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Ni-rich layered transition-metal oxides with high specific capacity and energy density are regarded as one of the most promising cathode materials for next generation lithium-ion batteries. However, the notorious surface impurities and high air sensitivity of Ni-rich layered oxides remain great challenges for its large-scale application. In this respect, surface impurities are mainly derived from excessive Li addition to reduce the Li/Ni mixing degree and to compensate for the Li volatilization during sintering. Owing to the high sensitivity to moisture and CO2 in ambient air, the Ni-rich layered oxides are prone to form residual lithium compounds (e.g. LiOH and Li2CO3) on the surface, subsequently engendering the detrimental subsurface phase transformation. Consequently, Ni-rich layered oxides often have inferior storage and processing performance. More seriously, the residual lithium compounds increase the cell polarization, as well as aggravate battery swelling during long-term cycling. This review focuses on the origin and evolution of residual lithium compounds. Moreover, the negative effects of residual lithium compounds on storage performance, processing performance and electrochemical performance are discussed in detail. Finally, the feasible solutions and future prospects on how to reduce or even eliminate residual lithium compounds are proposed.

The ever-growing demand for portable devices and electric vehicles are drawing widespread attention to advanced energy storage systems. Over the past few decades, lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs) have vast potential to act as the next-generation of rechargeable power source due to their high theoretical specific energy, cost-effectiveness, and environmental benignity. However, insufficient sulfur utilization, inferior cyclability, and rate capability originating from the intrinsic insulating features of the sulfur and notorious polysulfide shuttle are major obstacles to fulfilling the industrialization of LSBs. In this respect, the introduction of a functional barrier layer coating on a separator has been verified as an effective strategy to overcome the aforementioned intractable problems. In this review, we focus on summarizing the current progress of the modified polyolefin-based separators (known as functional separators), including functional separator facing cathodes and functional separator facing anodes. According to the working mechanism, functional separator facing cathodes are divided into physical adsorption separators, chemical adsorption separators, catalytic conversion separators, and multifunctional separators. Meanwhile, functional separator facing anodes are classified into physical barrier separators, induced lithium growth separators, regulated lithium nucleation separators, and hybrid mechanism separators. Finally, the future perspective coupled with the practical utilization of functional separators in LSBs is proposed.

Originating from the severe polysulfide dissolution and notorious polysulfide shuttle, the practical applications of lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries confront huge challenges in low active material utilization, rapid capacity degradation, short cycling lifespan, and inferior rate capability. Herein, a rationally modified polypropylene (PP) separator with multi-functional nickel hydroxide@carbon nanotube (NiOOH@CNT) coating layer is proposed to overcome these critical obstacles. The conductive and porous CNT networks ensure the rapid electron/ion transport to achieve high reactivation and reutilization of active materials, as well as physically block the polysulfide migration. Meanwhile, the porous NiOOH nanowalls arrays layer with polar surface demonstrates superior chemical absorption ability for anchoring polysulfides, thereby significantly suppressing the shuttle effect. Such elaborately designed separator endows Li-S batteries with high specific capacity, superior capacity retention and remarkable rate capability. This work sheds new light on the multi-functional separators for high-performance Li-S batteries.