Themed collection Sustainable Energy & Fuels Cover Art
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The curious case of the conflicting roles of hydrogen in global energy scenarios
It is puzzling that hydrogen is not prominent in global energy scenarios: this perspective investigates why and what can be done.
Sustainable Energy Fuels, 2020,4, 80-95
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9SE00833K
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The success story of graphite as a lithium-ion anode material – fundamentals, remaining challenges, and recent developments including silicon (oxide) composites
This review provides a comprehensive overview about the “hidden champion” of lithium-ion battery technology – graphite.
Sustainable Energy Fuels, 2020,4, 5387-5416
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0SE00175A
Planar polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells: powering portable devices from hydrogen
An air breathing planar PEMFC has thin geometry, open cathode and minimum peripheral devices.
Sustainable Energy Fuels, 2020,4, 439-468
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9SE00861F
A scalable and biomimetic approach for TiO2 deposition: enabling water splitting by nanostructured WO3 in neutral media as an example
A conformal TiO2 thin layer prepared by a simple biomimetic approach protects WO3 from chemical dissolution at neutral pH.
Sustainable Energy Fuels, 2020,4, 5005-5008
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0SE00285B
C–C coupling reactions promoted by CNT-supported bimetallic center in Fischer–Tropsch synthesis
C–C coupling reactions on M1M2/N6h surfaces for Fischer–Tropsch synthesis (FTS).
Sustainable Energy Fuels, 2020,4, 2638-2644
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9SE01289C
An auxiliary electrode mediated membrane-free redox electrochemical cell for energy storage
Membrane-free redox cell with no mass transfer between anode and cathode chambers.
Sustainable Energy Fuels, 2020,4, 2149-2152
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9SE00734B
Catalytic conversion of ferrous carbonate to higher hydrocarbons under mild conditions and its application in transformation of CO2 to liquid fuels
Coupling conversion of CO32− to hydrocarbons with carbonation of ferrous species by CO2 leads to the generation of long-chain hydrocarbons.
Sustainable Energy Fuels, 2020,4, 96-100
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9SE00612E
Understanding the effect of H2O on CO2 adsorption capture: mechanism explanation, quantitative approach and application
Competitive adsorption behavior of CO2 and H2O on MFI according to the Gibbs free adsorption energy.
Sustainable Energy Fuels, 2020,4, 5970-5986
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0SE01179G
Towards high-throughput optimization of microbial lipid production: from strain development to process monitoring
We describe, for the first time, the use of fast neutron irradiation for the rapid metabolic optimization of an oleaginous yeast. The approach established in this study provides a progressive path towards automatable strain development efforts.
Sustainable Energy Fuels, 2020,4, 5958-5969
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0SE00540A
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New insights into phenazine-based organic redox flow batteries by using high-throughput DFT modelling
DFT calculations reveal interesting structure–property relationships of the redox potentials of phenazines in non-aqueous media.
Sustainable Energy Fuels, 2020,4, 5513-5521
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0SE00687D
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Dynamics of carbon formation during the catalytic hydrodeoxygenation of raw bio-oil
The formation, growth and transformation of carbon residue (coke) deposited on the catalyst during the raw bio-oil hydrodeoxygenation has been studied.
Sustainable Energy Fuels, 2020,4, 5503-5512
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0SE00501K
Characterization of a new rechargeable Zn/PVA-KOH/Bi2O3 battery: structural changes of the Bi2O3 electrode
A new rechargeable Zn/PVA-KOH/Bi2O3 with coulombic efficiencies of 100% and energy efficiencies above 80% for a high number of cycles.
Sustainable Energy Fuels, 2020,4, 4497-4505
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0SE00551G
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Rock ‘n’ use of CO2: carbon footprint of carbon capture and utilization by mineralization
Our LCA-based assessment showed that all considered CCU technologies for mineralization can reduce climate impacts over the entire life cycle due to the permanent storage of CO2 and the credit for substituting conventional products.
