Transition metal oxides as electrode materials for advanced energy storage – a decade of research on batteries and supercapacitors
- 1Institute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability (iNanoWS), College of Science, Engineering and Technology, University of South Africa, Science Campus, 1710, Roodepoort, South Africa
- 2Institute of Catalysis and Energy Solutions, College of Science, Engineering and Technology, University of South Africa, Science Campus, 1710, Roodepoort, South Africa
- 3Department of Chemistry, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, PMB 220005, Nigeria
Abstract
Transition metal oxides (TMOs) have emerged as promising electrode materials for next-generation electrochemical energy storage due to their rich redox chemistry and high theoretical capacitance. However, their practical application is limited by poor conductivity, slow ion diffusion, and structural instability, which create a persistent trade-off between energy density, power capability, and cycle life. Similar challenges arise in rechargeable batteries, where TMOs face issues such as volume expansion, sluggish ion kinetics, and interfacial degradation. This review critically examines research published between 2015 and 2024, centered on a unified electrochemical framework that correlates material structure, ion transport kinetics, and charge storage mechanisms across supercapacitor and battery systems. It examines recent progress in addressing these limitations through nanoscale structural engineering, transition-metal doping, and composite formation. These strategies collectively enhance charge transport, increase electroactive surface area, and improve mechanical and structural stability under cycling. A critical assessment of recent literature highlights the consistent effectiveness of these approaches across supercapacitors and various battery chemistries. The review concludes by identifying key challenges in scalability, electrode design, and device integration, and outlines future research directions toward designing durable, high-performance, and application-relevant TMO-based energy storage systems, with particular emphasis on bridging laboratory-scale performance and practical device implementation.
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BibTeX
@article{adekunle2026transition,
title = {{Transition metal oxides as electrode materials for advanced energy storage – a decade of research on batteries and supercapacitors}},
author = {Abolanle S. Adekunle and Ebenezer Olanrewaju Aluko and Saheed Eluwale Elugoke and Mojeed Olalekan Bello and Moshawe Jack Madito and Fuku Xolile and Thabo T.I. Nkambule and Peter R. Makgwane and Bhekie Brilliance Mamba},
journal = {Chemical Physics Impact},
year = {2026},
month = jun,
doi = {10.1016/j.chphi.2026.101112},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chphi.2026.101112},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Transition metal oxides as electrode materials for advanced energy storage – a decade of research on batteries and supercapacitors
AU - Abolanle S. Adekunle
AU - Ebenezer Olanrewaju Aluko
AU - Saheed Eluwale Elugoke
AU - Mojeed Olalekan Bello
AU - Moshawe Jack Madito
AU - Fuku Xolile
AU - Thabo T.I. Nkambule
AU - Peter R. Makgwane
AU - Bhekie Brilliance Mamba
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/06/30
JO - Chemical Physics Impact
DO - 10.1016/j.chphi.2026.101112
UR - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chphi.2026.101112
AB - Transition metal oxides (TMOs) have emerged as promising electrode materials for next-generation electrochemical energy storage due to their rich redox chemistry and high theoretical capacitance. However, their practical application is limited by poor conductivity, slow ion diffusion, and structural instability, which create a persistent trade-off between energy density, power capability, and cycle life. Similar challenges arise in rechargeable batteries, where TMOs face issues such as volume expansion, sluggish ion kinetics, and interfacial degradation. This review critically examines research published between 2015 and 2024, centered on a unified electrochemical framework that correlates material structure, ion transport kinetics, and charge storage mechanisms across supercapacitor and battery systems. It examines recent progress in addressing these limitations through nanoscale structural engineering, transition-metal doping, and composite formation. These strategies collectively enhance charge transport, increase electroactive surface area, and improve mechanical and structural stability under cycling. A critical assessment of recent literature highlights the consistent effectiveness of these approaches across supercapacitors and various battery chemistries. The review concludes by identifying key challenges in scalability, electrode design, and device integration, and outlines future research directions toward designing durable, high-performance, and application-relevant TMO-based energy storage systems, with particular emphasis on bridging laboratory-scale performance and practical device implementation.
SN - 2667-0224
ER -