Lithium metal batteries (LMBs) are considered the most promising energy storage devices for applications such as electrical vehicles owing to its tremendous theoretical capacity (3860 mAh g⁻¹). However, the serious safety issues and poor cycling performance caused by the dendritic crystal growth during deposition are concerned for any rechargeable batteries with a lithium metal anode. To make widespread adoption a possibility, considerable efforts have been devoted to suppressing lithium (Li) dendrite growth. In this review, the recent strategies to developing dendrite free Li anode, including constructing an artificial solid electrolyte interface, current collector modification, separator film improvement, and electrolyte additive, are summarized. The merits and shortcomings for different strategies are reviewed and a general summary and perspective on the next generation rechargeable batteries are presented. image

The volume change of the silicon anode seriously affects the electrode integrity and cycle stability. Herein, a binder, GCA13, with energy dissipation function and surface stability effect is proposed to enhance the cycle life and specific capacity. Unlike traditional binders that protect silicon electrodes through long‐chain networks, GCA13 introduces citric acid molecules with short‐range functions on the long‐chain guar gum through weak interconnection. This short‐range action is similar to the function of a spring, which can effectively buffer the silicon particle pulverization caused by the volume change. Therefore, the electrode can effectively maintain structural integration with ignorable cracks and alleviated thickness swelling. Thus, the Si@GCA13 anode exhibits a high reversible capacity of 1184 mAh g⁻¹ under 2 A g⁻¹ after 740 cycles with a latter coulombic efficiency of 99.9%. Extraordinarily, benefiting from the superior properties of the GCA13 binder, the electrode shows remarkable cycling stability under low (−15 and 0 °C) and high temperatures (60 °C). The work demonstrates the great potential of this binder design strategy to achieve the overall property promotion of Si anodes for practical application even under harsh service conditions.

Based on the great advantages of an inner hollow structure and excellent solid counterpart capacity, complex hierarchical structures have been widely used as electrodes for lithium‐ion batteries. Herein, hierarchical yolk–shell Cu₂O@CuO‐decorated RGO (YSRs) was designed and synthesized via a multi‐step approach. Octahedron‐like Cu₂O‐decorated RGO was firstly produced, in which GO was reduced slightly while cuprous oxide was synthesized. Subsequently, the controlled oxidation of Cu₂O@RGO led to the synthesis of special YSRs, which were composed of a solid Cu₂O core, spur‐CuO, CuO shell, and RGO covered. As anode materials, YSRs could provide considerable capacity density. Meanwhile, the void existed between shells and solid active materials retaining the advantages of inner hollow structure. As a result, the unique architecture of the materials renders the composites with enhanced electronic and ionic diffusion kinetics, high specific capacity (~894 mAh g^‐1, 0.1C), and an excellent rate capability.

With the advantages of superior energy density, lithium‐sulfur batteries (LSBs) have been considered as one of the promising next‐generation batteries. However, some key issues, such as the shuttle effect of the intermediate lithium polysulfides, poor conductivity of the sulfur, Li₂S and Li₂S₂, and huge volume variation during charge/discharge process, have hindered its development. In this respect, a variety of nanomaterials have been used to overcome the above‐mentioned defects. Among them, two‐dimensional (2D) nanomaterials present unique merits for enhancing the electrochemical performance of LSBs owing to their unique structural properties. Nevertheless, the variation of 2D nanomaterials used in LSBs is rarely discussed. Herein, this work systematically reviews the state‐of‐the‐art progress in LSB cathode development through 2D materials such as graphene, MXenes, 2D compounds, and so forth. With a comprehensive analysis, the challenges and perspectives for 2D nanomaterials in LSBs application are proposed and discussed. image