Carbon Neutralization最新文献

Wide-bandgap (WBG) perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are critical for tandem architectures but suffer from light-induced halide segregation and non-radiative recombination. Although conventional rare-earth doping passivates defects, it concurrently introduces vacancies and lattice strain that exacerbate halogen migration. Herein, we report a thermally induced doping strategy where Pr³⁺/Sm³⁺ ions pre-embedded in MeO-4PACz diffuse into the perovskite during annealing. Through combined tolerance factor analysis, structural characterization, and DFT calculations, we identify a dual doping mechanism: predominant interstitial incorporation with minor B-site substitution. This approach reduces defect density, increases iodine migration energy barriers (from 0.85 to 0.94 and 1.12 eV), and minimizes lattice distortion. Consequently, the experimental results show that the open-circuit voltage increases from 1.198 V to 1.230 V (Pr³⁺) and 1.233 V (Sm³⁺), and the fill factor increases from 83% to 86%. Finally, the PCE reached 23.04% (Pr³⁺) and 23.39% (Sm³⁺) (20.12% for control) with > 90% stability retention after 1500 h. In addition, the optimized semitransparent WBG device PCE was 19.48% (Pr³⁺) and 19.85% (Sm³⁺), and the PCE of 4-T perovskite was 27.05% (Pr³⁺) and 27.56% (Sm³⁺). This method will be beneficial for the development and application of WBG PSCs and TSCs.

SnSe₂ is a promising thermoelectric (TE) material with intrinsic n-type characteristics and a high theoretical ZT value of 2.95 along the a-axis. However, its densely packed crystal lattice in the plane perpendicular to the c-axis leads to weak phonon scattering, limiting improvements through conventional defect or nanostructure-based strategies. In this study, the rare-earth element Yb is introduced into tin-rich SnSe₂, predominantly segregating at grain boundaries and enhancing phonon scattering, while a small fraction incorporates into the lattice and modifies the electronic structure, simultaneously tuning both electrical and thermal transport behaviors. Yb incorporation enhances multiple phonon scattering mechanisms, significantly reducing lattice thermal conductivity, reaching a minimum of ~0.48 W·m⁻¹·K⁻¹. Meanwhile, it modulates the electronic structure by introducing impurity states, altering band alignment, and enhancing band degeneracy, collectively increasing the density-of-states (DOS) effective mass and Seebeck coefficient, contributing to a maximum power factor of 436.47 μW·m⁻¹·K⁻² at 773 K. As a result, the Yb-doped SnSe₂ sample with 1.0 wt% achieves a peak ZT_max of ~0.53 at 773 K along the direction parallel to the pressing direction, representing an ~95.3% enhancement over the undoped sample. This study presents a synergistic and effective strategy for optimizing SnSe₂-based TE materials via rare-earth doping, paving the way for next-generation high-performance TE devices.

For decades, the industry has believed that spherical graphite (SG) yield correlates strongly with graphite flake size. To clarify natural graphite (NG) spheroidization mechanisms, a comprehensive evaluation was conducted by extracting intermediate products from an industrial production line and utilizing separated jet mills to simulate continuous processing in the study. Focused ion beam-scanning electron microscope (FIB-SEM) cross-sectional analysis and nanocomputed tomography (Nano-CT) imaging revealed that flakes of different thicknesses underwent distinct morphological changes (folding, bending, or fragmentation) under mechanical force, with only flakes above a critical thickness (∼2 μm) forming SG cores. Statistical correlation between thickness (measured via statistical method under SEM) and yield demonstrated that thickness—not only size—is the dominant factor, redefining “effective SG flakes” to include small but thick flakes. Therefore, prioritizing thickness protection over size preservation in grinding-flotation and spheroidization processes increased SG yield by 7% in industrial validation. The work provides new insights for high-efficiency SG production.

