Themed collection Recent Open Access Articles

Ultrasound-induced cavitation and dispersed photocatalysts synergistically decompose water into hydrogen, offering higher efficiency. Reasons and future research avenues are explored.

Schematic comparative diagram of the stages involved in moving from compact solid electrode materials to dilute nanofluids and RFB solutions.

The current status and prospects of six routes to electrochemically convert CO₂ into different products are investigated. The study includes for each of these routes an analysis of the costs and of the emissions related to electricity use.

In Spain, biomethane is emerging as one of the great keys, not only for the transformation of the energy mix in the short term, but also to advance towards the decarbonisation of the economy.

Analysis of properties and data – both known and missing – related to materials selection, life cycle assessment, and end-of-life reuse and recycling options for device components to achieve a sustainable design of dye-sensitized solar cells.

The principal driving force for charge carrier separation in a PEC cell is given by the QFL gradients. Upon illumination the E-field is reduced by the amount of photovoltage delivered. Selective contacts are thus decisive for device performance.

Natural gas based hydrogen production with carbon capture and storage is referred to as blue hydrogen.

Food waste is a global problem, causing significant environmental harm and resulting in substantial economic losses globally.

In this perspective, the recent trends in graphene supercapacitor research are shown, from the use of pseudocapacitor elements to enhance the performance of large-area electrodes, to its miniaturization driven by versatile fabrication techniques.

Lithium metal is considered as an ideal anode for high-energy density storage systems with dendrites being a major issue for lifetime and safety. A gadolinium additive is found to be suppressing dendrite growth resulting higher performance retention.

We present an experimental proof-of-concept study of organic semiconductor nanoparticles (NPs) for visible-light-driven carbon dioxide (CO₂) conversion.

By creating surface vacancy-dopant-mediated solid frustrated Lewis pairs, efficient photochemical conversion of CO₂ to formic acid is achieved on Bi-doped CeO₂ in the presence of strain, which is investigated by using density functional theory.

This study unveils a promising and innovative strategy for electrochemical green H₂ generation utilizing distillery industry wastewater. Investigating simultaneous electrochemical processes, it offers a sustainable solution for wastewater treatment and energy production.

A polymer-electrolyte electrochemical cell, equipped with a Ru/ZrO₂ catalyst at 120 °C, converts CO₂ and H₂O into CH₄ and O₂ with a current efficiency of 85%.

Core–shell transition metal oxide nanoparticles as efficent material for water electrolysis.

The content of methylammonium dominates the photostability of tin–lead perovskite solar cells.

A new instrument for gas analysis in artificial photosynthesis reactions is presented. The device uses rotational Raman spectroscopy to analyse multiple gases (H₂, O₂, N₂, CO, CO₂) simultaneously, non-invasively and with short analysis times (15 s).

An aged Ru complex has been successfully employed for the photochemical monoreduction of NAD⁺ achieving mediator-free NADH formation with the only aid of L-cysteine and visible light.

This communication shows how green hydrogen's climate footprint and performance against alternatives depends on electricity source and accounting choices.

Direct, fast and sensitive isotopic ammonia detection is key to accessing reliable NRR experiments and accelerate catalyst screening. We develop a GC-MS method to detect NH₃ down to 1 ppm in the gas phase, in real-time and without external manipulation.

A unique photocatalyst that consists of a molecular Co(III) species and wide-bandgap AgCl is presented. Even without a physical connection between the two components, the Co(III)/AgCl photocatalyst showed water oxidation activity under visible light.

Nickel oxyhydroxide electrocatalysts are highly active for water oxidation and swell when electrochemically activated. In this thickness dependence study, we find only the upper surface (<5 nm) is active during water oxidation catalysis.

Revealing the optimal parameters responsible for a dramatic in operando reduction of the overpotential in a 2D metal chalcogenide electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction.

Control over selectivity towards HCOO⁻ rather than H₂ is acquired by using elevated pressure of hydrogen during CO₂ electrolysis.

Interface engineering enables a practical multifunctional advantage in a structural battery.

