Design, synthesis, and energy-related applications of metal sulfides

Metal sulfides (designated as MSs, M = Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Mo, Ti, W, Sn, Sb, etc.) have recently attracted increasing research interest worldwide. Benefiting from their high electrochemical activities, these MSs will play significant roles in low-cost and environmentally friendly energy storage/conversion systems. In this review, we summarize the up-to-date progress on the rational design and efficient synthesis of MSs with controlled morphologies, sizes, compositions, and micro/nano-structures, along with their applications as electrode materials for lithium/sodium/ magnesium-ion batteries and supercapacitors, and electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction and the hydrogen evolution reaction. The associated challenges, problem-solving strategies, and future trends to broaden the horizons of MSs for energy-related applications will also be presented.