Progress in research on metal-based materials in stabilized Zn anodes

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) combine the benefits of metallic Zn anodes with those of aqueous electrolytes and are well suited for large-scale energy storage because of their inherent high safety, cost-effectiveness, and eco-friendliness. Currently, the practical application of such batteries is hindered by the poor cycling performance of Zn anodes due to uncontrolled dendrite formation and severe side reactions, although recent reports suggest that these problems can be mitigated through the modification of Zn anodes with metal-based materials. Given that the mechanisms of improving Zn deposition and the structural evolution of metal-based materials have not been systematically reviewed, we herein systematically overview the metal-based materials used to stabilize Zn anodes, starting with a brief summary of the anode working mechanism and the challenges faced by stabilized Zn anodes. Subsequently, the design principles of Zn anodes stabilized by metal-based materials and the related recent progress are reviewed, and the key challenges and perspectives for the future development of such Zn anodes are proposed. Graphical abstract