The asymmetric octahedron NiO₆ endows NR-NiOOH with a nonoverlapping region between the dz² orbitals and a_1g* bands, which facilitates the geometric conversion under light irradiation, and enacts a faster OER mechanism: the coupled oxygen evolution mechanism (COM).

This review summarizes recent progress in the research area of electrospun semiconductor-based nano-heterostructures for the photocatalytic energy conversion and environment remediation. It also analyzes the structure advantages of electrospun semiconductor-based nano-heterostructure photocatalysts on the increase in the light-harvesting ability, charge separation, and catalytic active site. The photocatalytic pollutant decomposition, H₂ production, and CO₂ reduction over electrospun semiconductor-based nano-heterostructure photocatalysts are reviewed, and future perspectives and challenges are discussed.

In this review, the procedure and mechanism of molten salt synthesis are introduced, and the progress of this method in the synthesis of non-oxide materials is discussed in detail.

Polyoxometalate (POM) nanoclusters with unique structures hold enormous promise in the realms of energy-related devices, due to their reversible redox activity and high ionic conductivity. The annotations in this review are envisioned to provide an overview of how POMs have evolved as ion-conducting materials from basic research to novel solid-state electrolytes in energy devices.

Here, we propose a critical review on the most recent advances in designing advanced liquid electrolytes for AMBs. We first introduce the fundamentals of AMB electrolytes. We then review recent advancements in concentrated and fluorinated electrolytes, as well as functional electrolyte additives for boosting the stability of AMBs. Finally, we present the remaining challenges and outlook of liquid electrolytes in AMBs.

The Cu–Co₃O₄ nanoparticles (NPs) interfacial composite with a turnover frequency of 57.5 min⁻¹ for the hydrolysis of ammonia borane shows the synergistic effect of Cu and Co₃O₄ NPs. This study opens up a new pathway for achieving high-efficiency noble metal-free catalysts for hydrogen generation and other heterogeneous catalyses.

High cyrstalline g-C₃N₄/g-C₃N_4−xS_x isotype heterostructure constructed in molten salt showed remarkable photocatalytic and piezocatalytic activity. This is the first report about the investigation of piezocatalytic activities of crystalline g-C₃N₄.

The morphology and surface Cu species composition of Cu gas diffusion electrodes can be regulated by changing the electrodeposition voltage. The product selectivity of electrocatalytic CO₂ reduction can be switched from C₁ to C₂ hydrocarbons by tuning Cu^δ+/Cu⁰ ratio of surface Cu species.

The SSB with small-sized electrolyte (S-SE) in cathode and large-sized electrolyte (L-SE) in electrolyte layer (S/L battery) exhibits the superior electrochemical performance at room temperature and −20 °C resulting from faster lithium-ion dynamics, while the S/S battery demonstrates the better performance under 60 °C due to the integrated structure during cycling.

Pr₆O₁₁ modification enables commercial LCO to achieve excellent 4.5 and 4.6 V high-voltage cycling performance. Several effective strategies were used to clearly unveil the interface compatibility and structure stabilization mechanism induced by Pr₆O₁₁ modification. The pouch cell with modified Pr₆O₁₁ boosts the energy density even by ~42% increase at 5 C and distinctly improves the thermal safety performance.

This study transformed spent LiCoO₂ into a high-efficient Li-doped g-C₃N₄/Co₃O₄ composite photocatalyst through one-pot in situ thermal reduction, which realizes high-valued utilization of waste and environmental protection.

An air-stable and high-voltage cathode of P2-Na_2/3Ni_2/3Te_1/3O₂ demonstrates excellent cycling stability and good rate capability, which is attributed to the absence of phase transition and minimal structure change during desodiation/sodiation.

A coupled heterointerface between Co-Fe LDH and g-C₃N₄ is formed, which is revealed by DFT investigations to be favorable for nitrogen adsorption and ammonia desorption compared with neat LDH surface. The interfaced LDH and g-C₃N₄ is further hybridized with a TiO₂ nanofibrous membrane to maximize the interfacial effect, resulting in a high-efficiency, noble-metal-free catalyst system towards electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction.

A bi-functional Ag-Li₃N blended interface is employed for producing Li alloying matrix with simultaneously decreased Li nucleation and mass transfer-controlled overpotentials. In parallel, the durability of the operational Ag sites is enhanced profoundly by restricting the inward diffusion depth of the Li adatoms through Li⁺ solvation structure manipulation, resulting in much elongated protection ability for high energy density Li metal anodes.

