The use of an oxidized carbon nanotube film to control Zn deposition and eliminate dendrite formation in a Zn ion battery

• An air-oxidized carbon nanotube (O-CNT) film is synthesized and used as a protective layer on Zn foil to suppress dendrite growth. • The O-CNT film's hydrophilicity and porous structure facilitate uniform Zn deposition and homogenize Zn2+ ion flux and electric field. • O-CNT@Zn symmetric cells exhibit exceptional cycling stability: over 3000 h at 1 mA cm−2 and over 2000 h at 5 mA cm−2. • Full cells with O-CNT@Zn anode and MnVOH cathode achieve high discharge capacity (194 mAh g−1 at 8 A g−1) and long-term cycling stability (58.8% retention after 2000 cycles).