Themed collection Energy Advances Recent Review Articles

Slurry rheology is a critical metrology tool for understanding and optimising the manufacture of battery electrodes.

The efficiency of hydrogen generation through photocatalytic processes is analyzed from a dual perspective considering energetic and sustainability implications.

We present a comprehensive survey of the redox couples and end up with 81 different electrolyte combinations to highlight the untapped potential of the thermally regenerative electrochemical cycle.

Analysis and calculation of Germany's climate politics and hydrogen strategy, with a focus on the technical demand for hydrogen implementation through a case study of the chemical industry that engages multiple stakeholders.

This perspective paper covers textile- and hydrogel-based biocompatible electrodes, and their applications for supercapacitors, biofuel cells, and actuators, focusing on the importance of interfacial interactions between electrode components.

We discuss the versatility of quinacridone pigment in photocatalysis, embracing water splitting, carbon dioxide reduction and organic synthesis. Applications include homogeneous catalysis, nanoparticles, covalent organic frameworks, photoelectrodes.

Materials with a core–shell and yolk–shell structure have attracted considerable attention owing to their attractive properties for application in Na batteries and other electrochemical energy storage systems.

This perspective article highlights the good potentiality for the Langmuir Blodgett technique to produce massively BiVO₄ based photoelectrodes for biomass valorization and hydrogen production in the context of Brazil's decarbonation.

This perspective highlights progress in the development of cathode materials for potassium-ion batteries, whilst providing valuable insights into unexplored compositional spaces that can be pursued for high-performance electrode materials.

Interfacial engineering plays a key role in solving the reactivity puzzle of lithium metal batteries. Here, we discuss the interfacial engineering pieces that are in place and the ones that still need to be fitted.

New opportunities and challenges associated with amorphous MOFs for energy storage.

This perspective highlights the material properties, cell design decisions, and manufacturing costs with the biggest influence on the energy, power, cost, lifetime, and safety of a battery.

With increased awareness of artificial intelligence-based algorithms coupled with the non-stop creation of material databases, artificial intelligence (AI) can facilitate fast development of high-performance electrochemical energy storage systems (EESSs).

This article highlights new and interesting research ideas that explored graphene's potential for thermoelectrics.

This perspective highlights recent advances in improving the mechanical robustness of FPSCs and prospects to clarify the mechanism between the mechanical behavior and the photoelectric performance.

2D–2D hybrids have large heterointerfaces and strong interactions between the two components, leading to strong coupling effects that influence the electronic structure of active sites and benefit charge transfer during energy conversion reactions.

Electrochemical technologies support the transition towards carbon-neutral chemical manufacturing and we need new approaches to accelerate electrolysis scale-up.

Three state-of-the-art defects-tuning strategies have been summarized for regulating the electronic structures, enhancing the conductivities and boosting the OER performances of transition metal (hydr)oxides-based electrocatalysts.

Measuring and interpreting the efficiency of a thermo–photocatalytic reaction is key in the quest to define synergy for chemical reactions taking place under dual thermo–photo excitation.

A perspective with an explicit account of the appropriate screening of water splitting electrocatalysts advocating dos and don’ts!

Conducting polymers are gaining significant attention in electrochemical energy storage devices for their unique ionic/electronic conduction and redox pseudocapacitance characteristics.

This review provides a comprehensive overview of various advanced engineering strategies and controlled synthesis of copper–sulfide compounds for enhanced electrochemical CO₂ reduction to valuable products.

Decoupling of energy and power; depth of discharge; flexible in design; high safety; recyclable.

We review the recent literature on spectroscopic/electrochemical operando methods as they are increasingly being applied to understand lithium–sulfur batteries.

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) are clay networks with brucite (Mg(OH₂)) layers that are coupled with anions between the produced layers.

Over the past 20 years, metal–organic framework (MOF) nanosheets have garnered a great deal of interest in the fields of energy and environmental management because of their inherent extraordinary qualities.

Glycosaminoglycans have quietly transitioned from biomaterials to advanced functional materials for energy devices and flexible electronics. Gathered here are 45 years of research highlighting both fundamental studies and recent advances and trends.

Doping, coating, surface modification, formation of composites and control of crystalline orientation can control the capacity retention of Ni-rich cathodes. Furthermore, the design of Co-free Ni-rich cathodes may provide a cost-effective solution.

The recent progress in the strategies for the preparation of 2D inorganic non-conductive materials and their and application in alkali metal-based batteries is summarized in this review.

The recent progress in visible light driven photocatalysis by describing the integration of TiO₂ with variety of materials, and how it helps in tailoring electronic, structural and optical properties towards improved solar H₂ production activity.

A schematic summary of this review highlights tin as an alternative to lead in perovskite solar cells. Lead toxicity limits its commercial potential, which tin perovskites can overcome with their enhanced optoelectronic properties.

Zinc sulfide (ZnS) and doped ZnS have gained significant attention for the potential catalytic transformation of CO₂ into useful compounds.

The review article discusses the transition from conventional battery to next-generation bipolar designs of anode-less all-solid-state batteries. The key elements, components and related technologies involved are discussed.

Soft carbon is a special class of carbon materials having tunable physical properties that makes it suitable for various battery applications.

