Carbon Neutralization最新文献

The practical application of lithium−sulfur (Li−S) batteries is hindered by the shuttle effect of soluble lithium polysulfides and sluggish sulfur redox kinetics, resulting in rapid capacity fading and limited cycle life. Here, we present a rationally engineered yolk–shell nanoreactor architecture that integrates dual confinement and catalytic functionality to address these challenges. The nanoreactor comprises a polar, catalytically active core encapsulated within a conductive nitrogen-doped carbon shell, offering synergistic physical restriction of polysulfides and accelerated multistep sulfur conversion. Density functional theory calculations reveal uniformly low-energy barriers along the Li₂S₈-to-Li₂S pathway, with no evident rate-limiting step. Benefiting from this cooperative design, the sulfur host achieves a ultralow capacity decay (0.028% per cycle over 1000 cycles at 2 C) and enables a high areal capacity (493 mAh g⁻¹ at 4.3 mg cm⁻² sulfur loading) with 76.3% retention after 100 cycles at 0.3 C. This work offers a versatile strategy for constructing catalysis-integrated sulfur hosts and highlights the potential of yolk–shell nanoreactors in advancing practical Li−S energy storage systems.

Understanding and chemically tailoring the interfacial properties is essential for improving both efficiency and stability of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). All-inorganic cesium-based perovskites have emerged as promising candidates for thermally stable PSCs, however, their poor phase stability and high density of surface defects continue to impede device performance. Herein, we introduce functionalized halogenated phenethylammonium iodide (X-PEAI, X = H, F, Cl, Br) as modifiers, and a synergistic optimization of the perovskite bulk and interface is achieved through an integrated regulation strategy. It is found that Cl-PEAI with a strong dipole moment, achieves the optimal regulatory effect. It not only improves the film morphology but also effectively passivates the defect states through strong Lewis acid-base interactions. In addition, it also introduces an additional dipole layer at the interface, which enhances the carrier transport effect. Consequently, Cl-PEAI-treated devices deliver a champion power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 19.53% and retain 92.9% of their initial efficiency after 720 h of ambient storage, thereby underscoring the potential of rational ligand design within this specific ammonium salt category for advancing stable, high-performance all-inorganic PSCs.

High-performance and temperature-resistant lithium metal batteries (LMBs) can operate at extremely high temperatures (i.e., > 150°C), and there is a high demand for them in high-temperature scenarios or in special fields such as military application. However, due to the unstable organic solvents, traditional liquid electrolytes usually undergo severe degradation and pose serious safety risks at elevated temperatures (i.e., > 60°C). Herein, functional Li₇La₃Zr₂Ta_0.5O₁₂@methoxy polyethylene glycol (LLZT@mPEG) is synthesized via a novel and effective method known as in situ coupled macromolecular bridge, and corresponding all-solid-state composite polymer electrolyte (LLZT@mPEG-CPE) is further prepared. Rigid LLZT cores and flexible ionic conductive polymer side-chains are closely combined by electrostatic interaction, thus resolving the challenge of interface compatibility between different phases. The introduction of mPEG-COOH can further improve the dispersibility of LLZT@mPEG, enhance the stability of electrolyte/electrode interface, effectively inhibit the continuous decomposition of the polymer, enabling LMBs with high thermal tolerance and fast-cycling ability. As a consequence, our LLZT@mPEG-CPE shows great thermal stability and outstanding electrochemical performance. Remarkably, Li|LLZT@mPEG-CPE|LFP cell delivers superior temperature-resistance with a capacity retention of 94% after 500 cycles at high rate of 5 C and extreme temperature as high as 160°C. This study provides an innovative design principle for advanced all-solid-state CPEs of LMBs capable of extremely high temperature operation.

