Themed collection Global Energy Challenges: Electrochemical Energy
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In situ observation of reactive oxygen species forming on oxygen-evolving iridium surfaces
In situ XAS measurements reveal that electron-deficient oxygen species form during OER on IrOx and correlate with catalytic activity.
Chem. Sci., 2017,8, 2143-2149
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6SC04622C
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A one-dimensional porous carbon-supported Ni/Mo2C dual catalyst for efficient water splitting
A new porous carbon-supported Ni/Mo2C composite exhibits high activity towards both the hydrogen evolution reaction and oxygen evolution reaction for overall water splitting.
Chem. Sci., 2017,8, 968-973
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6SC03356C
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Greigite Fe3S4 as a new anode material for high-performance sodium-ion batteries
A new anode material, Fe3S4, shows superior electrochemical performance and a novel mechanism for sodium storage.
Chem. Sci., 2017,8, 160-164
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6SC02716D
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Structure–property study of cross-linked hydrocarbon/poly(ethylene oxide) electrolytes with superior conductivity and dendrite resistance
The influence of macromolecular composition on Li dendrite supression in solid polymer electrolytes was elucidated.
Chem. Sci., 2016,7, 6832-6838
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6SC01813K
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Self-powered fluorescence display devices based on a fast self-charging/recharging battery (Mg/Prussian blue)
Here we designed and fabricated a self-powered fluorescence display device based on a fast-charging/recharging battery, composed of a Prussian blue (PB) cathode and a magnesium metal anode with a high theoretical redox potential difference.
Chem. Sci., 2016,7, 6721-6727
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6SC02347A
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Confined-space synthesis of nanostructured anatase, directed by genetically engineered living organisms for lithium-ion batteries
Genetically engineered living organisms direct the synthesis of nanostructured anatase with nanoparticle, mesoporous structure and carbon coating characteristics which shows excellent lithium storage performance.
Chem. Sci., 2016,7, 6330-6336
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6SC02311H
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Conducting polymer PPy nanowire-based triboelectric nanogenerator and its application for self-powered electrochemical cathodic protection
A novel triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) was constructed with PPy nanowires (PPy NWs). By harvesting the energies in the ambient environment, the PPy NW-based TENG can act as a power supplier and provide extra electrons to the surface of the connected metals, forming effective impressed current cathodic protection.
Chem. Sci., 2016,7, 6477-6483
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6SC02562E
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Measuring the oxygen content of a single oil droplet
Using toluene droplets as a model for artificial oxygen carriers, the real-time measurement of attomole oxygen contents at the individual droplet level is reported for the first time.
Chem. Sci., 2016,7, 6458-6462
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6SC02357F
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Ultrahigh performance supercapacitors utilizing core–shell nanoarchitectures from a metal–organic framework-derived nanoporous carbon and a conducting polymer
Nanoarchitectured nanoporous carbon/conducting polymer core–shell nanocomposites (carbon–PANI) are prepared from metal–organic framework-derived carbon and the controlled polymerization of polyaniline nanorods.
Chem. Sci., 2016,7, 5704-5713
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6SC01429A
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Nanoconfined nitrogen-doped carbon-coated MnO nanoparticles in graphene enabling high performance for lithium-ion batteries and oxygen reduction reaction
We prepared N-doped double carbon coated MnO composites and explored their applications in lithium ion batteries and oxygen reduction reaction.
Chem. Sci., 2016,7, 4284-4290
https://doi.org/10.1039/C5SC04668H
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Heteronanowires of MoC–Mo2C as efficient electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction
MoC–Mo2C heteronanowires accomplished via controlled carbonization are efficient in the hydrogen evolution reaction due to a synergistic enhancement.
Chem. Sci., 2016,7, 3399-3405
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6SC00077K
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Innovative catalyst design for the oxygen reduction reaction for fuel cells
A bifunctional fuel cell catalyst system demonstrated herein overcomes the slow kinetics of the oxygen reduction reaction by rapid heterogeneous disproportionation of hydrogen peroxide.
Chem. Sci., 2016,7, 3364-3369
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6SC00139D
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Very highly efficient reduction of CO2 to CH4 using metal-free N-doped carbon electrodes
We report the first work on the electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 to CH4 using metal-free N-doped carbon electrodes.
