Electrochemical Energy Storage and Conversion
Summary
Electrochemical energy storage and conversion harnesses reversible redox reactions at solid electrodes and ionic conduction through electrolytes to convert chemical energy into electricity and vice versa. Technologies span lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries, aqueous systems and solid-state devices, each balancing energy density, power capability, safety and longevity. Supercapacitors bridge the gap between batteries and conventional capacitors by combining electric double-layer charge storage with rapid surface redox processes. Advances in electrode architectures—including nanostructured composites, metal–organic frameworks and layered materials—and interfacial engineering have enhanced ion transport, suppressed dendrite formation and stabilised high-capacity chemistries. Emerging solid electrolytes aim to widen the electrochemical window and improve safety, while flexible and fibre-shaped formats address wearable and portable applications. Collectively, these developments support grid-scale buffering, electric mobility and decentralised power generation in a global drive towards sustainable energy systems.
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Electrochemical Energy Storage and Conversion publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in electrochemical energy storage and conversion across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Electrochemical energy storage: The process of converting chemical energy into electrical energy and back via redox reactions at electrodes separated by an electrolyte.
Metal–organic framework (MOF): A porous crystalline material composed of metal nodes and organic linkers, employed as a precursor for high-surface-area electrode architectures.
Aqueous electrolyte: A water-based ionic medium that facilitates ion transport between electrodes, valued for safety and low cost.
Pseudocapacitance: Fast, reversible surface redox reactions that contribute to capacitance beyond pure electrostatic double-layer storage.
Coulombic efficiency: The ratio of discharge capacity to charge capacity, indicating how effectively charge is stored and retrieved without loss.
References
- Binder‐Free MOF‐Based and MOF‐Derived Nanoarrays for Flexible Electrochemical Energy Storage: Progress and Perspectives. Small (2023).
- Iron anode‐based aqueous electrochemical energy storage devices: Recent advances and future perspectives. Interdisciplinary Materials (2022).
- A Tale of Nickel-Iron Batteries: Its Resurgence in the Age of Modern Batteries. Batteries (2023).
- Electrochemical Energy Storage and Conversion Devices—Types and Importance.
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