Themed collection Spotlight on Women in Energy

31 items
Editorial

Harnessing the power of biorefining: paving the way for sustainable fuels and chemicals

George W. Huber, Muxina Konarova, Jason Y. C. Lim and Karen Wilson introduce the Sustainable Energy & Fuels themed collection on biorefining.

Graphical abstract: Harnessing the power of biorefining: paving the way for sustainable fuels and chemicals
From the themed collection: Spotlight on Women in Energy
Review Article

Current advances and future outlook of heterogeneous catalytic transesterification towards biodiesel production from waste cooking oil

The demonstration of disposal and utilisation of waste cooking oil as potential feedstock towards biodiesel synthesis by catalytic heterogeneous transesterification.

Graphical abstract: Current advances and future outlook of heterogeneous catalytic transesterification towards biodiesel production from waste cooking oil
From the themed collection: Spotlight on Women in Energy
Open Access Review Article

Recent progress in monolithic two-terminal perovskite-based triple-junction solar cells

Monolithic perovskite-based triple junction solar cells have the potential to surpass the power conversion efficiency (PCE) limits of single and dual-junction solar cells.

Graphical abstract: Recent progress in monolithic two-terminal perovskite-based triple-junction solar cells
From the themed collection: Spotlight on Women in Energy
Open Access Review Article

A review on the advancements of graphitic carbon nitride-based photoelectrodes for photoelectrochemical water splitting

This review offers a comprehensive depiction of g-C3N4-based materials for PEC water splitting. The fundamentals of PEC water splitting, along with the applications of g-C3N4-based materials as photoanodic and photocathodic materials are discussed.

Graphical abstract: A review on the advancements of graphitic carbon nitride-based photoelectrodes for photoelectrochemical water splitting
From the themed collection: Energy Advances Recent Review Articles
Open Access Review Article

Recent progress in understanding the catalyst layer in anion exchange membrane electrolyzers – durability, utilization, and integration

This review discusses recent insights in catalyst layer design strategies for anion exchange membrane water electrolyzers, including electrode design, catalyst/ionomer integration, operational variables, in situ diagnostics, and cell durability.

Graphical abstract: Recent progress in understanding the catalyst layer in anion exchange membrane electrolyzers – durability, utilization, and integration
From the themed collection: EES Catalysis Recent Review Articles
Open Access Review Article

Recent ReaxFF MD studies on pyrolysis and combustion mechanisms of aviation/aerospace fuels and energetic additives

Development of aviation and aerospace fuels requires deep insight into the pyrolysis and combustion mechanisms.

Graphical abstract: Recent ReaxFF MD studies on pyrolysis and combustion mechanisms of aviation/aerospace fuels and energetic additives
Open Access Analysis

Comparing the net-energy balance of standalone photovoltaic-coupled electrolysis and photoelectrochemical hydrogen production

Photovoltaic-coupled electrolysis and photoelectrochemical water splitting are two options for storing solar energy as hydrogen. For each technology, the energy inputs and hydrogen output need to be considered to compare the overall energy balance.

Graphical abstract: Comparing the net-energy balance of standalone photovoltaic-coupled electrolysis and photoelectrochemical hydrogen production
From the themed collection: EES symposium collection
Open Access Paper

Electrochemically decoupled reduction of CO2 to formate over a dispersed heterogeneous bismuth catalyst enabled via redox mediators

Electrochemical CO2 reduction is a topic of major interest in contemporary research as an approach to use renewably-derived electricity to synthesise useful hydrocarbons from waste CO2.

Graphical abstract: Electrochemically decoupled reduction of CO2 to formate over a dispersed heterogeneous bismuth catalyst enabled via redox mediators
From the themed collection: Carbon Dioxide utilisation
Paper

Hybrid thermo-electrochemical conversion of plastic wastes commingled with marine biomass to value-added products using renewable energy

Surface plastics and microplastics commingled with biomass are emerging pollutants in the marine environment.

Graphical abstract: Hybrid thermo-electrochemical conversion of plastic wastes commingled with marine biomass to value-added products using renewable energy
From the themed collection: Spotlight on Women in Energy
Paper

A nuclei-rich strategy for highly reversible dendrite-free zinc metal anodes

Aqueous zinc (Zn) metal batteries are promising candidates for large-scale energy storage owing to their low cost and high safety.

Graphical abstract: A nuclei-rich strategy for highly reversible dendrite-free zinc metal anodes
From the themed collection: Spotlight on Women in Energy
Open Access Paper

A comparison of the impact of cation chemistry in ionic liquid-based lithium battery electrolytes

Two high-salt-content ionic liquid electrolytes with distinct cationic chemistries were compared. The one with a phosphonium cation showed superior characteristics, particularly in terms of its enhanced capacity when used in lithium metal batteries.

