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.

Two-dimensional metal–organic-framework (2D MOF) nanosheets with a modular nature and tunable structures exhibit a bright future for sensors, separation, and catalysis. Developing ultrathin 2D MOF nanosheets with unique physical and chemical properties is urgently required but very challenging. Although the chemical exfoliation strategy has been regarded as a promising way to exfoliate large amounts of three-dimensional (3D) pillar-layered MOFs, this method still faces many problems and remains insufficient. In this study, a novel chemical exfoliation method is developed for the target preparation of 2D MOF monolayers from the 3D pillar-layered MOFs. The Co/Zn/Cu-MOFs with a pillar ligand of trans-1,2- bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene (bipyen) are subjected to be broken by the cleavage of C=C bonds in the bipyen ligands via an ozone oxidation reaction. As chemical exfoliation is processed via the oxidation of the pillar ligand by ozone, the thickness of the 2D MOFs can be tuned by the control of oxidation time and the obtained 2D Co/Zn/Cu-MOF monolayers are functionalized with a –COOH group. This study provides an effective and general chemical exfoliation method to prepare monolayer MOFs from the 3D pillar-layered MOFs with bipyen as the pillar ligand.