Li-ion batteries are in demand due to technological advancements in the electronics industry; thus, expanding the battery supply chain and improving its electrochemical performance is crucial. Carbon materials are used to increase the cyclic stability and specific capacity of cathode materials, which are essential to batteries. LiFePO₄ (LFP) cathodes are generally safe and have a long cycle life. However, the common LFP cathode has a low inherent conductivity, and adding a carbon nanomaterial significantly influences how well it performs electrochemically. Therefore, the major focus of this review is on the importance, current developments, and future possibilities of carbon-LFP (C-LFP) cathodes in LIBs. Recent research on the impacts of different carbon sizes, LFP’s shape, diffusion, bonding, additives, dopants, and surface functionalization was reviewed. Overall, with suitable modifications, C-LFP cathodes are expected to bring many benefits to the energy storage sector in the forthcoming years.

Metal-ion batteries are capable of delivering high energy density with a longer lifespan. However, they are subject to several issues limiting their utilization. One critical impediment is the budding and extension of solid protuberances on the anodic surface, which hinders the cell functionalities. These protuberances expand continuously during the cyclic processes, extending through the separator sheath and leading to electrical shorting. The progression of a protrusion relies on a number of in situ and ex situ factors that can be evaluated theoretically through modeling or via laboratory experimentation. However, it is essential to identify the dynamics and mechanism of protrusion outgrowth. This review article explores recent advances in alleviating metal dendrites in battery systems, specifically alkali metals. In detail, we address the challenges associated with battery breakdown, including the underlying mechanism of dendrite generation and swelling. We discuss the feasible solutions to mitigate the dendrites, as well as their pros and cons, highlighting future research directions. It is of great importance to analyze dendrite suppression within a pragmatic framework with synergy in order to discover a unique solution to ensure the viability of present (Li) and future-generation batteries (Na and K) for commercial use.

With growing environmental and ecological concerns, innovative energy storage systems are urgently required to develop smart grids and electric vehicles (EVs). Since their invention in the 1970s, rechargeable lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have risen as a revolutionary innovation due to their superior benefits of high operating potential and energy density. Similarly, fuel cells, especially Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFC) and Solid-Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC), have been developed as an energy storage system for EVs due to their compactness and high-temperature stability, respectively. Various attempts have been made to explore novel materials to enhance existing energy storage technologies. Materials design and development are significantly based on trial-and-error techniques and require substantial human effort and time. Additionally, researchers work on individual materials for specific applications. As a viewpoint, we present the available sustainable routes for electrochemical energy storage, highlighting the use of (i) green materials and processes, (ii) renewables, (iii) the circular economy approach, (iv) regulatory policies, and (v) the data driven approach to find the best materials from several databases with minimal human involvement and time. Finally, we provide an example of a high throughput and machine learning assisted approach for optimizing the properties of several sustainable carbon materials and applying them to energy storage devices. This study can prompt researchers to think, advance, and develop opportunities for future sustainable materials selection, optimization, and application in various electrochemical energy devices utilizing ML.