Multi-type heterostructures: Rational design anode materials for alkali-ion batteries

The urgent search for advanced energy storage materials is driven by the high requirements for clean energy and advanced materials. The abundant resources, high capacity, wide variety, and good electron transport kinetic properties of alkali metal anode materials that rely on alloying and conversion reactions make them highly attractive for the development of new energy storage systems. Nonetheless, the advancement of anode electrode materials for next-generation usage encounters significant obstacles, such as comparatively diminished energy densities, exceptional reaction mechanisms, and intricate architectural models. In recent years, the construction of heterostructure anode materials has received increasing attention because the activation energy of surface reactions can be reduced by forming a built-in electric field at the heterogeneous interface, which is an effective strategy for greatly improving capacity and multiplicative performance. In this paper, we review the research progress of several types of heterostructure anode materials in recent years, focusing on the electrochemical behavior, reaction mechanism, and future modification strategies of the materials. The most recent advancements in research are exhibited through the paths of synthesis, techniques of characterization, and variations of heterostructures. Additionally, the prospects and challenges of heterostructure development are reviewed to guide the development of the next generation of secondary batteries.