In article number 2000368, Wu Xu and co-workers report the fabrication of an advanced localized high-concentration electrolyte with a high oxidation potential over 4.9 V. This electrolyte enables formation of ultrathin, uniform, robust and conductive electrode/electrolyte interphases on both graphite anodes and Ni-rich cathodes. Gr||NMC811 cells using this electrolyte in a range of 2.5–4.4 V achieve excellent long-term cycling stability at 25 and 60 °C, fast-charging/discharging rate capabilities, and superior low-temperature discharge performance down to −30 °C.

In article number 2000081, Zhong-Shuai Wu and co-workers present a novel 2D heterostructure of ultrathin amorphous V₂O₅ uniformly grown on graphene for high-safe, high-capacity and long-life aqueous zinc-ion batteries. Such 2D heterostructures with strong synergy provide an effective strategy for the construction of safe, high-performance energy storage devices.

This review is focused on the quantitative assessment of the rate-limiting factors in metal-ion intercalation processes. Cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry, and impedance spectroscopy electrochemical methods are suggested for the detailed diagnostics of the rate limitations induced by slow ionic diffusion, charge transfer, ion desolvation in the vicinity of the electrode/electrolyte interphase, and new phase nucleation.

This review is aimed at a comprehensive discussion of sodium storage materials, including anodes and sodium-free cathodes. Fabrication methods, operating mechanisms and performance merits, are a particular focus, with special attention paid to current controversies.

2D amorphous V₂O₅/graphene heterostructures are demonstrated for highly-safe aqueous zinc ion batteries. Notably, the stacked zinc ion batteries exhibit unprecedented capacity of 489 mAh g⁻¹ and exceptional rate capability with a capacity of 123 mAh g⁻¹ even at 70 A g⁻¹, while the planar zinc ion batteries display high volumetric capacity, long-term cyclability, remarkable flexibility, and integration.

Hydroxyl-rich MXene Ti₃C₂T_x quantum dots (Ti₃C₂OH QDs) are rationally designed for electrochemical nitrogen fixation. This material possesses increased active sites (Ti-edge) and optimized surface functional groups (OH) based on the computational effort. The electrocatalyst exhibits high performance and excellent selectivity synchronously with the NH₃ yield and Faradaic efficiency of 62.94 µg h⁻¹ mg⁻¹_cat. And 13.30% at −0.50 V, respectively.

Advanced localized high-concentration electrolytes are developed to inhibit Ni dissolution and particle cracking in high-Ni (≥0.8) LiNi_xMn_yCo_1−x−yO₂ cathode materials when cycling under 4.4 V through formation of uniform, robust, and conductive electrode/electrolyte interfaces, thus enabling excellent long-term cycling stability in a wide-temperature range, superior fast-charging and fast-discharging capabilities, and superior low-temperture performance when compared to conventional electrolytes.

Different concentrations of iridium complexes are introduced into the conjugated backbone of polymer donor PM6 (PM6-Ir0), this strategy can rationally modify the molecular aggregations, effectively control the blend morphology and physical mechanisms, and finally improve the photovoltaic performance. This work affords an effective approach for further breakthroughs in the reported champion power conversion efficiency of polymer solar cells.

Herein, a novel precursor (HCOOCs and HPbX₃) for deposition of high-quality CsPbI₂Br films, irrespective of humidity is presented. CsPbI₂Br cells prepared in an atmosphere with 30% and 91% relative humidity exhibit efficiencies of 16.1% and 15.1%, respectively, which are the highest among all inorganic CsPbX₃ (X: I, Br, or mixed halides) PSCs prepared in a medium or high humid atmosphere.

Despite the nonconducting nature of platelet-ordered mesoporous silica (pOMS) as a host for sulfur, a pOMS/S composite cathode affords higher reversibility of polysulfides and much less loss of active sulfur during long-term cycle with outstanding low fading rate. These properties greatly improve both the sulfur utilization efficiency and the cycle performance of Li–S cells.

Beyond traditional engineering strategies regarding intrinsic site activity and site amount, the reactive ion supply is herein strengthened to improve oxygen evolution reaction performance. This technique is based on expedited ion transport kinetics via precisely designed 3D holey-graphene architecture as a catalyst-loading platform, which indicates a synergistic modulation of catalytic performance from both supply side and consumer side.

In situ optical spectroscopy during two-step deposition of narrow bandgap Pb–Sn hybrid perovskite films reveals the film formation kinetics. Homogeneous crystallization and passivation of iodide vacancies on the perovskite surface gives solar cells with a power conversion efficiency of 16.1% at a bandgap of 1.23 eV.

The intermediates and final products produced at the VS₂ cathode during the discharging/charging processes in alkali metal-ion batteries are identified. VS₂ enables partially irreversible Li⁺ storage and wholly reversible storage of Na⁺/K⁺. A more complex phase transition process and the highest energy barrier for the diffusion of Na⁺ in sodium-ion batteries than the other two systems are discovered.

A 2D arranged globular Au nanosphere array in a highly ordered hexagonal pattern is introduced onto the surface of metal oxide films via a facile transfer-printing process to achieve high-efficiency photoelectrochemical water oxidation through plasmon-induced resonance energy transfer. The amplified electric field suppresses the charge recombination with long-lived photogenerated holes and simultaneously enhances the light harvesting and charge transfer efficiencies.

A hybrid membrane is developed with superhydrophilic TiO₂ nanotubes dispersed in a Nafion matrix. The nanotubes block and elongate ion diffusion pathways. The sulfonic acid groups of the matrix bond to the TiO₂ and align on nanotube surface. The vanadium redox flow battery with the membrane exhibits a discharge capacity retention of 55.7% after 1400 cycles (over 518 h).

A double-shelled hollow nanocage decorated with cobalt nitride embedded in nitrogen-doped carbon is employed as the cathode for lithium sulfur batteries. Cobalt nitride efficiently catalyzes polysulfide conversion. The porous and hollow structure facilitates physiochemical polysulfide adsorption, and effectively accommodates volume expansion. As a result, the shuttle of polysulfide in lithium sulfur batteries is greatly suppressed.

The research philosophy of mechanical regulation triboelectric nanogenerator with controllable output performance for harvesting random energy is proposed for the first time. Through the combination of the energy storage structure and the control switch structure, the controllable output of triboelectric nanogenerator under random excitation is achieved. Furthermore, a thermometer and more than 300 LEDs are powered by a mechanical regulation triboelectric nanogenerator.