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Aqueous Zn metal‐based batteries have considerable potential as energy storage system; however, their application is extremely limited by dendrite development and poor reversibility. In this study, to overcome both challenges, F‐doped carbon nanoparticles (FCNPs) are uniformly constructed on substrates (Ti, Zn, Cu, and steel) by a plasma‐assisted surface modification, which endows reversible and uniform deposition of Zn metal. FCNPs with high surface charge density act as nucleation assistors and form numerous homogenous Zn nucleation sites toward Zn 3D growth, which improves Zn plating kinetic and results in uniform Zn deposition. Furthermore, the ZnF2 solid electrolyte interface generated during cycling contributes to rapid mass transfer and enhances Zn reversibility, but also suppresses the side reaction. Accordingly, the half‐cell of P‐Ti coupled with Zn exhibits an average Coulombic efficiency of 99.47% with 500 cycles. The symmetric cell of the P‐Zn anode presents a lifespan of over 1500 h at the current density of 5 mA cm−2. Notably, the cell works for 100 h at 50 mA cm−2. It is believed that this ingenious surface modification broadens revolutionary methods for uniform metallic deposition, as well as the dendrite‐free rechargeable batteries system. A nucleation assistor made of F‐doped carbon nanoparticles with high surface charge density is proposed on the metal substrate (Zn, Ti, Cu, and steel) for fast and uniform 3D growth of Zn deposition to increase the lifespan for aqueous Zn‐ion rechargeable batteries.

HighlightsRepresentative methods for calculating the depth of discharge of different Zn anodes are introduced.Recent advances of aqueous Zn metal batteries with high Zn utilization are reviewed and categorized according to Zn anodes with different structures.The working mechanism of anode-free aqueous Zn metal batteries is introduced in detail, and different modification strategies for anode-free aqueous Zn metal batteries are summarized.Aqueous zinc metal batteries (AZMBs) are promising candidates for next-generation energy storage due to the excellent safety, environmental friendliness, natural abundance, high theoretical specific capacity, and low redox potential of zinc (Zn) metal. However, several issues such as dendrite formation, hydrogen evolution, corrosion, and passivation of Zn metal anodes cause irreversible loss of the active materials. To solve these issues, researchers often use large amounts of excess Zn to ensure a continuous supply of active materials for Zn anodes. This leads to the ultralow utilization of Zn anodes and squanders the high energy density of AZMBs. Herein, the design strategies for AZMBs with high Zn utilization are discussed in depth, from utilizing thinner Zn foils to constructing anode-free structures with theoretical Zn utilization of 100%, which provides comprehensive guidelines for further research. Representative methods for calculating the depth of discharge of Zn anodes with different structures are first summarized. The reasonable modification strategies of Zn foil anodes, current collectors with pre-deposited Zn, and anode-free aqueous Zn metal batteries (AF-AZMBs) to improve Zn utilization are then detailed. In particular, the working mechanism of AF-AZMBs is systematically introduced. Finally, the challenges and perspectives for constructing high-utilization Zn anodes are presented.

HighlightsWell-dispersed MXene nanosheets in the electrolyte dramatically shorten Zn2+ diffusion pathways and facilitate their migration.MXene interfacial layer with abundant functional groups and good conductivity induces uniform nucleation and enables long-term even deposition.MXene-containing electrolyte realizes dendrite-free Zn plating/striping with high Coulombic efficiency (99.7%) and superior reversibility (stably up to 1180 cycles).Zinc metal batteries have been considered as a promising candidate for next-generation batteries due to their high safety and low cost. However, their practical applications are severely hampered by the poor cyclability that caused by the undesired dendrite growth of metallic Zn. Herein, Ti3C2Tx MXene was first used as electrolyte additive to facilitate the uniform Zn deposition by controlling the nucleation and growth process of Zn. Such MXene additives can not only be absorbed on Zn foil to induce uniform initial Zn deposition via providing abundant zincophilic-O groups and subsequently participate in the formation of robust solid-electrolyte interface film, but also accelerate ion transportation by reducing the Zn2+ concentration gradient at the electrode/electrolyte interface. Consequently, MXene-containing electrolyte realizes dendrite-free Zn plating/striping with high Coulombic efficiency (99.7%) and superior reversibility (stably up to 1180 cycles). When applied in full cell, the Zn-V2O5 cell also delivers significantly improved cycling performances. This work provides a facile yet effective method for developing reversible zinc metal batteries.