Achieving high current densities without thermal performance degradation at high temperatures is one of the main challenges for enhancing the competitiveness of photo-electrochemical energy storage systems.

The combined hydrolysis–deoxygenation method reported here demonstrates the efficiency of hydrogen-free catalytic conversion of lipid-derived multi-fatty acids into renewable drop-in hydrocarbon biofuels.

CuFe₂O₄ nanocrystals, specifically targeting different cation ratios and structural compositions, were prepared for multiple electrochemical reactions, including HER, OER, ORR and CO₂RR.

We introduce a membrane electrolyzer for the generation of hydrogen peroxide via oxygen reduction and catalyst-free oxidation of quinones. The study reports the effect of the applied coulombic forces on ions, which is the origin of crossover.

The fundamental challenge facing the aviation industry is to achieve near-zero environmental impacts while sustaining growth. We propose a near-zero impact aircraft, taking a lifecycle perspective across fuels, aircraft design, and operation.

Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from forest residues is a promising pathway to reduce aviation's carbon footprint. This study assesses the techno-economic and environmental impacts of producing SAF via Fischer–Tropsch synthesis, with soil carbon benefits and greenhouse gas reductions.

The results establish the adsorption capacity, kinetics, interaction strength of pyridine/indole with sorbents and regeneration, highlighting silica gel's potential as an efficient and cost-effective adsorbent for biofuel nitrogen compounds removal.

Numerous photoelectrochemical systems designs are compared on an energy and exergy basis for their capacity to produce hydrogen and heat. Systems include both liquid and vapor-phase reactants, solar concentration, and spectrum splitting optics.

Two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) are highly promising candidates for various applications due to their unique electrical, optical, mechanical, and chemical properties.

Jet fuel range C₁₆ and C₁₁ paraffins were synthesized by the hydroxyalkylation/alkylation of cellulose derivated 5-methylfurfural and its decarbonylation product 2-methylfuran, followed by hydrodeoxygenation (HDO).

Decarbonising heavy-duty transport relies on understanding how chemical structures present in biomass may improve the combustion of otherwise overlooked biofuels.

Transforming conventional biomass pyrolysis through solar-driven pyrolysis with a falling particle receiver and intermediate hybrid solution reduces costs by 21% and 32% and emissions by 27.5 and 22.3 kg_CO2 GJ_oil⁻¹, respectively.

Novel dopant-free dimers comprising methoxydiphenylamine substituted fluorene derivatives as hole transport materials (HTMs) in Sb₂S₃ absorber solar cells.

Lithium production has increased with surges in demand. Iron based redox mediators were developed to extract Li⁺ from brine, showing promise using brines with low amounts of lithium and high concentrations of competing ions.

System perspective of solar themal: effects of solar water heating plants depend on configurations of district heating systems and uses of saved biomass.

Owing to their expeditious kinetics and remarkable catalytic prowess, spinel oxides have attracted significant attention as promising non-precious metal electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reaction.

Thermally integrated photoelectrochemical cells made of perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells and PEM electrolysers were scaled in modules up to 342 cm². Direct hydrogen production was demonstrated outdoors with a STH efficiency of 6.3%.

The short lifetime of electron–hole pairs and high electron–hole recombination rate at surface states significantly limit the practical applications of hematite (α-Fe₂O₃) photoanodes in photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting.

To combat climate change and its association with emissions from fossil fuels, scientists are investigating sustainable substitutes.

A setup that simultaneously tests ten photoelectrochemical cells whilst controlling temperature was developed. Applied to Sn:α-Fe₂O₃ photoanodes, increasing temperature penalized energy conversion efficiency due to increased surface recombination.

This study demonstrates the photocatalytic performance of perovskite nanosheets on reduced graphene oxide depends critically on A-site lanthanide cations, which gives structural tuning of this nanocomposite for H₂ generation.

The development of technologies for the bio-oil upgrading process is a crucial step towards achieving sustainable energy production.

This paper contributes to the solution of the energy crisis by investigating the stability of alcohols as e-fuels. The focus is on the investigation of the aging mechanism of 1-hexanol and 1-octanol compared to the 2-hexanol.

