Recognition and Application of Catalysis in Secondary Rechargeable Batteries

With the exponentially increasing requirement for cost-effective energy storage systems, secondary rechargeable batteries have become a major topic of research interest and achieved remarkable progresses. For the past few years, a growing number of studies have introduced catalysts or the concept of catalysis into battery systems for achieving better electrochemical performance or designing materials with distinctive structures and excellent properties. In this brief Perspective, we explore the catalysis in secondary rechargeable batteries, including: 1) classical battery systems with exquisite catalyst design; 2) manipulation of electrode-electrolyte interface layers via selective catalysis; and 3) design of cathodes with distinctive structures using the mindset of catalysis toward anionic redox activity. This Perspective emphasizes catalysis in battery studies with the aim of inspiring distinctive ideas and directions for the future development of rechargeable battery technology.