Aqueous zinc (Zn)-based energy storage devices possess promising applications for large-scale energy storage systems due to the advantage of high safety, low price, and environment-friendliness. However, their development is restricted by dendrite growth and hydrogen evolution issues from the Zn-metal anode. Herein, a facile stress-pressing method is reported for constructing a grid zinc anode (GZn) with a conductive framework. The highly conductive copper (Cu)-mesh framework reduces electrode hydrogen evolution and increases electrode conductivity. Meanwhile, the in situ-formed Cu-Zn nano-alloy stabilizes the Zn deposition interface. As a result, the GZn symmetrical cell presents a low overpotential of 49 mV after cycling for 1,200 h (0.2 mA∙cm⁻²). In addition, GZn displays its potential application as a universal anode for Zn-ion capacitors and batteries. An activated carbon||GZn Zn-ion capacitor delivers a stable cycling performance after 10,000 cycles at 5 A∙g⁻¹ and MnO₂||GZn Zn-ion batteries exhibit satisfactory cycle stability and excellent rate performance. This demonstrates that GZn appears to be a promising universal anode for Zn-ion capacitors and batteries.

Aqueous Mg ion batteries (AMIBs) show great potential in energy storage for their advantages of high capacity, abundant resource, and environmental friendliness. However, the development of AMIBs is limited due to the scarcity of suitable anode materials. In this study, a new polymer anode material (PNTAQ) with flower-like nanosheet structure is synthesized for aqueous Mg-Na hybrid-ion battery (AMNHIB). PNTAQ possess carbonyl functional groups which can be oxidized and reduced reversibly in aqueous solution containing alkaline metal ions. PNTAQ displays a discharge specific capacity of 245 mAh g⁻¹ at 50 mA g⁻¹ in 1 M MgCl₂ + 0.5 M NaCl electrolyte, which is much higher than that in single 1 M MgCl₂ or 0.5 M NaCl electrolyte. Even cycling at 1000 mA g⁻¹ for 1000 times, the capacity retention can still maintain at 87.2%. A full Mg-Na hybrid-ion cell is assembled by employing β-MnO₂ as cathode and PNTAQ as anode material, it exhibits a specific capacity of 91.6 mAh g⁻¹ at 100 mA g⁻¹. The polymer electrode material well maintains its framework structure during the discharge/charge cycling process of the hybrid-ion battery.

Lithium metal anode is the most ideal candidate for next-generation energy storage system. However, the uncontrolled dendrite growth, infinite volume expansion, and undesired side reactions lead to serious safety issues and hinder their potential application. Herein, a pre-lithiation strategy is proposed to construct a high-lithiophilic Cu-Li₂O matrix on commercial Cu foil. The in situ-generated Li₂O promises adequate nucleation sites and strengthens solid electrolyte interphase and lateral lithium deposition. Meanwhile, the existence of 3D matrix reduces the local current density. The synergy effect of Li₂O and Cu suppresses the growth of lithium dendrites. As a result, Cu-Li₂O matrix reveals an enhanced lithium plating/stripping behavior with Coulombic efficiency of 98.46% after 270 cycles. The symmetrical cell assembled by Li-plated electrodes displays a prolonged lifespan of 1400 h. The work demonstrates a scalable and effective approach for modified current collectors toward stable Li metal anode.