Emerging in Situ Thermal Treatment Strategies for Tailoring Uniform Zn Deposition Toward Stable Zn Anodes

Abstract Aqueous Zn‐ion batteries (AZIBs) have gained significant interest in energy storage field due to their inherent advantages. However, issues such as dendrite growth and hydrogen evolution reaction pertaining to Zn anodes severely impede their practical deployment. To mitigate these challenges, a wide range of strategies have been proposed, among which in situ thermal treatment techniques play a pivotal role. Thermal treatment process can improve the reversibility of Zn anodes by modifying the current collector, Zn foil, and separator, as well as by constructing interfacial layers. Despite the rapid advancements in thermal treatment methodologies toward high‐performance Zn anodes, a comprehensive understanding and systematic summary of these approaches remains lacking. This review elaborates on the progress of cutting‐edge in situ thermal treatment strategies, categorized into five aspects by the battery components: current collector design, Zn substrate optimization, interfacial layer formation, bulk‐phase reconstruction, and separator modification. Additionally, the underlying mechanisms and challenges of each strategy are discussed thoroughly in an attempt to deepen the mechanistic understanding. Finally, potential research directions are prospected, including procedure development, material screening, solid electrolyte, and integrated strategy, with the goal of achieving highly reversible Zn anodes via in situ thermal treatment.