biostudies-literatureLi WNational Natural Science Foundation of China13873-13882https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12231561biostudies-literatureUnknown16(30)Polymer coatings are promising candidates as artificial interfacial materials due to their significant barrier properties and zincophilicity, whereas modified zinc anodes for high depth of discharge (DOD) remain a major challenge. Herein, we present a novel approach that combines electrostatic complexation with phase separation in a weak-acid solution, which induces the formation of acid-responsive porous polyelectrolyte membranes, leading to an extended lifespan of the zinc anode of up to 900 h at a high current density of 40 mA cm^-2. Additionally, the Zn@PEI-PSSNa anode demonstrates excellent zinc utilization, operating for up to 200 h at an ultra-high DOD of 97.3%. The Zn@PEI-PSSNa‖Cu cell further exhibits long-term cycling stability with a super-high coulombic efficiency (CEChemical scienceA weak acid-responsive porous polyelectrolyte membrane enables the high efficiency of a zinc anode interface.PMC122315612230909122404085Li WLiu XLi YLi CLu HWang CHu WBin DSu LYang BWang YfalseA weak acid-responsive porous polyelectrolyte membrane enables the high efficiency of a zinc anode interface.Polymer coatings are promising candidates as artificial interfacial materials due to their significant barrier properties and zincophilicity, whereas modified zinc anodes for high depth of discharge (DOD) remain a major challenge. Herein, we present a novel approach that combines electrostatic complexation with phase separation in a weak-acid solution, which induces the formation of acid-responsive porous polyelectrolyte membranes, leading to an extended lifespan of the zinc anode of up to 900 h at a high current density of 40 mA cm^-2. Additionally, the Zn@PEI-PSSNa anode demonstrates excellent zinc utilization, operating for up to 200 h at an ultra-high DOD of 97.3%. The Zn@PEI-PSSNa‖Cu cell further exhibits long-term cycling stability with a super-high coulombic efficiency (CE2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Jul2026-03-16T08:02:43.753Z2025-08-13T03:05:03.928ZS-EPMC122315614063063410.1039/d5sc02326b