Aqueous zinc battery promotes great interest due to its high safety and significant energy density. However, the Zn anode shows severity of dendrite growth and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Addressing these challenges requires effective manipulation of the inner Helmholtz plane (IHP). Thereby, we secure a novel strategy for generating water-locking IHP through the in-situ growth of a hygroscopic Zn-ethanolamine (Zn-EA) protective layer on the Zn surface. This layer forms via coordination between ZnCl2 salt and ethanolamine, effectively reducing the intermediate/free water. Moreover, ethanolamine contains zincophilic sites (C–O and –NH2) further promote the uniform Zn deposition. The in-situ Raman confirms the ability of the hygroscopic layer to lock the active water away from the Zn surface. Therefore, Zn-EA@Zn anode exhibits an impressive life stability of 288 h at 20 mA cm−2 and 20 mAh cm−2 with an extended lifespan of 2100 h at 1 mA cm−2 and 1 mAh cm−2. Furthermore, the Zn-EA@Zn||Cu demonstrates 100% Coulombic efficiency over 4275 cycles, while Zn-EA@Zn ||V2O3/NC full cell retains a specific capacity of 170 mAh g−1 at 5 A g−1 after 1000 cycles, and the pouch cell maintains 0.5 mAh cm−2 after 460 cycles at 2 mA cm−2. Therefore, this approach is paving the way for the development of advanced zinc metal batteries.
This study evaluates groundwater quality in the Wadi Feiran Basin, Southwestern Sinai, by integrating hydrochemical analysis, pollution assessment, and human health risk assessment (HHRA) with morphometric characterization of surface runoff. Morphometric analysis shows that sub-basins vary in runoff potential, reflecting differences in size and topography. Groundwater quality exhibits significant variability, with pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, and total hardness exceeding World Health Organization (WHO) limits in several samples. Hydrochemical facies analysis indicates that silicate weathering, evaporite dissolution, ion exchange, saline intrusion, and anthropogenic contamination are the dominant processes shaping groundwater chemistry. Pollution assessment using Nemerov’s Pollution Index identifies nitrate and iron as key contaminants, with nitrate exceeding WHO standards in nearly half of the samples. HHRA reveals substantial non-carcinogenic risks, particularly for children, due to elevated nitrate levels, while long-term exposure also suggests potential carcinogenic effects. Overall, 60% of the sampled groundwater is unsuitable for drinking, underscoring the urgent need for monitoring and management strategies to protect public health and ensure sustainable groundwater use in the basin.