It is imperative to transition towards sustainable energy sources to mitigate the escalating threat of global warming and ameliorate the adverse impacts of climatic changes.

With the ever-increasing demand for efficient and sustainable energy solutions, rechargeable Fe-ion batteries have emerged as a viable alternative to conventional rechargeable batteries.

Phytochemical-based additives have functional groups that can modulate the nucleation and crystallization process of perovskite films resulting in improved optoelectronic and degradation resistance.

This thorough review explores the potential and obstacles related to cathode materials for zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs), providing insights into recent advancements, significant concerns, and prospective developments.

Porous covalent organic frameworks towards photocatalytic ROS-mediated hydrogen peroxide production and organic substances degradation.

Driven by the burgeoning demand for high performance eco-friendly thermoelectric materials in the mid-temperature range (573–773 K), we herein focus on GeTe based alloys exhibiting high ZT of >2.0 owing to their promising band structure.

Diagram depicting the internal structure of various p-type and n-type legs in thermoelectric power generators.

Designing hybrid materials with superior electrochemical properties has attracted tremendous interest in recent years for energy-storage applications owing to a high demand for energy sources and the depletion of fossil fuel resources.

In this review we discuss the application of electrochemical hydrogenation for pyrolysis oil upgrading, thus facilitating a circular polymer economy and low-carbon fuel production.

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.

Recent advances and perspectives of Ir-based anode catalysts in PEM water electrolysis are highlighted, and it is concluded that the anti-dissolution and stability improvement of Ir active species should be carefully considered for catalyst design in the future.

The CdZnTe is an efficient absorber to both single junction and tandem devices. This review presents an overview on associated development routes, characterization tools, developed devices and further recommendations for improving the performance.

In this review, we present the key synthetic strategies for the preparation of high entropy materials and their applications in different electrocatalysis reactions.

Computational approaches including quantum simulations, virtual high-throughput screening and machine learning accelerate the advance electrocatalysts discovery with proper accuracy and efficiency.

Lewis and co-workers review the use of high entropy materials in electrochemical energy storage devices.

Photothermal catalysis is a promising method for converting C1 feedstocks into valuable chemicals. This comprehensive review highlights the mechanism, design strategies for catalysts, and recent progress in photothermal catalytic C1 conversion.

In this review, we summarize the current mainstream research views on K⁺ storage mechanisms, obstacles and solutions.

Reviewing thermal conductivity of solar salts with different nanoparticle additives; exploring experimental and theoretical methods.

Efficient ways of realizing energy and power dense rechargeable zinc ion hybrid supercapacitors (ZIHSCs) with advanced electrode and eletrolyte designing strategies have been reviewed.

Solar cells have provided a solution to the prevailing energy crisis and environmental contamination in the ongoing energy-driven era because of their potential to utilize solar energy.

Halide perovskites are compelling candidates for the next generation of photovoltaic technologies owing to an unprecedented increase in power conversion efficiency and their low cost, facile fabrication and outstanding semiconductor properties.

Nanostructural engineering of TiO₂ is an effective strategy to enhance its photoactivity. The different dimensional structured TiO₂ and the effect of dimensionality on its photocatalytic performance were summarized.

Manganese redox couples are a promising candidate for redox flow batteries due to their low cost, ecofriendliness, high standard reduction potential, and variable oxidation states.

Recent advances in the role of electrospun nanofibers based on transition metal oxides in advanced supercapacitor applications, its challenges and progress towards the future “zero emission electric era” are highlighted in this review.

This review explores machine learning's role in energy chemistry, spanning organic photovoltaics, perovskites, catalysis, and batteries, highlighting its potential to accelerate eco-friendly, sustainable energy development.

The well-designed planar micro-supercapacitors can be manufactured through a variety of techniques for the applications in flexible electronics, biosensors, power grids and integrated chips.

This review introduces organic ionic plastic crystals (OIPCs) as Li-ion conductors and recent progress in the development of Li secondary batteries with OIPC-based solid electrolytes.

Solar-driven interfacial water evaporation (SIWE) is a multipurpose practical, effective approach based on the photothermal effect to steam generation, desalination, wastewater treatment, salt production, and power generation leading to sustainability.

In recent years, rechargeable sodium–air batteries have attracted extensive attention and developed rapidly for electrochemical energy storage applications due to low costs, abundance of precursor resources, and high energy density.

Data-driven machine learning is a proven technique for battery material discovery and enables the development of sustainable next-generation batteries.

How does bimetallic composition of nickel-rich semiconductors affect their electrochemical water splitting activity?

Electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction reaction (eCO₂ RR) is an efficient strategy to relieve global environmental and energy issues by converting excess CO₂ from the atmosphere to value-added products.

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

This review summarizes the superiorities and utilizations of 2D materials for photoelectrochemical water splitting including transition metal dichalcogenides, graphene, graphdiyne, black phosphorus, layered double hydroxides, g-C₃N₄, and MXenes.

The complicated and unconventional defect chemistry of Sb₂Se₃ largely dictates photovoltaic device performance. This comprehensive review aims to increase understanding of defect engineering, which is essential for further efficiency improvements.