Different surface modification methods and coating materials of zinc metal anode

Rechargeable aqueous Zn-ion batteries (AZIBs) are one of the most promising energy storage devices for large-scale energy storage owing to their high specific capacity, eco-friendliness, low cost and high safety. Nevertheless, zinc metal anodes suffer from severe dendrite growth and side reactions, resulting in the inferior electrochemical performance of AZIBs. To address these problems, surface modification of zinc metal anodes is a facile and effective method to regulate the interaction between the zinc anode and an electrolyte. In this review, the current challenges and strategies for zinc metal anodes are presented. Furthermore, recent advances in surface modification strategies to improve their electrochemical performance are concluded and discussed. Finally, challenges and prospects for future development of zinc metal anodes are proposed. We hope this review will be useful for designing and fabricating high-performance AZIBs and boosting their practical applications.