Sustainable Energy Fuels, 2020,4, 4482-4496
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0SE00190B
A hybrid pathway to biojet fuel via 2,3-butanediol
A new hybrid pathway to biojet fuel via biomass-derived 2,3-butanediol has been demonstrated with high carbon recovery (74–82% of the theoretical maximum efficiency).
Sustainable Energy Fuels, 2020,4, 3904-3914
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0SE00480D
A comparative assessment framework for sustainable production of fuels and chemicals explicitly accounting for intermittency
Integrated design and scheduling for methanol and ammonia production from air, water and solar energy, analysing the impacts of intermittency.
Sustainable Energy Fuels, 2020,4, 3888-3903
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9SE01239G
Catalytic conversion of methyl oleate to hydrocarbons: impact of cobalt oxide species integration in SiO2–Al2O3
A unique, high surface area Co3O4/SiO2–Al2O3 catalytic system has been developed for the selective deoxygenation of biomass to high quality diesel-grade hydrocarbons.
Sustainable Energy Fuels, 2020,4, 3308-3317
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9SE01221D
Efficient defect passivation of perovskite solar cells via stitching of an organic bidentate molecule
A bidentate Lewis base, pyrazine, acting as an efficient passivation agent to improve the charge-carrier lifetime and the efficiency of perovskite solar cells.
Sustainable Energy Fuels, 2020,4, 3318-3325
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9SE01041F
Solution-processed PDMS/SWCNT porous electrodes with high mass loading: toward high performance all-stretchable-component lithium ion batteries
An all-stretchable-component lithium ion battery based on a 3D PDMS/SWCNT porous framework was fabricated, delivering high electrochemical performance and high stretchability.
Sustainable Energy Fuels, 2020,4, 2718-2726
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9SE01120J
Power-to-gas systems utilizing methanation reaction in solid oxide electrolysis cell cathodes: a model-based study
A novel direct power-to-gas system utilizing solid oxide electrolysis cells was modelled and evaluated to clarify its potential advantages.
Sustainable Energy Fuels, 2020,4, 2691-2706
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9SE00835G
Nitrogen and phosphorus modification to enhance the catalytic activity of biomass-derived carbon toward the oxygen reduction reaction
N, P heteroatoms are doped into the carbon derived from Fructus azedarach precursor. The successful application in zinc–air battery illustrates that the N, P synergistic effect makes a bright future for the development of catalytically active carbon.
Sustainable Energy Fuels, 2020,4, 2707-2717
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9SE00985J
Greener aromatic antioxidants for aviation and beyond
Aromatic carotenoid cleavage products as alternative to conventional alkyl-phenolic antioxidants for jet fuel and beyond.
Sustainable Energy Fuels, 2020,4, 2153-2163
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9SE01148J
Cooperative effects of surface and interface treatments in a hematite (α-Fe2O3) photo-anode on its photo-electrochemical performance
To enhance the efficiency of the oxygen evolution reaction of hematite (α-Fe2O3), we engineered both the surface of the hematite nanorods and the FTO/hematite interface simultaneously with an optimal annealing condition.
Sustainable Energy Fuels, 2020,4, 2174-2183
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9SE01081E
Construction of a nanocavity structure with a carrier-selective layer for enhancement of photocatalytic hydrogen production performance
A nanocavity structure with Au–S carrier-selective layer was constructed to enhance photocatalytic H2 evolution activity, improving ∼13.8 times compared to Au/CdS. The excellent performance is mainly caused by effective hole transfer of Au–S layer.
Sustainable Energy Fuels, 2020,4, 2164-2173
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9SE00987F
Heterovalent Ga3+ doping in solution-processed Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 solar cells for better optoelectronic performance
A sandwich-like configuration was constructed through the introduction of a heterovalent Ga3+ intermediate layer, which facilitates the improvement of the performance of Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 solar cells.
Sustainable Energy Fuels, 2020,4, 1621-1629
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9SE00705A
Design of a composite cathode and a graphene coated separator for a stable room-temperature aluminum–sulfur battery
A S/host composite cathode and a graphene coated separator are designed for a room-temperature Al–S battery with stable and high capacity.