The epitaxial heterostructures between Ru clusters and Ni₃N substrate (cRu-Ni₃N) are theoretically elucidated and elaborately constructed by virtue of the lattice similarity, which display remarkable electrocatalytic activity for both oxygen and hydrogen evolution, and consequent terrific application prospect in alkaline water splitting, seawater electrolysis, and solar-to-hydrogen integrated system.

The β-CD-based molecular sieve film decorated CA nanofiber membrane derived from recycled cigarette filters was fabricated for Li-S battery separator. This β-CD/CA/C separator could physically block and chemically trap polysulfides. The funnel-type channel of β-CD generates a differential ionic fluid pressure on both sides, resulting in a rapid charging performance in lithium secondary batteries.

The heat treatment of Zn-based metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) produced highly porous carbons (~2700 m² g⁻¹), which achieved high specific capacitances in both aqueous and non-aqueous electrolytes. In situ dynamic techniques revealed that the pore generation mechanism was closely related to either the Zn/C ratio or the O/C ratio, depending on the calcination temperature.

By introducing GASCN and HI into perovskite precursor solution, we successfully fabricated Sn−Pb alloyed hole transport material-free narrow bandgap (1.28 eV) PSC with highest power conversion efficiency of 17.85%. GASCN and HI play a positive synergy effect during perovskite crystallization process resulting in larger grain size, fewer surface defects and lower trap density to suppress the Sn²⁺oxidation degradation.

CuF₂/CF_x hybrid cathodes with high volumetric energy density exhibit three distinct discharge plateaus rather than the simple combination of discharge profiles of components is first reported. The charge redistribution and lattice modulation on the contact surfaces of CuF₂ and CF_x during planetary ball milling enhance the valence state of Cu and modify electronic structures of composites.

The equimolar trimetallic MnNiCo phosphide showed an outstanding HER catalytic performance with a current density of 10 mA cm⁻² at an ultra-low overpotential of ~14 mV, outperforming the best-reported electrocatalysts. Moreover, it appreciably catalyzes the OER by exposing more intrinsic active species in-situ formed on the catalyst surface during the OER with a decreased overpotential of ~289 mV at 10 mA cm⁻² with perfect durability up to 48 h. Meanwhile, the assembled MNC-P/NF||MNC-P/NF full-water electrolyzer system attained an extremely low cell voltage of 1.48 V at 10 mA cm⁻² with remarkable current retention of ~96% after a continuous 50 h run.

A strategy of artificial solid electrolyte realizes calcium nitride hydride hybrid interphases with good charge transfer kinetics, which further endow calcium metal battery a good capacity of ≈80 mAh g⁻¹ at 200 mA g⁻¹ and 2.0–5.0 V, a high average discharge voltage of >3.3 V, and superior anodic stability of 5.0 V ceiling voltage.

An all-inorganic magnesium–lithium chloride complex (MLCC) electrolyte, with a unique solvation structure and fast surficial redox kinetics, was synthesized using a simple reaction of MgCl₂ and LiCl salts in THF solvent at room temperature. The Mg/Mo₆S₈ full cells using the MLCC electrolyte achieved a superior capacity retention of 85 mA h g⁻¹ after 10 000 cycles at an ultrahigh rate of 50 C.

A high efficient, simple, scalable, and general validated molten salt-shielded synthesis (MS³) method is applied for preparing MXene carbides and nitrides in air.

A nickel cobalt sulfoselenide/black phosphorus (BP) heterostructure was constructed by in-situ growing NiCo hydroxide nanosheet arrays on few-layer BP and subsequently sulfoselenization by SeS₂, which achieves the highly active and durable water electrolysis through interface and M³⁺/M²⁺ valence dual-engineering. Molecular sensing and density functional theory calculations are further proposed for understanding the rate-determine steps and enhanced catalytic mechanism.

Traditional polymer foam is cost-effectively functionalized by a facile and scalable mechanical-assisted coating strategy based on electrode-inspired sticky jammed fluids. The functionalized foam is demonstrated as a promising solution for efficient management of indoor air quality.

Moisture-induced phase segregation of CsMAFA perovskite is scrutinized by in situ X-ray diffraction under 85% RH, live observation liquid-transmission electron microscopy and combined to solid-state NMR. Entropy gain of complex stoichiometries triggers phase segregation into Cs/Br poor perovskite along with CsPb₂Br₅ and PbI₂ by-products.

A unique seamless integration strategy is proposed by merging the capacity of P into Sb at the same voltage, without sacrificing Sb’s conductivity and cyclability. The Sb-P interaction at atomic level distribution does occur in mechanical milling, rather than simple mixing. Thus, the formed Sb_60-xP_x solid solution alloy exhibits enlarged capacity (993 mAh g⁻¹), high ICE (90%), single stable plateau (0.79 V), and superior low-temperature performances (621 mAh g⁻¹ at −30°C) for LIBs.

