Yuhang Dai

Photo‐rechargeable batteries that integrate solar energy harvesting, conversion, and storage in a single device are able to efficiently utilize sustainable energy. However, current photo‐batteries based on bifunctional (photovoltaic conversion and energy storage) cathodes could only achieve photo‐assisted charging, whereas light‐only photo‐charging remains incomplete and irreversible. Particularly, in absence of a photo‐charging circuit, the observed charging phenomena are pseudo photo‐charging due to side reactions. To realize genuine photo‐charging, we design a bifunctional cathode of MoS ₂ by integrating photo active (2H) and energy storage (1T) phases. Nickel oxide is introduced to improve the interface conductivity and stabilize the 2H/1T phases of MoS ₂ . Additionally, we employed an external resistance to balance the self‐discharge current and the photo‐charging current under illumination. For the first time, we demonstrate Zn ²⁺ photo‐batteries that can be reversibly photo‐charged for over ten times, and the deposition of zinc at the anode is visualized. The photo‐rechargeable batteries could realize a photo‐charging capacity ratio of 100% by 2 h illumination, with a specific capacity of 110.55 mAh g ⁻¹ . Furthermore, we assemble a sustainable energy harvest‐conversion‐storage mini‐system that could practically provide energy to portable electronics.

Aqueous zinc batteries (AZBs) are often discussed as safer and more sustainable alternatives to lithium‐ion batteries. This comparison is important, but it may understate another distinctive value of AZBs, namely that they provide a comparatively accessible experimental platform for battery innovation. Because many AZB components can be handled in air and aqueous media, researchers can assemble cells, test ideas, and inspect failed devices without the infrastructure required for many nonaqueous batteries. Here, we argue that this practical accessibility is itself scientifically important. It allows AZBs to serve as a testing ground for ideas from electrochemistry, materials science, physics, engineering, and data science, while also lowering the entry barrier for early‐career researchers and groups entering battery research from adjacent fields.

Zinc metal batteries face issues of low coulombic efficiency and persistent side reactions due to the active H ₂ O in aqueous electrolytes. Organic electrolytes that can reduce side reactions and coulombic efficiency loss still suffer from sluggish Zn ²⁺ transfer and difficult desolvation. We propose a thermal‐induced loose solute configuration to activate rapid Zn ²⁺ transfer in “Zn(OTf) ₂ + ACN” pure organic electrolyte. Zn metal batteries with the pure organic electrolyte realize stable and long‐term cycling for over 5500 h at 5 mA cm ⁻² and 10 mAh cm ⁻² . Moreover, a practical parameter of cumulative capacity reaches 7.5 Ah cm ⁻² at DOD > 90%. As an application demonstration, the pouch cells assembled with our organic electrolyte can be photo‐charged by illumination and drive LEDs or other portable electronics in daily life. The organic electrolyte activated by thermal‐induced loose solute configuration demonstrates long‐cycle lifespan and application potential, offering a new choice for electrolytes in Zn metal batteries.

Aqueous Zn‐ion batteries are promising for grid‐scale storage, yet cathode capacities are often limited by the sluggish kinetics and poor reversibility of deep Zn ²⁺ insertion. Although extensive efforts have focused on tuning cathode chemistries, the cathode–current collector contact remains largely overlooked as a kinetic bottleneck where ionic and electronic transport become mismatched. Here, we introduce a ferroelectric‐conductive BaTiO ₃ @carbon nanotube (BTO@CNT) bridging interlayer between VO ₂ cathodes and Ti collectors, constructed via catalytic pyrolysis to integrate BTO nanoparticles within a percolating CNT network. The CNT framework preserves durable ohmic contact and efficient electronic conduction during cycling, while ferroelectric polarization from BTO alleviates the large voltage hysteresis associated with deep Zn ²⁺ insertion in VO ₂ cathodes. Together, these effects improve the synchronization between Zn ²⁺ insertion and electron delivery at the electrode level, suppress kinetic trapping, and enable deeper and more reversible charge storage. As a result, BTO@CNT‐modified 3.28 Ah Zn||VO ₂ pouch cells cycle stably for over 130 cycles, whereas control cells show pronounced capacity fading from the fifth cycle. More broadly, this ferroelectric‐conductive bridging strategy establishes functional interlayers as a practical route to regulate active‐material–current‐collector interfaces in aqueous batteries.

