Carbon Neutralization最新文献

Zinc–bromine and zinc–iodine batteries have been widely regarded as promising systems for large-scale energy storage, yet their practical application is currently hampered by slow redox reactions, low efficiency due to the shuttle effect, and zinc dendrite growth. In this review, we overview the contribution of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and MOF-derived materials to overcoming these drawbacks. Two typical strategies are presented: assembling pristine MOFs as selective porous barriers to confine polyhalides and MOF-templated carbon materials, including single-atom catalysts for enhanced conductivities and fast charge transfer. We show that pristine MOFs exhibit interesting selectivity properties but rarely meet the required chemical stability in acidic electrolytes. However, MOF-based carbons are more stable and conductive, but their performance requires careful regulation of synthesis conditions to maintain active sites. Overall, it seems most promising to develop bifunctional hosts that are conductive carbon frameworks embedded with single-atom metal sites, which both trap adsorbed halogen species and catalyze their decomposition. This review highlights the critical developments required to progress from promising electrochemical data in the laboratory to practical high-capacity battery electrodes.

In pursuit of global carbon neutrality, maritime shipping with high CO₂ emissions confronts an urgent imperative deep decarbonization. Green hydrogen is a zero-carbon fuel produced through water electrolysis by renewable energy sources, which is emerging as a promising solution for maritime decarbonization owing to its high energy density and versatile application potential. Here, it provides a systematic overview of the technological feasibility of green hydrogen for maritime shipping, encompassing its current application status and key challenges. It analyzes recent advances in green hydrogen production, storage, transportation, and infrastructure development, while exploring the enabling roles of policy support, technological innovation, and international collaboration. Despite facing substantial barriers in cost, technology, and infrastructure, green hydrogen boasts enormous decarbonization potential and occupies an indispensable strategic position in the global carbon neutrality agenda.

Core–Shell plasmonic nanostructures are drawing significant interest for its multifunctionality in light-harvesting; however, the mechanisms of the structure–performance relationship of non-noble metal materials are not yet fully elucidated. Here, finite element method (FEM) is employed to simulate the thermoplasmonic performance of X@Fe₂O₃(X = Bi, Ni, Co, Al) core–shell nanoparticles and analyze the influence of interparticle spacing and shell thickness on thermoplasmonic behavior with different structures. With Fe₂O₃ shell, monomers exhibit strong plasmonic features within visible regions and resonances peak redshift as shell thickness increases, and certain shell thickness can enhance the intensity of the resonances peak. Longitudinally polarized dimers exhibit strong interparticle coupling, resulting in pronounced field-heat hotspot alignment that promotes efficient light-to-heat conversion. Conversely, transverse polarization causes spatial decoupling between electromagnetic and thermal responses. The simulation results indicate that for 100 nm nanoparticles, maximum absorption efficiency does not always correspond to peak temperature response, underscoring the need to consider both spectral and spatial factors in thermoplasmonic design. This study provides important insight into the potential of non-noble metal-based core–shell nanostructures for solar energy harvesting.

Urea electrooxidation offers a low-voltage pathway for hydrogen production while simultaneously addressing nitrogen-cycle remediation, yet its multi-step mechanism is kinetically hindered by sluggish C–N bond cleavage and the accumulation of strongly adsorbed intermediates. Conventional nickel-based oxides suffer from limited exposure of Ni–O active sites and slow charge redistribution, restricting overall catalytic turnover. In this study, a microwave shock strategy was developed to construct two-dimensional porous La₂NiO₄ nanosheets with a well-defined Ruddlesden–Popper (n = 2) layered structure. The ultrafast non-equilibrium synthesis generates transient supersaturation and controlled gas evolution, promoting the formation of open interlayer channels and abundant oxygen vacancies. This architecture enhances mixed ionic–electronic transport and facilitates rapid proton-coupled electron transfer during urea oxidation, yielding a low onset potential, high mass activity, and excellent durability. Mechanistic analysis reveals that the coexistence of Ni²⁺/Ni³⁺ redox couples and oxygen defects strengthens Ni 3d–O 2p hybridization, narrows the band gap, and accelerates charge redistribution. The results establish a structure–defect–activity correlation for layered nickelates and show that microwave-induced non-equilibrium synthesis provides a versatile route for designing metastable oxides. This work advances the understanding of structure-driven electrocatalysis and offers a strategic framework for future energy–environment catalytic technologies.

