Themed collection Editor’s Choice: Zaiping Guo

Catalytic approaches to enhance PEMFC performances are introduced, especially focusing on the studies reporting MEA cell data.

Different strategies of SEI engineering such as modification, additive application, and artificial SEI for electrolyte are summarized. Characterization techniques for SEI studies using X-ray, neutron, and electron as probing beams are discussed.

We evaluate the improvements over the past two decades in intrinsic activity of electrocatalysts for sustainable energy conversion, and highlight opportunities from tuning the electrolyte.

This Perspective summarizes and highlights the recent progress and milestones relating to the active site engineering of single atom carbonous electrocatalysts for enhancing the electrocatalytic oxygen reduction reaction activity.

A review of the physicochemical properties of single-ion conducting polymer electrolytes is presented. The standard characterization method, remarkable electrochemical properties and perspectives are further highlighted.

In this perspective, we make a systematic summary and give out our comments on constructing nitrided interfaces for stabilizing Li metal electrodes.

This perspective links the synthesis of MOF Gels to the formation of MOF-monoliths and their resultant properties and application.

The progress over the last decade in the applications of first row d-block metal, especially iron, cobalt, copper and zinc, coordination compounds in redox shuttles and sensitizers in dye-sensitized solar cells is reviewed.

Single-atom catalysts are reviewed, aiming to achieve optimized properties to boost electrochemical performances of high-energy batteries.

Influence of synthesis and processing on the nature of ultimate product and the ionic transport properties of superionic conductors.

Hollow red cell-like Na₂Ti₃O₇/nitrogen-doped carbon are synthesized by a template-self strategy.

A high-performance all-solid-state PEO/NaTFSI/Na₃SbS₄ electrolyte for sodium batteries is realized owing to the electrostatic interaction between TFSI⁻ in the salt and Na₃SbS₄, which immobilizes TFSI⁻ anions and promotes the dissociation of NaTFSI.

Thermal annealing of polyacrylonitrile results in the formation of conjugated imine domains. When of sufficient size, these conjugated domains can be electrochemically activated to exhibit both electronic and ionic conductivity.

Active-material solubility is critical in determining NRFB energy density, yet a predictive model accounting for solid-state cohesion energy has remained elusive. Herein we present such, based on an empirically calibrated computational framework.

The different roles of the anion, cyclic and linear carbonates, and additive in mixed-carbonate electrolytes are revealed. The anion–solvent exchange mechanism and factors influencing the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) formation are deciphered.

Self-assembled organic nanosheets (SONs) having a near-atomic thickness (∼4.5 nm) are obtained through exfoliation. Among two positional isomers of the guanidinium-core analogue used for SONs, one shows greatly improved Li⁺ ion conductivity.

Highly pure K₆(VO)₂(V₂O₃)₂(PO₄)₄(P₂O₇), synthesized from the oxalatophosphate precursor, demonstrates a reversible potassium extraction/insertion capacity of 59 mA h g⁻¹ with a single discharge voltage plateau at 4.0 V at room temperature.

An interlayer product of oxygen reduction with Ca²⁺/TBA⁺ yields a quasi-reversible oxygen evolution reaction by inducing a trapped interfacial redox process.

Interfacial electrolyte reactions in the pores of a photoanode consume electrons. The losses are offset by compensating solution-phase reactions that generate I⁻ locally, and promote efficient dye cycling and photocurrent generation.

Involvement of dimethyl carbonate and trifluoromethanesulfonate anions in a hybrid aqueous electrolyte enables the formation of a new Zn²⁺-solvation structure and a ZnF₂–ZnCO₃-rich interphase that stabilizes the Zn battery chemistry.

We demonstrate aqueous Li⁺ intercalation chemistry of vanadyl phosphate in the form of monohydrates, which are only stable in an optimal water-concentration environment.

Nernstian signatures and swift voltammetry at graphene electrodes help elucidate alkali ion (co-)intercalation.

A zinc sulfonated covalent organic framework is presented as a new single-ion conducting electrolyte for aqueous rechargeable Zn-ion batteries.

Stability and compatibility between chemical components are essential parameters that need to be considered in the selection of functional materials in configuring a system.

The stability of water-in-salt electrolyte systems is investigated using highly concentrated solutions of KF(aq) with graphite as a model system.

Indoor light harvesters enable machine learning on fully autonomous IoT devices at 2.72 × 10¹⁵ photons per inference.

A new cationic PEDOT derivative inhibits repulsion phenomena within iodine-based electrolytes, boosting the efficiency of aqueous solar cells.

A spiropyran functionalized metal–organic framework is presented, allowing to photomodulate the aqueous proton conductivity by two orders of magnitude.