Aqueous Zn-ion batteries represent a promising platform for grid-scale energy storage, yet the advancement is constrained by persistent interfacial challenges on dendrite growth and parasitic corrosion. Herein, a novel strategy leveraging the multidentate coordination of Zn²⁺ and solvent molecules is introduced to synergistically tailor the solvation sheath and modulate the interfacial mass-charge conduction. Reconfiguring the inherent H-bond network and interfacial chemistry effectively suppresses side reactions and ensures uniform Zn deposition. Consequently, a Zn||Zn battery delivers an exceptional cumulative plating capacity of 23.0 Ah·cm^–2 and operates steadily for over 4600 h under harsh conditions of 10 mA·cm^–2. When coupled with an I₂ cathode, the full battery retains excellent durability across 65,000 cycles at 10 A·g^–1, with an ultralow capacity decay of 0.0004% per cycle. A practical pouch battery delivers 11.5 mAh and maintains 90.0% capacity after 130 cycles. Multiscale spectroscopy and computations elucidate ligand exchange within the solvation sheath and the synergy with a dynamic interfacial adsorption layer, establishing a green and efficient molecular strategy for stabilizing Zn electrochemistry.

Lithium metal anodes (LMAs), with a remarkably high theoretical capacity of 3860 mAh·g⁻¹, have emerged as promising candidates for postlithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, lithium metal as a battery anode presents several obstacles that impede the commercialization of lithium metal batteries (LMBs), including high cost, environmental concerns, safety, inefficiency arising from dendrite growth, and side reactions during cycling. Current strategies to address these challenges primarily revolve around optimizing anode materials and interfaces. Therefore, through this review, we aim to summarize the critical challenges faced in the commercialization of LMBs and discuss the existing solutions being explored to overcome these obstacles. Key protection strategies to improve the battery cycle life and Coulombic efficiency (CE), including optimizing electrolyte formulations, designing advanced artificial solid-electrolyte interfaces (SEIs), utilizing advanced separators, employing solid-state electrolytes (SSEs), and introducing new LMA morphologies, are highlighted. We thoroughly analyze the advantages and disadvantages of each strategy and discuss their potential impacts on the commercialization of LMBs, aiming to provide valuable insight for researchers engaged in developing advanced protection strategies.