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Aqueous zinc‐ion batteries (AZIBs) suffer from rampant Zn dendrites growth, corrosion and sluggish transport kinetics, all of which have a serious impact on their performance and practical applications. Therefore, porous carbon nanofibers (BTO@PCNFs) loaded with BaTiO3 nanoparticles (BTO NPs) are constructed as a multifunctional interlayer for stabilizing the Zn anodes. Owing to the synergistic effect of BTO NPs and 3D porous carbon framework, this interlayer can achieve uniform electric field distribution, accelerate Zn2+ migration, and promote ion flux homogenization, thus leading to uniform Zn deposition. Meanwhile, the BTO@PCNFs interlayer demonstrates excellent anti‐corrosion effect, which can effectively prevent the side reactions. Benefiting from the synergistic effect of interlayers, the BTO@PCNFs multifunctional interlayers achieve a comprehensive optimization of the Zn anodes. The BTO@PCNFs‐Zn electrode exhibits lower nucleation overpotential (33.5 mV) at 0.5 mA cm−2. The Zn//Zn symmetrical cell with BTO@PCNFs interlayer exhibits ultra‐low overpotential (14 mV) and ultra‐long cycle life (5250 h at 0.5 mA cm−2). Even at high current density (30 mA cm−2), the BTO@PCNFs‐Zn electrode can be stably cycled for more than 830 h, achieving an ultra‐high cumulative capacity of 12 450 mAh cm−2. The multifunctional interlayers can provide a reference for the design of high‐performance Zn anodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The undesirable side reactions and uncontrolled deposition leads to the electrochemical failure of Zn metal anodes. Herein, driven by theory calculations, a surface texture engineering and passivation layer protection dual‐interface strategy is developed. Benefiting from the complementary interface effect, such a dual‐interface can realize the integrated regulation of interfacial transport and deposition. That is, inhibiting water‐induced side reactions, accelerating the de‐solvation of hydrated zinc ions, homogenizing the ion flux, and guiding the Zn(002)‐preferred orientation deposition. As a result, such a dual‐interface modulated Zn electrode enables a significantly extended stability and a smaller nucleation barrier and polarization effect. Unexpectedly, it can steadily operate for 6600 h at 0.5 mA cm−2 and 0.5 mA h cm−2, corresponding to a lifespan >9 months. Highly reversible Zn plating and stripping can be still retained when the current density is improved up to 1, 5, 10, and even 20 mA cm−2. Beyond that, when it is applied to Zn metal batteries, enhanced rate capability, and cyclic stability can be realized in both aqueous Zn/MnO2 batteries and solid‐state Zn/VO2 batteries. This design concept of complementary interface effect is expected to provide a new insight into high reversibility Zn metal anodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sodium (Na) metal has been considered as the most promising anode for achieving next‐generation battery system with high energy density and low cost. Nevertheless, the uncontrolled dendrites growth, infinite volume expansion and unstable solid/electrolyte interphase severely hinder the practical application of Na metal anode. Herein, a functional composite Na anode (Na2Se/Cu@Na) is achieved via infusing molten Na into the porous copper framework modified by cuprous selenide nanosheets. Combining experimental studies and theoretical calculations, the 3D framework and derivatives of Na2Se/Cu can synergistically buffer the volume expansion, redistribute Na+ flux, promote ions migration, and induce uniform Na+ deposition. Benefiting from these merits, the symmetrical cell of Na2Se/Cu@Na demonstrates a stable cycle lifespan over 500 h at 1 mA cm−2 in carbonate electrolyte. And the full battery paired with Na3V2(PO4)3 cathode delivers a stable capacity of 97 mAh g−1 after 800 cycles at 10 C. Furthermore, this structured framework can also be employed to construct composite potassium (K) anode and an outstanding cycle performance is achieved in the symmetrical cell (operating for 1000 h at 0.5 mA cm−2). This study paves a significant way of designing structured Na (K) metal anodes for synergistically improving the electrode stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sluggish transport kinetics and rapid dendrite growth are considered the main obstacles that impair the performance of Zn metal batteries. This work has developed a unique strategy of dual‐interface engineering (DIE) to design the separator as efficient ions transport modulator. The dual function of spontaneous polarization effect and high zincophilicity of BaTiO3 (BTO) is revealed by combining the theoretical and experimental studies. Benefiting from the decoration of BTO on glass fiber and well filling of the surface interspace, the DIE‐modified separator can not only effectively capture and accelerate Zn2+ transport between the fiber–electrolyte interface, but also redistribute the ions transport into homogenization in the separator–anode interface. Therefore, the modified Zn anodes perform highly reversible Zn plating/stripping with ultrahigh cumulative capacity even up to 9500 mAh cm−2 at the high current density of 10 mA cm−2. Meanwhile, the modified Zn‐MnO2 battery can retain a specific capacity of 108 mAh g−1 after 1800 cycles at 1 A g−1. Furthermore, the capacity retention of the battery also can be improved from 37.5% up to 115% at 0.2 A g−1 after 100 cycles. Such a novel concept for separator engineering provides a new perspective to enable ultra‐stable Zn metal anodes and high‐performance Zn metal batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dendrite growth and parasitic side reactions are thorny issues that seriously damage the anode–electrolyte interface during Zn plating/stripping process, leading to uncontrollable Zn deposition and restraining application of aqueous Zn‐ion batteries (AZIBs). Here, a unique facile strategy to in situ build indium (In) metal interphase on the Zn anode is first proposed. The combination of experimental and theoretical investigations demonstrate that such metallic interphase prevents the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and Zn corrosion, and guides preferential growth along the Zn(002) plane to achieve smooth Zn deposition. As a result, the modified Zn anodes achieve the ultrahigh cumulative capacities of 5600 and 5000 mAh cm−2 at the high current densities of 2 and 5 mA cm−2, respectively, demonstrating an ultrastable plating/stripping behavior. More encouragingly, the rate performance and cyclic stability of the Zn–V2O5 battery with the electrolyte additive can still deliver a specific capacity of 383.6 mAh g−1 after 5000 cycles at the high current density of 5 A g−1. The strategy presented here as well as the in‐depth understanding of modified mechanism can not only provide an effective solution to address the Zn anode concerns, but also deepen the understanding of AZIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the impetus to accelerate worldwide market adoption of electrical vehicles and afford consumer electronics with better user experience, advancing fast-charging technology is an inevitable trend. However, current high-energy lithium-ion batteries are unable to support ultrafast power input without any adverse consequences, with the capacity fade and safety concerns of the mainstream graphite-based anodes being the key technological barrier. The aim of this review is to summarise the fundamentals, challenges, and solutions to enable graphite anodes that are capable of high-rate charging. First, we explore the complicated yet intriguing graphite–electrolyte interface during intercalation based on existing theories. Second, we analyse the key dilemmas facing fast-charging graphite anodes. Finally, some promising strategies proposed during the past few years are highlighted so as to outline current trends and future perspectives in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • LSFT is used as anode electrocatalyst for hydrocarbon fueled SOFC. • LSFT shows good electro-activity toward CH 4 direct oxidation. • LSFT keeps stable in H 2 fuel with different H 2 S contents up to 750 ppm for 24 h. • LSFT presents a good carbon deposition tolerance. Abstract Efficient and direct utilization of hydrocarbon fuel in a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFCs) is highly desirable. However, the carbon deposition and contaminants poisoning issue should be overcome. In this work, we developed a titanium-doped (La,Sr)FeO 3 ceramic oxide (LSFT) anode which integrates the advantage of high durability of titanate perovskite and super electrocatalytic activity of ferrite-based perovskite for methane-fueled SOFCs with H 2 S impurity. Its electrocatalytic activity and operational durability in H 2 with various H 2 S contents and humidified CH 4 fuel were systematically investigated. We found that the LSFT perovskite oxide anode showed acceptable activity and durability toward methane direct oxidation, and excellent coke and sulfur tolerance up to 750 ppm, making it a promising electrocatalyst for direct use of hydrocarbon fuels such as natural gas in high-temperature SOFCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• High-performance heterostructure MoS 2 @SnS-QDs/CNN anode material is facile prepared. • The synergistic coupling effect among the different components is clearly revealed. • MoS 2 @SnS-QDs/CNN displays high discharge performance and excellent cycle stability. • The Li+ ions storage mechanism is investigated by in-situ XRD, ex-site XPS/SEM. • A full cell is also successfully fabricated to study the practical application. Transition metal sulfides have high abundance and large theoretical capacities are considered to be an effective candidate for advanced electrodes of lithium ion batteries (LIBs). Here, a large-scale and controllable method was used in synthesizing ultrathin MoS 2 nanosheets anchored on 3D hierarchical nanohybrids with SnS quantum dots, which are decorated on a carbon nanosheet network (MoS 2 @SnS-QDs/CNN). The 3D cross-linked carbon nanosheet not only could prevent SnS from being directly exposed to the electrolyte but also retained the structural stability of the electrode. Moreover, the MoS 2 nanosheets exposed active sites to carry lithium ions. A heterojunction was formed at the interface owing to the close contact between molybdenum disulfide and SnS and greatly increased charge carrying and lithium storage capacities. Benefiting from these structural advantages, the MoS 2 @SnS-QDs/CNN electrodes showed outstanding electrochemical and long-term cycling performance owing to their unique structures and amazing synergies. As a half-cell anode material, MoS 2 @SnS-QDs/CNN-2 provided a reversible capacity of 713 mAh g−1 after 1000 cycles at a current density of 2 A g−1. When assembled into a full battery, it still provided 491 mAh g−1 at a current density of 1 A g−1 after 100 cycles. At the same time, a small LED bulb was lit for a while. This advanced material has great potential in other applications, such as supercapacitors, catalysis, and sensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]