Themed collection Recent Review Articles


Promoting combined AFM-electrochemistry techniques for analysis of charge transport at grain boundaries of ceramic components in electrochemical cells
The differences between the transport properties of grain boundaries in polycrystalline oxides are widely discussed in the scientific community. AFM-based measurements are a good addition to the toolbox to characterize grain boundary characteristics.
RSC Appl. Interfaces, 2025,2, 620-633
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4LF00325J

Progress in cathode catalysts for rechargeable aprotic lithium–oxygen batteries
This review mainly provides an overview of the cathode catalyst progress in aprotic Li–O2 batteries. Notably, this review includes studies of new spinel oxide modulation strategies, high-entropy alloys, and new soluble catalysts for Li–O2 batteries.
RSC Appl. Interfaces, 2025, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5LF00153F

Recent advances in sulfurized polyacrylonitrile cathodes for lithium–sulfur batteries
Covalently bonded SPAN cathodes eliminate polysulfide shuttling and enable high stability in Li–S batteries. This review highlights structural designs, doping strategies, and electrolyte/binder innovations driving their practical advancement.
RSC Appl. Interfaces, 2025, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5LF00157A

Non-isocyanate polyurethane from bio-based feedstocks and their interface applications
Bio-based cyclic carbonates enable green NIPUs. This review surveys synthesis, waterborne/hybrid advances, challenges, and applications in coatings, adhesives, and biomedical fields.
RSC Appl. Interfaces, 2025, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5LF00160A

Ionic rectification via electrical double layer modulation at hydrogel interfaces
This review examines EDL modulation strategies for achieving ionic rectification in hydrogel, discuss the representative research work, prospect the development of EDL in hydrogel-based iontronics and emphasize the opportunities and challenges.
RSC Appl. Interfaces, 2025,2, 873-896
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5LF00098J

Charge carrier dynamics in semiconductor–cocatalyst interfaces: influence on photocatalytic activities
Electron transfer dynamics at semiconductor–cocatalyst interfaces are critical for efficient solar fuel generation, including water splitting, pollutant degradation, CO2 reduction, and N2 fixation.
RSC Appl. Interfaces, 2025,2, 573-598
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5LF00044K

Surface modification of MOFs towards flame retardant polymer composites
Methods for modifying the surface structure of MOFs are categorized and flame-retardant effects of various modification techniques are examined, emphasizing the development of MOF surface morphology and its compatibility with the polymer matrix.
RSC Appl. Interfaces, 2025,2, 14-24
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4LF00252K

Porous carbons: a class of nanomaterials for efficient adsorption-based hydrogen storage
This review provides an overview of porous carbon materials and their hydrogen storage properties with insight on strategic improvement by structural and chemical modifications and current trends of using machine learning and lifecycle assessment.
RSC Appl. Interfaces, 2025,2, 25-55
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4LF00215F
About this collection
This collection from RSC Applied Interfaces publishes review articles on topics across applied materials science. Reviews will be added to this webpage as soon as possible after publication.