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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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 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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

Overview of the structure and performance of organic framework materials applied in 2e⁻ ORR electrocatalysis.

A pictographic representation of recent developments in sensors and biosensors made with MXene–polymers composites.

In this review, electrospun nanofiber-based humidity sensors are comprehensively summarized according to material types, device types/working mechanisms and emerging applications.

This work introduces the selection and preparation of DACs for the 2 + 1e⁻ ORR EF process and concludes with a discussion on challenges and future directions for the intelligent design of electrodes and reactors in EF purification technologies.

This manuscript comprehensively reviews the recent advancements in Cu-based atomic site catalysts in the NO₃RR, following a sequential order with six sections: Introduction, Mechanism, Cu-based SACs, Cu-based SAAs, Cu-based DACs, and Perspectives.

In this review, we highlight the design processes and latest advances in metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) leveraged as electrocatalysts for the nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR).

The latest progress of Cu MOF-based electrocatalysts (Cu-based MOFs, Cu-based MOF composites, and Cu-based MOF derivatives) for the CO₂RR to C₂₊ products was discussed with a focus on strategies and mechanisms for enhancing catalytic performance.

Dual-atom catalysts (DACs) have emerged as highly promising and efficient catalysts for water electrolysis, primarily due to their distinct dual-atom site effects.

This review presents the recent advances in quaternary copper-based sulfides and their derivatives for solar hydrogen evolution, with an emphasis on the structure–function correlation.

Silver nanowire networks, coated with metal oxides, are extensively studied from a fundamental perspective. This review summarizes their integration into various applications and guides metal oxide selection based on specific device requirements.

Here in this review, we systematically analyze the design principles of MXene hydrogels for next-generation wearable sensors. Emphasis is placed on multiple wearable sensors based on MXene electrical/mechanical enhancement in the hydrogel network.

The origins and effects of defects in kesterite absorbers as well as commonly used defect characterization and passivation techniques are summarized, and critical insights toward high-efficiency CZTSSe solar cells are presented.

This review captures the state-of-the-art carbon fibre-based electrodes and outlines the required research for them to deliver improvements in electrochemical and mechanical performance of structural batteries in future electrified transport.

Regulation strategies for zinc anode ion deposition.