Noble metal–based high-entropy alloys (NM-HEAs) are promising catalysts because of their diverse compositions and complex surface structures, although understanding their formation and achieving precise atomic control remain challenging. Our team introduces a cost-effective synthesis method combining spray drying and thermal decomposition-reduction to produce HEA three-dimensional nanoframeworks (HEA-3DNFs) from quinary to octonary compositions, including Pt-, Ir-, Ru-, and PtRu-based HEAs. Mild heating in H2 facilitates simultaneous reduction of multiple elements, forming single-phase solid solution alloys. The PtNiCoCuRuIr HEA-3DNF exhibits superior methanol oxidation reaction performance (2637 milliamperes per milligram Pt), 15 times higher than commercial Pt black. Noble metals (Pt, Ru, and Ir) lower activation energy for reducing transition metals (Ni, Co, Cu, and Fe). In situ scanning transmission electron microscopy and density function theory calculations reveal phase transformation from a Pt-based face-centered cubic to Ru-based hexagonal close-packed structure, with control over phase composition by adjusting reduction temperatures and Pt-to-Ru ratios. These findings offer insights for developing high-performance and tunable NM-HEA catalysts.

Carbon materials/MXenes composite materials have gained widespread attention in the field of supercapacitors due to their excellent electrochemical performance. Carbon materials are considered ideal electrode materials for supercapacitors due to their high specific surface area, good conductivity, and outstanding electrochemical stability. MXenes, as a novel two-dimensional material, exhibit prominent conductivity, mechanical properties, and ionic conductivity, thereby showing great potential for applications in energy storage devices. The combination of carbon materials and MXenes is expected to fully leverage the advantages of both, optimizing electrode conductivity, enhancing the energy density and power density, and improving the charge–discharge performance. This article reviews the key research progress of carbon/MXenes composite materials in supercapacitors in recent years, including their synthesis methods, structural tuning, and improvements in their electrochemical performance. Finally, the article looks forward to future research directions and proposes potential strategies to enhance the overall performance of the composite materials and achieve large-scale applications. By addressing the existing challenges, carbon/MXenes composite materials are anticipated to achieve higher energy and power outputs for the supercapacitor field in the future, providing strong support for the development of new energy storage technologies such as electric vehicles and wearable devices.

The search for suitable synthesis methods and parameters capable of controlling the length, diameter, and yield of silver nanowires (AgNWs) is still an emerging strategy today. Therefore, a method for high-yield synthesis of long AgNWs via chromic chloride and a stable reaction environment was proposed. The results show that Cr³⁺ could restore the adsorbed atomic oxygen quickly and provide a high efficiency in the prevention of the oxidative etching, for the ion of Cr²⁺ oxidized to Cr³⁺ has a lower standard electrode potential, and a more stable reaction environment provided by the coupling method could avoid disturbing the growth of the {111} reactive sites of the wires; then, the yield and length of the AgNWs were improved. The length of the AgNWs was over 75 μm and even 160 μm; the yield of the AgNWs was over 90%, which provides the referable basis for the synthesis of ultralong AgNWs.

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) are promising catalysts for water electrolysis. Many efficient LDHs have been produced by adjusting their composition and structure. Herein, by using only sodium carbonate as a precipitator, we prepared gram-scale CoFe LDHs rich in carbonate anions depending on the incomplete double hydrolysis between carbonate and metal ions under atmospheric pressure. Owing to the flexible iron valence state, the coordination environment, and electronic structure of cobalt and iron in CoFe LDHs can be modified. The catalytic performance was substantially improved for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) owing to the exposure of more metal active sites and the increase in the charge transfer rate. By adjusting the molar ratios of Co and Fe, Co₁Fe₁ LDH with excellent OER performance, which reached 10 mA cm⁻² at an extremely low overpotential (270 mV) and a very low Tafel slope (42.7 mV dec⁻¹), was obtained. Our work can pave the way for low cost high-performance LDHs in water electrolysis.

Against the backdrop of accelerating global energy transition, developing high-performance energy-storage systems is crucial for achieving carbon neutrality. Traditional electrode materials are limited by a single densification storage mechanism and low conductivity, struggling to meet demands for high energy/power density and a long cycle life. Carbon/high-entropy alloy nanocomposites provide an innovative solution through multi-component synergistic effects and cross-scale structural design: the “cocktail effect” of high-entropy alloys confers excellent redox activity and structural stability, while the three-dimensional conductive network of the carbon skeleton enhances charge transfer efficiency. Together, they achieve synergistic enhancement via interfacial electron coupling, stress buffering, and dual storage mechanisms. This review systematically analyzes the charge storage/attenuation mechanisms and performance advantages of this composite material in diverse energy-storage devices (lithium-ion batteries, lithium-sulfur batteries, etc.), evaluates the characteristics and limitations of preparation techniques such as mechanical alloying and chemical vapor deposition, identifies five major challenges (including complex and costly synthesis, ambiguous interfacial interaction mechanisms, lagging theoretical research, performance-cost trade-offs, and slow industrialization processes), and prospectively proposes eight research directions (including multi-scale structural regulation and sustainable preparation technologies, etc.). Through interdisciplinary perspectives, this review aims to provide a theoretical foundation for deepening the understanding of carbon/high-entropy alloy composite energy-storage mechanisms and guiding industrial applications, thereby advancing breakthroughs in electrochemical energy-storage technology under the energy transition.

With the global energy structure transitioning towards clean and low-carbon alternatives, electrochemical energy storage technologies have emerged as pivotal enablers for achieving efficient renewable energy utilization and carbon neutrality objectives. However, conventional electrode materials remain constrained by inherent limitations, including low specific surface area, sluggish ion diffusion kinetics, and insufficient mechanical stability, which fundamentally hinder the synergistic fulfillment of high energy density, superior power density, and prolonged cycling durability. Three-dimensional printing technology offers a revolutionary paradigm for designing and fabricating carbon-based electrochemical energy storage devices. By enabling precise control over both the microstructural architecture and macro-scale morphology of electrode materials, this additive manufacturing approach significantly enhances energy/power densities, as well as cycling stability. Specifically, 3D printing facilitates biomimetic topological designs (e.g., hierarchical porous networks, vertically aligned ion channels) and functional hybridization strategies (e.g., carbon/metal oxide hybrids, carbon/biomass-derived composites), thereby achieving synergistic optimization of charge transfer kinetics and mechanical endurance. This review systematically summarizes recent advancements in 3D-printed carbon-based electrodes across major energy storage systems, including supercapacitors, lithium-ion batteries, and metal–air batteries. Particular emphasis is placed on the design principles of carbon-based inks, multiscale structural engineering strategies, and process optimization methodologies. Furthermore, we prospect future research directions focusing on smart 4D printing-enabled dynamic regulation, multi-material integrated systems, and artificial intelligence-guided design frameworks to bridge the gap between laboratory prototypes and industrial-scale applications. Through multidisciplinary convergence spanning materials science, advanced manufacturing, and device engineering, 3D-printed carbon electrodes are poised to catalyze the development of next-generation high-performance, customizable energy storage systems.