Graphical abstract: A comparison of the impact of cation chemistry in ionic liquid-based lithium battery electrolytes
Open Access Paper

Ion irradiation to control size, composition and dispersion of metal nanoparticle exsolution

In this research, we highlight ion beam irradiation as an effective external stimulus for precisely tuning the size, density, composition, and spatial distribution of exsolved nanoparticles within a wide range of oxide materials.

Graphical abstract: Ion irradiation to control size, composition and dispersion of metal nanoparticle exsolution
From the themed collection: Recent Open Access Articles
Paper

Unlocking the performance of ternary metal (hydro)oxide amorphous catalysts via data-driven active-site engineering

A machine-learning methodology was applied to unveil the structure–property relationships of the fabricated ternary Ni, Fe, and Co amorphous oxygen evolution catalyst, showcasing remarkable performance and stability via corrosion engineering.

Graphical abstract: Unlocking the performance of ternary metal (hydro)oxide amorphous catalysts via data-driven active-site engineering
From the themed collection: Spotlight on Women in Energy
Open Access Paper

Under pressure: offering fundamental insight into structural changes on ball milling battery materials

The dynamic impacts from the ball mill process inducing a pressure phase change.

Graphical abstract: Under pressure: offering fundamental insight into structural changes on ball milling battery materials
From the themed collection: Recent Open Access Articles
Paper

Comparative techno-economic analysis of different PV-assisted direct solar hydrogen generation systems

This work provides a robust technoeconomic analysis of a range of direct solar hydrogen generation (DSHG) systems to understand the opportunities and challenges of deploying DSHG to reduce the cost of renewable hydrogen production.

Graphical abstract: Comparative techno-economic analysis of different PV-assisted direct solar hydrogen generation systems
From the themed collection: Spotlight on Women in Energy
Paper

Oxidative instability of ionomers in hydroxide-exchange-membrane water electrolyzers

Ionomer oxidation is the dominant degradation pathway for electrolyte-free HEM electrolyzers and may be mitigated by new catalyst layer design strategies.

Graphical abstract: Oxidative instability of ionomers in hydroxide-exchange-membrane water electrolyzers
From the themed collection: Spotlight on Women in Energy
Paper

The impact of electrode conductivity on electrolyte interfacial structuring and its implications on the Na0/+ electrochemical performance

Is solid-electrolyte interphase formation affected by electrode conductivity?

Graphical abstract: The impact of electrode conductivity on electrolyte interfacial structuring and its implications on the Na0/+ electrochemical performance
From the themed collection: Spotlight on Women in Energy
Open Access Paper

Surfactant stabilization of vanadium iron oxide derived from Prussian blue analog for lithium-ion battery electrodes

Derivatisation of iron vanadate from a Prussian blue analogue is reported, and the role of water-based surfactants in its electrochemical stability is studied. The environmental impact of the material is reduced by altering the synthesis, heat treatment and electrode preparation methods.

Graphical abstract: Surfactant stabilization of vanadium iron oxide derived from Prussian blue analog for lithium-ion battery electrodes
From the themed collection: Spotlight on Women in Energy
Paper

Spirobifluorene with an asymmetric fluorenylcarbazolamine electron-donor as the hole transport material increases thermostability and efficiency of perovskite solar cells

A structurally simple hole transport material, with an extremely high glass transition temperature, achieves an average initial efficiency of 24.5% and remarkable 85 °C durability in perovskite solar cells.

Graphical abstract: Spirobifluorene with an asymmetric fluorenylcarbazolamine electron-donor as the hole transport material increases thermostability and efficiency of perovskite solar cells
From the themed collection: Spotlight on Women in Energy
Open Access Paper

Ruthenium–rhenium and ruthenium–palladium supramolecular photocatalysts for photoelectrocatalytic CO2 and H+ reduction

Photoelectrocatalysis offers the opportunity to close the carbon loop and convert captured CO2 back into useful fuels and feedstocks, mitigating against anthropogenic climate change.

Graphical abstract: Ruthenium–rhenium and ruthenium–palladium supramolecular photocatalysts for photoelectrocatalytic CO2 and H+ reduction
From the themed collection: Recent Open Access Articles
Open Access Paper

Optimising the synthesis of LiNiO2: coprecipitation versus solid-state, and the effect of molybdenum doping

A detailed study on the optimisation of the synthesis of LiNiO2 is reported, with further preliminary results showing improved performance on Mo doping.

Graphical abstract: Optimising the synthesis of LiNiO2: coprecipitation versus solid-state, and the effect of molybdenum doping
From the themed collection: Energy Advances: Highlight UK & Europe
Paper

Multiple and nonlocal cation redox in Ca–Ce–Ti–Mn oxide perovskites for solar thermochemical applications

Ca2/3Ce1/3Ti1/3Mn2/3O3 demonstrates promising two-step thermochemical H2 production potential. Quantum-based modeling highlights A-site Ce4+ reduction as the key factor in its redox activity, providing insights for further performance optimization.

