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Lithium metal anodes (LMA) increase the energy density of lithium-ion batteries, but the formation of lithium dendrites above a critical charging current (CCD) is still a severe safety issue that limits their wide industrial application. In this work, we present a simple, scalable method to improve the properties of LMA and increase the CCD by physical mixing with a small amount of Na metal, leading

The authors regret that the reference numbers in Figure 11 were incorrect and have been updated in the revised version.

The sulfion oxidation reaction (SOR) assisted seawater electrolysis has been proposed to be a potentially cost-effective approach to hydrogen production because SOR happens at an anodic potential significantly lower than that of the energy-demanding oxygen evolution reaction (OER). However, the key to unleash full potential of SOR for practical seawater electrolysis is to develop highly efficient and

Triphylite NaFePO4 emerges as a promising solution for sodium secondary batteries due to its abundant constituent elements and high energy density, making it attractive for sustainable energy storage applications. However, the direct synthesis of triphylite NaFePO4 is hindered by its thermal metastability. In this study, we propose an oxygen-powered sustainable production method for heterosite FePO4

Semiconductor photocatalysis has seen decades of development, with most attention focused on two key elements: semiconductors Semiconductor photocatalysis has seen decades of development, with most attention focused on two key elements: semiconductors and solutes. However, the third “S” — solvents — which play a crucial role in condensed-phase reactions, has been surprisingly largely overlooked in

Polyimide, endowed with high thermal resistance due to its aromatic structure, is considered a potential candidate for high-temperature polymer dielectrics. However, the strong electron delocalization in the aromatic structure causes significant leakage current during high-temperature electron transport, impairing energy storage performance. This contradictory relationship presents a bottleneck in

Self-discharge in electrochemical energy storage systems, particularly in electric double-layer capacitors, poses significant challenges due to the spontaneous dissipation of stored charges at electrode/electrolyte interfaces, which compromises device performance and energy efficiency. Despite decades of research, the underlying mechanisms of self-discharge remain a subject of debate. In this study

Solid-state sodium metal batteries (SSMBs) are considered as one of the critical technologies for safe and high-energy-density batteries. However, most SSMBs encounter poor cycling performance due to the sluggish charge transfer processes across the solid-solid interfaces. Based on a cation doping strategy, Al3+ and Zn2+ doped Na3Zr2Si2PO12 solid electrolytes (SEs) are comprehensively examined to decouple

The performance of potassium ion batteries (PIBs) using graphite anode is highly dependent on the composition of solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) that include both organic and inorganic species. Currently, most researches focus on constructing an inorganic-rich SEI, whereas the critical role of organic components is barely understood and thus hinders the rational regulation of SEI chemistry. Herein

Structure engineering of two-dimensional perovskites by the bulky cations can impair the robustness of perovskite heterojunctions. In a recent issue of Energy & Environmental Science, Peng et al. unveil that the Ruddlesden-Popper perovskite leads to detrimental reactions at the interface, while Dion-Jacobson perovskites induced uneven iodide distribution within the bulk.

Spatial inhomogeneity and temporal evolution of electrochemical reactions significantly influence battery performance and are crucial for understanding battery mechanisms. In a recent publication in Device, Liu et al. demonstrate that diamond nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers can be used as in situ quantum probes to monitor electrochemical reactions at the single-particle level, revealing heterogeneous

(Joule 8, 3088–3105; November 20, 2024)