 h at 0.25 mA cm−2 in symmetric cells, excellent coulombic efficiency for 1400 h in half cells, and together with better cycling stability and enhanced rate performance in full cells. Significantly, the C60 layer protection strategy provides a new view for an excellent dendrite-free Zn metal anode.