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Lithium–sulfur batteries (LSBs) are considered a promising candidate for next-generation energy storage devices due to the advantages of high theoretical specific capacity, abundant resources and being environmentally friendly. However, the severe shuttle effect of polysulfides causes the low utilization of active substances and rapid capacity fading, thus seriously limiting their practical application. The introduction of conductive polymer-based interlayers between cathodes and separators is considered to be an effective method to solve this problem because they can largely confine, anchor and convert the soluble polysulfides. In this review, the recent progress of conductive polymer-based interlayers used in LSBs is summarized, including free-standing conductive polymer-based interlayers, conductive polymer-based interlayer modified separators and conductive polymer-based interlayer modified sulfur electrodes. Furthermore, some suggestions on rational design and preparation of conductive polymer-based interlayers are put forward to highlight the future development of LSBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inorganic perovskite ferroelectric-based nanomaterials as sustainable new energy materials, due to their intrinsic ferroelectricity and environmental compatibility, are intended to play a crucial role in photoelectrochemical field as major functional materials. Because of versatile physical properties and excellent optoelectronic properties, ferroelectric-based nanomaterials attract much attention in the field of photocatalysis, photoelectrochemical water splitting and photovoltaic. The aim of this review is to cover the recent advances by stating the different kinds of ferroelectrics separately in the photoelectrochemical field as well as discussing how ferroelectric polarization will impact functioning of photo-induced carrier separation and transportation in the interface of the compounded semiconductors. In addition, the future prospects of ferroelectric-based nanomaterials are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]