The utilization of coal resources is critically important in the modern era, and advancements in coal chemical technology are key to maximizing their value. Integrating modern coal chemical technology with the promotion of low-carbon products is essential for achieving efficient coal resource utilization while supporting sustainable economic development. However, several challenges remain, including low conversion rates, high pollutant emissions, and insufficient residue reuse. Although researchers have made significant progress in addressing these issues, further in-depth studies are needed to improve conversion efficiency, enhance gas recovery, and optimize secondary utilization of residues to ensure more sustainable development. The study systematically reviews advancements in traditional coal chemical technology and elaborates on the progress and advantages of modern coal chemical processes. Additionally, it highlights the pivotal role of carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies in reshaping the energy structure. Furthermore, the reuse of coal chemical residues represents a crucial step forward in refining coal chemical technology. By addressing these aspects, this work serves as a reference for promoting cleaner and more efficient coal resource utilization.

Organic semiconductor photocatalysts hold promise for solar-driven hydrogen evolution, yet their efficiency is often constrained by weak intermolecular interactions, limited light-harvesting ability, and inefficient charge transport. Addressing these challenges requires precise structural modulation of donor–acceptor assemblies to establish robust electronic coupling and broaden absorption profiles. In this study, a molecular engineering strategy is introduced that simultaneously tailors the donor side chains and tunes the size of the fullerene acceptor cage, thereby promoting electron transport and enhancing light absorption, which ultimately leads to improve photocatalytic activity. Three fullerene-indacenodithiophene (IDT) derivatives—SA-C₆₀-DTIDTT (SA-C1), SA-C₆₀-IDTT (SA-C2), and SA-C₇₀-IDTT (SA-C3)—are synthesized and assembled into supramolecular architectures through a liquid–liquid interfacial deposition method. Replacing the thiophene ring in the donor side chain with a benzene ring strengthens π–π stacking interactions, resulting in more efficient charge transport pathways. Incorporation of C₇₀, with its extended π-system, further facilitates electron delocalization and broadens visible-light absorption. As a result, the SA-C₇₀-IDTT photocatalyst achieves a hydrogen evolution rate of 17.16 mmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹. This study highlights the effectiveness of donor–acceptor structural modulation for constructing high-performance, solar-driven hydrogen evolution photocatalysts.

ZnIn₂S₄ (ZIS) has garnered significant interest in photocatalytic energy conversion and environmental remediation due to its tunable band gap, strong visible-light response, and facile synthesis. However, its practical application is severely hindered by inherent limitations, including low charge carrier separation efficiency and sluggish surface reaction kinetics. Constructing heterojunctions has emerged as an effective strategy to enhance ZIS performance by leveraging precise band alignment and interface engineering to optimize charge separation. While excellent reviews on ZIS-based photocatalysis have been published, comprehensive reviews focusing specifically on the design and evaluation of ZIS-based heterojunctions remain scarce. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in ZIS-based heterojunctions, providing a detailed discussion of heterojunction types and key synthesis strategies. Multi-scale modification strategies for synergistically enhancing photocatalytic activity are also examined. Furthermore, the charge separation mechanisms and surface reaction pathways are elucidated through advanced in situ characterization techniques and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. ZIS-based heterojunctions demonstrate great potential across various photocatalytic applications, including H₂ evolution, CO₂ reduction, H₂O₂ production, N₂ fixation, pollutant degradation, and emerging fields such as plastic reforming and tumor therapy. Finally, future research directions are outlined, encompassing crystal phase regulation, adaptive heterojunction design, and AI-driven screening, thereby providing theoretical guidance for the development of highly efficient ZIS-based photocatalysts.

Electrochromic (EC) fabrics exhibiting tunable optical and thermal modulation have attracted extensive attention in both active camouflage and wearable electronic. However, the lack of compatibility among the basic components of an EC device for flexible EC fabrics remains a challenge, hindering its future application. Herein, a highly integrated all-in-one EC fabric (AECF) is developed by assembling all the essential components into a piece of fabric, which is based on the dual-band EC polyaniline (PANI), Au collector, and a gel electrolyte filled into the fabric matrix. Benefiting from such a highly integrated configuration, the AECF possesses an ultrathin thickness of 82.0 μm and high flexibility, which could endow it with good conformity on arbitrarily shaped surfaces, further enhancing the applicability of the intrinsically non-stretchable EC fabrics device. Stemming from the optical modulation of the PANI EC layers, the AECF exhibits a color switch between golden yellow and dark green, with both visible and infrared reflectance modulation. Considering the excellent conformability and active optical-thermal modulation, the AECF is further developed into an environmental adaptive camouflage prototype system by integrating with a model car, which exhibits a fast color blending with dynamic environment background. This study is anticipated to provide new insights into developing high-performance EC fabrics toward the applications in wearable displays and active military camouflage.

