Zincophilic Design and the Electrode/Electrolyte Interface for Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries: A Review

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) are limited in energy storage by the persistent Zn dendrites, which is a major bottleneck preventing the commercial application of rechargeable aqueous zinc-ion batteries. The dendritic problems associated with Zn metal anodes can lead to rapid performance degradation, failure and even safety risks of the battery. Zincophilicity of the electrode/electrolyte interface is critical to the stable and safe operation for aqueous ZIBs. In this review, we discuss that zincophilicity can be regulated by tuning the chemical interactions of material surface energy with zinc metal, emphasizing the importance of zincophilic design for improving the electrochemical performance of zinc electrodes. Advances in optimization strategies for the zincophilic zinc metal anode/electrolyte interface are summarized. Challenges and prospects for further exploration and balance of zincophilicity of the anode/electrolyte interface are presented, which are expected to promote in-depth research and practical applications of advanced aqueous zinc ions.