ABSTRACT Aqueous zinc‐ion batteries demonstrate promising prospects for large‐scale energy storage applications due to their inherent safety and cost‐effectiveness. However, the thermodynamic instability of the zinc metal anode in aqueous electrolytes drives detrimental side reactions, primarily hydrogen evolution and corrosion passivation. Concurrently, nonideal deposition kinetics, often due to uneven ion flux or charge transfer, lead to dendritic zinc growth. This review systematically elucidates the pivotal role of the thermodynamic‑kinetic synergistic optimization strategy in advancing zinc metal anodes. By integrating three key approaches—electrolyte engineering, interface engineering, and three‐dimensional structural design—this strategy effectively guides uniform zinc deposition. Finally, the review outlines future research directions, aiming to provide valuable theoretical insights and technical guidance for developing the next generation of high‐performance, practical aqueous zinc‐ion batteries.
Tan et al. (2026) studied this question.