Nitrate Radical Induced "Two in One" Interface Engineering toward High Reversibility of Zn Metal Anode

Advanced interfacial engineering performs a forceful modulation effect on Zn²⁺ plating/stripping with simultaneous inhibition of hydrogen evolution reaction, chemical corrosion, and dendrite growth, which is responsible for high reversibility of Zn anode. Herein, a "two in one" interface engineering is developed to improve the reversibility of Zn anode, in which multi-functional Zn₅ (NO₃ )₂ (OH)₈ ·2H₂ O layer and preferential Zn (002) texture are constructed simultaneously. Due to nucleophilicity to Zn²⁺ arising from electronegativity, the layer can accelerate the desolvation process of [Zn (H₂ O)₆ ]²⁺ and transfer kinetics of Zn²⁺ ions, leading to uniform nucleation and effective inhibition of water-induced side reactions. Meanwhile, the latter is beneficial to guiding   Zn (002)-preferred orientation deposition with compact structure. Consequently, the Zn electrodes with such complementary interface modulation exhibit prominent reversibility. With an area capacity of 1 mAh cm^-2 at 1 mA cm^-2 , the symmetric cell operates steadily for 4000 h. Highly reversible Zn anode is maintained even at 50 mA cm^-2 . For full cells coupled with MnO₂ cathode, impressive rate capability and cycling stability with a high capacity beyond 100 mAh g^-1 at 1 A g^-1 after 2000 cycles are achieved. The results provide new insights into Zn anodes with high reversibility for next-generation aqueous zinc ion batteries.