The impact of diverse crystalline and morphollogical electrode structures on the performance of electrochemical energy storage devices

Needless to say, with the rapidly increasing energy consumption and environmental concern, and diminishing fossil fuel reserves, there is a growing need for clean and sustainable energy resources, as well as designing novel materials and developing green efficient synthesis routes with regard to energy conversion and storage technologies. The energy storage devices such as high energy density batteries, high power density electrochemical capacitors (pseudocapacitors and supercapacitors), and high energy/power density hybrid capacitors have been undeniably promising candidates to compete with the conventional sources of energy and are an inseparable part of our daily life. The capability of storing energy exhibits a strong dependency on the electrode characteristics primarily the crystalline structure, surface morphology, and surface area. During the years, many research studies have been carried out focusing on improvement of the performance of these energy storage devices by implementing diverse approaches such as engineering the surface and crystalline structure of electrodes with optimized synthesis routes and conditions and gaining a deep understanding of electrode/electrolyte interface mechanisms. Studies reveal that electroactive materials such as MXene nanosheets, Graphene, Transition metal oxides (V2O5, NiFe2O4, MoO3 Co3O4, and Fe2O3), and transition metal dichalcogenide (like sulfides and selenides) are robust candidates to improve the performance of capacitors and batteries. Sol-gel processes, hydrothermal synthesis, aqueous exfoliation, interfacial reaction-based synthesis, and electrodeposition are examples of fabrication routes that have been applied to produce these electrode materials. To conclude, the main aim of this article is to provide an overview of the recent state-of-the-art research studies in which the influence of the structural/morphological modifications of electrode materials on the electrode/electrolyte interface reaction mechanisms and the performance of the electrochemical energy storage devices, consequent, have been explored.