The electrochemical conversion of CO₂ to C₂₊ products represents a significant technological opportunity for addressing global climate change. Nevertheless, copper-based catalysts continue to present challenges in terms of selectivity and the long-term stability of C₂₊ products. In this study, we demonstrate that the introduction of a second metal, silver (Ag), onto copper-based catalysts represents an effective strategy for enhancing the selectivity and reactivity of these catalysts in the electrochemical CO₂ reduction reaction. This approach involves modulating the adsorption strength or geometry of CO intermediates on the Cu-based catalyst surface. The results demonstrate that the Faradaic efficiency (FE) of C₂₊ products in the electrochemical CO₂ reduction reaction over a 5% Ag/Cu catalyst is 77%–80% within the current density range of 800 to 1000 mA·cm⁻². Furthermore, stability tests were conducted on the electrochemical CO₂ reduction reaction in a membrane electrolyzer using pure water as the electrolyte. Following a 15 h testing period at a current of −1000 mA, the FE of CO₂ reduction was observed to be 45%, indicating favorable stability. This provides a foundation for further research and development in the industrial application of electrochemical CO₂ reduction.

Since 2019, research into MXene derivatives has seen a dramatic rise; further progress requires a rational design for specific functionality. Herein, through a molecular design by selecting suitable functional groups in the MXene coating, we have implemented the dual N doping of the derivatives, nitrogen-doped TiO₂@nitrogen-doped carbon nanosheets (N-TiO₂@NC), to strike a balance between the active anatase TiO₂ at low temperatures, and carbon activation at high temperatures. The NH₃ reduction environment generated at 400 °C as evidenced by the in situ pyrolysis SVUV-PIMS process is crucial for concurrent phase engineering. With both electrical conductivity and surface Na⁺ availability, the N-TiO₂@NC achieves higher interface capacitive-like sodium storage with long-term stability. More than 100 mAh g⁻¹ is achieved at 2 A g⁻¹ after 5000 cycles. The proposed design may be extended to other MXenes and solidify the growing family of MXene derivatives for energy storage.

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), a well-known coordination network involving potential voids, have attracted attention for energy conversion and storage. As far as is known, MOFs are not only believed to be crystalline. Emerging amorphous MOFs (aMOFs) are starting as supplementary to crystalline MOF (cMOF) in various electrochemical energy fields owing to intrinsic superiorities over crystalline states, greater ease of processing, and distinct physical and chemical properties. aMOFs retain the basic skeletons and connectivity of building units but without any long-range order. Such structural features over long range possess the isotropy without grain boundaries, resulting in fast ions flux and uniform distribution. Simultaneously, distinct short-range characteristics provide diverse pore confined environment and abundant active sites, and thus accelerate mass transport and charge transfer during electrochemical reactions. Deep understandings and controllable design of aMOF may broaden the opportunities for both scientific researches beyond crystalline materials and practical applications. To date, comprehensive reviews about aMOFs in the fields of energy conversion and storage remain woefully underrepresented. Herein, we summarize the roadmap of aMOF from the development, structural design, opportunity, application, bottleneck, and perspective. In-depth structure–activity relationships with aMOF chemistry are highlighted in the typical electrochemical energy conversion like water oxidation and energy storage, including supercapacitor and battery. The combination of disordered nature at long range and short range, alongside the dynamic structural changes, is promising to reinforce cognition of aMOF domains with MOF versatility, shedding light on the design for efficient electrochemical energy applications via amorphization.