Harnessing interfacial kosmotropic effect for reversible quasi-solid-state zinc-iodine batteries.

Authors

Yicai Pan, Lutong Shan, Jiapei Li, Yongqiang Yang, Kunlun Liu, Yongyu Liu, Dongyu Feng, Tian Zhang, Chuhao Luan, Pan Xue, Xiaodong Shi, Mingzhan Wang, Guo Hong, Wenjun Zhang

Published in

Science advances. Volume 12. Issue 40. Pages eaeg8302. Oct 02, 2026. Epub Oct 02, 2026.

Abstract

Simultaneously achieving fast kinetics and interfacial stability remains a formidable challenge for quasi-solid-state zinc-iodine batteries. Herein, we introduce the interfacial kosmotropic effect via a low-cost CaSO₄·2H₂O ionic matrix to actively reconstruct the interfacial chemistry. Through the precise regulation of the electrical double layer, the strong electrostatic fields from surface-bound kosmotropic ions organize limited water molecules into a low-activity, confined network, fundamentally reshaping the solvation structure. Benefiting from this optimized atomic-level architecture, the reaction pathways are fundamentally altered: on the cathode, it unlocks a single-step I^-/I₂ redox process that effectively severs the formation pathway of polyiodides; on the anode, it induces coordinatively unsaturated structures to accelerate desolvation and suppress parasitic reactions. Consequently, the system circumvents intrinsic kinetic limitations and facilitates a transition from electric-field-driven electromigration to regulated diffusion-dominated transport. This optimizes ion flux and enables stable Zn anode operation for >1000 h (99.7% avg. Coulombic efficiency). The Zn-I₂ full cells deliver a high areal capacity of 0.91 mAh cm^-2 with 93% capacity retention after 2500 cycles at 1.0 mA cm^-2. Impressively, this strategy enables a minimalist iodine-free cathode design and successfully scales to pouch cells (stable for >600 cycles), offering a paradigm shift for developing safe, high-rate and durable quasi-solid-state batteries.

PMID:
42826205
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 03 Oct 2026.

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