A Multifunctional Cerium-Based Metal-Organic Framework Coating for Dendrite-Free and Highly Stable Zinc Metal Anodes

• • Ce-MOF/Zn symmetric cells achieve ultralong cycling stability exceeding 2060 h at 0.5 mA cm−2 with a low overpotential of 26 mV, demonstrating exceptional dendrite suppression and interfacial stability for prolonged operation. • • Full cells with I2@AC cathode deliver 109.6 mAh g−1 after 28,550 cycles at 5 A g−1, retaining 91% capacity, indicating outstanding long-term durability suitable for grid-scale energy storage. • • The Ce-MOF coating promotes preferential Zn deposition along the (002) crystal plane, which is critical for forming a compact, dendrite-free anode and suppressing hydrogen evolution, as confirmed by in-situ optical microscopy and DFT calculations. • • The coating reduces Zn2+ desolvation energy, enhancing deposition kinetics and mitigating side reactions, as evidenced by integrated electrochemical and structural analyses.