Chemical Science Highlights 12 Cutting-edge Studies on Next-generation Battery Technologies

The featured collection covers the latest breakthroughs in lithium-ion, sodium-ion, zinc-ion, and all-solid-state batteries, as well as thermogalvanic cells. These studies highlight how innovations in electrode design, electrolyte chemistry, and in situ diagnostic techniques are contributing to more stable, efficient, and high-performance energy-storage technologies. The 12 articles were authored by researchers from China, Thailand, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Iran, Egypt, and India, reflecting strong international collaboration and diversity in advanced energy research.

Chemical Science is the flagship journal of Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). It is a weekly, peer-reviewed, open-access journal (diamond/gold) that publishes across the full spectrum of chemical sciences from fundamental chemistry to materials, catalysis, energy, nanoscience, and more. Its 2024 impact factor is reported as 7.4–7.5, placing it among the top general-chemistry journals globally.

Below are the 12 papers featured in the Editor’s Choice, each summarised in simple focusing on their key result and significance:

1- Janus interface enables reversible Zn-ion battery by regulating interfacial water structure and crystal-orientation: This work shows that by engineering a “Janus” interfacial layer controlling water structure and crystal orientation at the electrode/electrolyte boundary they achieved a reversible zinc-ion battery. The result suggests better stability and cycling performance in Zn-ion batteries, which are promising low-cost, safe alternatives to Li-based systems.

2- Planar pentacoordinate s-block metals: A theoretical/computational study presenting novel chemical structures: planar pentacoordinate s-block metals. While more fundamental than applied, this could open pathways to new materials with unusual bonding or properties potentially relevant for energy-materials design or catalysis at the nanoscale.

3- How uniform particle size of NMC90 boosts lithium-ion mobility for faster charging/discharging in a cylindrical Li-ion cell: By ensuring the cathode material (NMC90) has uniform particle size, the authors demonstrated improved lithium-ion mobility enabling faster charging/discharging rates. This is an important step towards high-power lithium-ion batteries, relevant for EVs and fast-charging applications.

4- P-doped spherical hard carbon with high initial coulombic efficiency and enhanced capacity for sodium-ion batteries: The team developed phosphorus-doped hard carbon anode for sodium-ion batteries that shows high initial Coulombic efficiency and enhanced capacity. This addresses a key challenge (low efficiency and capacity decline) in sodium-ion battery development, making them more viable as low-cost alternatives to lithium systems.

5- In-situ polymerization of 1,3-dioxolane and formation of fluorine/boron-rich interfaces (via film-forming additives) for long-life lithium metal batteries: By polymerising 1,3-dioxolane directly in the cell and forming fluorine/boron-rich interfacial layers (thanks to special additives), the authors achieved long-life lithium-metal batteries. The result could help overcome stability issues that typically limit metal-lithium batteries, boosting their prospects for high-energy storage.

6- A covalent organic framework as a dual-active-center cathode for a high-performance aqueous Zn-ion battery: This paper reports using a covalent organic framework (COF) as a cathode material with dual active centers improving performance of aqueous zinc-ion batteries. COF-based electrodes are often lightweight and structurally tunable, making this advance promising for sustainable, low-cost energy storage technologies.

7- In-situ Nafion-nanofilm oriented (002) Zn electrodeposition for long-term zinc-ion batteries: The authors controlled zinc electrodeposition via an oriented Nafion nanofilm improving the cycling stability and lifetime of Zn-ion batteries. This addresses a known challenge (dendrite formation, low stability) in zinc-based systems, potentially making them safer and longer-lasting.

8- Self-assembled monolayers for electrostatic electrocatalysis and enhanced electrode stability in thermogalvanic cells: In a thermogalvanic cell (which converts temperature differences to electricity), the use of self-assembled monolayers for electrostatic electrocatalysis improved electrode stability and catalytic performance. This could contribute to novel energy harvesting devices — converting waste heat or temperature gradients into usable electricity.

9- High-temperature in-situ gas analysis for identifying degradation mechanisms of lithium-ion batteries: Using in-situ gas analysis at high temperature, the authors identified degradation pathways in lithium-ion batteries. Understanding how and why batteries degrade under stress is critical for improving their lifespan — valuable both for consumer electronics and large-scale energy storage.

10- Nanostructured amorphous Ni–Co–Fe phosphide as a versatile electrocatalyst for seawater splitting and aqueous zinc–air batteries: This study introduces a nanostructured amorphous Ni–Co–Fe phosphide catalyst efficient for seawater splitting and as a component for aqueous zinc–air batteries. The result is significant because it brings electrocatalysis closer to real-world, scalable systems seawater is abundant and Zn–air batteries are attractive for grid storage.

11- Catalysis of a LiF-rich solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) by aromatic-structure modified porous polyamine for stable all-solid-state lithium metal batteries: The work reports using a modified porous polyamine to catalyze formation of a LiF-rich SEI — stabilizing all-solid-state lithium-metal batteries. Solid-state batteries promise higher energy density and safety; thus, achieving stable SEI layers is a key step toward their practical application.

12- Revealing the dissolution mechanism of organic carbonyl electrodes in lithium–organic batteries: This paper elucidates how organic carbonyl electrodes dissolve during battery operation a major degradation mechanism. By understanding this at molecular level, future efforts can design more stable organic electrodes, which are attractive for sustainable, metal-free battery chemistries.

Why this matters for the nano / energy community?

Many of the highlighted works especially those using nanostructured materials (e.g., amorphous phosphide catalysts, COF cathodes, doped carbons, nanofilms, engineered interfaces) lie at the interface of nanoscience, materials science, and energy technology.

Advances in Zn- and Na-ion batteries, solid-state Li-metal batteries, and thermogalvanic or seawater-based systems point to diversification beyond traditional Li-ion batteries a trend aligned with sustainability, cost reduction, and broader resource accessibility.

The selection underlines the importance of interface engineering, in-situ diagnostics, and materials design themes that are central to nanotech-enabled energy solutions.