pH‐Triggered Molecular Switch Toward Texture‐Regulated Zn Anode

Zn electrodes in aqueous media exhibit an unstable Zn/electrolyte interface due to severe parasitic reactions and dendrite formation. Here, a dynamic modulation based on the molecular switch strategy is reported by hiring γ-butyrolactone (GBL) ZnCl2/H2O electrolyte. During plating, increased interfacial alkalinity triggers from GBL γ-hydroxybutyrate (GHB). GHB strongly anchors surface via triple Zn−O bonding, leading suppressive hydrogen evolution texture-regulated morphology. Upon stripping, fluctuant pH turns reaction off through cyclization of GBL. This enables high reversibility with Coulombic efficiency 99.8 % Zn||iodine batteries high-cyclability under depth discharge (50 %). study demonstrates importance for electrode realizes reversible enhance its reversibility.