This review highlights the recent encouraging research accomplishments achieved in the field of film-forming electrolyte additives for the protection of classified anode and cathode materials.

Lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) have been occupying the dominant position in energy storage devices. Over the past 30 years, silicon (Si)‐based materials are the most promising alternatives for graphite as LIB anodes due to their high theoretical capacities and low operating voltages. Nevertheless, their extensive volume changes in battery operation causes the structural collapse of Si‐based electrodes, as well as severe side reactions. In this review, the preparation methods and structure optimizations of Si‐based materials are highlighted, as well as their applications in half and full cells. Meanwhile, the developments of promising electrolytes, binders and separators that match Si‐based electrodes in half and full cells have made great progress. Pre‐lithiation technology has been introduced to compensate for irreversible Li+ consumption during battery operation, thereby improving the energy densities and lifetime of Si‐based full cells. More importantly, almost all related mechanisms of Si‐based electrodes in half and full cells are summarized in detail. It is expected to provide a comprehensive insight on how to develop high‐performance Si‐based full cells. The work can help us understand what happens during the lithiation process, the primary causes of Si‐based half and full cells failure, and strategies to overcome these challenges.

It is challenging to develop highly efficient and stable multifunctional electrocatalysts for improving the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), and the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) for sustainable energy conversion and storage systems such as water–alkali electrolyzers (WAEs) and hybrid sodium–air batteries (HSABs). In this work, sub-nm Pt nanoclusters (NCs) on defective NiFe layered double hydroxide nanosheets (Ni x Fe LDHs) are synthesized by a facile electrodeposition method. Due to the synergistic effect between Pt NCs and abundant atomic M(II) defects, along with hierarchical porous nanostructures, the Pt/Ni x Fe LDHs catalysts exhibit superior trifunctional electrocatalytic activity and durability toward the HER/OER/ORR. A WAE fabricated with Pt/Ni x Fe LDHs electrodes needs 1.47 V to reach a current density of 10 mA cm–2, much lower than that of the mixed 20% Pt/C and 20% Ir/C catalysts. An HSAB assembled by Pt/Ni x Fe LDHs as a binder-free air cathode displays a high open-circuit voltage, a narrow overpotential gap, and remarkable rechargeability. This work provides a feasible strategy for constructing freestanding efficient trifunctional electrocatalysts for sustainable energy conversion and storage systems.

A ZnO encapsulated in a 3D NCNF composite exhibits excellent electrochemical performances both in a half cell and full cell. The improved performances are mainly explained based on the two aspects of structural integrity and kinetics enhancement.

Hybrid sodium-air batteries (HSABs) are emerging systems for next-generation energy storage owing to high theoretical energy density, high specific capacity, low cost, and environmental friendliness. However, ungratified energy efficiency, large...