Rechargeable aqueous zinc‐ion batteries (AZBs), with their high theoretical capacity, low cost, safety, and environmental friendliness, have risen as a promising candidate for next‐generation energy storage. Despite the fruitful progress in cathode material research, the electrochemical performance of the AZB remains hindered by the physical and chemical instability of the Zn anode. The Zn anode suffers from dendrite growth and chemical reactions with the electrolyte, leading to efficiency decay and capacity loss. Recently, significant effort has been dedicated to regulating the Zn anode. Electrolyte manipulation, including tailoring the salt, additives, or concentration, is a useful strategy as the electrolyte strongly influences the anode's failure processes. It is thus worthwhile to gain an in‐depth understanding of these electrolyte‐dependent regulation mechanisms. With this in mind, this review first outlines the two main issues behind Zn anode failure, dendrite growth, and side reactions. Subsequently, an understanding of the electrolyte tailoring strategy, namely, the influence of the salt, additive, and concentration on the Zn anode, is provided. We conclude by summarizing the future prospects of the Zn metal anode and potential electrolyte‐based solutions. Schematic illustration of Zn anode regulation methods by tailoring the electrolyte.

Two orientation relationships (ORs) and morphologies with well-defined facets of Mg.sub.2Sn precipitates in a Mg-Sn-Zn alloy were recently reported. However, the irrational angles of these two ORs were described without explanation. This study reveals that a unique matching-row-on-terrace structure exists in a dominant facet corresponding to either of the observed ORs. The calculated ORs, the orientations of three facets associated with each OR and the terrace-ledge structures in the dominant facets all match well with observations. The present method of row-matching analysis is useful for understanding high-index faceted interfaces and their associated irrational ORs.

Zinc plant leach residues (ZPLRs), particularly those produced using old technologies, have both economic importance as secondary raw materials and have environmental impacts because they contain hazardous heavy metals that pose risks to human health and the environment. Therefore, the extraction and recovery of these metals from ZPLRs has both economic and environmental benefits. In this study, we investigated the removal of lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) from ZPLRs by alkaline (NaOH) leaching and the concurrent cementation of dissolved Pb and Zn using aluminum (Al) metal powder. The effects of the leaching time, NaOH concentration, solid-to-liquid ratio (S/L), and dosage of Al metal powder on the extraction of Pb and Zn were investigated. Pb and Zn removal efficiencies increased with increasing NaOH concentrations and decreasing S/Ls. The Pb and Zn removal efficiencies were 62.2% and 27.1%, respectively, when 2.5 g/50 mL (S/L) of ZPLRs were leached in a 3 M NaOH solution for 30 min. The extraction of Pb and Zn could be attributed to the partitioning of these metals in relatively more mobile phases—water-soluble, exchangeable, and carbonate phases—in ZPLRs. Around 100% of dissolved Pb and less than 2% of dissolved Zn were cemented in leaching pulp when Al metal powder was added. Minerals in the solid residues, particularly iron oxides minerals, were found to suppress the cementation of extracted Zn in leaching pulp, and when they were removed by filtration, Zn was recovered by Al metal powder via cementation.

Quarternary (Zn, Sn, Ga)N thin films with co-existing a large amount of acceptor and donor were purposely fabricated in order to heavily distort the GaN lattice and to extend the degenerated GaN semiconductor to a different aspect. The ZnSnGaN films were made of reactive sputtering with single cermet targets containing Zn, Sn, Ga, and GaN under the nitridation atmosphere. By varying the Zn content at fixed 4% Sn content, different Zn.sub.xSn.sub.0.04Ga.sub.0.96-xN targets at x = 0, 0.03, 0.06, and 0.09 were prepared for Zn/Sn-x-GaN films. With increasing the Zn content, Zn/Sn-x-GaN due to the charge compensation changed from semiconducting n type to p type, and from high electron concentration of 4.1 x 10.sup.17 cm.sup.-3 to high hole concentration of 3.3 x 10.sup.17 cm.sup.-3. The optical band gap changed from 3.12 to 2.89 eV, related to the formation in Zn.sub.Ga acceptor and Sn.sub.Ga donor defects. The hetero- and homo-junction diodes were fabricated. The n-Zn.sub.0.03Sn.sub.0.04GaN/p-Zn.sub.0.09Sn.sub.0.04GaN homo-junction diode tested at 25 °C had the turn-on voltage of 0.9 V, leakage current density of 6.0x10.sup.-5 A/cm.sup.2 at - 1 V, breakdown voltage of 4.7 V, current density of 2.4 x 10.sup.-2 A/cm.sup.2 at 5 V, ideality factor of 3.4, and barrier height of 0.65 eV.