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) have gained great attention due to their nontoxicity, low-cost, and high theoretical capacity. However, the scarcity of suitable cathode materials with excellent performance limits the practical application of AZIBs. Herein, we develop a conducting polymer (polyaniline) and divalent ions (Ca²⁺) co-intercalated method to synergistically regulate the property of V₂O₅ to enhance Zn²⁺ storage performance. The synergistic effect of co-insertion Ca²⁺ and polyaniline (PANI) not only enlarges the interlayer spacing but also regulates multiple oxidation states of vanadium, which dramatically improves the conductivity, diffusion kinetics, and structural stability of host V₂O₅. Consequently, the resultant Ca/PANI/V₂O₅•nH₂O (CPVO) as AZIBs cathodes exhibits extraordinary specific capacity of 512 mAh g^–1 (0.5 A g^–1) and cycling stability with an outstanding coulombic efficiency of around 100% after 2000 cycles (25 A g^–1). Moreover, the Zn²⁺ storage mechanism is elaborated by combining comprehensive characterizations and DFT calculations.

The development of advanced catalytic technologies for the combustion of low-concentration methane is crucial for minimizing unburned CH₄ emissions, consequently improving the eco-efficiency of natural gas vehicles and power plants. The integration of effective catalysts into existing systems with minimal modifications is of paramount importance. Porous ceramic composites offer a promising alternative to traditional powder catalysts due to their high surface area, excellent thermal stability, adjustable porosity, and prolonged catalytic durability. This study introduces a trace Pd–incorporated SnO₂ porous ceramic catalyst (Pd/SnO₂) fabricated using the spark plasma sintering (SPS) technique. The synthesis process uses a NaCl salt template to create a porous structure and graphite to improve Pd loading and dispersion on the SnO₂ surface. An optimized 10 wt.% graphite-decorated Pd/SnO₂ porous ceramic catalyst, containing a trace Pd loading of 0.17 wt.%, achieved a low T₉₀ of 427°C during methane reforming tests and maintained stable catalytic performance after multiple temperature cycling and over 900 min of continuous operation. Enhanced activity stems from two synergies: first, graphite-mediated uniform PdO dispersion boosting active site accessibility and second, PdO–SnO₂ interfacial charge transfer generating oxygen-deficient sites, accelerating CH₄ dissociation and stabilizing Pd²⁺ against deactivation. These findings highlight the potential of this approach for use in the development of durable and efficient ceramic composite–based catalysts for environmental applications.

Lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries face significant commercialization hurdles, predominantly due to challenges in promoting sulfur conversion reactions and simultaneously stabilizing cathode/electrolyte/anode interfaces. To tackle these issues, Fluoroisatin (FRN), as an electrolyte additive, was introduced in Li–S batteries, which dissolves in the electrolyte, undergoes partial deprotonation, and reacts with LiTFSI/lithium polysulfides. Consequently, it can regulate sulfur conversion pathways, accelerate reaction kinetics, and construct a LiF-rich solid-state electrolyte interface. The Li–S battery, with merely 0.5 wt% FRN additive and operating at −20°C, shows a high initial discharge capacity of 912 mAh g⁻¹ at 0.2 C, and it is maintained at 830 mAh g⁻¹ after 120 cycles. The potential of FRN, as a versatile electrolyte modifier, has potential for using in high-performance Li–S batteries.

Thermal quenching has long plagued rare-earth-doped luminescent materials as an inherent limitation, severely hampering their practical deployment in complex environments. Herein, novel orange-red-emitting K₃Sc(PO₄)₂:Sm³⁺ phosphors with anti-thermal quenching behavior have been successfully synthesized. The resultant samples have a trigonal crystal structure with space group P$��\bar{3}�$, where Sm³⁺ ions occupied two distinct Sc³⁺ lattice sites, inducing crystal field splitting and consequent emission peak splitting. The optimal doping concentration of Sm³⁺ ions was determined to be 5 mol%, above which concentration quenching was dominated by electric dipole-dipole interactions. Analysis of the intensity ratio between pure electric dipole and magnetic dipole transitions reveals that Sm³⁺ ions are predominantly sited at the centrosymmetric 1a lattice position of Sc³⁺. Moreover, the stable octahedral framework endowed the phosphors with unique anti-thermal quenching spectral properties, as evidenced by the integrated emission intensity at 573 K retaining 112.5% of its 298 K value. Finally, optical thermometric performance evaluated using emission transitions with distinct temperature dependencies underscores the phosphor's potential as a promising candidate for thermal sensing, thereby advancing the development of next-generation luminescent thermometry platforms.