Graphical abstract: Multiple and nonlocal cation redox in Ca–Ce–Ti–Mn oxide perovskites for solar thermochemical applications
From the themed collection: Spotlight on Women in Energy
Open Access Paper

Biomass-derived carbon sponges for use as sodium-ion capacitor electrodes

A high performance Na-ion capacitor has been assembled by using S-doped carbon sponges and highly porous carbon sponges produced from biomass-derived products by using sustainable salt-templating approaches.

Graphical abstract: Biomass-derived carbon sponges for use as sodium-ion capacitor electrodes
From the themed collection: Recent Open Access Articles
Open Access Paper

Phase shuttling-enhanced electrochemical ozone production

Phase shuttling of Pb3O4 leads to the reconstructed β-PbO2 phase and significantly enhances the electrochemical ozone production (EOP) through water oxidation.

Graphical abstract: Phase shuttling-enhanced electrochemical ozone production
From the themed collection: Spotlight on Women in Energy
Paper

Sector coupling leading to low-carbon production of power and chemicals in China

A pathway to a carbon-neutral electricity-chemical nexus in China by 2060 is attainable. Sector coupling reduces fossil power generation by 10%, drives renewable curtailment rates to below 5%, and expands energy transmission capacity by at most 18%.

Graphical abstract: Sector coupling leading to low-carbon production of power and chemicals in China
From the themed collection: Spotlight on Women in Energy
Paper

WOx/ZrOx functionalised periodic mesoporous organosilicas as water-tolerant catalysts for carboxylic acid esterification

Kicking out water: optimising the interaction between support hydrophobicity and surface acid sites in WOx/ZrOx/PMO catalysts unlocks an efficient route for the upgrading of low-quality waste bio-oil feedstocks to biodiesel.

Graphical abstract: WOx/ZrOx functionalised periodic mesoporous organosilicas as water-tolerant catalysts for carboxylic acid esterification
From the themed collection: EES symposium collection
Paper

Identification of potential solid-state Li-ion conductors with semi-supervised learning

A semi-supervised machine learning pipeline is reported for the discovery of new Li-ion solid-state electrolytes. The approach is experimentally validated with the synthesis and characterization of a new superionic conductor predicted by the model.

Graphical abstract: Identification of potential solid-state Li-ion conductors with semi-supervised learning
From the themed collection: Spotlight on Women in Energy
Paper

Efficient monolithic perovskite–Si tandem solar cells enabled by an ultra-thin indium tin oxide interlayer

An ultra-thin indium tin oxide interlayer design was developed for interfacing perovskite solar cells with Si solar cells thereby minimising shunting effects for large area monolithic tandem devices.

Graphical abstract: Efficient monolithic perovskite–Si tandem solar cells enabled by an ultra-thin indium tin oxide interlayer
From the themed collection: Spotlight on Women in Energy
Open Access Paper

Pentafluorosulfanyl-functionalised BODIPY push–pull dyes for p-type dye-sensitized solar cells

We report a push–pull BODIPY-based dye functionalised with an electronegative SF5 group at the meso position for applications in photocathodes in tandem dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs).

Graphical abstract: Pentafluorosulfanyl-functionalised BODIPY push–pull dyes for p-type dye-sensitized solar cells
From the themed collection: Recent Open Access Articles
Paper

Non-nucleophilic electrolyte with non-fluorinated hybrid solvents for long-life magnesium metal batteries

Non-nucleophilic and non-fluorinated compounds are the most important class of solvents to enable sustainable rechargeable magnesium batteries but suffer from poor stability due to the formation of an unstable solid–electrolyte-interphase.

Graphical abstract: Non-nucleophilic electrolyte with non-fluorinated hybrid solvents for long-life magnesium metal batteries
From the themed collection: Spotlight on Women in Energy
Open Access Paper

Direct carbonate electrolysis into pure syngas

In a direct carbonate electrolysis system, a CO2 diffusion layer enabled the production of CO-rich syngas.

Graphical abstract: Direct carbonate electrolysis into pure syngas
From the themed collection: Carbon Dioxide utilisation
31 items

About this collection

In celebration of International Women’s Day 2024, we are delighted to highlight some of the excellent work from women at the forefront of energy research. This collection showcases a selection of the impactful work from women scientists published in the RSC’s Energy journals: Energy & Environmental ScienceEES CatalysisSustainable Energy & Fuels, and Energy Advances over the last year. Encompassing work from early career researchers to established senior scientists, this collection highlights the vital role that women are playing in shaping the energy landscape and developing innovative energy solutions. 

We welcome any women corresponding or first authors who have published recent work in our energy journals to get in touch and have their work featured in the collection. Thank you to all contributors and we hope that you enjoy reading the collection. 

Spotlight

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