Synergistic Role of UiO-66 and UiO-67 MOF-Modified Glass Fiber Separators for Dendrite-Free and Long-Life Zinc-Ion Batteries

The high energy density and environmental friendliness of aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) position them as a viable alternative to lithium-ion batteries. However, their widespread acceptance is hampered by ongoing concerns like zinc dendrite formation and accompanying adverse effects, which significantly shorten their total lifespan. In this study, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) were used as a base material to improve the separation. The porous nature of MOFs was helpful in enabling uniform zinc deposition. The study investigates the performance and endurance of AZIBs that use MOFs, specifically UiO-66 and UiO-67, to change microfiber glass separators. The results showed that symmetrical cells with MOF-modified separators performed exceptionally well, sustaining a steady voltage for more than 400 h at a high current density of 5 mA cm⁻². This improvement is due to the improved consistency of zinc ion flux during the stripping and plating operations. Furthermore, MOF-based Zn/MnO₂ cells showed reduced voltage polarization and maintained a high specific capacity after 1000 cycles at 1 A g⁻¹. This novel separator design is a promising approach for the advancement of high-performance AZIBs.