The expansion of anode-free configurations in aqueous zinc (Zn) metal batteries (ZMBs) combines intrinsic safety and low cost while satisfying the desire for high energy density. Since all Zn sources in an anode-free ZMB (AFZMB) system come from the Zn-rich cathode and perform plating/stripping onto the anode-side current collector during cycling, excellent Coulombic efficiency (CE) is crucial for its long lifespan. However, the heterogeneous Zn deposition on the substrate and the accompanying water-related parasitic side reactions severely affect the Zn plating/stripping CE, posing a significant challenge to the practical application of AFZMBs. Considering that a stable electrode/electrolyte interface facilitates uniform Zn deposition and delays side reactions, achieving high Zn plating/stripping CE through interfacial chemistry manipulation has attracted extensive attention. In this review, we summarized the research progress of AFZMBs in recent years, emphasizing the importance of stable interfacial chemistry in improving the Zn plating/stripping CE and the electrochemical performance of AFZMBs. We systematically analyzed those strategies to manipulate uniform Zn deposition by constructing stable interfacial chemistry, including the current collector modification and the electrolyte optimization, aiming to attain high-energy and long-lifespan AFZMBs. The purpose of this review is to provide fundamental insights into the design of better AFZMBs by constructing stable interfacial chemistry for efficient Zn plating/stripping.

中文翻译：

---

界面化学策略操纵锌沉积向高能量和长循环寿命的水性无阳极锌金属电池


水性锌 （Zn） 金属电池 （ZMB） 中无阳极配置的扩展结合了本质安全性和低成本，同时满足了对高能量密度的需求。由于无阳极 ZMB （AFZMB） 系统中的所有 Zn 源都来自富锌阴极，并在循环过程中对阳极侧集流体进行电镀/剥离，因此出色的库仑效率 （CE） 对于其长使用寿命至关重要。然而，衬底上的异质 Zn 沉积和伴随的与水相关的寄生副反应严重影响了 Zn 电镀/剥离 CE，对 AFZMBs 的实际应用构成了重大挑战。考虑到稳定的电极/电解质界面有助于均匀的 Zn 沉积并延迟副反应，通过界面化学操作实现高 Zn 电镀/剥离 CE 引起了广泛关注。在本文中，我们总结了近年来 AFZMBs 的研究进展，强调了稳定的界面化学在改善 Zn 电镀/剥离 CE 和 AFZMBs 的电化学性能方面的重要性。我们系统地分析了这些策略，通过构建稳定的界面化学来控制均匀的 Zn 沉积，包括集流体改性和电解质优化，旨在获得高能量和长寿命的 AFZMB。本综述的目的是通过构建稳定的界面化学以实现高效的 Zn 电镀/剥离，为更好的 AFZMB 的设计提供基本见解。