All-perovskite four-terminal tandem solar cells offer a promising platform for high-efficiency photovoltaics due to their electrical independence and flexible subcell optimization. However, optical losses such as interfacial reflection and parasitic absorption limit device performance. In this study, a systematic light-management optimization framework was established, and multiphysics simulations were employed to reveal how perovskite layer thickness, intermediate light-coupling layer (ILCL) materials and thickness, and top cell structural inversion collaboratively regulate light distribution, electromagnetic field phase, and transmission and reflection characteristics. Optimizing the perovskite layer thickness balances light absorption between subcells, increasing the power conversion efficiency (PCE) from 25.0% to 26.1%. Further introduction of the ILCL with phase-control design enhances optical coupling, raising the PCE to 28.10%. Numerical simulations indicate that top cell structural inversion effectively suppresses long-wavelength reflection and enhances bottom cell absorption, resulting in a simulated PCE of 33.73%, approaching the theoretical limit predicted by a semiempirical model guided by experimental data. Quantitative analysis based on admittance and phase matching elucidates the optical mechanisms, providing generalizable guidance for the design of multijunction photovoltaic devices. These results demonstrate that a unified light-management strategy not only systematically enhances device performance but also provides deep insights into the optical physics of all-perovskite tandem solar cells.

The development of layered oxide cathodes for sodium-ion batteries is hindered by irreversible phase transitions and substantial volume changes at high voltages. While P2/O3 biphasic structures can mitigate these issues, achieving precise control over phase composition and understanding the underlying stabilization mechanisms remain challenging. Herein, we propose a synergistic regulation strategy integrating cationic potential design and thermal processing optimization. Using a high-entropy layered oxide Na_0.75Ni_0.29Zn_0.05Cu_0.06Mn_0.6-xTi_xO₂ as a model, we establish a quantitative correlation between Ti⁴⁺ content and the P2/O3 phase ratio, achieving continuous tuning from 0% to 100% O3 phase. Further refinement via calcination temperature yields an optimal P2:O3 ratio of 72.7:27.3. This optimally designed cathode delivers a high-rate capability (76.2 mAh g⁻¹ at 5 A g⁻¹) and superior cycling stability (77.5% capacity retention after 200 cycles). Operando XRD and DFT calculations reveal an “interlayer anchoring mechanism” at the phase boundary, where strong ionic bonding (e.g., Ti-O) suppresses transition metal layer sliding, guiding a highly reversible phase evolution and reducing the volume change to 7.6%, significantly lower than that of the single-phase counterpart (12.7%). This work provides a quantitative “composition–process–phase–performance” design principle for advanced biphasic cathode materials.

Graphene–based porous two-dimensional (2D) materials are pivotal for advanced health, yet their translation faces three intertwined bottlenecks: scalable synthesis, quantifiable biological risks, and cradle-to-grave sustainability. Emerging paradigms now focus on developing green, surface–engineered porous nanomaterials that simultaneously display high biocompatibility, minimal cytotoxicity, and potent anticoagulant activity, enabling seamless deployment across in vitro diagnostics, targeted drug delivery, antimicrobial coatings, photothermal and gene therapies, and multimodal bioimaging. For the first time in a decade of numerous reviews on graphene's biomedical applications, this review focuses specifically on porous graphene two-dimensional materials. It systematically addresses three intertwined challenges and their solutions: controllable synthesis, biological risks, and full-lifecycle sustainability. We specifically highlight state-of-the-art functionalization strategies for porous nanomaterial preparation (e.g., mechanical exfoliation, chemical vapor deposition, oxidation–reduction, liquid-phase exfoliation, electrochemical exfoliation and SiC epitaxial growth method), alongside their potential risks to the human body, particularly interface mechanism with cell membranes, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), proteins, enzymes, cells, tissues, and organs. Current limitations and future research directions are critically discussed, emphasizing the role as a sustainable porous 2D nanomaterial platform. Beyond addressing healthcare challenges, high–performing graphene–based 2D nanomaterials unlock transformative opportunities for next-generation technologies.

