On January 4, 2026, a research team hailing from Xi'an Jiaotong University made a significant breakthrough by successfully tackling the problem of the short cycle life in alkaline zinc-based flow batteries. This issue stemmed from the mismatch between the transport of zinc ions and electrochemical reactions. The team introduced an innovative strategy known as the "organic molecular differential lock." This approach involves the use of L-serine additives to carefully regulate both the bulk and interface environments within the battery. By doing so, it effectively curbs the growth of zinc dendrites and minimizes side reactions. Experimental results demonstrated that the battery could operate steadily for more than 230 hours at a current density of 50 mA·cm⁻². The team's remarkable findings have been published in the esteemed journal Advanced Functional Materials.
