Low-concentration electrolytes hold significant potential for the development of cost-effective sodium-ion batteries (SIBs), whereas they face persistent challenges in sustaining the cycling stability of hard carbon anodes, especially under wide-temperature operation. This issue arises from the poorly controlled solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) formed in low-concentration electrolytes, typically featured by an inhomogeneous, fragile, and kinetically sluggish inorganic inner layer. Herein, we report a confined interfacial microenvironment design strategy by reconstructing a low-concentration ether electrolyte using a trace amount of anionic surfactant (sodium dodecyl sulfate, SDS). SDS is proposed to spontaneously adsorb and enrich at the hard carbon-electrolyte interface, creating a locally concentrated and confined interfacial microenvironment. Spectroscopic and electrochemical analyses indicate that this interfacial enrichment reshapes the local coordination/association environment of Na⁺ during interfacial transport and desolvation, thereby promoting anion-involved interphase formation. This generates a thin SEI composed of an inner-layer rich in inorganic NaF and Na₂S and an organic out-layer, achieving a rigid-flexible integrated interphase to mitigate high-temperature interfacial instability and low-temperature sluggish kinetics. Consequently, the assembled SIBs show an improved cycling stability from a low capacity retention of 47.61% after 250 cycles to a high value of 91.44% after 350 cycles and demonstrate wide-temperature adaptability ranging from −15 to 50 °C. This study provides a promising interfacial microenvironment design strategy to address the instability challenge of hard carbon for high-performance wide-temperature SIBs.

Single-atom catalysts (SACs) hold significant importance in catalysis due to their maximized atomic utilization efficiency, well-tuned active sites, and exceptional catalytic activity. However, their practical applications are hindered by the high cost of precursor materials and the complexity of sustainable synthesis. Biomass with diverse dimensions and chemical components has of potential to serve as a carbon substrate for the synthesis of high-performance SACs, which helps to promote the sustainable development for energy conversion, improve energy efficiency, and reduce environmental pollution. This review systematically introduces the synthesis methods, structure characterization techniques, and structure regulation strategies of biomass-based SACs (Bio-SACs). The recent advancements in Bio-SACs for energy conversion applications, including electrocatalysis, thermal catalysis, and photocatalysis, have been summarized. The challenges in the practical applications of Bio-SACs and the future research directions are highlighted with an emphasis on the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technologies in the design and fabrication of high-performance Bio-SACs.

Metal–organic framework (MOF)-derived porous carbon has attracted particular attention in the electrochemical energy storage field, of which the key is the design and preparation of electrode materials with adjustable porosity and defects for supercapacitors. Here, a novel strategy of coating ZIF-8 with coal tar pitch (CTP) is presented to tailor the porosity and defects of derived porous carbon, by which the inward contraction of ZIF-8 is prevented to enlarge the ultra-micropores, and the defects of ZIF-8-derived carbon are repaired to form a continuous conjugated network. The tradeoff between porosity and electrical conductivity endows this novel hard/soft carbon electrode with fast ion/electron diffusion, achieving high yet balanced capacitance and rate performance of a top-level specific area-normalized capacitance (40 μF cm⁻²) and a capacitance retention of 52.1% at a 1000-fold increased current density. Meanwhile, the novel electrode realizes a high capacitance of 704 F g⁻¹ at 1 A g⁻¹ and capacitance retention of 91.9% after 50000 cycles in KOH + PPD electrolyte. This study provides an effective approach to designing novel hard/soft carbon with tuned porosity and carbon defects from MOFs and CTP for supercapacitors and other metal-ion batteries.