Solvent extraction and separation of HTL products using naphtha range hydrocarbons was studied with the aim of decreasing operational hazards while improving scalability, reliability, and yields.

Stable porous silicon based separators for alkaline water electrolysis with micron-sized cylindrical pores and low area resistance.

Mitigation of carbon corrosion, or the use of non-carbon based anodes, is required to achieve the necessary durability for industrial CO₂ electrolysis.

GHG emission savings and production costs of biofuels via Hydrothermal Liquefaction (HTL) of sewage sludge present a potential degree of competitiveness.

IMPS analysis demonstrates the improved charge separation in CuW_0.5Mo_0.5O₄ compared to CuWO₄, which is further enhanced upon coupling with BiVO₄.

The Mg–CN/CS heterostructure photocatalyst exhibits high photocatalytic production of lactic acid from biomass-derived saccharides under visible-light irradiation due to the efficient separation of photogenerated charge carriers.

Accomplishing Net Zero by 2050 warrants deep decarbonisation pathways that incorporate dense energy carriers, like hydrogen or ammonia, which enable inter-seasonal energy storage and can lead to cost-effective CO₂ abatement in heat & power sectors.

Solid-state tuning of a mesostructured cellular foam (MCF) enhances hydrogen storage in clathrate hydrates. Grafting of promoter-like molecules (e.g., tetrahydrofuran) at the internal surface of the MCF improved the kinetics of formation of binary H₂-THF clathrate hydrate.

The safe recycling of spent LIBs is challenging, as they often contain residual energy. Left untreated, this can trigger a thermal runaway and result in disaster during the recycling process. Electrochemical discharge method is an easy and inexpensive method to eliminate this hazard.

This study reports a novel asymmetric supercapacitor based on zinc cobalt oxide (ZnCo₂O₄) as positive electrode and pomelo peel-based activated carbon (PPAC-4) as negative electrode with hydroxyethyl cellulose/potassium hydroxide gel electrolyte.

MnO₂ polymorphs show distinct advantages and disadvantages when used as cathode material for Li-ion batteries (LIBs).

An equivalent circuit model for a CO₂ electrolysis cell producing CO and H₂ is proposed, taking into account that the CO₂ input and the transfer of both carbonate and hydrogen carbonate ions limit the CO partial current density.

Safety, technological, economic, and environmental perspectives will shape the social acceptability of deploying hydrogen heating and cooking appliances for the residential sector.

Mo-species (Mo⁺⁵) formed over alumina surface promotes depolymerization and hydrodeoxygenation simultaneously in one-pot reductive liquefaction of sawdust.

Sustainable additive fuel production (2-methylfuran) from biomass hydropyrolysis in molten salts and catalytic upgrading from a fresh integrated perspective.

A Ba-doped Fe/MgO catalyst pre-reduced at 700 °C, much higher than that of conventional Fe catalysts, forms an Fe⁰-core and BaO-shell structure. This enhances ammonia synthesis activity due to electron donation from BaO to N₂via Fe⁰.

A photosynthetic microbial fuel cell produces higher power density and simultaneously reuptakes CO₂ produced from organic decomposition.

Novel biomass based Fe–N–C catalysts exhibit a higher density of FeN_x type sites with different redox characteristics compared to carbon black based Fe–N–Cs. These different characteristics are influenced by heteroatom doping and undercoordination.

The position of the methyl group in methylpyridine derivatives plays an important role in the copper(II) coordination mechanism and their electrochemical properties relate to the regeneration process of [Cu(dmp)₂]²⁺ at the counter electrode/electrolyte interfaces.

Engineering nickel boride/borate amorphous/amorphous heterostructures using a simple one-pot chemical reduction method.

Using antenna systems displaying energy transfer processes can be a valuable option to boost the performances of the luminescent solar concentrators. In this context, the selection of the appropriate energy donor plays a crucial role.

Photocathode composed of solid solutions with a composition gradient of ZnTe and CdTe shows significantly enhanced solar hydrogen evolution from water over bilayer and/or monolayer photocathodes.