Themed collection Journal of Materials Chemistry A Recent Review Articles

This work covers recent advancements and outlooks in rechargeable batteries for deep space application, including mass transfer, reaction interface, and core component changes under extreme pressure, microgravity, and supergravity.

This Highlight explores advancements in Ni-rich cathode materials for sodium-ion batteries, which offer practical synthesis methods, high specific capacity, and environmental benefits while addressing energy density and cycle life challenges.

Small molecule-based semiconductors for photocatalytic hydrogen gas production are gaining increased interest with the growing need for sustainable and environmentally friendly fuel sources.

Pourbaix diagram is a critical tool in electrocatalytic research, driving innovation and improving the reliability of catalyst development.

The present perspective revises the ionic conductivity of highly studied fluorite- and perovskite-based electrolytes for their applications in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) and electrolysis cells (SOECs).

This article presents a perspective on the state of the art in the structure determination of microporous carbon-capture materials and paths toward future progress in this field, as discussed the NIST workshop of the same title.

This perspective discusses the current status and future needs for the use of X-ray and neutron imaging as complementary methods for helping solve key challenges facing electrolyser materials.

As an emerging crystalline porous material constructed from organic building blocks linked by covalent bonds, covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have garnered significant interest due to their well-defined pore structures.

This perspective delves into the nanoscale photodynamics mapping of perovskite (PSCs) and organic solar cells (OSCs) using a multimodal approach to enhance photovoltaic performance.

This perspective delves into electrochemically active and regenerable liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHCs), exploring their electrochemical properties and applications in hydrogen storage, regenerative fuel cells, batteries, and flow batteries.

This perspective summarizes recent advances in electrochemical humidity sensors and mainly focuses on three aspects: working principles; humidity sensing and power generation performances; self-powered humidity detection system.

Employing electrochemical impedance spectroscopy as a non-destructive analytical tool for elucidating the interfacial charge transfer in electrochemical energy conversion/storage systems.

This perspective article discusses the research, issues, and prospects of flexible batteries and supercapacitors in terms of one- and two-dimensions, as well as their stretchable, bendable, and twistable properties.

Green hydrogen, produced by water splitting with renewables, faces water scarcity issues. Atmospheric moisture, a stable source, offers an alternative. This article reviews technologies and challenges of using atmospheric water for H₂ production.

The potential of materials informatics in designing lithium extraction materials for capacitive deionization have been discussed.

We present a comprehensive perspective on the fundamental components of a solid-state battery, starting from all-solid-state electrolytes and extending to quantum power harvesting and storage.

Conventional lead halide perovskites, APbI₃, are excellent materials for photovoltaics and other optoelectronic applications. This perspective highlights the temperature and pressure induced structural phase transitions of CsPbI₃, MAPbI₃ and FAPbI₃.

Commonly used elements of CCAs and the interplay of thermodynamics and kinetics under high temperatures.

This review examines the potential capability of Nb–C and VC MXenes as advanced anode materials for enhancing the performance of Na-ion batteries (SIBs). The crucial challenges and future prospects of these SIB electrodes have elaborated in detail.

The review explores CuInP₂S₆, a promising 2D van der Waals material with remarkable ferroelectric properties and potential applications in neuromorphic computing and memory devices, summarizing its properties, device designs, and future challenges.

By loading photocatalytic MOF onto the separation membrane, the self-cleaning function of the membrane can be realized. This paper discusses the structure, synthesis, and properties of photocatalytic MOFs.

Promising cathode materials and advanced operando and in situ measurements to unveil their electrochemical behavior for sodium-ion batteries are comprehensively summarized.

The rising CO₂ levels stress the shift to sustainable sources, with electrolysis as a key technology for CO₂ removal and clean fuel. AI and ML advancements optimize electrocatalysts, enhancing water splitting and CO₂ reduction efficiency.

The rise in EM wave pollution creates a demand for effective absorptive materials. PPy is a promising conductive polymer, and PPy-based 2D nanocomposites show potential as effective EM wave absorbers.

This review provides a comprehensive analysis of recent advancements in MXene-based AIBs, with a particular emphasis on zinc-ion batteries.

This review systematically introduces the electrochemical methods for detecting lithium plating and provides an in-depth discussion on the relevant testing principles, advantages, and disadvantages.

Ionic liquids have further propelled the development of LMBs with their unique properties. In this review, the recent advances by regulating solvation and interfacial chemistry in IL-based electrolytes were systematically discussed.

Borocarbonitride (BCN) materials, as emerging metal-free catalysts, have garnered considerable interest owing to their abundance; their impressive pH tolerance; and the tunable capability of their B, N-doped carbon network and band structures.

This review presents recent advancements in direct optical lithography of nanomaterials, covering the technique's evolution, key patterning strategies, applications, and future research directions.

This review provides a comprehensive analysis of recent advances in green ammonia synthesis and its energy applications, with emphasis on innovations in production technology, storage and transport solutions, and their environmental impacts.

