Electrochemically and chemically in-situ interfacial protection layers towards stable and reversible Zn anodes

Aqueous zinc metal batteries (AZMBs) have received widespread attention for large-scale sustainable energy storage due to their low toxicity, safety, cost-effectiveness. However, the technology and industrialization of AZMBs are greatly plagued by issues of Zn anode such as persistent dendrites and parasitic side reactions, resulting in rapid capacity degradation or battery failure. Electrochemically or chemically in-situ interfacial protection layers have very good self-adaption features for stability and reversibility of Zn anodes, which can also be well matched to current battery manufacturing. However, the in-situ interfacial strategies are far from the practical design for effective Zn anodes. Therefore, a targeted academic discussion that serves the development of this field is very urgent. Herein, the comprehensive insights on electrochemically and chemically in-situ interfacial protection layers for Zn anode were proposed in this review. It showcased a systematic summary of research advances, followed by detailed discussions on electrochemically and chemically in-situ interfacial protection strategies. More importantly, several crucial issues facing in-situ interfacial protection strategies have been further put forward. The final section particularly highlighted a systematic and rigorous scheme for precise designing highly stable and reversible in-situ interface for practical zinc anodes.