Aqueous zinc metal batteries (AZMBs) are promising candidates for large‐scale energy storage owing to their intrinsic safety. However, their lifespan is severely limited by side reactions such as dendrite growth and hydrogen evolution at the Zn‐electrolyte interface. Conventional single‐electrolyte‐additive approaches are thermodynamically constrained, yielding only insufficient coverage of the inner‐Helmholtz plane (IHP) and poor control of interfacial reactions. Here, we report an interfacial fluorinated‐ion crowding strategy by simultaneously introducing multiple low‐concentration fluorinated additives. Computational and spectroscopic analyses reveal that various‐sized F‐groups densely occupy the IHP, displacing water molecules and homogenizing Zn ²⁺ flux. This emergent crowding effect, inaccessible to single‐additive strategies, enables unprecedented interfacial regulation. Electrochemical tests demonstrate ultrastable Zn plating/stripping over 1200 h at 5 mA cm ⁻² and 1800 h at 10 mA cm ⁻² , more than tenfold longer than the baseline electrolyte. This work establishes interfacial ion crowding as a powerful design principle, rooted in fundamental electrochemistry, offering a pathway toward high‐performance and durable AZMBs.

Aqueous zinc metal batteries (AZMBs) are promising candidates for large‐scale energy storage owing to their intrinsic safety. However, their lifespan is severely limited by side reactions such as dendrite growth and hydrogen evolution at the Zn‐electrolyte interface. Conventional single‐electrolyte‐additive approaches are thermodynamically constrained, yielding only insufficient coverage of the inner‐Helmholtz plane (IHP) and poor control of interfacial reactions. Here, we report an interfacial fluorinated‐ion crowding strategy by simultaneously introducing multiple low‐concentration fluorinated additives. Computational and spectroscopic analyses reveal that various‐sized F‐groups densely occupy the IHP, displacing water molecules and homogenizing Zn ²⁺ flux. This emergent crowding effect, inaccessible to single‐additive strategies, enables unprecedented interfacial regulation. Electrochemical tests demonstrate ultrastable Zn plating/stripping over 1200 h at 5 mA cm ⁻² and 1800 h at 10 mA cm ⁻² , more than tenfold longer than the baseline electrolyte. This work establishes interfacial ion crowding as a powerful design principle, rooted in fundamental electrochemistry, offering a pathway toward high‐performance and durable AZMBs.

Renewably powered electrochemical CO₂ reduction (CO₂R) to alcohols presents a promising route to liquid fuels and chemicals. However, protonation of different intermediates often leads to mixed liquid and gas products, complicating separation and reducing economic feasibility. Here, we present a hydroxyl-affinity-tuning strategy that stabilizes hydroxyl-containing CO₂R intermediates away from interfacial water through constructing nano-metal interfaces, thereby favoring ethanol production. Theory-guided catalyst design directs nano-cobalt/Cu surfaces, delivering CO₂-to-ethanol Faradaic efficiencies (FE) of 62.17% and 45.32% under alkaline and acidic conditions, respectively, with ethanol partial current densities over ~300 mA cm^-2. In acidic media, the catalyst maintains ethanol production for 235 hours with an average FE of 44.74%. In situ spectroscopy and theoretical calculations reveal that nano-Co/Cu interfaces favor binding hydroxyl groups and thereby enriches C-OH species on the copper surface, redirects CO₂R pathways toward ethanol. This work provides a catalyst-centered strategy for designing interfacial architectures for selective alcohol synthesis. Future efforts should focus on translating this design principle into scalable systems for practical electrochemical CO₂ utilization.

This work develops an energy-level-guided dual-additive electrolyte that enables cooperative SEI/CEI formation with improved interfacial uniformity and stability. Consequently, Mg||Mo ₆ S ₈ full cells achieve a near-theoretical capacity.

Vanadium based composite materials utilize “job-sharing” mechanism to resolve Ragone conflict.