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Abstract The need for large‐scale electrochemical energy storage devices in the future has spawned several new breeds of batteries in which aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs) have attracted great attention due to their high safety, low cost, and excellent electrochemical performance. In the current research, the dendrite and corrosion caused by aqueous electrolytes are the main problems being studied. However, the research on the zinc metal anode is still in its infancy. We think it really needs to provide clear guidelines about how to reasonably configure the system of AZIBs to realize high‐energy density and long cycle life. Therefore, it is worth analyzing the works on the zinc anode, and several strategies are proposed to improve the stability and cycle life of the battery in recent years. Based on the crystal chemistry and interface chemistry, this review reveals the key factors and essential causes that inhibit dendrite growth and side reactions and puts forward the potential prospects for future work in this direction. It is foreseeable that guiding the construction of AZIBs with high‐energy density and long cycle life in various systems would be quite possible by following this overview as a roadmap.

Abstract Zinc‐ion batteries (ZIBs) have been extensively investigated and discussed as promising energy storage devices in recent years owing to their low cost, high energy density, inherent safety, and low environmental impact. Nevertheless, several challenges remain that need to be prioritized before realizing the widespread application of ZIBs. In particular, the development of zinc anodes has been hindered by many challenges, such as inevitable zinc dendrites, corrosion passivation, and the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), which have severely limited the practical application of high‐performance ZIBs. This review starts with a systematic discussion of the origins of zinc dendrites, corrosion passivation, and the HER, as well as their effects on battery performance. Subsequently, we discuss solutions to the above problems to protect the zinc anode, including the improvement of zinc anode materials, modification of the anode–electrolyte interface, and optimization of the electrolyte. In particular, this review emphasizes design strategies to protect zinc anodes from an integrated perspective with broad interest rather than a view with limited focus. In the final section, comments and perspectives are provided for the future design of high‐performance zinc anodes.

Abstract Aqueous zinc‐ion batteries (ZIBs) have been intensively investigated as potential energy storage devices on account of their low cost, environmental benignity, and intrinsically safe merits. With the exploitation of high‐performance cathode materials, electrolyte systems, and in‐depth mechanism investigation, the electrochemical performances of ZIBs have been greatly enhanced. However, there are still some challenges that need to be overcome before its commercialization. Among them, the obstinate dendrites, corrosion, and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) on Zn anodes are critical issues that severely limit the practical applications of ZIBs. To address these issues, various strategies have been proposed, and tremendous progress has been achieved in the past few years. In this article, we analyze the origins and effects of the dendrites, corrosion, and HER on Zn anodes in neutral and mildly acid aqueous solutions at first. And then, a scientific understanding of the fundamental design principles and strategies to suppress these problems are emphasized. Apart from these, this article also puts forward some requirements for the practical applications of Zn anodes as well as several cost‐effective‐modifying strategies. Finally, perspectives on the future development of Zn anodes in aqueous solutions are also briefly anticipated. This article provides pertinent insights into the challenges on anodes for the development of high‐performance ZIBs, which will greatly contribute to their practical applications.

Abstract Rechargeable Zn‐based batteries (RZBs) have attracted much attention and been regarded as one of the most promising candidates for next‐generation energy storage featured with high safety, low costs, environmental friendliness, and satisfactory energy density. The aqueous electrolyte system exhibits great potential to power the future wearable electronics. Apart from the achievements of high capacity cathode and stable electrolyte, the anode suffers from problems of dendrite growth, hydrogen evolution, and passivation with limited attention. The dendrite formation strongly restricts the battery lifespan. Therefore, strategies focused on dendrite suppression are carefully categorized and summarized in this review, including crystallographic orientation manipulation, electric field control, ion flux regulation, and mechanical shield. Each strategy and the detailed approaches are critically dissected. Finally, remaining challenges are emphasized in this review, expecting to supply further research with potential directions to fulfill the high performance of the Zn anodes.

Rechargeable aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIB) sparked a considerable surge of research attention in energy storage systems due to its environment benignity and superior electrochemical performance. Up to now, less efforts to delve into mechanisms of zinc metal anode and their electrochemical performance. Zn metal anodes sustain thorny issues with Zn dendrite growth, hydrogen evolution reaction, and Zn corrosion irreversible byproduct formation, which results in low coulomb efficiency (CE) and poor cycle ability of the battery. Herein, we reveal the fundamental understanding of the above issue, outline four step, including mass transfer, desolvation process, charge transfer and Zn cluster formation. It can be clearly seen from reported strategies to promote Zn anode stability that deals with one or more steps, thereby boosting the understanding of the issues of Zn anodes and benefiting the rational design to surmount the issue. We also sum up advanced materials and structure design such as the design of the anode surface and internal structure, electrolyte strategies, and multifunctional separators. Finally, possible tactics and future innovation direction for Zn-based batteries are proposed to achieve high performance aqueous Zinc-ion batteries., (© 2023 The Chemical Society of Japan & Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) with high safety and low cost are considered to be one of the alternatives to Li-ion batteries. In recent years, AZIBs have become a research hotspot, mainly focusing on the research of cathode, anode and electrolyte. Although many efforts have been made in cathode materials, their low specific capacity and poor cycle life remain unsolved. In fact, side reactions of zinc metal anodes, such as dendrite growth, zinc corrosion, and hydrogen evolution reactions (HER), are also the main factors restricting the electrochemical performance of AZIBs. In this review, we first discuss the fundamental of these adverse reactions. Then, the various solution strategies are summarized based on advanced materials and structural design. It includes surface modification and the internal structure optimization of Zn electrodes, the regulation of electrolytes and separators. Finally, we propose the future challenges and development prospects of zinc anode., (© 2022 The Chemical Society of Japan & Wiley-VCH GmbH.)