Recent Advances in Molybdenum Disulfide Coatings for Stabilizing Zinc Anodes in Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries

Abstract

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) have emerged as one of the most promising next-generation battery technologies for large-scale energy storage due to their high safety, low cost, and environmental friendliness. However, the practical application of zinc metal anodes faces severe challenges such as uncontrollable dendrite growth, hydrogen evolution reaction, corrosion, and passivation, which significantly restrict the cycling lifespan and Coulombic efficiency of AZIBs. Interface engineering, particularly the construction of artificial protective layers, is considered an effective strategy to address these issues. The two-dimensional layered material molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂), with its unique physicochemical properties-including high mechanical strength, excellent chemical stability, two- dimensional ion diffusion channels, and tunable electronic structure-has become an ideal protective coating material for zinc anodes.This paper systematically reviews the recent research progress of MoS₂ coatings in stabilizing zinc anodes. First, the failure mechanisms of zinc anodes and the multiple protection mechanisms of MoS₂ coatings are elaborated, including acting as a physical barrier, regulating Zn²⁺ ion flux to achieve unInterface deposition, reducing the nucleation overpotential, and inhibiting side reactions. Second, the current mainstream preparation strategies for MoS₂ coatings are detailed, including binder-free electrochemical deposition and scalable spray coating methods. The influence of coating thickness, uniformity, and phase (e.g., 2H phase vs. 1T′ phase) on performance is discussed.Subsequently, the enhanced electrochemical performance of MoS₂@Zn anodes in symmetric cells and full cells is summarized. For example, it can achieve stable cycling for over 1200 hours at 0.5 mA cm-2, and when paired with a MnO₂ cathode, it exhibits a high reversible capacity of 225.8 mAh g-1 with excellent capacity retention. Furthermore, MoS₂ composite coatings (e.g., PEDOT:PSS/MoS₂) and emerging applications of MoS₂ in cathode protection are introduced. Finally, the challenges and future development directions for MoS₂ coatings are prospected, including performance validation at high depths of discharge, optimization of large-scale preparation processes, and the design of multifunctional synergistic coatings. The aim is to provide theoretical guidance and practical references for the development of high-performance aqueous zinc-ion batteries.