Chem. Sci., 2016,7, 2883-2887
https://doi.org/10.1039/C5SC04158A
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Metal-free electrocatalytic hydrogen oxidation using frustrated Lewis pairs and carbon-based Lewis acids
The synergistic interaction of a carbon-centred Lewis acid and borane “hydride shuttle” offers a metal-free, CO tolerant pathway to hydrogen oxidation.
Chem. Sci., 2016,7, 2537-2543
https://doi.org/10.1039/C5SC04564A
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The importance of nickel oxyhydroxide deprotonation on its activity towards electrochemical water oxidation
The OER activity of NiOOH enhances at pH > 11 due to formation of superoxo-like species on its surface.
Chem. Sci., 2016,7, 2639-2645
https://doi.org/10.1039/C5SC04486C
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Creation of a new type of ion exchange material for rapid, high-capacity, reversible and selective ion exchange without swelling and entrainment
A new model for ion exchange materials has been proposed on the basis of ion exchange sites grafted to a porous organic polymer.
Chem. Sci., 2016,7, 2138-2144
https://doi.org/10.1039/C5SC04507J
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The smallest quaternary ammonium salts with ether groups for high-performance electrochemical double layer capacitors
The smallest quaternary ammonium salts (QASs) with ether groups on tails and tetrafluoroborate (BF4) as an anion exhibit high performance in electrochemical double layer capacitors (EDLCs).
Chem. Sci., 2016,7, 1791-1796
https://doi.org/10.1039/C5SC02755A
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Ultra-large optical modulation of electrochromic porous WO3 film and the local monitoring of redox activity
Porous WO3 films with ultra-high transmittance modulation were successfully fabricated on different substrates by a novel electrochemical deposited method.
Chem. Sci., 2016,7, 1373-1382
https://doi.org/10.1039/C5SC03727A
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Solid state lithiation–delithiation of sulphur in sub-nano confinement: a new concept for designing lithium–sulphur batteries
Sub-nano confinement of sulphur enables a solid-state lithium–sulfur electrochemical reaction mechanism in liquid electrolytes.
Chem. Sci., 2016,7, 1224-1232
https://doi.org/10.1039/C5SC03419A
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Controllable synthesis of mesostructures from TiO2 hollow to porous nanospheres with superior rate performance for lithium ion batteries
Uniform TiO2 nanospheres formed from hollow and mesoporous nanospheres composed of 7 nm sized nanoparticles have been synthesized and show superior rate performance as anode materials for lithium ion batteries.
Chem. Sci., 2016,7, 793-798
https://doi.org/10.1039/C5SC03203B
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Asymmetric supercapacitors with high energy density based on helical hierarchical porous NaxMnO2 and MoO2
Helical hierarchical porous NaxMnO2/CC and MoO2/CC, which are assembled from nanosheets and nanoparticles, respectively, are fabricated using a simple electrodeposition method.
Chem. Sci., 2016,7, 510-517
https://doi.org/10.1039/C5SC03326H
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Highly efficient electrochemical reduction of CO2 to CH4 in an ionic liquid using a metal–organic framework cathode
It has been discovered that Zn metal-organic framework (Zn-MOF) electrodes and ionic liquids are an excellent combination for the efficient and selective reduction of CO2 to CH4.
Chem. Sci., 2016,7, 266-273
https://doi.org/10.1039/C5SC03291A
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Ring-chain synergy in ionic liquid electrolytes for lithium batteries
The ionic liquid-based electrolyte containing ring-like Pyr1,2O1TFSI and chain-like DMS exhibits good overall performance in lithium-ion batteries.
Chem. Sci., 2015,6, 7274-7283
https://doi.org/10.1039/C5SC02761F
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Amorphous cobalt silicate nanobelts@carbon composites as a stable anode material for lithium ion batteries
Amorphous cobalt silicate nanobelts@carbon composites turned out to be excellent anode materials for lithium ion batteries.
Chem. Sci., 2015,6, 6908-6915
https://doi.org/10.1039/C5SC02525G
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Fast electrosynthesis of Fe-containing layered double hydroxide arrays toward highly efficient electrocatalytic oxidation reactions
Fast electrosynthesis of Fe-containing layered double hydroxide arrays and their highly-efficient electrocatalytic performance toward small molecule oxidation reactions.
Chem. Sci., 2015,6, 6624-6631
https://doi.org/10.1039/C5SC02417J
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Thermally-responsive, nonflammable phosphonium ionic liquid electrolytes for lithium metal batteries: operating at 100 degrees celsius
Lithium metal battery cycling at 100 °C is enabled by thermally-responsive, nonflammable phosphonium ionic liquid electrolytes.
