The overall performance of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) is closely related to the interphase between the electrode materials and electrolytes. During LIB operation, electrolytes may decompose on the surface of electrode materials, forming a solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer. Ideally, the SEI layer should ensure reversible lithium-ion intercalation in the electrodes and suppress interfacial interactions. However, the chemical and mechanical stabilities of the SEI layer are not usually able to meet these requirements. Alternatively, tremendous efforts have been devoted to engineering the surface of electrode materials with an artificial interphase, which shows great promise in improving the electrochemical performance. Herein, we present a comprehensive summary of the state-of-the-art knowledge on this topic. The effects of the artificial interphase on the electrochemical performance of the electrode materials are discussed in detail. In particular, we highlight the importance of three functions of artificial interphases, including inhibiting electrolyte decomposition, protecting the electrodes from corrosion, and accommodating electrode volume changes.

Given the interdisciplinary challenges in materials sciences, chemistry, physics, and biology, as well as the demands to merge electronics and photonics at the nanometer scale for miniaturized integrated circuits, plasmonics serves as a bridge by breaking the limit in the speed of nanoscale electronics and the size of terahertz dielectric photonics. Active plasmonic systems enabling active control over the plasmonic properties in real time have opened up a wealth of potential applications. This review focuses on the development of active plasmonic response devices. Significant advances have been achieved in control over the dielectric properties of the active surrounding medium, including liquid crystals, polymers, photochromic molecules and inorganic materials, which in turn allows tuning of the reversible plasmon resonance switch of neighboring metal nanostructures.