Transition Metal Carbide Complex Architectures for Energy-Related Applications.

Transition metal carbides (TMCs), as a family of special interstitial alloys, exhibit novel intrinsic characteristics such as high melting point, high electronic conductivity, excellent mechanical and chemical stability, and good corrosion resistance, and hence have attracted ever-growing attention as promising electrode materials for energy-related applications. In this regard, we give a comprehensive overview of the structural design of transition metal carbide complex architectures and their structure advantages for energy-related applications. After a brief classification, we summarize in detail recent progress in controllable design and synthesis of TMCs with complex nanostructures (e.g., zero-, one-, two-, and three-dimensional, and self-supported electrodes) for electrochemical energy storage and conversion applications including metal-ion batteries, supercapacitors, rechargeable metal-air batteries, fuel cells, and water splitting. Finally, we end this review with some potential challenges and research prospects of TMCs as electrode materials for energy-related applications.