Layered manganese dioxide (δ-MnO₂) is considered a promising ammonium ion capture electrode material for capacitive deionization (CDI) attributed to its high theoretical capacity and cost-effectiveness. Nevertheless, it continues to encounter challenges including rapid capacity degradation, structural instability, and Jahn–Teller effect. Herein, a crystal and electron synergistically regulation engineering strategy is proposed for the suppression of the Jahn–Teller effect and the improvement of ammonium ion storage dynamics in F doped MnO₂ (MnOF). The induced action of F ions transforms the MnO₂ structure from the original cubic [MnO₆] octahedron into an asymmetric [Mn(OF)₆] octahedron with electron redistribution, and generates a localized charge imbalance along the O–Mn–F pathway, which promotes electron transfer from Mn to F direction, accelerates electron transfer, and reduces the energy barrier of ammonium ion diffusion. As a result, the prepared MnOF exhibited a maximum salt adsorption capacity of 144.3 mg g⁻¹ and an exceptionally high salt adsorption rate of 18.25 mg g⁻¹ min⁻¹, along with outstanding cycling stability. Besides, ex/in situ characterizations reveal that in MnOF, the formation/breaking of hydrogen bond is accompanied by the insertion/deinsertion of NH₄⁺. Therefore, the rational introduction of highly electronegative anions provides a new direction for the development of advanced CDI electrode materials.

A deep understanding of the electricity generation mechanism from the interaction between water molecules and carbon material surfaces is attractive for next-generation water-based energy conversion and storage systems. Herein, an asymmetric generator was assembled based on functionalized carbon nanotubes films to investigate the relative contribution from various oxygen functional groups on carbon surface to the water-electrical performance. Experiments and calculations demonstrate that the electricity mainly originates from the water molecule adsorption by carboxyl groups and dissociation of functional groups on carbon surface, which leads to the formation of electrical double layers at interfaces. This device allows the electricity generation with a variety of water sources, such as deionized water, tap water, as well as seawater. In particular, the generator based on carboxyl carbon nanotubes can induce a voltage of over 200 mV spontaneously in natural seawater with the power density of about 0.11 mW·g⁻¹. High voltages can be achieved easily through the series-connection strategy to power electronic products such as a liquid crystal display. This work reveals the dominant role of carboxyl groups in carbon-based water–electricity conversion and is expected to offer inspiration for the preparation of carbon materials with high electrical performance.

Solar-driven interfacial evaporation (SDIE) is emerging as a promising pathway to solving the worldwide water shortage and water pollution. Nanomaterials (e.g., plasmonic metals, inorganic/organic semiconductors, and carbon nanomaterials) and related nanochemistry have attracted increasing attention for the solar-to-vapor process in terms of broadband absorption, electronic structure adjustment, and surface/interface chemistry manipulation. Furthermore, the assembly of nanomaterials can contribute to the mass transfer, heat management, and enthalpy regulation of water during solar evaporation. To date, numerous nano-enabled materials and structures have been developed to improve the solar absorption, heat management (i.e., heat confinement and heat transfer), and water management (i.e., activation, evaporation, and replenishment). In this review, we focus on a systematical summary about the composition and structure engineering of nanomaterials in SDIE, including size and morphology effects, nanostructure optimizations, and structure-property relationship decoupling. This review also surveys recent advances in nanochemistry (e.g., preparation chemistry and structural chemistry) deployed to conceptual design of nanomaterials. Finally, the key challenges and future perspectives of nanomaterials for solar evaporation are overviewed. This review aims at providing guidance for the design and construction of nanomaterials for high-efficiency SDIE on the basis of the aspects of materials science and chemical engineering.