The pursuit of highly efficient energy storage technique represents the key drive for the global energy structure transformation towards future renewable society. The state-of-the-art Li/Na-ion secondary battery that relies on the intercalation reaction is now well-established as the primary technology by the virtue of high energy and power density as well as the environmental benign. Despite the advantage, tremendous effects have been made for the improvement of the electrochemical performance of Li/Na-ion battery to mitigate the huddle between existing technology and increasing application demand. One of the major challenges lies in the further improvement of the energy efficiency, which is closely related to the voltage hysteresis behavior. The existence of voltage hysteresis could reduce energy output efficiency and accelerates capacity fading thus hindering the practical applications. Due to the voltage hysteresis between charging and discharging, it may induce the part of the energy lost, which decreases the energy conversion efficiency, increases polarization at high rates, intensifies side reactions at high potentials, and reduces the cycle life. At the same time, it also leads to the dendrite growth, promotes gas generation, and increases the risk of thermal runaway. In this review, we systematical outline the previous research on the topic which would contribute to the fundamental understanding of the origination and mechanism of voltage hysteresis. Critical assessments of battery behavior upon cycling are presented in combination with summaries of multiple modification strategies to mitigate the hysteresis in both Li/Na-ion battery. The remaining problems and future prospectives are also proposed which are expected to facilitate for the rational design of advanced electrode materials. This, in our point of view, could inspire the novel insight into future battery development towards practical application as well.

Aqueous electrolytes, while conferring inherent safety advantages, inevitably induce hydrogen-evolution corrosion, resulting in nonuniform Zn deposition and shortened cycle life. Herein, a novel electrolyte with buffering function is designed to modulate ion behavior and stabilize interface pH. The introduced additive acts as a cushion maskant (CM) that spontaneously adsorbs onto the Zn metal surface, displacing interfacial water molecules and thereby suppressing corrosion. Simultaneously, its coordination with Zn²⁺ homogenizes the Zn²⁺ flux to promote uniform deposition. Moreover, the protonation/deprotonation equilibria of CM within the electrolyte buffer local pH fluctuations, stabilizing the interfacial microenvironment. Consequently, a beneficial solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) is established, which further shields the Zn anode, enhances interfacial stability, and markedly improves cycling durability. Accordingly, Zn//Zn symmetrical cells in CM-containing electrolyte can realize exceptional lifespan for 2800 h at 2 mA cm⁻² and 970 h even at 10 mA cm⁻². In addition, CM demonstrates the superior practical applicability in Zn//I₂ full cells for long-term and rate tests. Zn//I₂ pouch full cell can operate for 150 mAh with CM. This study offers a distinctive and comprehensive strategy for stabilizing the Zn anode.

The practical application of solid polymer electrolytes (SPE) is limited due to notorious high crystallinity and low ionic conductivity. Existing research concentrated on reducing crystallinity and increasing Li salt concentration have made certain process. However, the segmentation and isolation effects of large and numerous grains on amorphous region have always been overlooked and the effect of grain size remains largely unexplored. Herein, take polyethylene oxide (PEO) as an example, “grain size refinement” strategy is adopted to improve the related room-temperature ionic conductivity by simply placing PEO based SPE on Li sheets coated with ester monomers and conducting in-situ polymerization. During these processes, in addition to reducing the interaction force between polymer chains and decreasing the driving force for crystallization, ester monomers are conducive to form interface with polymer clusters, which serves as additional nucleation sites and promotes the formation of refined grains. Then instantaneous high-temperature provided by muffle furnace triggers rapid solidification of monomers, leading to the locking of refined grain structure and the formation of more interconnected amorphous regions. Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry and polarization microscope confirm these processes, while small-angle X-ray scattering results indicate that the grain size reduces to one-third of its original size. Then the room-temperature conductivity increased by at least two orders of magnitude for PEO-based SPE.