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2025年 第8卷 第3期    刊出日期：2025-09-20

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Organic Electrode Materials for Lithium/Sodium/Potassium-Ion Batteries: Synthesis, Characterizations, Functional Mechanisms, and Performance Validation

Wenrui Wei, Chenrui Zhang, Xianxia Yuan, Jiujun Zhang

2025, 8(3):  13.  doi:10.1007/s41918-025-00250-3

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Organic electrode materials (OEMs) with cost-effectiveness, environment friendliness, tunable composition, structure diversity, and versatile functionalities can provide a great scope for the development of alkali metal-ion batteries (AMIBs) including lithium-, sodium-, and potassium-ion batteries. However, their high solubility in liquid organic electrolytes, low intrinsic conductivities, limited reversible capacities, and poor rate/cycling performance present significant obstacles to achieving widespread applications. To improve the practical performance of OEMs in AMIBs, numerous endeavors have been conducted in recent years, and great advances have been achieved. In this paper, the recent progress of OEMs in AMIBs is systematically reviewed in terms of their synthesis, characterization, functional mechanisms, and performance validation. The technical challenges are analyzed, and the perspectives and future research directions are proposed for overcoming the challenges toward the practical application of alkali metal-ion batteries.



Valuation of Anode Materials for High-Performance Lithium Batteries: From Graphite to Lithium Metal and Beyond

Muhammad Mominur Rahman, Umair Nisar, Ali Abouimrane, Ilias Belharouak, Ruhul Amin

2025, 8(3):  14.  doi:10.1007/s41918-025-00249-w

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Lithium-ion batteries have revolutionized energy storage, yet advanced technologies such as electric vehicles and eVTOLs demand even higher performance and safety. Anodes, the negative electrodes, are crucial in enhancing batteries’ safety, lifespan, and fast-charging capabilities. This review paper comprehensively evaluates the progression of anode materials from traditional graphite to advanced anodes like lithium metal. Graphite anodes, with a capacity of 372 mAh g^?1, enabled the first commercial lithium-ion batteries, but future applications require higher energy densities and fast-charging capabilities. Emerging anode materials, including alloying, and conversion types, as well as lithium metal, offer significantly higher capacities, with lithium metal offering a theoretical capacity of 3 860 mAh g^?1. However, these advanced anodes face challenges such as volume expansion, high surface reactivity, sluggish Li⁺ kinetics, and unstable lithium deposition morphologies. This review critically examines the electrochemical performance, interfacial properties, mechanical attributes, and stability issues of various anode materials. It further discusses solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) formation, strategies for enhancing interface stability, and the requirements of anodes for solid-state batteries. Additionally, the review explores potential solutions for limitations with each anode type, highlights innovative anode-free architectures, and evaluates the current and future trends of battery anode industries. Ultimately, this paper aims to guide the development of high-performance anode materials, paving the way for the next generation of efficient, reliable lithium batteries.



Foundations, Design Strategies, and Further Considerations for High-Energy Al-S Batteries

Xuefeng Zhang, Yun Tong, Jialiang An, Fan Cheng, Zhuang Wu, Yihan Xue, Zheng Huang, Zhao Fang, Shuqiang Jiao

2025, 8(3):  15.  doi:10.1007/s41918-025-00251-2

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Aluminum-sulfur (Al-S) batteries have emerged as promising contenders in high-energy battery systems, have attracted significant research interest over the past decade because of their distinctive attributes, such as high capacity, high energy density, abundance, enhanced safety, and cost effectiveness, and have been rapidly developed. However, this novel energy conversion system still faces considerable challenges fundamentally attributed to the sluggish conversion kinetics induced by the inherent high charge density of Al³⁺ and to the severe shuttle effect. Increasing numbers of targeted strategies have significantly alleviated these issues. Nevertheless, an in-depth understanding and a systematic review to guide the enhancement of Al-S batteries are lacking. Hence, in this review, we first demonstrate the foundations of Al-S batteries, including their development history, fundamentals, crucial issues, and design principles. Subsequently, we present a comprehensive understanding and a discussion of the current strategies for different battery configurations. Finally, we offer some insights into crucial challenges and prospective solutions according to current developments, shedding some light on the future development of Al-S batteries.Aluminum-sulfur (Al-S) batteries are considered excellent candidates for future largescaleenergy storage technology because of their high capacity, high energy density,high safety, and low cost. This article reviews the key issues and challenges for Al-Sbatteries, providing a comprehensive summary and an analysis of the developmentstrategies for each battery component. Finally, this article offers practical strategies fordeveloping future high-performance conversion-type Al-S batteries, consideringopportunities and directions for their development.103



Engineering Cu-based Catalysts for CO₂ Electroreduction: from Catalyst Design to Practical Applications

Jianzhao Peng, Lidan Sun, Yongliang Li, Qianling Zhang, Xiangzhong Ren, Xifei Li, Jiujun Zhang, Xueliang Sun, Zhongxin Song, Lei Zhang

2025, 8(3):  16.  doi:10.1007/s41918-025-00248-x

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In the context of the global greenhouse effect and energy scarcity, it is of great significance to convert carbon dioxide (CO₂) into value-added fuels and chemicals through renewable electricity. Cu-based catalysts have been challenging for producing C₁ and C₂₊ high-value chemicals in electrochemical CO₂ reduction reaction (CO₂RR). Plenty of research groups have engaged in the development of Cu-based catalysts with high activity, selectivity, and stability. This review comprehensively summarizes the recent progress in engineering Cu-based catalysts for CO₂RR, with a detailed understanding of the reaction mechanism, catalyst design, and product selectivity. Besides, the strategies aiming at improving the stability of Cu-based catalysts and advancements in CO₂RR electrolyzers are addressed. Finally, the future important research directions of Cu-based catalysts in practical CO₂RR are prospected.



