Silicon anode is considered as one of the candidates for graphite replacement due to its highest known theoretical capacity and abundant reserve on earth. However, poor cycling stability resulted from the “volume effect” in the continuous charge-discharge processes become the biggest barrier limiting silicon anodes development. To avoid the resultant damage to the silicon structure, some achievements have been made through constructing the structured space and pore design, and the cycling stability of the silicon anode has been improved. Here, progresses on designing nanostructured materials, constructing buffered spaces, and modifying surfaces/interfaces are mainly discussed and commented from spatial structure and pore generation for volumetric stress alleviation, ions transport, and electrons transfer improvement to screen out the most effective optimization strategies for development of silicon based anode materials with good property.

The content of ammonia coordination agent in initial aqueous solution is one of important factors which greatly influences the morphologies and electrochemical performances of layered LiNi₆Mn₂Co₂O₂ (NCM622). The spherical morphologies, contributing to higher specific capacity of NCM622, ascribe to the same precipitation rate of transition metal ions (Ni²⁺, Co²⁺, Mn²⁺) during co-precipitation. Hence, the effects of different amounts of ammonia in initial solution on the hydroxide equilibrium constant and properties of NCM622 were discussed. With the ammonia content of 70 mL, the spherical morphology with more perfect layered structure and higher discharge capacity are obtained. The necessity of ammonia content in initial solution are also demonstrated from electrochemical performances of NCM622, such as the initial discharge capacity of 199.8 mAh g⁻¹ at 0.1 C, the specific capacity of 150.0 mAh g⁻¹ after 100th cycles, and the capacity retention rate of 89.6% at 3 C. If other metal ions are anticipated to be chemically doped with NCM622, the hydroxide equilibrium constant and precipitation rate need to be considered.

In situ hydrogen reduction of T8-type POSS are constructed as Si@C anodes for LIBs. Benefiting from the Si/N double gradient and even-distributed silicon, HRPOSS-6 processes faint volume changes and fast ion-electron kinetics.

Electrochemical dechlorination with Pd-loaded electrodes offers an effective method for detoxification of wastewater. Electro-reductive dechlorination of 3-chlorophenol (3-CP) with Pd loaded on carbon felt (Pd/CF) was investigated. Pd was loaded on carbon felt by electrolytic method. The prepared electrodes were characterized by XRD, SEM, EDS, S-TEM and CV. The sizes of the Pd particles loaded on CF were found in the range of 100–400 nm. The preparing conditions including loading amount of Pd and loading currents were investigated. Moreover, the reduction conditions including electrolytes, reductive currents and recycle times were also studied. The Pd/CF cathodes with Pd loading of 0.5 mg/cm², preparing current of 5 mA, electrolyte concentration of 30 mmol/L NaCl and 30 mmol/L CH₃COONa were used to reduce 3-CP for dechlorination. When CH₃COONa was used as the electrolyte, the current was 5 mA, the initial pH was 7.5, the initial 3-CP concentration was 1 mmol/L and the degradation rate of 3-CP could reach 95.81% after reduction of 150 min under an argon atmosphere. The electrochemical reduction of 3-CP was confirmed to follow the first-order rate law. 3-CP was qualitatively dechlorinated to phenol on electrodes with Pd. The fact that active hydrogen formed on palladium during preliminary electrolysis could be proved by the dechlorinated 3-CP in non-electroreduction after preliminary electrolysis. A possible reduction pathway was proposed based on the results.