Electrochemical atomic force microscopy (EC-AFM), a branch of a scanning probe microscopy (SPM), can image substrate topography with high resolution. Since its inception, it was extended to a wide range of research areas through continuous improvement. The presence of an electrolytic cell and a potentiostat makes it possible to observe the topographical changes of the sample surface in real time. EC-AFM is used in in situ corrosion research because the samples are not required to be electrically conductive. It is widely used in passive film properties, surface dissolution, early-stage corrosion initiation, inhibitor efficiency, and many other branches of corrosion science. This review provides the research progress of EC-AFM and summarizes the extensive applications and investigations using EC-AFM in corrosion science.

Chemical energy conversion strategies by photocatalysis and electrocatalysis are promising approaches to alleviating our energy shortages and environmental issues. Due to the 2D layer structure, adjustable composition, unique thermal decomposition and memory properties, abundant surface hydroxyl, and low cost, layered double hydroxides (LDHs) have attracted extensive attention in electrocatalysis, photocatalysis, and photoelectrocatalysis. This review summarizes the main structural characteristics of LDHs, including tunable composition, thermal decomposition and memory properties, delaminated layer, and surface hydroxyl. Next, the influences of the structural characteristics on the photo(electro)catalytic process are briefly introduced to understand the structure–performance correlations of LDHs materials. Recent progress and advances of LDHs in photocatalysis and photoelectrocatalysis applications are summarized. Finally, the challenges and future development of LDHs are prospected from the aspect of structural design and exploring structure-activity relationships in the photo(electro)catalysis applications.

Ion exchange membranes (IEMs) play important roles in energy generation and storage field, such as fuel cell, flow battery, however, a major barrier in the way of large‐scale application is the high cost of membranes (e.g., Nafion membranes price generally exceeds USD$ 200 m⁻²). The membrane‐less technology is one of the promising approaches to solve the problem and thus has attracted much attention and been explored in a variety of research paths. This review introduces one of the representative membrane‐less battery types, Biphasic membrane‐less redox batteries that eliminate the IEMs according to the principle of solvent immiscibility and realizes the phase splitting in a thermodynamically stable state. It is systematically classified and summarizes their performances as well as the problems they are suffering from, and then several effective solutions are proposed based on the modification of electrodes and electrolytes. Finally, special attention is given to the challenges and prospects of Biphasic membrane‐less redox batteries, which could contribute to the development of membrane‐less batteries.

A novel percolative nanocomposite with super-high permittivity and supressed dielectric loss is achieved, which is due to the hierarchical interfaces induced by BaSrTiO₃ nanocuboid dotted graphene sheets and further modification of dapamine.

The application of NaCl-based aluminum-air batteries is limited due to the passivation of the aluminum anode. In an effort to solve this problem, this work studied the influence of different concentrations of Ga³⁺ additives on the discharge behavior of Al in the NaCl electrolyte. The results of both experiments and theoretical calculations have shown that commercial purity aluminum could be significantly activated by Ga³⁺. Based on microstructure observations and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, the influence activation mechanism of Ga³⁺ on the discharge behavior of commercial purity Al is clarified. The addition of Ga³⁺ biased the surface charge of aluminum along the activation direction, forming activation sites, and then destroyed the surface passivation film. Due to the formation of a gallium–aluminum amalgam, the Al-air battery had the best discharge characteristics in the electrolyte with 0.2 M Ga³⁺, and its discharge voltage reached 0.9734 V with a remarkable increase compared with that of NaCl solution (0.4228 V). Therefore, Ga³⁺ additive is a promising choice for NaCl-based Al-air batteries to improve their discharge voltage.