The urgent need for safe, affordable, and environmentally responsible energy storage has placed rechargeable aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) at the centre of next-generation research. While earlier reviews surveyed V₂O₅ cathodes in broad terms, none has yet unified the latest insights on interlayer engineering, electrolyte coordination, and operando diagnostics into a coherent design framework. Focusing on progress from 2019 to mid-2025, this review offers three distinctive contributions. First, it correlates the crystallographic evolution of V₂O₅, captured by synchrotron X-ray, in situ TEM, and Raman studies, with voltage plateaus and capacity decay, providing a mechanistic map of Zn²⁺/H₂O co-intercalation and phase transitions. Second, it compares emerging synthesis routes (sol–gel, hydrothermal, solid-state, and electrochemical deposition) through a quantitative lens, linking specific surface area, defect chemistry, and conductivity (10⁻² to 10⁻¹ S cm⁻¹) to rate capability and long-term retention. Third, it surveys interlayer-expansion strategies, metal-ion pre-intercalation, organic pillar insertion, conductive-polymer hybrids, and hierarchical nanostructuring, showing how each modulates Zn²⁺ diffusivity, lattice strain (400 mAh g⁻¹ capacities and >90% retention beyond 2000 cycles. These new perspectives position V₂O₅ not merely as a promising cathode, but as a model system for understanding and optimizing layered hosts in aqueous multivalent batteries.

Pristine LiMnPO₄ and LiMnPO₄/Mg-Au composite cathode materials were synthesized and their electrochemical properties interrogated using voltammetric, spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. The composite cathode exhibited better reversibility and kinetics than the pristine LiMnPO₄. This was demonstrated in the values of the diffusion coefficient (D) and the charge and discharge capacities determined through cyclic voltammetry. For the composite cathode, D = 2.0 x 10^-9 cm²/s while the pristine has a D value of 4.81 x 10^-10 cm²/s. The charge and discharge capacities of LiMnPO₄/Mg-Au at 10 mV/s were 259.9 mAh/g and 157.6 mAh/g, respectively. The corresponding values for pristine LiMnPO₄ were 115 mAh/g and 44.75 mAh/g, respectively.. A similar trend was observed in the results obtained from electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements. These results indicate that LiMnPO₄/Mg-Au composite has better conductivity and will facilitate faster electron transfer and better electrochemical performance than pristine LiMnPO₄.

Nanostructured anilino-functionalized reduced graphene oxide intercalated with Pt metal nanoparticles was successfully synthesized. Graphene oxide nanosheets were synthesized using a modified Hummers method with simultaneous in-situ functionalization with aniline and ionic Pt reduction and dispersion through sonication. The nanomaterial was characterised with FTIR, UV-visible, SEM, TEM, EDX, XRD and Raman spectroscopy to ascertain surface, chemical, elemental and crystalline properties, composite structures, size, morphology and successful entrapment of metal nanoparticles while the electro-conductivity of the nanomaterial was interrogated using CV. The graphene oxide was successfully functionalized with aniline with new peaks belonging to the N-H and C-N group being present and calculated band gaps of 5.35 eV and 4.39 eV which are attributed to functionalization of graphene oxide. The functionalized graphene oxide was successfully loaded with platinum nanoparticles as TEM revealed that the Pt particles are spread out on the graphene sheets and when magnified a uniform distribution of the nanoparticles can be observed. The material (functionalized graphene oxide loaded with platinum nanoparticles) was used in the design of an asymmetric supercapacitor cell using 6M KOH aqueous electrolyte. On testing by galvanostatic charge/discharge, a high specific capacitance value of 605 F/g with a corresponding energy and power densities of 0.021kWh/Kg and 0.372kW/Kg respectively, were obtained.

The increasing demand for high‐performance energy storage systems has driven significant research into advanced electrode materials. Core/shell nanocomposites have surfaced as promising materials for next‐generation energy storage devices due to their unique structural and electrochemical properties. This review delves into the synthesis, characterization, and applications of core/shell nanocomposites in lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) and supercapacitors (SCs). The core/shell architecture enhances ion diffusion, electrical conductivity, and structural stability, leading to improved charge storage capacity and cycling performance. Some synthesis techniques such as sol–gel, polymerization, self‐assembly, gas‐shearing, bulk emulsification, and electrospray are discussed alongside various characterization techniques used to analyze their structural and electrochemical properties. The characterization techniques discussed are grouped into four categories, namely microscopic analysis, spectroscopy analysis, scattering analysis, and thermal gravimetric analysis. Despite their advantages, challenges such as complex synthesis, scalability, and interfacial stability must be addressed for large‐scale implementation. Future research should focus on optimizing synthesis techniques to achieve precise control over shell thickness and core composition. The integration of machine learning and computational modelling can significantly enhance the prediction of optimal material combinations and accelerate the design process.

Symmmetrically oriented Pd (100) and its bimetallic Pd (100)Ru electrocatalysts were chemically synthesized and their conductive properties employed in the electrochemical oxidation of ammonia. Electrochemical data based on EIS, SWV and CV revealed that the Pt/Pd (100)Ru electrode showed a better conductivity and higher catalytic response towards the electrooxidation of ammonia compared to Pt/Pd (100) electrode. This was demonstrated by the EIS results where Pt/Pd (100)Ru gave a charge transfer resistance (R_ct) of 48.64 Ω, high exchange current and lower time constant (5.2738 x 10^-1A and 3.2802 x 10^-7 s /rad) values while the Pt/Pd (100) had values of 173.2 Ω, 1.4811 x 10^-1A and 4.8321 10^-7 s /rad. The drastic drop in R_ct highlights the superiority of the Pt/Pd (100)Ru over the Pt/Pd (100) and confirms that facile interfacial electron transfer processes occur on the Pt/Pd (100)Ru electrode during the electrocatalytic ammonia oxidation. Investigations through voltammetry revealed that the Pt/Pd (100)Ru had a higher peak current density and a shift in potential to more negative values at ≈ -0.2 V and ≈ -0.4 V. The EASA value of Pt/Pd (100)Ru was found to be 119.24 cm² whereas Pt/Pd (100) had value of 75.07 cm². The high electrochemically active surface area of Pd (100)Ru at 119.24 cm² compared to the 75.07 cm² for Pd (100) strengthened this observation in performance between the two catalysts for ammonia electrooxidation.

Lithium-ion capacitors (LICs) are a novel and promising form of energy storage device that combines the electrode materials of lithium-ion batteries with supercapacitors. They have the potential to deliver high energy density, power density, and long cycle life concurrently. Due to the good electrochemical performance of lithiated manganese-based materials in LICs, they have received extensive attention in recent years. The latest advancements in lithiated manganese-based materials as electrode materials in lithium-ion capacitors are presented here, including LiMnPO₄, LiMn₂O₄, and Li₂MnSiO₄. These electrode materials have a lot of potential as high-performance energy storage materials. Apart from capacitive-type electrodes, lithiated manganese-based materials are also used in the creation of LIC battery-type electrodes. The LICs based on lithiated manganese-based electrode materials demonstrated energy density, power density, and cycle life, which are relatively comparable with various electrode material values reviewed in this paper. The electrochemical performance of lithiated manganese-based materials is attributed to the synergistic effect of the doping and the conductive carbon coating which provided new pathways for the movement of Li⁺ ions and electrons, thus facilitating charge transfer reactions. Although much effort has gone into synthesizing lithium-ion battery electrode materials and contracting LICs based on them because of their higher energy density, there is still work to be carried out. Additionally, the potential barriers and opportunities for LIC-based future research in energy applications are explored.