Recent advances in nanostructured electrode-electrolyte design for safe and next-generation electrochemical energy storage

The pursuit for high-efficiency energy utilization stimulates for rapid development of electrochemical storage techniques. While the energy density demand is elevated, the safety consideration has stepped onto a new height. Hence, these two aspects gain much attention in the evolution of electrochemical energy storage. Correspondingly, the electrodes and electrolytes need special design to achieve the set target. This review first collects recent progress in nanostructured electrode-electrolyte with tailored design, including specific attention on alkali metal batteries, redox flow batteries, and supercapacitors. The electrode materials along with advanced electrolytes can endow these electrochemical energy storage apparatuses with high energy or power density, long lifetime, and high safety insurance. Moreover, the particular focus is dedicated to practical concerns for these electrodes, electrolytes, and their interfaces, including the thermal behavior and charging/discharging changing of an electrode, electrolyte selection and optimization, and electrode-electrolyte interface construction. Eventually, the general guideline and direction of endeavor to break the current limitation are presented for advanced electrochemical energy storage in the future.