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There is growing interest in the fundamental understanding of the voltage decay mechanism in Li-excess layered cathode materials. Here, the authors report a multilateral and macroscopic analysis that considers interaction between oxygen and atomic arrangement of Li_1+xNi_yCo_zMn_{1−x−y−z}O₂.

Single-crystalline layered oxides are much sought after as they offer high-performance promises in batteries. Here the authors report a facile and scalable planetary centrifugal mixing technique—aided by eutectic lithium salts—that enables the growth of high-quality single-crystalline cathode materials.

The rational design of inexpensive and durable oxygen reduction catalysts may lead to enhanced fuel cell performance. Here, the authors report a bio-inspired catalyst in which hybridization of iron 3delectrons with a carbon nanotube alters its electronic structure and improves catalytic performance.

Silicon-based anodes are a promising alternative to the graphite anodes that are widely used in today’s commercial batteries. Here the authors report a synthesis route for silicon anodes consisting of subnanometre-sized particles and demonstrate their use in an unusual large-scale battery pack system.

Although ruthenium nanomaterials have proven to be effective catalysts for H₂ evolution, there is still room for activity improvements. Here, authors develop an efficient Ru/HfO₂ electrocatalyst with tuned Ru-O-Hf bonds and oxygen vacancies that shows high activities for alkaline H₂ evolution.

Interface architecture generated from electrolyte additives is a key element for high performance lithium-ion batteries. Here, the authors present that a stable and spatially deformable solid electrolyte interphase mitigates interfacial degradation of Si-embedded anodes and Ni-rich cathodes.

Coating is commonly used to improve electrode performance in batteries, but it is challenging to achieve and maintain complete coverage of electrode particles during cycling. Here the authors present a coating-and-infusion approach on Ni-rich cathodes that effectively retards stress corrosion cracking.

Water oxidation is considered the bottleneck reaction for light-driven water splitting due to the sluggish kinetics and poor stability. Here, authors show metal- and heteroatom-doped carbons as effective catalysts for both electrochemical and photoelectrochemical water splitting.

It is desirable to develop fast-charging batteries retaining high energy density. Here, the authors report a hybrid anode via incorporation of an implanted amorphous silicon nanolayer and edge-plane-activated graphite, which meets both criteria.

Aluminum-air batteries are lightweight and cost effective, but performance is limited by corrosion and solid by-products. Here the authors catalyze oxygen reduction with silver manganate nanoplates and develop an aluminum-air flow battery that delivers high energy density and alleviates side reactions.

Maintaining the structural stability during electrochemical cycling remains a big challenge facing the silicon anode material. Here, the authors have developed 2D silicon nanosheets coated with carbon layers, which show a unique mechanism in releasing internal stress by forming ripple structures.

Here the authors show a pore-coordinated rational design to enable a Si hybrid anode that exhibits minimized electrode swelling comparable to conventional graphite and therefore high volumetric capacity and energy density.

Silicon has long been recognized as a high-energy battery electrode but its commercialization faces significant barriers. Here the authors report scalable synthesis of silicon-nanolayer-embedded graphite electrodes that display cycling stability at the industrial electrode density.

In lithium-ion batteries the interactions between the electrode and electrolyte represent a complex but critical process. Here the authors reveal the dynamic behaviour of interphases driven by conductive carbon through chemical and imaging analyses of a model transition-metal oxide cathode material.

Substantial gaps exist between laboratory innovations and practical applications of Si-based batteries. Here the authors survey critical factors that hinder the development of practical Si-based anodes and propose testing protocols to evaluate laboratory innovations.

Flow-battery technologies open a new age of large-scale electrical energy-storage systems. This Review highlights the latest innovative materials and their technical feasibility for next-generation flow batteries.