Current studies in the Li-battery field are focusing on building
systems with higher energy density than ever before. The path toward
this goal, however, should not ignore aspects such as safety, stability,
and cycling life. These issues frequently originate from interfacial
instability, and therefore, precise surface chemistry that allows
for accurate control of material surface and interfaces is much in
demand for advanced battery research. Molecular self-assembly as a
surface chemistry tool is considered to surpass many conventional
coating techniques due to its intrinsic merits such as spontaneous
organization, molecular-scale uniformity, and structural diversity.
Recent publications have demonstrated the power of self-assembled
monolayers (SAMs) in addressing pressing issues in the battery field
such as the chemical stability of Li, but many more investigations
are needed to fully explore the potential and impact of this technique
on energy storage. This perspective is the first of its kind devoted
to SAMs in batteries and related materials. Recent research progress
on SAMs in batteries is reviewed and mainly falls in two categories,
including the improvement of chemical stability and the regulation
of nucleation in conversion electrode reactions. Future applications
and consideration of SAMs in energy storage are discussed. We believe
these summaries and outlooks are highly stimulative and may benefit
future advancements in battery chemistry.