Aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs) are a promising candidate for future battery technology due to their nontoxicity, high theoretical capacity (820 mAh/g), and low redox potential (-0.762 V compared to the SHE). However, aqueous zinc batteries are plagued by low reversibility due to formation of dendrites, which can eventually pierce the separator and thus short-circuit the cell. Growth of zinc (Zn) dendrites spur from a preferability to grow along the (100) and (101) planes at a ~70-90° angle to the electrode surface. For epitaxial growth, Zn must be grown solely along the (002) crystal plane, parallel to the surface. In my project, a carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) interlayer infused with silver nanoparticles is proposed to suppress dendritic growth for more stable deposition of Zn. Silver nanoparticles at the surface can form an alloy, AgZn3, which has low lattice mismatching with the (002) crystal plane of Zn. Additionally, silver nanoparticles reduce the contact angle of the electrolyte at the surface and can act as nucleation sites, reducing the nucleation energy barrier. CMC polymer layer is electronically insulating, nontoxic, viscous, and it contains deprotonated carbonyl groups to promote transport of Zn ions. The preparation of interlayer is performed simply by submerging Zn electrodes in a suspension of CMC and silver nanoparticles in water. Preliminary results show an increased lifetime of symmetric coin cells, >700 hours for a cell with the interlayer compared with ~200 hours for bare Zn electrodes. SEM images suggest that with the CMC interlayer, Zn grows mainly in the form of (002) hexagonal platelets and is free of dendrites. Additionally, alloyed silver nanoparticles trapped within the deposited Zn may redirect the growth of these platelets, forming multi-directional layers and reducing the overall stress of the deposited Zn.