Chevrel Phase Mo₆X₈ Materials for Sustainable Energy Storage and Conversion: From Multivalent Batteries to Electrocatalysis

Abstract

Chevrel Phase compounds, distinguished by their archetypal Mo₆X₈ (X = S, Se, Te) cluster-centric crystal frameworks, have emerged as compelling candidates for a spectrum of advanced electrochemical and catalytic applications. Their intrinsic structural pliability, superior electronic transport properties, and exceptional capacity for the reversible intercalation of a wide array of cations, including multivalent species such as Mg²⁺ underscore their potential as highperformance electrode materials in next-generation lithium, sodium, and magnesium-ion battery technologies. Beyond conventional energy storage paradigms, these materials exhibit pronounced multifunctionality, enabling their deployment in supercapacitive systems, photocatalytic hydrogen evolution, electrocatalytic water splitting, and light-activated antimicrobial platforms. This review articulates a critical synthesis of contemporary advancements in synthetic methodologies, electrochemical performance metrics, and the prevailing material and system-level limitations confronting Chevrel Phase deployment. Strategic avenues for performance enhancement are examined, encompassing morphological tailoring, hybrid composite engineering, electrolyte modulation, and interface-specific modifications, underpinned by insights from state-of-the-art characterization protocols and multiscale computational simulations. Prospective directions are delineated with an emphasis on environmentally benign synthesis routes, integration into flexible and wearable electronic architectures, and the rational design of novel Chevrel-derived frameworks. By consolidating recent progress and identifying unresolved challenges, this article endeavors to provide a cogent foundation for steering future research trajectories toward the scalable and sustainable implementation of Chevrel Phase materials in advanced energy conversion and storage technologies.