Core–Shell Amorphous Carbon‐Coated CuZn Powder for Synergistic Protection of Zinc Anodes

The amorphous carbon-CuZn composite powders produced by the tandem plasma-enhanced powder synthesis technique serve as a functional interfacial layer for reversible Zn metal anodes, offering multifaceted protective capabilities. The zincophilic CuZn core enhances Zn²⁺ deposition kinetics, while the hydrophobic amorphous carbon shell suppresses water-based side reactions, collectively contributing to superior cycling stability.

Abstract

Aqueous Zn-ion batteries are attractive for large-scale energy storage due to their inherent safety and low cost. However, their practical application is hindered by the unstable Zn metal anode, caused by uncontrollable dendrite growth and severe hydrogen evolution reaction, which significantly shortens cycle life. In this study, amorphous carbon-coated CuZn composite powders are synthesized using the tandem plasma-enhanced powder synthesis method and employed as an interfacial regulator to protect Zn anodes. The dual-phase CuZn alloy core, with its zincophilic nature, is complemented by an ultrathin amorphous carbon shell that repels unfavorable interfacial water molecules while maintaining efficient Zn-ion transport. This synergistic core–shell structure effectively enhances cycling performance, especially at high rates, and the full cells demonstrate no obvious capacity decay after 1800 cycles. These findings offer valuable insights into practical interfacial design strategies for Zn stabilization in corrosive aqueous electrolytes.