How surface chemistry influences reactions occurring thereupon has been a long-standing question of broad scientific and technological interest. Here, we consider the relation between the surface chemistry at interfaces and the reversibility of electrochemical transformations at rechargeable battery electrodes. Using Zn as a model system, we report that a moderate strength of chemical interaction between the deposit and the substrate—neither too weak nor too strong—enables highest reversibility and stability of the plating/stripping redox processes. Focused ion beam and electron microscopy were used to directly probe the morphology, chemistry, and crystallography of heterointerfaces of distinct natures. Analogous to the empirical Sabatier principle for chemical heterogeneous catalysis, our findings arise from competing interfacial processes. Using full batteries with stringent negative electrode–to–positive electrode capacity (N:P) ratios, we show that such knowledge provides a powerful tool for designing key materials in highly reversible battery systems based on Earth-abundant, low-cost metals such as Zn and Na.

Extended hydrothermal treatment at an elevated temperature of 220 °C allowed high yield synthesis of manganese oxide nanowires with a todorokite crystal structure suitable for reversible intercalation of Li+ and Na+ ions.