Ordered macroporous MoS₂-carbon composite with favorable structure is demonstrated to have the excellent Na⁺ storage properties in specific capacity, rate capability, and cycling stability. Such high-performance MoS₂-carbon composite anode is able to solve the issues of kinetics mismatch toward sodium-ion capacitor with high performance in energy density and power density.

Ni²⁺-doped MnO₂ is successfully synthesized for aqueous ZIBs. The introduction of Ni²⁺ can effectively regulate the H⁺ storage behavior and endow the Ni-MnO₂ electrode material with excellent proton migration kinetics. Meanwhile, Ni²⁺ could lower the diffusion barrier of H⁺ and selectively induce the ion intercalation. Density functional theory clearly reveals that Ni²⁺ doping significantly ameliorates structural stability and enhances conductivity of electrons.

Inspired by manipulating the electrostatic adsorption between N and Fe in the early stages of ammonia synthesis (Bosch-Harber Process, Chemical Engineering) and steel nitriding processes (Metal Industry), we can switch the optimally balanced Fe–N interaction during the (de)intercalation of ammonium ions (NH₄⁺) within iron(III) hexacyanoferrate (FeHCF) for an extremely stable energy storage.

This work demonstrates a one-step, nonthermal plasma catalysis approach for ammonia synthesis using nitrogen and water as raw materials.

A novel dual-polar group functionalized covalent organic framework is designed to coat the polypropylene separator, which is benefit for accelerating Li⁺ transport and achieving dendrite-free deposition for Li metal anode.

A surface molecular encapsulation strategy is proposed to modify the Fe-based single-atomic catalyst using cyclodextrin (CD). The CD modification is effective in regulate the microenvironment of the atomic Fe and acting as the protective barrier against poisoning species, and hence to optimize the ORR activity and stability of Fe SACs. This strategy demonstrates the uniqueness of post-pyrolysis surface molecular engineering for the design of single-atom catalyst.

This study demonstrates a simple and effective atomic reconstruction for an efficient TiO₂/SnO₂ heterojunction bilayer for the electron transport layer used in a perovskite solar cell. The fundamental understanding of this work may leverage the potential of heterojunction ETLs and further investigation in materials science, particularly for the development of an efficient charge transport layer in metal halide perovskite photovoltaics.

A thermodynamically stable Pd-W hetero-metal diatomic catalyst supported on the C₂N monolayer (PdW@C₂N) was designed for high-efficient electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction. The key role of pre-generated hydrogen-terminated PdW@C₂N in catalytic mechanism was revealed.

Integrated application toward efficient desulfurization and cathode preparation of high-performance lithium-sulfur battery has been realized simultaneously by amino-functionalized porous lotus root-like carbon nanofibers (NH₂-PLCNFs). Superior to the traditional method of molten sulfur infusion at high temperature, this environmental-cleaning strategy leads to a uniform and effective sulfur deposition, and the optimal sulfur loading can be tailored by controlling the H₂S conversion process.

The mechanical flexible, lightweight carbon nanofiber scaffold with the monodispersed, ultrafine Sn₄P₃ nanoparticles encapsulation (Sn₄P₃NP@CNF) is proposed as the deposition substrate towards the energy-dense, highly-reversible sodium metal batteries.

An advanced quasi-solid-state flexible Zn-ion hybrid supercapacitor (FZHSC) is developed in the absence of heavy Zn, avoiding the growth of Zn dendrite. Enabled by the anti-freezing, stretchable, and compressible PVA hydrogel electrolyte designed via hydrogen bond and microstructure regulation, the FZHSC exhibits robust stretchability and can be operated at −30~80 °C, ensuring all-climate application.

Based on the ring-opening reaction of the epoxy group of the tertiary amino group-rich epoxide cationic polyacrylamide (ECP) in hydrothermal process under different acid–base environments, 47 nm-sized ZnS@NCs were prepared in a one-pot synthesis. Meanwhile, the TMS@NC electrode synthesized by this method has excellent cycle life and high-capacity retention.

Catalytic performances of nickel selenide confined nickel molybdenum nitride heterostructure are highly improved toward HER and OER in alkaline medium. Due to special synergistic effects, the developed electrolyzer results in outstanding cell voltages of 1.51 and 1.46 V to reach 10 mA cm⁻² in 1.0 M and 30 wt% KOH solution, respectively, along with a high solar-to-H₂ conversion efficiency of ∼18.4%.