Advances on new configuration of zinc anode towards high-performance emerging zinc-based electronic devices

Rechargeable Zn metal batteries (RZMBs) have emerged as promising candidates for large-scale energy storage systems due to their high safety, environmental friendliness, and low cost. However, Zn metal anode still faces a series of side reactions, including hydrogen evolution, dendrite, corrosion, and passivation. Moreover, emerging electronic devices such as flexible electronic devices, portable electronic devices and linear energy devices, have different functional requirements for energy storage technologies, which cannot be met by conventional Zn foil anode. In the face of these challenges, designing new configuration of Zn anode is urgently needed. This review summarizes the advances of various new configuration anode materials, including three-dimensional Zn anode, 3D printed Zn anode, printed Zn anode, imprinted Zn anode, linear Zn anode and their energy storage devices. The advantages, challenges and corresponding strategies of these new configuration anode were discussed. Finally, future development directions and perspectives of these anode materials were presented.