Multifunctional organic molecules as electron-buffering layers for stabilizing Zn anodes

Qu Yue; Junhui He; Yuhang Chen; Huaipu Zhu; Taotao Gao; Dan Xiao; Lu Qiu; Xiaoqin Li

doi:10.20517/energymater.2026.182

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Article Open Access 13 Oct 2026

Multifunctional organic molecules as electron-buffering layers for stabilizing Zn anodes

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Qu Yue^1,2

,

Junhui He¹

, ...

Xiaoqin Li^5,*

Energy Mater. 2026, 6, 600132. 10.20517/energymater.2026.182

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Abstract

Interfacial instability at the Zn anode represents a major obstacle to the advancement of aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs), as it triggers nonuniform Zn deposition and various parasitic reactions. This study investigates the influence of alizarin red S (ARS), an organic molecule featuring an extended π-conjugated framework and multiple functional groups (-SO₃^-, -OH, and -C=O), on the Zn anode/electrolyte interface. For comparison, sodium p-hydroxybenzenesulfonate (PHS) and sodium benzenesulfonate (SBS) were also investigated. Owing to the synergistic effect of the π-conjugated framework and functional groups, ARS preferentially adsorbs onto the Zn surface and acts as an electron-buffering layer, thereby homogenizing the local interfacial electron distribution and promoting uniform Zn deposition. Meanwhile, the electrochemical reduction of ARS generates a dense inorganic-rich solid electrolyte interphase, effectively suppressing nonuniform Zn growth and undesirable interfacial reactions. Spectroscopic analyses indicate that ARS primarily disrupts the hydrogen-bonding network of the electrolyte rather than altering the Zn²⁺ solvation structure. At different current densities and capacities, Zn//Zn cells using the ZnSO₄ + ARS electrolyte exhibit longer cycle stability than those using ZnSO₄, ZnSO₄ + PHS, and ZnSO₄ + SBS electrolytes. This study provides a rational design strategy for multifunctional electrolyte additives in high-performance AZIBs.

Keywords

Aqueous zinc ion batteriesorganic moleculesinterfacial adsorptionelectron-buffering layers

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Multifunctional organic molecules as electron-buffering layers for stabilizing Zn anodes

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Yue, Q.; He, J.; Chen, Y.; Zhu, H.; Gao, T.; Xiao, D.; Qiu, L.; Li, X. Multifunctional organic molecules as electron-buffering layers for stabilizing Zn anodes. Energy Mater. 2026, 6, 600132. https://dx.doi.org/10.20517/energymater.2026.182

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.20517/energymater.2026.182

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