Converting CO₂ into hydrocarbons could mitigate the greenhouse effect and address energy crises. Metal nanocluster materials are well-suited for photocatalytic CO₂ reduction.

This review summarizes recent innovations in strategies and mechanisms for fabricating UV-blocking polymers and composites.

Direct regeneration, representing the most advanced technique, is capable of healing spent cathodes under nondestructive condition. This review aims at pushing forward the technical progress of direct regeneration for spent LiNi_xCo_yMn_zO₂ cathodes.

Due to their cost efficiency and the sustainable availability of sodium resources, sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are regarded as an economical alternative or additional choice to the well-established lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), particularly within extensive energy storing configurations.

Schematic illustration demonstrating various approaches to enhance the electrochemical performance of carbon nanofiber electrode materials.

The characteristics of interphase formation between ionic liquid-based electrolytes and various electrodes are reviewed to support the development of improved electrolyte designs for lithium-based batteries.

Machine learning, as a significant branch of artificial intelligence, shortens the cycle of material discovery and synthesis by exploring the characteristics of data.

Degradation phenomena in different components (cathode, anode, current collectors (CCs)) of mono- and divalent metal-based batteries affect their performance.

Ultrathin 2D membranes were assembled by graphene and MXene nanosheets for separation to overcome the “trade-off” limitation between permeability and selectivity.

Regulation strategies for zinc anode ion deposition.

The application of sustainable energy-driven electrocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO₂RR) technology enables the synthesis of valuable chemicals and feedstocks.

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆) is an artificial inert gas widely used in the power and semiconductor industries and is known to be a significant contributor to the greenhouse effect due to its high global warming potential.

Quantum dot solar cells (QDSCs) have excellent optoelectronic properties but face challenges in performance and stability. This review highlights advances in organic conjugated materials to improve QDSC performance and outlines key design principles.

NASICON potential unlocked: first-principles calculations guide doping for sodium ion battery advancement.

This review analyzes the advantages of self-supported one-dimensional core/shell nanostructures (SS1DCSNs) for electrochromic applications and provides an in-depth examination of current literature on WO₃-based SS1DCSNs.

This review highlights the recent progress of medium-entropy and high-entropy hydroxides for hybrid supercapacitors. Key synthesis methods and strategies are discussed. Challenges and prospects for these materials are also addressed.

We briefly introduce the four core effects of HEAs and various regulatory strategies for HEA catalysts. This will help scholars further understand the advantages and flexibility of HEAs as catalysts.

MnO₂-based materials are excellent electrocatalysts for rechargeable zinc–air batteries due to their various advantages. The review comprehensively discusses four different strategies to enhance the electrocatalytic performance of MnO₂.

The microstructural, mechanical, wear & corrosion behaviours of gas-atomized HEA coatings obtained by various thermal spray techniques are explored. Diverse applications and current trends of HEA coatings are discussed.

A review of carbon-free electrocatalysts (CFECs) for high-current-density (HCD) acidic oxygen evolution reaction is presented, including the introduction of proton exchange membrane water electrolysis, along with recent advances and prospects in CFECs.

In this critical review, we present a comprehensive analysis of the advancements in RSC technology over the past decade, a fast-developing period, to further facilitate its practical applications in buildings.

This review provides an in-depth analysis of the key aspects related to in situ grown TMS electrodes, including the selection of TMS active materials, various substrates, and materials engineering.

This review covers the comprehensive information of basic water splitting electrolysis, catalyst manufacturing, performance enhancement strategies, and perspectives of transition metal phosphide electrocatalysts considering the recent studies.

Three electrolyte regulation methods, including electrolyte solvation structure regulation, EDL regulation, and SEI regulation, are discussed in detail. Each method targets a distinct aspect: bulk electrolyte, EDL electrolyte, and SEI, respectively.

We summarized the design strategies for photocatalysts to enhance CO₂ reduction and accepted pathways for selective photocatalytic CO₂ conversion.

First critical review paper on LIBs direct recycling strategies, covering a broader scope with the positive electrode, negative electrode, and electrolyte, while discussing the substantial challenges to their effective implementation.

We propose unifying strategies for the development of high-energy, low-cost, long-lasting olivine cathodes through atomic to electrode level engineering, focusing on: (1) high energy densities, (2) kinetics, and (3) structural stabilities.

This review emphasises the synergistic interaction in conducting polymer hybrids for boosted visible-light photocatalysis, focusing on enhancing optoelectronic properties.

This review summarized the latest research progress on HEICs and HECs, with a focus on phase structure prediction criteria and strengthening/toughening strategies, in order to accelerate their engineering applications.

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as a transformative class of materials, offering unprecedented versatility in applications ranging from energy storage to environmental remediation and photocatalysis.

Electrochemical CO₂ reduction is an emerging, promising method for CO₂ mitigation, optimizing current and faradaic efficiencies for effective conversion of CO₂ into solar fuel.