| Abstract Scope |
Aqueous Zn-ion batteries (AZIBs) offer intrinsic safety and cost-effectiveness for grid-scale energy storage; however, their practical implementation is hindered by the poor reversibility of Zn metal anodes arising from uncontrolled Zn deposition and the concurrent hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Although substrate engineering has emerged as a promising strategy to regulate Zn growth, the interfacial coupling between HER and Zn nucleation remains insufficiently understood. In this talk, I will present interfacial design strategies that enable reversible Zn anodes by elucidating Zn growth mechanisms on Cu current collectors. The key strategy involves activating an unconventional Cu–Zn alloying reaction that forms a Zn-rich, zincophilic interlayer isotypic to metallic Zn, while removing native oxides and suppressing hydrogen evolution. This interlayer decouples Zn nucleation from parasitic HER, enabling dense Zn deposits that remain stable during prolonged aqueous cycling. |