It is highly desirable for the promising sodium storage possessing high rate and long stable capability, which are mainly hindered by the unstable yet conventional solvent-derived organic-rich solid electrolyte interphases. Herein, an electrolyte solvation chemistry is elaborately manipulated to produce an enhanced anion-derived and inorganic components-dominated solid electrolyte interphases by introducing a low permittivity (4.33) bis(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl) ether diluent into the sodium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide-dimethoxyethane-based high concentration electrolyte to obtain a localized high concentration electrolyte. The bis(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl) ether breaks the balance of original cation solvation structure and tends to interact with Na⁺-coordinated dimethoxyethane solvent rather than Na⁺ in high concentration electrolyte, leaving an enhanced Coulombic interaction between Na⁺ and (FSO₂)₂N⁻, and more (FSO₂)₂N⁻ can enter the Na⁺ solvation shell, forming a further increased number of Na⁺-(FSO₂)₂N⁻-dimethoxyethane clusters (from 82.0% for high concentration electrolyte to 94.3% for localized high concentration electrolyte) at a low salt dosage. The preferential reduction of this (FSO₂)₂N⁻-enriched clusters rather than the dimethoxyethane-dominated Na⁺ solvation structure produces an enhanced anion-derived and inorganic components-dominated solid electrolyte interphases. The reversible charge storage process of Na is decoupled by operando Raman along with a shift of D and G peaks. Benefiting from the enhanced anion-derived electrode-electrolyte interface, the commercial hard carbon anode in localized high concentration electrolyte shows a well rate capability (5 A g⁻¹, 70 mAh g⁻¹), cycle performance and stability (85% of initial capacity after 700 cycles) in comparison to that of high concentration electrolyte (68%) and low concentration electrolyte (only 5% after 400 cycles), indicative of uniqueness and superiorities towards stable Na storage.

Metal–organic framework (MOF)-derived carbon composites have been considered as the promising materials for energy storage. However, the construction of MOF-based composites with highly controllable mode via the liquid–liquid synthesis method has a great challenge because of the simultaneous heterogeneous nucleation on substrates and the self-nucleation of individual MOF nanocrystals in the liquid phase. Herein, we report a bidirectional electrostatic generated self-assembly strategy to achieve the precisely controlled coatings of single-layer nanoscale MOFs on a range of substrates, including carbon nanotubes (CNTs), graphene oxide (GO), MXene, layered double hydroxides (LDHs), MOFs, and SiO₂. The obtained MOF-based nanostructured carbon composite exhibits the hierarchical porosity (V_meso/V_micro: 2.4), ultrahigh N content of 12.4 at.% and “dual electrical conductive networks.” The assembled aqueous zinc-ion hybrid capacitor (ZIC) with the prepared nanocarbon composite as a cathode shows a high specific capacitance of 236 F g⁻¹ at 0.5 A g⁻¹, great rate performance of 98 F g⁻¹ at 100 A g⁻¹, and especially, an ultralong cycling stability up to 230000 cycles with the capacitance retention of 90.1%. This work develops a repeatable and general method for the controlled construction of MOF coatings on various functional substrates and further fabricates carbon composites for ZICs with ultrastability.

As one of carbon nanomaterials, carbon dots have attracted widespread attention due to their ultra-small size, abundant surface functional groups, good chemical stability, and superior optoelectronic properties. In this review, the structures, classifications, characteristics, and preparation methods of carbon dots were introduced. Recent research studies on carbon dots as various components or additives in dye-sensitized solar cells were represented. The challenges of controllable synthesis, structure-property relationship, and performance optimization of carbon dots were analyzed. In addition, the development directions of large-scale controllable preparation for carbon dots and their application in dye-sensitized solar cells were proposed.

Heteroatom doping carbon materials exhibit a huge application potential for energy storage devices (ESDs). Herein, interconnected N/P co-doped carbon nanocage (NP-CNC) was synthesized from pyrene molecules by using nano-MgO as template and melamine-phytic acid supramolecular aggregate as dopant coupled with KOH activation. The as-prepared NP-CNC possesses interconnected nanocages for electron transportation and abundant micropores for ion adsorption. Moreover, co-doped N/P species in NP-CNC provide active sites and additional pseudocapacitance. Consequently, NP-CNC as electrode material for symmetric supercapacitor exhibits a high gravimetric capacitance of 435 F·g⁻¹ at 0.05 A·g⁻¹, high volumetric capacitance of 274 F·cm⁻³ at 0.032 A·cm⁻³, and long cycle lifespan with 96.1% capacitance retention after 50,000 cycles. Furthermore, NP-CNC as cathode for zinc-ion hybrid supercapacitor delivers satisfactory energy and power densities of 130.6 Wh·kg⁻¹ (82.3 Wh·L⁻¹) and 14.4 kW·kg⁻¹ (9.1 kW·L⁻¹). This work paves a promising approach to the preparation of high capacitance NP-CNC for ESDs.