Chem. Sci., 2015,6, 6601-6606
https://doi.org/10.1039/C5SC01518A
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In situ investigation of dissociation and migration phenomena at the Pt/electrolyte interface of an electrochemical cell
Using near ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy we probe in situ the double layer at the Pt/liquid electrolyte interface.
Chem. Sci., 2015,6, 5635-5642
https://doi.org/10.1039/C5SC01421B
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Tetraarylborate polymer networks as single-ion conducting solid electrolytes
A new family of solid polymer electrolytes based upon anionic tetrakis(phenyl)borate tetrahedral nodes and linear bis-alkyne linkers is reported.
Chem. Sci., 2015,6, 5499-5505
https://doi.org/10.1039/C5SC02052B
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An efficiently tuned d-orbital occupation of IrO2 by doping with Cu for enhancing the oxygen evolution reaction activity
Tuning Ir d-orbital occupation via doping Cu into the IrO2 lattice to prepare a highly efficient oxygen evolution reaction catalyst, Cu0.3Ir0.7Oδ.
Chem. Sci., 2015,6, 4993-4999
https://doi.org/10.1039/C5SC01251A
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Rational design of quinones for high power density biofuel cells
Rationally designing quinones to label GDH and create a redox hydrogel that delivers high OCP, current and power densities.
Chem. Sci., 2015,6, 4867-4875
https://doi.org/10.1039/C5SC01538C
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Cobalt diselenide nanobelts grafted on carbon fiber felt: an efficient and robust 3D cathode for hydrogen production
An easily scaled-up 3D CoSe2/CFF hierarchical electrode has been developed as a highly active and stable hydrogen evolution reaction cathode.
Chem. Sci., 2015,6, 4594-4598
https://doi.org/10.1039/C5SC01335F
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Doping-induced memory effect in Li-ion batteries: the case of Al-doped Li4Ti5O12
A memory effect in Li-ion batteries can be induced and tailored by element doping, such as Al-doping in spinel Li4Ti5O12.
Chem. Sci., 2015,6, 4066-4070
https://doi.org/10.1039/C5SC00429B
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Oxide-supported Ir nanodendrites with high activity and durability for the oxygen evolution reaction in acid PEM water electrolyzers
Ir nanodendrites (Ir-ND) supported on antimony doped tin oxide (ATO) show enhanced catalytic activity and stability for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) water electrolysis.
Chem. Sci., 2015,6, 3321-3328
https://doi.org/10.1039/C5SC00518C
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Single graphene nanoplatelets: capacitance, potential of zero charge and diffusion coefficient
A nano-impact chronoamperometric experiment is presented here as a powerful technique for simultaneously probing important physical properties of graphene nanomaterials.
Chem. Sci., 2015,6, 2869-2876
https://doi.org/10.1039/C5SC00623F
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A noble metal-free proton-exchange membrane fuel cell based on bio-inspired molecular catalysts
Bio-inspired chemistry allowed for the development of the first noble metal-free polymer electrolyte membrane hydrogen fuel cell (PEMFC). The device proved operational under technologically relevant conditions.
Chem. Sci., 2015,6, 2050-2053
https://doi.org/10.1039/C4SC03774J
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Platinum-decorated carbon nanotubes for hydrogen oxidation and proton reduction in solid acid electrochemical cells
Carbon nanotubes are used as interconnects between directly deposited Pt nanoparticles and a proton conducting solid acid electrolyte for proton reduction and hydrogen oxidation in CsH2PO4-based solid acid cells. These composite electrodes significantly reduce the Pt loading and achieve record Pt utilization for solid acid cells.
Chem. Sci., 2015,6, 1570-1577
https://doi.org/10.1039/C4SC03003F
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Computational design of molecules for an all-quinone redox flow battery
We demonstrate a successful high-throughput screening approach for the discovery of inexpensive, redox-active quinone molecules for organic-based aqueous flow batteries.
Chem. Sci., 2015,6, 885-893
https://doi.org/10.1039/C4SC03030C
About this collection
We are delighted to present an online collection showcasing recently published articles in the field of energy. To address major issues facing our planet, researchers all over the world have increasingly focused their efforts on finding solutions to these energy challenges. These articles highlight some of the excellent work that tackles important global challenges related to energy. We hope you enjoy reading this collection!