Challenges and opportunities in 2D materials for high-performance aqueous ammonium ion batteries

Aqueous ammonium ion batteries (AAIBs) have attracted considerable attention due to their high safety and rapid diffusion kinetics. Unlike spherical metal ions, NH4+ forms hydrogen bonds with host materials, leading to a unique storage mechanism. A variety of electrode materials have been proposed for AAIBs, but their performance often falls short in terms of future energy storage needs. Hence, there is a critical need to design and develop advanced electrode materials for AAIBs. 2D materials, with their tunable interlayer spacing, remarkable interfacial chemistry and abundant surface functional groups, are an ideal choice for electrode materials for NH4+ storage. This review highlights the latest research on 2D electrode materials for AAIBs, providing insights into their working principles, NH4+ storage mechanisms and control strategies for designing high-performance AAIBs. Furthermore, a summary and future perspectives on 2D electrode materials in the development of AAIBs are provided, aiming to promote the advancement of high-performance AAIBs. This review focuses on the NH4+ storage mechanisms and strategies of 2D materials in constructing high-performance aqueous ammonium ion batteries, which aims to promote their widespread application in the field of energy storage.