As the carrier of charge storage, the electrode determines the efficiency of the energy conversion reaction between the battery and the substance. However, with the continuous development of scientific research, electrode preparation is still facing complex technical problems, and it is difficult to achieve a balance in performance, cost, and technology. Based on the ion dissolution and deposition behavior of Mn²⁺/MnO₂ and Al³⁺/Al, a novel cathode-free aqueous ion dissolution/deposition battery is designed, which can contribute 15 mAh at 16 cm² in a voltage window of 0.5–1.8 V. The charge storage and the attenuation mechanism are systematically investigated. The battery model with compensable electrolyte was constructed, and the cycle characteristics of the cathode-free aqueous ion dissolution/deposition battery were optimized, which could achieve 1000 h continuous operation. This system provides a low-cost and high-safety solution for future high-energy density and large-scale energy storage. Future research will focus on optimizing electrolytes, controlling deposition morphology, and improving interface stability to further promote the commercialization of cathode-free batteries.

In-depth understandings of charge carrier transfer dynamics in any artificial catalytic system are of critical importance for the future design of highly efficient photocatalysts. Herein, we synthesized sub-monolayer ZnSe partial-shell coated CdSe/CdS core/shell quantum dots in a controlled fashion. The ZnSe decorated quantum dots were employed as a model catalyst for photogeneration of H₂ under light illumination. Both theoretical calculations and experimental results unravel that the growth of ZnSe partial-shell would retard the photogenerated electron transfer, and meanwhile, accelerate the corresponding hole migration process during the H₂ photogeneration reaction in the artificial photocatalytic system. As such, the performance of the relevant photocatalytic system can be modulated and optimized, and accordingly, a plausible underlying mechanism is rationalized.