<p>Achieving devices that combine high energy density with exceptional rate capability remains a challenge in energy storage. In this study, we engineer a Sb/MXene interface with highly dispersed amorphous Sb atomic clusters (ACs) on MXene surfaces (Sb_ACs/MXene). The strong interfacial interactions lead to charge redistribution, enhancing state densities at the Fermi level and increasing Li absorption energy. Moreover, the targeted material demonstrates high electrical conductivity, abundant electrochemical active sites, ultra-low charge transfer resistance and rapid reaction kinetics. As a result, when used as an anode for lithium-ion batteries, the optimized Sb_ACs/MXene electrode exhibits an excellent reversible capacity of 559.2&#xa0;mAh&#xa0;g⁻¹ at 0.1 A g⁻¹ after 100 cycles, as well as the high-rate property and cycling stability (186.3&#xa0;mAh&#xa0;g⁻¹ at 1 A g⁻¹ after 1000 cycles), which is almost twice higher than that of pure MXene electrode. Furthermore, it is determined that the amorphous Sb ACs undergo asymmetrical multistep reactions involving (de)alloying and conversion, further affirming the fast and stable performance of lithium storage.</p> Graphical abstract <p></p>