Polypyrrole functionalized cellulose/polypropylene composite membrane with zinc inducing and dendrite resistance for robust zinc-ion batteries

Dendrite growth and subsequent membrane puncture stemming from uneven deposition of zinc ions pose a significant challenge for aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs). Herein a polypyrrole functionalized cellulose/polypropylene (PPy-cellulose/PP) composite membrane with promising zinc inducing and dendrite resistance was rationally designed through an in-situ polymerization strategy to enable robust zinc-ion batteries. Experimental data and theoretical simulations reveal that a continuous conducting network, constructed by PPy nanoparticles, could homogenize the electric field and reduce the interfacial resistance of zinc anode. Moreover, the zincophilic nitrogen-containing functional groups in PPy induced the migration and deposition of zinc ions uniformly. The combination of polypropylene laminate enhanced the puncture resistance and mechanical strength of the composite membranes. Consequently, Zn||Zn symmetric cell assembled with the PPy-cellulose/PP composite membrane exhibited stable cycling performance over 2000 h at 0.5 mA cm−2/0.5 mAh cm−2. Further verification was conducted on the practical application of PPy-cellulose/PP membranes in Zn||MnO2 full cells and Zn||AC capacitors. Notably, a high capacity retention of 89.6 % was achieved for the Zn||AC capacitor after 10,000 cycles at 1 A g−1. The new design of PPy functionalized cellulose/polypropylene membranes provides a valuable protocol to stabilize zinc anodes for zinc-ion batteries. A polypyrrole-cellulose/polypropylene composite membrane was designed to induce the migration and deposition of zinc ions, and then achieve stable zinc plating/stripping. [Display omitted] •Polypyrrole-cellulose/polypropylene membrane was designed for zinc-ion batteries.•The migration and deposition of zinc ions were induced by zincophilic polypyrrole.•Polypropylene enhanced the dendrite resistance and mechanical strength of membrane.•Cell with PPy-cellulose/PP composite membrane showed long-term cycle stability.