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Electrochemical water-splitting is widely acknowledged as a renewable strategy for hydrogen production, but it is primarily constrained by the sluggish reaction kinetics of the anode oxygen evolution reaction (OER). In our study, we employ a fast room-temperature corrosion engineering strategy for the construction of a sulfur-doped Ni-Fe layered dihydroxide catalyst (S-NiFe LDH). With the assistance of a sulfur source, microsphere morphology with an ultra-thin lamellar surface cross-arrangement can be rapidly grown on the surface of an iron foam substrate, ensuring a substantial electrochemical interface. The composition of Ni species in the catalysts can be regulated by simply adjusting the amount of Ni2+ and reaction time. Functioning as an OER catalyst, the S-NiFe LDH demonstrates high activity and reaction kinetics, featuring a minimal overpotential of 120.0 mV to deliver a current density of 10 mA cm−2, a small Tafel slope of 39.5 mV dec−1 and a notable electrical double-layer capacitance (Cdl) of 31.3 mF cm−2. The remarkable electrocatalytic performance can be attributed to its distinctive three-dimensional (3D) structure and sulfur dopants, which effectively regulate the electrochemical interface and electronic structure of NiFe LDH. This work provides valuable insights for expeditious materials design.

Electrocatalyst-based energy storage technologies such as alkali metal–air batteries, fuel cells, and water splitting devices are the new holy grail in the next-generation energy storage landscape as they deliver higher energy densities than Li-ion/Na-ion batteries (LIBs/SIBs). The new chemistries of energy storage such as metal–air batteries under aqueous or non-aqueous conditions will complement existing LIBs/SIBs owing to the increasing requirement for batteries with high energy density in the present era. Phosphate-based polyanionic frameworks have long been known for their ability to (de)intercalate alkali metal ions. Because of their innate oxygen electrocatalytic activity, these insertion cathode materials have lately emerged as air electrodes in metal–air battery systems. In this review, the present status of phosphate-based polyanionic insertion materials for oxygen reduction and oxygen evolution reaction (ORR and OER) electrocatalysis is summarized. Factors influencing electrocatalytic activity in these materials, such as the presence of different types of alkali metal cations, transition metals, and the type of ligand/mixed anion as well as coordination around the transition metals are discussed. Finally, the development of metal–air batteries derived from phosphate-based polyanionic insertion materials as air electrodes is discussed.

Li-containing alloys and metallic deposits offer substantial Li+ storage capacities as alternative anodes to commercial graphite. However, the thermodynamically in sequence, yet kinetically competitive mechanism between Li solubility in the solid solution and intermediate alloy-induced Li deposition remains debated, particularly across the multiple scales. The elucidation of the mechanism is rather challenging due to the dynamic alloy evolution upon the non-equilibrium, transient lithiation processes under coupled physical fields. Here, influential factors governing Li solubility in the Li-Zn alloy are comprehensively investigated as a demonstrative model, spanning from the bulk electrolyte solution to the ion diffusion within the electrode. Through real-time phase tracking and spatial distribution analysis of intermediate alloy/Li metallic species at varied temperatures, current densities and particle sizes, the driving force of Li solubility and metallic plating along the Li migration pathway are probed in-depth. This study investigates the correlation between kinetics (pronounced concentration polarization, miscibility gap in lattice grains) and rate-limiting interfacial charge transfer thermodynamics in dedicating the Li diffusion into the solid solution. Additionally, the lithiophilic alloy sites with the balanced diffusion barrier and Li adsorption energy are explored to favor the homogeneous metal plating, which provides new insights for the rational innovation of high-capacity alloy/metallic anodes.

The graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) materials with many intriguing properties have attracted much attention in photocatalysis. The photocatalytic activity of g-C3N4 is hindered by serious aggregation and limited exposed active sites. Herein is shown that nanosized g-C3N4 can be simply obtained by a superfast high-pressure homogenization approach. The high-pressure homogenization treatment can provide strong force to cut and/or to exfoliate the bulk g-C3N4 into nanosized g-C3N4 with good dispersion. Moreover, choosing different solvents during treatment can cause a different surface structure of as-prepared nanosized g-C3N4. In addition, the narrow bandgap properties, the high photogenerated charge carrier separation, and the transport abilities are achieved in as-prepared nanosized g-C3N4 because of the retaining conjugated C3N4 system. Specifically, the photocatalytic activities of as-prepared nanosized g-C3N4 have been significantly enhanced in terms of degradation of organic dye Rhodamine B (RhB) under visible light irradiation (10 times higher than that of bulk g-C3N4). These findings can provide a promising and simple approach to the exfoliation, nanonization, and surface functionalization of 2D layered materials.