Rechargeable aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) have attracted increasing attention as promising energy storage devices in large-scale energy storage systems due to their low cost, high capacity, and inherent safety. However, the poor reversibility of zinc anodes has largely restricted their further development because of the dendrite growth, surface passivation, and hydrogen evolution problems associated with Zn metal anodes during the repeated plating/stripping cycles. Surface engineering with functional protection layer appears to be an effective means to mitigate Zn dendrite issues. We first introduce zinc electrochemistry in mild/neutral environments and elaborate Zn anode degradation mechanism. Then, we give state-of-the-art research progress and provide a specific, comprehensive, and in-depth summary of the mechanisms of different coating materials, and share some examples of advanced characterizations for an in-depth understanding on the working mechanisms of the coating layers. Finally, we propose a design principle for the structural design of an ideal interface layer on the Zn metal and share perspectives. This review would give rise to a broad interest focusing on commercial Zn foils in the community of ZIBs, bring potential ideas and inspiration in surface engineering strategies for the rational design of dendrite-free Zn anodes, and boost the development of advanced aqueous ZIBs with low cost and inherent safety.

可充电水性锌离子电池（ZIBs）由于其低成本、高容量和固有的安全性，作为大规模储能系统中很有前途的储能装置而受到越来越多的关注。然而，由于在重复电镀/剥离循环期间与锌金属阳极相关的枝晶生长、表面钝化和析氢问题，锌阳极较差的可逆性在很大程度上限制了它们的进一步发展。具有功能保护层的表面工程似乎是减轻锌枝晶问题的有效手段。我们首先在温和/中性环境中引入锌电化学，并详细阐述锌阳极降解机制。然后，我们给出最先进的研究进展，并提供具体的、全面的、并对不同涂层材料的机理进行了深入总结，并分享了一些高级表征的例子，以深入了解涂层的工作机理。最后，我们提出了锌金属上理想界面层的结构设计的设计原则并分享观点。这篇综述将引起人们对 ZIBs 社区中商用锌箔的广泛兴趣，为合理设计无枝晶锌阳极的表面工程策略带来潜在的想法和灵感，并促进具有低含量的先进水性 ZIBs 的发展。成本和固有安全性。我们提出了锌金属上理想界面层的结构设计的设计原则并分享观点。这篇综述将引起人们对 ZIBs 社区中商用锌箔的广泛兴趣，为合理设计无枝晶锌阳极的表面工程策略带来潜在的想法和灵感，并促进具有低含量的先进水性 ZIBs 的发展。成本和固有安全性。我们提出了锌金属上理想界面层的结构设计的设计原则并分享观点。这篇综述将引起人们对 ZIBs 社区中商用锌箔的广泛兴趣，为合理设计无枝晶锌阳极的表面工程策略带来潜在的想法和灵感，并促进具有低含量的先进水性 ZIBs 的发展。成本和固有安全性。