HighlightsDefect engineering for constructing Zn2+ reservoir to anchor anions.The quasi-solid electrolyte interphase as Zn2+ reservoir boosting charge and mass transfer for dendrite-free zinc battery.A Coulombic efficiency of 99.8% was achieved in Zn||Cu cell.The practical applications of zinc metal batteries are plagued by the dendritic propagation of its metal anodes due to the limited transfer rate of charge and mass at the electrode/electrolyte interphase. To enhance the reversibility of Zn metal, a quasi-solid interphase composed by defective metal–organic framework (MOF) nanoparticles (D-UiO-66) and two kinds of zinc salts electrolytes is fabricated on the Zn surface served as a zinc ions reservoir. Particularly, anions in the aqueous electrolytes could be spontaneously anchored onto the Lewis acidic sites in defective MOF channels. With the synergistic effect between the MOF channels and the anchored anions, Zn2+ transport is prompted significantly. Simultaneously, such quasi-solid interphase boost charge and mass transfer of Zn2+, leading to a high zinc transference number, good ionic conductivity, and high Zn2+ concentration near the anode, which mitigates Zn dendrite growth obviously. Encouragingly, unprecedented average coulombic efficiency of 99.8% is achieved in the Zn||Cu cell with the proposed quasi-solid interphase. The cycling performance of D-UiO-66@Zn||MnO2 (~ 92.9% capacity retention after 2000 cycles) and D-UiO-66@Zn||NH4V4O10 (~ 84.0% capacity retention after 800 cycles) prove the feasibility of the quasi-solid interphase.

The use of nanomaterials in agriculture is a current need and could be helpful in overcoming food security risks. Brassica napus L. is the third most important crop for edible oil, having double low unsaturated fatty acids. In the present study, we investigated the effects of green synthesized Zn NPs on biochemical effects, antioxidant enzymes, nutritional quality parameters and on the fatty acid profile of rapeseed ( B . napus ). Plant-mediated synthesis of zinc nanoparticles (Zn NPs) was carried out using Mentha arvensis L. leaf extract followed by characterization through ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV-vis), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-Ray (EDX), and X-Ray diffraction (XRD). NPs exhibited irregular shapes ranging in size from 30–70 nm and EDX analysis confirmed 96.08% of Zn in the sample. The investigated biochemical characterization (protein content, proline content, total soluble sugar (TSS), total flavonoid content (TFC), and total phenolic content (TPC) showed a substantial change on exposure to Zn NPs. A dose-dependent gradual increase was observed in the antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT). Oil and moisture contents dropped significantly from the control level in the rapeseed ( B . napus ) varieties. However, different trends in nutritional (Zn, Na+, K+) and fatty acid profiling of B . napus have been noted. This study demonstrates that Zn NPs have the potential to improve the biochemical, nutritional, antioxidant enzymes, and fatty acid profile of B . napus varieties.

Highlights This work starts the research of pseudocapacitive oxide materials for multivalent Zn 2+ storage. The constructed RuO 2 ·H 2 O||Zn systems exhibit outstanding electrochemical performance, including a high discharge capacity, ultrafast charge/discharge capability, and excellent cycling stability. The redox pseudocapacitive behavior of RuO 2 ·H 2 O for Zn 2+ storage is revealed. Rechargeable aqueous zinc-ion hybrid capacitors and zinc-ion batteries are promising safe energy storage systems. In this study, amorphous RuO 2 ·H 2 O for the first time was employed to achieve fast and ultralong-life Zn 2+ storage based on a pseudocapacitive storage mechanism. In the RuO 2 ·H 2 O||Zn zinc-ion hybrid capacitors with Zn(CF 3 SO 3 ) 2 aqueous electrolyte, the RuO 2 ·H 2 O cathode can reversibly store Zn 2+ in a voltage window of 0.4–1.6 V (vs. Zn/Zn 2+ ), delivering a high discharge capacity of 122 mAh g −1 . In particular, the zinc-ion hybrid capacitors can be rapidly charged/discharged within 36 s with a very high power density of 16.74 kW kg −1 and a high energy density of 82 Wh kg −1 . Besides, the zinc-ion hybrid capacitors demonstrate an ultralong cycle life (over 10,000 charge/discharge cycles). The kinetic analysis elucidates that the ultrafast Zn 2+ storage in the RuO 2 ·H 2 O cathode originates from redox pseudocapacitive reactions. This work could greatly facilitate the development of high-power and safe electrochemical energy storage.