Themed collection Recent Open Access Articles

Cointercalation reactions, of particular interest for emerging battery cell chemistries, are more effectively controlled when matching electrolyte formulation with nanoconfinement properties within the interlayer space of host materials.

While perovskite-based photovoltaics is progressing toward commercialization, it remains an open question which fabrication technology – solution-based, vapor-based, or combinations – will pave the way to faster economic breakthrough.

Carbon accounting without life cycle analysis (LCA) is possible by requiring one ton of sequestration for each extracted ton of carbon. A carbon takeback obligation eliminates the need to track carbon through the supply chain.

Biohybrid systems of synthetic materials and microorganisms can be obtained using a range of assembly strategies based on their interactions. This influences charge transfer between the components and their efficiency for solar fuels generation.

A roadmap that delineates the major hurdles and essential RD&D actions to enable large-scale DACCS deployment.

We examine drivers and benefits of adopting circular economy practices for perovskite solar cells (PSCs), a promising low-cost PV technology, identifying key challenges and reviewing research progress towards achieving a circular economy for PSCs.

Highly concentrated (water-in-salt) electrolytes possess peculiar ionic interactions, solvation structure, ion transport, capability to form an SEI, etc. This perspective discusses the role of the salt anion on such properties.

The development of bio-based gel polymer electrolytes and bifunctional cathodes with no/less CRM-based catalysts is urgently required for ZABs to push sustainability for full cell design and validation by adopting correct protocols and metrics.

Overpotentials are assessed for electrocatalytic oxidation of alcohols using molecular complexes in organic solvents. This work enables meaningful comparison of electrocatalysts across solvents and conditions to establish essential design criteria.

The envisioned role of hydrogen in the energy transition – or the concept of a hydrogen economy – has varied through the years.

CO₂RR is enhanced by the unique role of carbon nanostructures cooperating with metal and metal-oxide active phases to leverage charge transfer, reagent diffusion and structural stability, regulating a successful asset of interfacial interactions.

Energy storage needs to support commercial and residential buildings in the U.S. in 2050 for various 100% renewable energy scenarios.

Perspective on recent improvements in experiment and theory towards realizing lithium metal electrodes with liquid electrolytes.

The petrochemical industry must transition into a circular carbo-chemical industry to respond to three main challenges: shifting hydrocarbon stock, climate change and circular economy.

Understanding the durability-limiting factors of anion exchange membrane water electrolyzers operating under pure water-, KOH- and K₂CO₃-fed conditions.

This article identifies and discusses the scientific challenges of hydrogen storage in porous media for safe and efficient large-scale energy storage to enable a global hydrogen economy.

This perspective provides information on durability challenges and future actions of anion exchange membrane fuel cells.

A perspective on some strategies to trigger new developments for the next generation of Cu(In,Ga)Se₂ solar cells is presented.

We reveal the insignificance of advanced materials in further enhancing the energy efficiency of desalination and suggest more impactful approaches.

Facilitated by redox catalysts capable of catalytic reactions and reactive separation, chemical looping offers exciting opportunities for intensified chemical production.

The ability to recover the oxygen reduction reaction of poisoned metal oxide surfaces, central to many energy related applications, is demonstrated by controlling relative surface acidity.

Hybrid halide perovskites are found to contain multiple types of nanoscale defects that play varied roles in charge trapping – from highly detrimental to relatively benign.

A new materials discovery platform based on combined machine learning (ML) and density functional theory (DFT) for screening and experimental validation is proposed for designing a stable K_xMnO₂ cathode in K-ion batteries.

We analyse the potential of solar hydrogen production in remote and cold world regions such as Antarctica and quantify the efficiency benefits of thermal coupling.

27%-efficient perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells are achieved in n–i–p configuration by developing novel electron and hole selective contacts, which combine high broadband transparency with efficient charge extraction.

A mixed-cation single-crystal lead-halide perovskite absorber layer was utilized to construct 22.8%-efficient solar cells with an expanded near infrared response that approaches the ideal bandgap range (1.1–1.4 eV) for single-junction solar cells.

The new technology of “solar-driven ionic power generation” based on ionic thermophoresis and electrokinetic effects could convert solar energy into electricity by using a film of nanocellulose @ conductive metal–organic framework.

Innovative membrane-based extraction system tailoring affinity-driven separation enables continuous biodiesel production with high productivity and low energy consumption.

Expression of energy filtering to boost thermoelectric performance through grain boundary engineering utilising graphene.

A new anion exchange membrane (PiperION) in conjunction with a tailored zero-gap electrolyzer cell allows unprecedented partial current densities.

As for other multivalent systems, the interface between the calcium (Ca) metal anode and the electrolyte is of paramount importance for reversible plating/stripping.

We demonstrate the important role of the water dissociation process in proton-feeding and enhancing ORR kinetics under an alkaline environment.

In this study, we investigate the underlying origin of the high performance of PM6:Y6 organic solar cells.

This paper presents a zinc-ion battery that can be recharged directly by light without the need for a solar cell, which offers a new approach to balancing the unpredictable energy surpluses and deficits associated with solar energy.

Increasing the performance of seawater electrolyser and enabling direct natural seawater feed by asymmetric electrolyte flow scheme.

Ternary Mg₃(Bi,Sb)₂ single crystals showing high thermoelectric performance are for the first time grown by the Mg flux method.

Passive vapor generation systems combining interfacial solar heating and vaporization enthalpy recycling enable high-efficient low-cost desalination.

