Multicomponent core-shell nanostructures for supercapacitors and batteries: A review

Abstract

Significant innovative core-shell designs utilizing nanomaterials have garnered considerable interest because of their notable advantages, including extensive specific surface area, a plethora of exposed active sites, elevated intrinsic electrochemical activity, and adjustable electronic structure. Consequently, a pronounced synergistic effect emerges, markedly enhancing the performance of diverse energy storage systems. To date, numerous multicomponent core-shell hetero-nanostructures have been investigated by precisely modifying their cores and shells, yielding remarkable performances. This paper seeks to deliver an objective and concise overview of the recent progress in low-cost and highly efficient core-shell nanomaterials for sustainable electrochemical energy storage systems. This encompasses a specific emphasis on compositional and morphological engineering, active site modification, synergistic interactions, and capacitance modulation. We provide in-depth analyses of the design and fabrication of intricate hierarchical core-shell nanostructures and their corresponding synthetic methodologies. Additionally, the article addresses the principles and prospective requirements of core-shell electrodes for practical applications. The advancements in heterostructural multicomponent core-shell electrodes for supercapacitors (SCs) and batteries are thoroughly detailed. Accordingly, the matrices for charge-storing capacity, morphological and compositional attributes, intrinsic surface chemistry assessments, and electronic configurations are presented through experimental investigations, theoretical simulations, and sophisticated characterisation techniques. This paper presents a summary of concluding remarks, challenges, and insights for the discovery of effective electrodes. Consequently, this review seeks to stimulate research and facilitate the development of large-scale electrodes exhibiting effective energy storage capabilities.