Fundamental Mechanisms, Synthesis Strategies and Key Challenges of Transition Metal Borides for Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution

Tongzhou Hong, Chengzhi Xiao, Jin Jia, Yuanyuan Zhu, Qiang Wang, Yu Liang, Xiao Wang, Bentian Zhang, Guang Zhu, Zhong-Shuai Wu

2025, 8(3):  17.  doi:10.1007/s41918-025-00255-y

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Owing to their unique electronic structures and metallic-like properties, transition metal borides (TMBs) have demonstrated activity and stability that surpass those of traditional catalysts in the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) of water splitting, becoming a research focus in the energy materials field. However, existing research generally lacks a systematic decoupling of the multidimensional correlation mechanisms of synthetic methods, structural regulation, and performance optimisation, severely restricting the rational design process of TMB catalysts. The aim of this review is to provide a cross-scale design paradigm for the development of high-performance TMB-based HER electrocatalysts by constructing a three-in-one analytical framework of theoretical guidance, synthetic innovation, and mechanism analysis. First, based on a fundamental understanding of the HER mechanism and d-band theory, we propose core principles for designing efficient catalysts. We review various synthetic methods, from traditional methods to innovative methods, and discuss their impact on catalytic performance. Through an in-depth analysis of the correlation between synthetic parameters and HER activity, valuable insights are provided for researchers seeking to optimise TMB-based electrocatalysts. Finally, this review highlights the current challenges and outlines future directions, emphasising the immense potential of TMB-based electrocatalysts in advancing sustainable hydrogen production.



Stimulating Efficiency for Proton Exchange Membrane Water Splitting Electrolyzers: From Material Design to Electrode Engineering

Yu Zhu, Fei Guo, ShunQiang Zhang, Zichen Wang, Runzhe Chen, Guanjie He, Xueliang Sun, Niancai Cheng

2025, 8(3):  18.  doi:10.1007/s41918-025-00252-1

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Proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers (PEMWEs) are a promising technology for large-scale hydrogen production, yet their industrial deployment is hindered by the harsh acidic conditions and sluggish oxygen evolution reaction (OER) kinetics. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of recent advances in iridium-based electrocatalysts (IBEs), emphasizing novel optimization strategies to enhance both catalytic activity and durability. Specifically, we critically examine the mechanistic insights into OER under acidic conditions, revealing key degradation pathways of Ir species. We further highlight innovative approaches for IBE design, including (i) morphology and support engineering to improve stability, (ii) structure and phase modulation to enhance catalytic efficiency, and (iii) electronic structure tuning for optimizing interactions with reaction intermediates. Additionally, we assess emerging electrode engineering strategies and explore the potential of non-precious metal-based alternatives. Finally, we propose future research directions, focusing on rational catalyst design, mechanistic clarity, and scalable fabrication for industrial applications. By integrating these insights, this review provides a strategic framework for advancing PEMWE technology through highly efficient and durable OER catalysts.In order to realize the efficient application of the industrial PEMWEs, material design strategies for stimulating the activity and stability capability of OER electrocatalysts are summarized, including (i) morphology/support effects, (ii) structure/phase engineering, (iii) electronic configuration/interaction. Furthermore, the reaction mechanism is deeply clarified, and electrode engineering and challenges of IBEs in practical PEMWE application are focused.



Interlayer Nanoarchitecture Modification of Layered Materials in Rechargeable Metal-Ion Batteries

Yuchen Wang, Huiyan Feng, Chengzhi Zhang, Quanbin Liu, Jun Tan, Chong Ye

2025, 8(3):  19.  doi:10.1007/s41918-025-00258-9

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In this new era of energy, a tendency to increase the power density and capacity of advanced rechargeable batteries is urgently needed. With research on metal-ion (Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Zn²⁺, Mg²⁺, and Al³⁺) batteries based on and beyond rocking-chair mechanism development, more attention has been given to modification of electrode materials. Layered materials, along with their two-dimensional (2D) analogs, show remarkable superiority in ion-intercalation chemistry and modification feasibility. In this context, extensive experimental and theoretical studies have been conducted in the design of interlayer nanoarchitectures to optimize their electrochemical performance. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the modification strategies for the interlayer nanostructure of layered materials, reveals the relationships between the inserted species and electrochemical performance, and offers guidance on the modification parameters for various metal-ion batteries. Finally, an outlook of the application potential, future research directions, and remaining challenges is provided. Overall, this review underscores the importance of material modification in achieving high-power density and high-capacity electrodes for batteries, paving the way for significant advancements in energy storage technology.