Amorphous materials emerging as prospective electrodes for electrochemical energy storage and conversion

Amorphous materials, which bear a unique entity of randomly arranged atoms, have aroused a great deal of attention in the field of electrochemical energy storage and conversion recently due to their specific characteristics, such as intrinsic isotropy, defect distribution, and structural flexibility. Here, recent progress in exploring amorphous-material-based electrodes with high performance for a series of energy storage and conversion technologies is highlighted. Special attention is devoted to the fundamental understanding of the underlying electrochemical energy storage mechanisms and to the significant roles that amorphous nanomaterials can play in different electrochemical applications, including Li-ion batteries, Li-metal batteries, and supercapacitors. Current challenges in applying amorphous materials in various electrochemical techniques are eventually summarized together with several prospective research directions in this field. This perspective will provide valuable guidance and inspiration to facilitate further development of nanoscale amorphous materials in sustainable electrochemical energy technologies.