One-dimensional and two-dimensional synergized nanostructures for high-performing energy storage and conversion

Abstract

To address the worldwide energy challenges, advanced energy storage and conversion systems with high comprehensive performances, as the promising technologies, are inevitably required on a timely basis. The performance of these energy systems is intimately dependent on the properties of their electrodes. In addition to the electrode materials selection and their compositional optimization, materials fabrication with the designed nanostructure also provides significant benefits for their performances. In the past decade, considerable efforts have been made to promote the search for multidimensional nanostructures containing both one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) nanostructures in synergy, namely, 1D-2D synergized nanostructures. By developing the freestanding electrodes with such unique nanoarchitectures, the structural features and electroactivities of each component can be manifested, where the synergistic properties among them can be simultaneously obtained for further enhanced properties, such as the increased number of active sites, fast electronic/ionic transport, and so forth. This review overviews the state-of-the-art on the 1D-2D synergized nanostructures, which can be broadly divided into three groups, namely, core/shell, cactus-like, and sandwich-like nanostructures. For each category, we introduce them from the aspects of structural features, fabrication methodologies to their successful applications in different types of energy storage/conversion devices, including rechargeable batteries, supercapacitors, water splitting, and so forth. Finally, the main challenges faced by and perspectives on the 1D-2D synergized nanostructures are discussed. (Figure presented.).