Unraveling chemical origins of dendrite formation in zinc-ion batteries via in situ/operando X-ray spectroscopy and imaging

To prevent zinc (Zn) dendrite formation and improve electrochemical stability, it is essential to understand Zn dendrite growth, particularly in terms of morphology and relation with the solid electrolyte interface (SEI) film. In this study, we employ in-situ scanning transmission X-ray microscopy (STXM) and spectro-ptychography to monitor the morphology evolution of Zn dendrites and to identify their chemical composition and distribution on the Zn surface during the stripping/plating progress. Our findings reveal that in 50 mM ZnSO4, the initiation of moss/whisker dendrites is chemically controlled, while their continued growth over extended cycles is kinetically governed. The presence of a dense and stable SEI film is critical for inhibiting the formation and growth of Zn dendrites. By adding 50 mM lithium chloride (LiCl) as an electrolyte additive, we successfully construct a dense and stable SEI film composed of Li2S2O7 and Li2CO3, which significantly improves cycling performance. Moreover, the symmetric cell achieves a prolonged cycle life of up to 3900 h with the incorporation of 5% 12-crown-4 additives. This work offers a strategy for in-situ observation and analysis of Zn dendrite formation mechanisms and provides an effective approach for designing high-performance Zn-ion batteries.