Perspective
CO2 reduction on gas-diffusion electrodes and why catalytic performance must be assessed at commercially-relevant conditions
The substantial implications of high current densities on the local reaction environment and design of catalysts for electrochemical CO2 reduction are addressed. The presented perspectives also reflect on current practices within the field and offer new opportunities for both future catalyst and system-focused research efforts.
Communication
Ion-solvating membranes as a new approach towards high rate alkaline electrolyzers
Polymer membranes imbibed with KOH represent a novel way to achieve ionic conductivity and show promise for alkaline electrolyzers.
Biohybrid photoheterotrophic metabolism for significant enhancement of biological nitrogen fixation in pure microbial cultures
Enhanced nitrogen fixation and solar-to-chemical conversion of the photoheterotrophic Rhodopseudomonas palustris with surface coated CdS nanoparticles.
3D Printing of highly textured bulk thermoelectric materials: mechanically robust BiSbTe alloys with superior performance
P-BiSbTe bulk materials with high texture, superior thermoelectric properties and robust mechanical performance were fabricated by laser 3D printing.
A multi-objective optimization-based layer-by-layer blade-coating approach for organic solar cells: rational control of vertical stratification for high performance
This article analyzes and discusses a multi-objective optimization-based layer-by-layer blade-coating approach, which provides a new technology choice for large-scale manufacturing of organic solar cells.
Understanding cation effects in electrochemical CO2 reduction
Field-sensitive electrochemical reactions are controlled by electrode charging which is sensitive to the size of the electrolyte containing cations.
Cd-Free Cu2ZnSnS4 solar cell with an efficiency greater than 10% enabled by Al2O3 passivation layers
Cd-Free CZTS solar cell with above 10% efficiency was achieved by an Al2O3 passivation layer prepared by ALD.
Paper
Redefining the Robeson upper bounds for CO2/CH4 and CO2/N2 separations using a series of ultrapermeable benzotriptycene-based polymers of intrinsic microporosity
Ultrapermeable benzotriptycene-based PIMs show exceptional gas selectivities that define new positions for the CO2/CH4 and CO2/N2 Robeson upper bounds.
A versatile single-ion electrolyte with a Grotthuss-like Li conduction mechanism for dendrite-free Li metal batteries
A new versatile single-ion electrolyte with a Grotthuss-like Li conduction mechanism is proposed to address the issue of Li metal batteries.
High light-to-fuel efficiency and CO2 reduction rates achieved on a unique nanocomposite of Co/Co doped Al2O3 nanosheets with UV-vis-IR irradiation
A nanocomposite of Co/Co–Al2O3 nanosheets shows a high light-to-fuel efficiency and fuel production rate for photothermocatalytic CO2 reduction using CH4.
Expanded hydrated vanadate for high-performance aqueous zinc-ion batteries
Expanding hydrated vanadate with transition metal cations collectively promotes and catalyzes fast and more Zn-ion intercalation in aqueous batteries.
Rechargeable ultrahigh-capacity tellurium–aluminum batteries
A novel cell configuration allows a Te nanowire positive electrode for delivering an ultrahigh discharge capacity in tellurium–aluminum batteries.
Paper
Stable and tunable phosphonic acid dipole layer for band edge engineering of photoelectrochemical and photovoltaic heterojunction devices
Phosphonic acid multi-layers are used to tune the band alignment in heterojunction devices used for photoelectrochemistry and photovoltaics.
Stable perovskite solar cells using tin acetylacetonate based electron transporting layers
High performing planar-type perovskite solar cells and mini-modules are fabricated by incorporating passivated tin oxide based on non-colloidal acetylacetonate precursors.
Paper
Powering sustainable development within planetary boundaries
Designing energy systems within planetary boundaries is crucial to preserving the Earth's ecological capacity given the power sector's environmental footprint.
Paper
A general route via formamide condensation to prepare atomically dispersed metal–nitrogen–carbon electrocatalysts for energy technologies
We developed a novel methodology for the general synthesis of non-precious transition metal–nitrogen–carbon electrocatalysts based on formamide condensation.
Energy alignment and recombination in perovskite solar cells: weighted influence on the open circuit voltage
In this work, we assess the possible reasons for the differences observed in open circuit voltage (VOC) in mixed cation perovskite solar cells when comparing four different hole transport materials (HTMs), namely TAE-1, TAE-3, TAE-4 and spiro-OMeTAD.
Ionic-to-electronic current amplification in hybrid perovskite solar cells: ionically gated transistor-interface circuit model explains hysteresis and impedance of mixed conducting devices
Interfacial-transistor circuit model couples electronic charge transfer to mobile ions.
Energy landscape of the charge transfer reaction at the complex Li/SEI/electrolyte interface
The charge transfer reaction is the fundamental reaction for rechargeable batteries.
Highly stable single Pt atomic sites anchored on aniline-stacked graphene for hydrogen evolution reaction
Single-atom Pt sites stabilized by aniline stacked on graphene exhibit excellent electrocatalytic activity and durability for the hydrogen evolution reaction.
Extremely stable antimony–carbon composite anodes for potassium-ion batteries
A novel Sb nanoparticle embedded 3D carbon sphere network (Sb@CSN), fabricated via a scalable electrospray-assisted strategy, delivers one of the highest K storage capacity and longest cycle life in the first-ever reported 4 M KTFSI/EC + DEC electrolyte when compared with all K-ion battery anodes reported to date.
About this collection
Welcome to our online rolling collection of the hottest work published in Energy and Environmental Science. Here we feature all 2019 Energy and Environmental Science articles highlighted as HOT by the handling editor or our referees. Congratulations to all the authors whose articles are featured.