Rechargeable magnesium batteries (RMBs), as a low-cost, high-safety and high-energy storage technology, have attracted tremendous attention in large-scale energy storage applications. However, the key anode/electrolyte interfacial issues, including surface passivation, uneven Mg plating/stripping, and pulverization after cycling still result in a large overpotential, short cycling life, poor power density, and possible safety hazards of cells, severely impeding the commercial development of RMBs. In this review, a concise overview of recently advanced strategies to address these anode/electroyte interfacial issues is systematically classified and summarized. The design of magnesiophilic substrates, construction of artificial SEI layers, and modification of electrolyte are important and effective strategies to improve the uniformity/kinetics of Mg plating/stripping and achieve the stable anode/electrolyte interface. The key opportunities and challenges in this field are advisedly put forward, and the insights into future directions for stabilizing Mg metal anodes and the anode/electrolyte interface are highlighted. This review provides important references fordeveloping the high-performance and high-safety RMBs.

In recent years, a new class of metallic materials featuring heterogeneous structures has emerged. These materials consist of distinct soft and hard domains with significant differences in mechanical properties, allowing them to maintain high strength while offering superior ductility. Magnesium (Mg) alloys, renowned for their low density, high specific strength, exceptional vibration damping, and electromagnetic shielding properties, exhibit tremendous potential as lightweight and functional materials. Despite their advantageous properties, high-strength Mg alloys often suffer from limited ductility. However, the emergence of heterogeneous materials provides a fresh perspective for the development of Mg alloys with both high strength and ductility. This article provided a fundamental overview of heterostructured materials and systematically reviewed the recent research progress in the design of Mg alloys with strength-ductility balance based on heterostructure principles. The review encompassed various aspects, including preparation methods, formation mechanisms of diverse heterostructures, and mechanical properties, both within domestic and international contexts. On this basis, the article discussed the challenges encountered in the design and fabrication of heterostructured Mg alloys, as well as the urgent issues that require attention and resolution in the future.

Magnesium-based energy materials, which combine promising energy-related functional properties with low cost, environmental compatibility and high availability, have been regarded as fascinating candidates for sustainable energy conversion and storage. In this review, we provide a timely summary on the recent progress in three types of important Mg-based energy materials, based on the fundamental strategies of composition and structure engineering. With regard to Mg-based materials for batteries, we systematically review and analyze different material systems, structure regulation strategies as well as the relevant performance in Mg-ion batteries (MIBs) and Mg-air batteries (MABs), covering cathodes, electrolytes, anodes for MIBs, and anodes for MABs; as to Mg-based hydrogen storage materials, we discuss how catalyst adding, composite, alloying and nanostructuring improve the kinetic and thermodynamic properties of de/hydrogenation reactions, and in particular, the impacts of composition and structure modification on hydrogen absorption/dissociation processes and free energy modification mechanism are focused; regarding Mg-based thermoelectric materials, the relations between composition/structure and electrical/thermal transport properties of Mg₃X₂ (X = Sb, Bi), Mg₂X (X = Si, Ge, Sn) and MgAgSb-based materials, together with the representative research progress of each material system, are summarized and discussed. Finally, by pointing out remaining challenges and providing possible solutions, this review aims to shed light on the directions and perspectives for practical applications of magnesium-based energy materials in the future.