Tailoring 2D Material Interfaces and Architectures: From Atomic-Scale Understanding to High-Performance Electrochemical Energy Storage

The rapid advancement of electrochemical energy storage technologies — encompassing advanced lithium-ion, post-lithium, multivalent, and hybrid chemistries — is vital for powering diverse emerging platforms, from electric vehicles to flexible and self-powered electronics. Two-dimensional (2D) materials, including MXenes, graphene, and transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), offer exceptional promise for these applications owing to their unique structural architectures, tunable interlayer chemistry, and optimized ion/electron transport pathways. However, fully exploiting their potential requires precise atomic-scale understanding of how interlayer spacing, surface termination groups, heterointerface design, and nanoarchitectural engineering govern charge storage behavior, ion intercalation kinetics, and long-term cycling stability. Bridging this fundamental gap — from atomic-scale structural tailoring to macroscopic device performance — remains the central challenge driving the field forward.This Research Topic aims to establish a multidisciplinary platform bridging atomic-scale materials design, in situ and operando characterization, and system-level integration for high-performance electrochemical energy storage. The primary objective is to collect pioneering research focused on the architectural design and interfacial tailoring of 2D materials — MXenes, graphene, and TMDs — and their derivatives, to optimize electrochemical performance across diverse storage configurations including lithium-ion, sodium-ion, zinc-ion, and multivalent ion systems. A key emphasis is placed on revealing structure–function relationships through advanced in situ and operando characterization, enabling real-time observation of charge storage mechanisms, ion intercalation pathways, and electrode–electrolyte interface evolution during electrochemical operation. By uniting fundamental mechanistic studies with applied device innovation, this Research Topic seeks to accelerate the development of high-capacity, long-cycling, and multifunctional 2D material-based energy storage systems — spanning flexible and wearable electronics to large-scale storage platforms.This Research Topic focuses on the strategic architectural design and electrochemical characterization of nanostructured and 2D materials — including MXenes, graphene, and TMDs — for high-performance energy storage systems and integrated devices. We welcome Original Research, Reviews, Mini Reviews, Perspectives, and Communications addressing the following specific themes:- Advanced synthesis, structural engineering, and surface/interlayer functionalization of MXenes, graphene derivatives, and TMDs for optimized electrode performance- In situ and operando characterization (TEM, XRD, Raman spectroscopy, XPS, NMR) of 2D material electrodes during electrochemical cycling- Mechanistic studies linking atomic-scale 2D material architecture with ion intercalation, diffusion, and charge storage kinetics- Heterostructure and van der Waals assembly of 2D materials for synergistic electrochemical performance- 2D material-based electrodes for post-lithium and multivalent ion storage systems (Zn²⁺, Mg²⁺, Al³⁺, Na⁺, K⁺)- Computational modeling (DFT, molecular dynamics) of 2D material–electrolyte interfaces and charge storage mechanisms- Integration of 2D material energy storage components into flexible, wearable, and multifunctional device platforms. Topic editors: Yongfa Cheng, Balamurugan Arumugam, Ponnaiah Sathish Kumar, Xinyun Dong Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/84087/tailoring-2d-material-interfaces-and-architectures-from-atomic-scale-understanding-to-high-performance-electrochemical-energy-storage