The differences in Zn crystal plane kinetics can lead to non-uniform deposition, promoting dendrite growth and side reactions, especially under high deposition capacities. Fast kinetics can also cause anion depletion on the zinc anode surface, leading to uneven electric field distribution and worsening these issues. Inducing preferred electrodeposition of the Zn(101) crystal plane can ensure dense epitaxial growth and achieve fast reaction kinetics. However, its highly reactive and wave-like arrangement will also lead to higher hydrogen evolution activity and cause uneven electric field distribution, accelerating side reactions and dendrite growth. This study utilizes the adsorption ability of 2-mercaptoethanesulfonate (MES) anion on the zinc anode surface to optimize the interfacial concentration and electric fields. It effectively reduces the presence of H₂O on the zinc anode surface, minimizing side reactions and inducing oriented growth of Zn(101) crystal plane. Furthermore, a high concentration of MES anions at the interface can effectively prevent the space charge effect caused by the depletion of SO₄²⁻ anions, thereby inhibiting dendrite growth caused by the local electric field. This strategy enables Zn//Zn symmetric cells to achieve 3000 h of cycle life and demonstrates excellent performance in high mass-loading, low N/P ratio Zn//VO₂ full cells.

Lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs) are regarded as the most promising next-generation energy system due to their high theoretical energy density. However, LSBs suffer the “shuttle effect” if undergoing the solid–liquid–solid sulfur conversion process during cycling. Herein, we design a solvent-in-salt (SIS) electrolyte with co-solvent vinylene carbonate (VC) to synthesize an in situ dense cathode electrolyte interface (CEI) and successfully change sulfur conversion into a solid–solid way to avoid shuttle effect by separating the contact of sulfur and ether solvent. Dense CEI is formed at the beginning of first discharge by the combined action of SIS electrolyte and filmogen VC. Experiments and simulations show that SIS electrolyte controls the initial formed lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) to stay very closely on the cathode surface, and then converts them into a dense CEI film. As a result, Coulombic efficiency (above 99%) and cycling performance of LSBs are improved. Furthermore, the in situ dense CEI can nearly stop the self-discharge of LSBs, and enable the LSBs to work under a pretty lean electrolyte condition.