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) have garnered considerable attention due to their superior safety, affordability, and eco-friendliness. However, the uncontrolled growth of zinc dendrites and the parasitic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) severely limit their cycling stability and practical lifespan. In this study, sodium p-aminobenzenesulfonate (SABS) is introduced into ZnSO₄-based electrolytes as a functional additive. SABS not only reconstructs the Zn²⁺ solvation sheath but also forms stable complexes with Zn²⁺, facilitating the in-situ formation of a robust three-dimensional networked solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) on the zinc anode surface. As a result, Zn||Zn symmetric cells exhibit ultra-stable cycling performance exceeding 2000 h at 1 mA cm⁻², while Zn||Cu asymmetric cells maintain over 2000 cycles at 5 mA cm⁻² with high Coulombic efficiency. The underlying mechanism of interfacial stabilization and SEI-like interphase formation is further elucidated by combining ex situ structural/chemical characterizations with density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Moreover, the Zn||I₂@AC full cell containing SABS additives exhibits excellent specific capacity and long-term cycling performance over a wide range of current densities. This work provides a promising electrolyte additive strategy to enhance the interfacial stability and electrochemical performance of AZIBs through coordinated solvation and interphase regulation.

Lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries exhibit notable advantages, such as lower cost, due to the abundance and affordability of sulfur, coupled with superior gravimetric and volumetric energy densities, ample sulfur reserves, and a reduced environmental footprint. These compelling attributes render Li–S batteries a highly promising energy storage technology, attracting significant global interest. However, their practical deployment is hindered by critical challenges at the cathode–electrolyte interface, including structural degradation (such as heterogeneous Li₂S deposition), unstable interphase layers, and the detrimental lithium polysulfides shuttle effect. Addressing these issues requires concerted efforts to optimize both the electrode and interface to improve overall battery performance. This review systematically delineates these interfacial challenges and discusses corresponding mitigation strategies, with emphasis on electrolyte design to form stable cathode–electrolyte interphases, control Li₂S deposition behavior, and suppress the shuttle effect through modulation of solid–liquid–solid reaction pathways, their transition to solid–solid conversion routes, and the optimization of solid–solid pathways themselves. Finally, the article offers key perspectives aimed at advancing the fundamental understanding of interfacial phenomena and designing stable battery configurations, with the ultimate goal of stimulating further research and accelerating the commercialization of Li–S batteries.

The development of electrocatalysts with excellent water splitting and 5-hydroxymethylfural oxidation reaction (HMFOR) performance can relieve energy challenges and environmental issues. This study constructs a self-supported CeO₂-Ni₃N/NF composite on nickel foam (NF) through an elemental modification strategy, developing an electrocatalyst with outstanding electrochemical water splitting and HMFOR performance. The modified CeO₂ introduces oxygen vacancy defects in Ni₃N and optimizes its electronic structure. The reaction mechanism of HMFOR was explored using in situ characterizations, revealing that CeO₂ not only promotes the complete reconstruction of Ni₃N into active NiOOH species but also enhances charge transfer of the HMFOR process. CeO₂ modulates the adsorption of reactant on the Ni active sites, thereby mitigating the reduction in reaction activity caused by competitive adsorption. Additionally, CeO₂ reduces the activation energy needed for the intermediate step from *FFCA to *FDCA. By substituting the anodic reaction with HMFOR, the voltage for water splitting can be reduced, while simultaneously generating valuable organic compounds during hydrogen evolution. Specifically, utilizing HMFOR to replace the traditional anodic reaction in water electrolysis only needs 1.43 V to realize 50 mA cm⁻², with a Faradaic efficiency (FE) for cathodic hydrogen evolution approaching 100%, a superior HMF conversion rate (93.6%), and FDCA yield (93.4%). This research provides significant insights for designing transition metal-based catalysts with excellent electrolytic water and HMFOR performance.