Aqueous zinc batteries possess intrinsic safety and cost-effectiveness, but dendrite growth and side reactions of zinc anodes hinder their practical application. Here, we propose the extended substrate screening strategy for stabilizing zinc anodes and verify its availability (d_substrate: d_Zn(002) = 1: 1→d_substrate: d_Zn(002)=n:1, n = 1, 2). From a series of calculated phyllosilicates satisfying d_substrate ≈ 2d_Zn(002), we select vermiculite, which has the lowest lattice mismatch (0.38%) reported so far, as the model to confirm the effectiveness of “2d_Zn(002)” substrates for zinc anodes protection. Then, we develop a monolayer porous vermiculite through a large-scale and green preparation as a functional coating for zinc electrodes. Unique “planting Zn(002) seeds” mechanism for “2d_Zn(002)” substrates is revealed to induce the oriented growth of zinc deposits. Additionally, the coating effectively inhibits side reactions and promotes zinc ion transport. Consequently, the modified symmetric cells operate stably for over 300 h at a high current density of 50 mA cm⁻². This work extends the substrate screening strategy and advances the understanding of zinc nucleation mechanism, paving the way for realizing high-rate and stable zinc-metal batteries.

Hydrogen production by seawater electrolysis is significantly hindered by high energy costs and undesirable detrimental chlorine chemistry in seawater. In this work, energy-saving hydrogen production is reported by chlorine-free seawater splitting coupling tip-enhanced electric field promoted electrocatalytic sulfion oxidation reaction. We present a bifunctional needle-like Co₃S₄ catalyst grown on nickel foam with a unique tip structure that enhances the kinetic rate by improving the current density in the tip region. The assembled hybrid seawater electrolyzer combines thermodynamically favorable sulfion oxidation and cathodic seawater reduction can enable sustainable hydrogen production at a current density of 100 mA cm⁻² for up to 504 h. The hybrid seawater electrolyzer has the potential for scale-up industrial implementation of hydrogen production by seawater electrolysis, which is promising to achieve high economic efficiency and environmental remediation.

The bifunctional NiFe LDH@Ni₃N/NF electrode exhibits superior electrocatalytic stability for overall water splitting at extremely high current densities.

An effective strategy of coating transition-metal nitrides with carbon to fabricate a Ni_xFe_yN@C/NF electrode for alkaline seawater electrolysis at extremely high current densities.