Next-Generation Electrochemical Energy Conversion and Storage Based on Three-Dimensional Nanostructures with Improved Performance: Insights and Perspectives

Among the various nanostructures, 3D nanostructures have exhibited as optimistic materials for diverse applications as well as have drawn a lot of attention as building materials to create high-end nanodevices. Though significant research has been made based on 3D nanostructure, the performance of electrochemical energy devices by virtue of energy storage, power conversion, and device reliability still need remarkable improvement to fulfill the requirements of various functional applications. Instead of simply describing and comparing different 3D nanostructures, this article specifically describes the common and future benefits of the 3D nanostructure of 3D electrochemical energy conversion, focusing on photoelectrochemical water, renewable iron-ion batteries, solar-to-fuels converting from nitrogen to carbon dioxide by photoelectrocatalytic means, and supercapacitors. The interpretation of these advantages, disadvantages, as well as challenges will provide necessary perspectives with insights facilitating fabrication of three-dimensional nanostructured materials and to procure technologies for energy conversion and storage having high efficiency for the development of a sustainable energy future.