Owing to the high volumetric capacity and low redox potential, zinc (Zn) metal is considered to be a remarkably prospective anode for aqueous Zn‐ion batteries (AZIBs). However, dendrite growth severely destabilizes the electrode/electrolyte interface, and accelerates the generation of side reactions, which eventually degrade the electrochemical performance. Here, an artificial interface film of nitrogen (N)‐doped graphene oxide (NGO) is one‐step synthesized by a Langmuir–Blodgett method to achieve a parallel and ultrathin interface modification layer (≈120 nm) on Zn foil. The directional deposition of Zn crystal in the (002) planes is revealed because of the parallel graphene layer and beneficial zincophilic‐traits of the N‐doped groups. Meanwhile, through the in situ differential electrochemical mass spectrometry and in situ Raman tests, the directional plating morphology of metallic Zn at the interface effectively suppresses the hydrogen evolution reactions and passivation. Consequently, the pouch cells pairing this new anode with LiMn2O4 cathode maintain exceptional energy density (164 Wh kg−1 after 178 cycles) at a reasonable depth of discharge, 36%. This work provides an accessible synthesis method and in‐depth mechanistic analysis to accelerate the application of high‐specific‐energy AZIBs.

A 3D host can effectively mitigate the dendritic growth of a zinc (Zn)‐metal anode. However, the increased electrode/electrolyte reaction area using the 3D substrate accelerates the passivation and corrosion at the anode interface, ultimately degrading the electrochemical performance. Here, an oriented freezing process is used to create a flexible MXene/graphene scaffold. Based on the abundant zincophilic traits and micropores in the structure, Zn is densely encapsulated inside the host by the electrodeposition process. During cycling, the composite anode endows an in situ solid electrolyte interface with zinc fluoride at the electrode/electrolyte interface due to inherent fluorine terminations in MXene, efficiently inhibiting the dendritic growth. Furthermore, the design wherein bulk Zn is distributed in a 3D microscale manner suppresses hydrogen evolution reactions (3.8 mmol h−1 cm−2) and passivation, through in/ex situ tests. As a result, in a symmetrical cell test, the electrode has a long‐cycling life of over 1000 h at 10 mA cm−2. After continuous single folding followed by double folding, a quasi‐solid‐state foldable cell with the composite anode and a LiMn2O4 cathode (60% depth of discharge) maintains high‐capacity retention of over 91%. This research presents a revolutionary encapsulating idea for aqueous Zn‐ion batteries, as well as foldable investigation.

The ORCID identification number(s) for the author(s) of this article can be found under https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202200782.Metallic zinc (Zn) having low cost, high capacity, environmentally friendly features is considered to be an attractive anode material for aqueous energy storage devices. However, dendritic growth and severe side reactions restrict the development of Zn-metal anodes. Numerous 3D hosts are extensively explored to settle these issues, whereas the accessible prestoring of Zn metal into structured electrodes is challenging. Here, a thermal infusion strategy is first reported to create a stable composite Zn-based anode. Upon this melting-wetting-cooling process, the metallic Zn is densely and firmly encapsulated in the 3D skeleton, efficiently inhibiting the dendritic growth. Meanwhile, through in/ex situ tests, the formation of ZnO layer on the metallic Zn surface inhibits the hydrogen evolution reactions (1.8 mmol h −1 cm −2 ) and passivation during cycling. Consequently, the electrode enables a long-cycling life of over 1000 cycles at 10 mA cm −2 in a symmetrical cell. The pouch cells pairing this novel anode and LiMn 2 O 4 cathode maintain over 94 mAh g −1 capacity retention after 300 cycles. This research presents an innovative Zn anode structure and extendable prestoring metallic Zn method for aqueous Zn-ion batteries.

No abstract

Aim: To investigate the effects of prenatal exposure to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on blood pressure and body weight of offspring in rats. Methods: Sixteen healthy, pregnant rats were randomly divided into 2 groups. The rats in the LPS group were injected intraperitoneally with LPS (0.79 mg/kg) on the d 8, d 10, and d 12 of gestation. Those in the control group were only treated with normal saline. After delivery, all offspring were weighed and blood pressure was measured by the tailcuff method once every 2 weeks from the 6th to the 24th week. In the 15th week, their food intake was weighed every day. At the end of the 24th week, the rats were killed by decapitation. Abdominal adipose tissues were weighed, and the serum level of leptin was detected by radioimmunoassay. Results: The offspring with prenatal LPS exposure showed increased systemic arterial pressure, heavier body weight, elevated food intake, increased adipose tissue weight, and increased circulating leptin compared with the controls. Conclusion: Prenatal exposure to LPS leads to increases in blood pressure and body weight in rats. Key wordshyp er t ens i on; i nfl a mm a t i on; obesi t y; prenatal exposure