In aqueous zinc‑ion batteries (AZIBs), uncontrolled dendrite growth and parasitic corrosion reactions critically limit long‑term stability. Constructing a robust organic-inorganic solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) has emerged as an effective strategy; however, the mechanistic origin of Zn-anode stabilization remains insufficiently understood. Here, we in situ construct an ultrathin organic-inorganic hybrid SEI (Zn-S-RCOOH) on Zn using a multifunctional organic acid, mercaptosuccinic acid (MSA). The COOH‑rich organic outer layer restructures the interfacial hydrogen‑bond (HB) network, lowers H2O activity, and accelerates desolvation, whereas the inner ZnS layer provides fast Zn2+ migration pathways, collectively enhancing reaction kinetics and promoting (002) oriented Zn deposition. Owing to these synergistic effects, dendrite formation and corrosion are effectively inhibited. The MSA/Zn electrode operates stably for over 2400 h at 10 mA cm-2 and 5 mAh cm-2, and maintains>500 h stability even at a high depth of discharge (DOD, 81 %). Moreover, MSA/Zn||MnO2 full cells exhibited capacities of ∼189.7 and 142 mAh g-1 with high-capacity retention (99.18 % and 97.55 %) at 0.3 and 1 A g-1, respectively. So, our findings proposed a rational interfacial-engineering strategy for designing durable Zn metal anodes and advancing high-performance aqueous zinc-ion batteries.
Sun et al. (2026) studied this question.