By unveiling the adsorption tendency of EC and FEC additives on defective graphene surfaces and its impact on SEI formation, hard carbon anodes with efficient Li plating regulation can be achieved for fast-charging lithium-ion batteries.

Regulating the solvation sheath reorganization kinetics through electrolyte engineering can facilitate an unprecedented battery chemistry.

The charge storage mechanism in LiNiO₂ in Li-ion batteries is still under debate. Here, we show that trapped O₂ forms during delithiation in LiNiO₂, accommodated by Ni vacancies, which form in the Ni layer.

The conformal heterojunction of a competent hole transport layer onto the nanoporous BiVO₄ photoanode is highly challenging, despite its promise for unbiased photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting.

Mg is used as the tracer element in the Li plating electrode to confirm that pure Li metal can plate in isolated pores near the solid electrolyte surface. This results in an internal pressure buildup and in the spallation of the LLZTO solid electrolyte, initiating the dendritic process.

We quantified the life-cycle environmental impacts of H₂ production at the regional and global levels for the first time.

The proposed cathode, achieved by a cost-effective and scalable coating process, highlights the potential of simultaneously promoting surface reactivity while ensuring bulk stability for efficient high mass loading cathodes in zinc-ion batteries.

Thermal and cost-scaling analyses provide the tools to optimize the geometry of thermal batteries based on cost. Figures-of-merit comprised of storage material properties are derived as the quantities that should be maximized when different components dominate cost.

A nature-inspired solution for water management in flow fields for electrochemical devices.

Trace metal cations dissolved in alkaline electrolytes incorporate into nickel hydroxide/oxyhydroxide through in situ cation exchange, creating an interstratified structure near the surface of the material that impacts the electrochemical performance.

Schematic illustration of interfacial water-masking agent (IWMA) strategy. Design of an IWMA to suppress the dissolution of V-based cathodes by specifically adsorbing on the interface, reconstructing hydrogen-bond networks, and regulating solvation structures.

Electrocatalytic OER activity of Co₃O₄ is enhanced by Fe near-surface decoration with a more pronounced formation of Co–FeO_x(OH)_y reaction zones comprising distinct redox-active Fe³⁺ and Co²⁺ sites as shown by comprehensive operando studies.

A techno-economic analysis comparing thermocatalytic and electrocatalytic routes to green ethylene from air-captured CO₂ and off-shore wind electricity.

Efforts to avoid dendrites by increasing the interfacial surface area to lower local current densities are limited by significant local pressure accumulation associated with the topography of any surface contouring.

Biogas and biomethane are renewable fuels that can help to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The upstream, midstream (gas production), and downstream segments of the biogas and biomethane supply chain are shown in the upper figure, all alternative processes are illustrated in the lower figure.

This research reports the presence of a synergistic effect among vacancies, lattice water and nickel ions on enhancing the hydrated protons hopping via the Grotthuss mechanism for high performance zinc ion battery cathodes.

A robust core–shell Ir@IrO_x/Pt/Ti₄O₇ catalyst was developed as a reversal-tolerant anode with high reversal tolerance, slow degradation, and low cost during the anode reversal.

Meticulously designed neighboring WOR and ORR active sites significantly enhance the overall photocatalytic synthesis of hydrogen peroxide.

Phenylguanidine, a strong ligand in the precursor solution, retards crystallization to enlarge grain sizes and reduce defect density of a perovskite film, demonstrating excellent universality across various compositions.

Sodium-ion batteries exhibit significant promise as a viable alternative to current lithium-ion technologies owing to their sustainability, low cost per energy density, reliability, and safety.

Efficiency limits for multi-junction solar cells with up to six junctions and arbitrary colour produced by reflecting Sunlight.

A controllable and sustainable lithium replenishment strategy was developed to achieve high-energy-density and long-lifespan lithium-ion batteries.

A method is developed to extract the rise time constant from frequency domain data of perovskite solar cells, which determines the charge extraction efficiency. The results show a good agreement with those obtained from time domain measurements.

A well-designed MOF water harvester with cooling assistance delivers high water productivity with low power consumption.

First-of-its-kind effort to understand full-scale multi-product biorefineries established upon co-solvent enhanced lignocellulosic fractionation (CELF) from an economic and environmental standpoint.

The long-term outdoor performance and stability of Perovskite Solar Cells showed several features that stem from the device's meta-stability. To rationalize this behavior we need indoor ageing experiments with cycled light.

Mobile ions cause deterioration in both device performance and stability of lead halide perovskite devices. This study provides direct evidence for substantial suppression of ionic migration effects in tin-containing perovskite compositions.

Light-induced degradation in metal halide perovskites is a major concern that can potentially hamper the commercialization of perovskite optoelectronic devices.

Organic electrode materials have garnered a great deal of interest owing to their sustainability, cost-efficiency, and design flexibility metrics.

HCO₃⁻-mediated highly efficient photoelectrochemical dioxygenation of arylalkenes coupled with the hydrogen evolution reaction: triple roles of HCO₃⁻-derived radicals.

This paper examines the cost and efficiency dynamics of three prevalent Power-to-Gas technologies. Our results suggest that electrolytic hydrogen production costs will approach but not reach the U.S. Department of Energy's $1.0/kg target by 2030.

The role of single atomic Ru site for enhanced UOR performance.

Light-induced formation of fullerene/BCP CT complexes results in new electronic states which enable efficient electron-transport through BCP to the electrode.