Featured with high power density, improved safety and low-cost, rechargeable aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) have been revived as possible candidates for sustainable energy storage systems in recent years. However, the challenges inherent in zinc (Zn) anode, namely dendrite formation and interfacial parasitic reactions, have greatly impeded their practical application. Whereas the critical issue of dendrite formation has attracted widespread concern, the parasitic reactions of Zn anodes with mildly acidic electrolytes have received very little attentions. Considering that the low Zn reversibility that stems from interfacial parasitic reactions is the major obstacle to the commercialization of ZIBs, thorough understanding of these side reactions and the development of correlative inhibition strategies are significant. Therefore, in this review, the brief fundamentals of corrosion and hydrogen evolution reactions at Zn surface is presented. In addition, recent advances and research efforts addressing detrimental side reactions are reviewed from the perspective of electrode design, electrode–electrolyte interfacial engineering and electrolyte modification. To facilitate the future researches on this aspect, perspectives and suggestions for relevant investigations are provided lastly.

具有高功率密度，改进的安全性和低成本的特点，可再充电的水性锌离子电池（ZIBs）近年来已成为可持续能源存储系统的可能候选者。然而，锌（Zn）阳极固有的挑战，即枝晶形成和界面寄生反应，极大地阻碍了它们的实际应用。尽管枝晶形成的关键问题已引起广泛关注，但锌阳极与中度酸性电解质的寄生反应却很少受到关注。考虑到界面寄生反应引起的低Zn可逆性是ZIBs商业化的主要障碍，因此对这些副反应的透彻了解和相关抑制策略的发展具有重要意义。因此，在这篇评论中，介绍了锌表面腐蚀和析氢反应的基本原理。此外，从电极设计，电极-电解质界面工程和电解质改性的角度回顾了解决有害副反应的最新进展和研究成果。为了方便以后在这方面的研究，最后提供了有关研究的观点和建议。