Sustainable Energy Fuels, 2020,4, 1630-1641
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9SE00762H
Pomelo peel-derived, N-doped biochar microspheres as an efficient and durable metal-free ORR catalyst in microbial fuel cells
Naturally abundant pomelo peels were explored for the preparation of the metal-free carbon-based microspheres with high electrocatalytic activity and long-term durability toward ORR, holding potential for replacing noble metal-based catalysts.
Sustainable Energy Fuels, 2020,4, 1642-1653
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9SE00834A
Mo, Co co-doped NiS bulks supported on Ni foam as an efficient electrocatalyst for overall water splitting in alkaline media
In this study, a composite of Mo, Co co-doped NiS bulks grown on an Ni foam (Mo,Co-NiS/NF) was synthesized as a bi-functional electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) using a simple method.
Sustainable Energy Fuels, 2020,4, 1654-1664
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9SE00822E
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Pyroelectric power generation from the waste heat of automotive exhaust gas
A waste heat recovery system is investigated basically. Original electro-thermodynamic cycle and novel system are expected to be viable in any heat sources with time dependent temperature changes instead of the spatial temperature gradient.
Sustainable Energy Fuels, 2020,4, 1143-1149
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9SE00283A
Elucidating the unexpected electrocatalytic activity of nanoscale PdO layers on Pd electrocatalysts towards ethanol oxidation in a basic solution
Pd-based catalysts are typically used in many applications; however, the effect of their oxide layer has not been fully investigated to date.
Sustainable Energy Fuels, 2020,4, 1118-1125
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9SE00848A
Stability of monometallic Pt and Ru supported on hierarchical HZSM-5 nanosheets for hydrodeoxygenation of lignin-derived compounds in the aqueous phase
Demonstrating the stability of metals supported on hierarchical HZSM-5 nanosheets and its application in the hydrodeoxygenation of lignin-derived compounds in the aqueous phase.
Sustainable Energy Fuels, 2020,4, 1126-1134
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9SE00773C
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Adaptation of Cu(In, Ga)Se2 photovoltaics for full unbiased photocharge of integrated solar vanadium redox flow batteries
Adapted CIGS was integrated into vanadium redox flow batteries showing that only photovoltaics matching cell requirements achieve full unbiased photo-charge.
Sustainable Energy Fuels, 2020,4, 1135-1142
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9SE00949C
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Increasing efficiency of perovskite solar cells using low concentrating photovoltaic systems
Perovskite solar cell (PSC) technology is the flag bearer for the future of photovoltaics allowing unlimited possibilities for its application.
Sustainable Energy Fuels, 2020,4, 528-537
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9SE00550A
Three-terminal III–V/Si tandem solar cells enabled by a transparent conductive adhesive
Three-terminal tandem solar cell with conductive adhesive interconnect and back-contacted bottom cell delivers 27.3% efficiency.
Sustainable Energy Fuels, 2020,4, 549-558
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9SE00893D
Selective production of monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from ex situ catalytic fast pyrolysis of pine over the HZSM-5 catalyst with calcium formate as a hydrogen source
A new protocol using calcium formate as a hydrogen source for preparing monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from biomass has been developed.
Sustainable Energy Fuels, 2020,4, 538-548
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9SE00605B
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NiMoS on alumina-USY zeolites for hydrotreating lignin dimers: effect of support acidity and cleavage of C–C bonds
NiMoS on alumina, USY and mixed alumina-USY supports was studied in a batch reactor to assess the effect of support acidity in valorizing lignin dimers by hydrodeoxygenation (HDO).
Sustainable Energy Fuels, 2020,4, 149-163
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9SE00507B
An MOF-derived C@NiO@Ni electrocatalyst for N2 conversion to NH3 in alkaline electrolytes
MOF-derived C@NiO@Ni are proposed as an efficient electrocatalyst for N2 reduction reaction in alkaline media. Abundant oxygen vacancies and NiO/Ni interfaces can act as active sites for adsorbing nitrogen and proton, respectively.
Sustainable Energy Fuels, 2020,4, 164-170
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9SE00691E
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