From Plating-Centric to Full-Cycle Design: A Perspective on the Critical Role of Zinc Anode Stripping

The quest for stable aqueous zinc metal batteries has rightly focused on taming the unruly nature of zinc deposition. Pioneering research has produced a wealth of strategies to achieve uniform zinc plating. While these methods have significantly improved performance in laboratory half-cells, a stubborn performance gap persists when moving to practical full-cells. This chasm points to a fundamental oversight: the critical impact of the anode's initial stripping in a full-cell configuration with zinc-free cathodes. In this perspective, we highlight the pivotal yet underappreciated role of the initial zinc stripping process. We first decipher the operational protocols of zinc-free cathode systems to illustrate how the initial stripping dynamically reshapes the anode and interface. By analyzing the multi-step complexity of stripping, we contrast its mechanistic disparities with plating and assess the limitations of deposition-centric strategies. We then evaluate current approaches that enhance full-cell performance through optimized dissolution. Finally, looking toward future multi-scenario applications, we argue that research must address the intricate coupling among stripping dynamics, chemo-mechano-thermal responses, and the crystallographic properties of zinc anodes. This paradigm shift from a plating-centric view to a full-cycle-oriented is paramount to unlocking the full potential of the zinc metal anode for grid-scale energy storage and beyond.