Sustainable metal oxides and their composites for lithium-ion batteries and multifunctional applications

Abstract The sustainability of the world's complex systems and economy relies on an efficient energy supply, with electrochemical energy storage playing a pivotal role in meeting the growing energy demands. However, the electrochemical performance of the existing batteries remains grossly, inadequate to meet the energy demands of modern devices. This is largely due to the persistent challenges with electrode materials. Hence, this review explores the versatility of transition metal oxides and their composites as promising materials for sustainable lithium-ion battery operations. By focusing on innovative composite architectures, this review highlights the potential of conducting polymer/transition metal oxide composites to enhance the electrochemical performance of lithium-ion batteries through improved electrical conductivity, mechanical flexibility, and cycling stability. Moreover, the review investigates the two-dimensional nanomaterials/metal oxide composites, emphasizing their role in optimizing lithium-ion diffusion and its reaction kinetics. Additionally, multimetallic oxide composites are presented, showcasing their synergistic properties that contribute to high capacity and structural stability. The findings underscore the adaptability of transition metal oxides and their composites in advancing the next-generation lithium-ion batteries, sodium-ion batteries, zinc-ion batteries, supercapacitor technologies, sensors, and electrocatalyst.