Aqueous zinc (Zn)-ion batteries (AZIBs) are one of the most promising large-scale energy storage devices because of the excellent features of zinc metal anodes, including high theoretical capacity (5,855 mAh·cm^–3 and 820 mAh·g⁻¹), high safety, and natural abundance. Nevertheless, the large-scale applications of AZIBs are mainly limited by the severe interfacial side reactions of zinc metal anodes, which results in low plating/stripping Coulombic efficiency and poor cycling stability. To address this issue, we report an artificial Ta₂O₅ protective layer on zinc foil (Ta₂O₅@Zn) for suppressing side reactions during Zn deposition/stripping. The results of density functional theory calculation and experiments indicate that Ta₂O₅@Zn anode can inhibit the side reactions between the electrolyte and zinc anode through the isolation effect. Benefiting from this advantage, the symmetric cells with Ta₂O₅@Zn anode delivered an ultralong lifespan of 3,000 h with a low overpotential at 0.25 mA·cm⁻² for 0.05 mAh·cm⁻². Furthermore, the full cells consisting of Ta₂O₅@Zn anode and MnO₂ or NH₄V₄O₁₀ cathode all present outstanding electrochemical performance, indicating its high reliability in practical applications. This strategy brings new opportunities for the future development of rechargeable AZIBs.

Alkali metals (Li, Na, and K) are promising candidates for high-performance rechargeable alkali metal battery anodes due to their high theoretical specific capacity and low electrochemical potential. However, the actual application of alkali metal anodes is impeded by the challenges of alkali metals, including their high chemical reactivity, uncontrolled dendrite growth, unstable solid electrolyte interphase, and infinite volume expansion during cycling processes. Introducing carbon nanotube-based nanomaterials in alkali metal anodesis an effective solution to these issues. These nanomaterials have attracted widespread attention owing to their unique properties, such as their high specific surface area, superior electronic conductivity, and excellent mechanical stability. Considering the rapidly growing research enthusiasm for this topic in the last several years, we review recent progress on the application of carbon nanotube-based nanomaterials in stable and dendrite-free alkali metal anodes. The merits and issues of alkali metal anodes, as well as their stabilizing strategies are summarized. Furthermore, the relationships among methods of synthesis, nanoor microstructures, and electrochemical properties of carbon nanotube-based alkali metal anodes are systematically discussed. In addition, advanced characterization technologies on the reaction mechanism of carbon nanotube-based nanomaterials in alkali metal anodes are also reviewed. Finally, the challenges and prospects for future study and applications of carbon nanotube-based AMAs in high-performance alkali metal batteries are discussed.

Transition metal tungstate-based nanomaterials have become one of the research hotspots in electrochemistry due to their abundant natural resources, low costs, and environmental friendliness. Extensive studies have demonstrated their significant potentials for electrochemical applications, such as supercapacitors, Li-ion batteries, Na-ion batteries, electrochemical sensing, and electrocatalysis. Considering the rapidly growing research enthusiasm for this topic over the last several years, herein, a critical review of recent progress on the application of transition metal tungstates and their composites for electrochemical applications is summarized. The relationships between synthetic methods, nano/micro structures and electrochemical properties are systematically discussed. Finally, their promising prospects for future development are also proposed. It is anticipated that this review will inspire ongoing interest in rational designing and fabricating novel transition metal tungstate-based nanomaterials for high-performance electrochemical devices.