The transition toward sustainable energy systems has accelerated the development of sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) as promising alternatives to lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), owing to their abundant sodium resources and cost advantages. However, the commercialization of SIBs for electric vehicles (EVs) remains hindered by challenges in achieving fast-charging performance, particularly at the anode. Hard carbons (HCs), widely regarded as the most practical anode materials, face intrinsic rate limitations due to their complex sodium storage mechanism, which involves a sloping region (> 0.10 V vs. Na/Na⁺) and a plateau region (0.01–0.10 V vs. Na/Na⁺), the latter posing a risk of sodium metal plating during rapid charging. This review examines the structural and kinetic factors that govern the fast-charging performance of HC anodes. The relationships among HC formation, microstructure, and sodium storage mechanisms are highlighted to clarify how structural features dictate electrochemical behavior. Key factors limiting rate capability, including electronic and ionic conductivity, as well as Na⁺ desolvation and diffusion, are critically assessed. Recent advances in material design, such as precursor optimization, heteroatom doping, closed-pore structure regulation, metal atom modulation, and surface coating, are evaluated to identify strategies for enhancing Na⁺ transport. Progress in electrode–electrolyte interphase engineering, particularly through electrolyte optimization and HC surface modification for stable SEI formation, is also summarized. By linking fundamental kinetics with practical design, this review provides insights for developing high-performance HC anodes and accelerating the deployment of fast-charging SIBs in next-generation EVs.

With the rapid development of renewable energy, efficient, safe, and long-lasting energy storage technologies have become crucial for driving energy transformation. Battery performance optimization is highly focused on, given that battery separators, as key components, directly impact battery safety, energy density, and cycle life. Traditional battery separators, represented by polyolefins, suffer from inadequate thermal-mechanical stability, random pore size distribution, poor hydrophilicity leading to poor electrolyte wettability, and the trade-off between high porosity and mechanical strength, which restrict the advancement of high-safety, high-energy-density battery technology. Zeolites, with their unique microporous structures, adjustable pore sizes, high specific surface area, easily modifiable structures and properties, excellent chemical stability, and thermal stability, exhibit significant potential as battery separator materials. For clarity, this review uses “Zeolite membrane” for standalone inorganic layers (e.g., free-standing ZSM-5 nanosheet assemblies), “Composite separator” for polymer-supported hybrids (e.g., zeolite-PVDF blends), “Zeolite separator” as a general term encompassing both types. This paper systematically reviews the functional roles of zeolites in battery separators, including mechanisms such as ion-selective transport, intermediate inhibition, metal dendrite regulation, and electrolyte stabilization. It analyses the main challenges faced in large-scale preparation and industrial application, such as complex and costly manufacturing processes, insufficient long-term material stability, poor compatibility with substrates, and the need to optimize multi-system adaptability. The paper also provides future research directions, aiming to offer theoretical guidance and technical references for developing advanced battery systems with high safety, high energy density, and long cycle life.

Fabricating thick electrodes (> 100 µm) under lean-electrolyte conditions (< 3 g Ah⁻¹) is a critical yet unresolved challenge for developing high-energy-density lithium-ion batteries. Conventional slurry-casting processes are plagued by structural defects, high costs, and poor performance, creating a bottleneck for practical application. Here, we introduce a disruptive manufacturing paradigm based on the direct stencil printing of a binder-free, clay-like semi-solid suspension. This solvent-free approach completely bypasses the energy-intensive and defect-inducing steps of slurry coating, drying, and calendering, enabling the streamlined production of structurally robust thick electrodes. The resulting NCM811 cathodes achieve a state-of-the-art combination of high mass loading (25.1 mg cm⁻²) and an ultra-lean electrolyte-to-capacity (E/C) ratio of 2.03 g Ah⁻¹. These electrodes exhibit exceptional cycling stability, retaining 91.1% capacity after 170 cycles. The process's scalability and practicality are further validated in a 115 mAh pouch cell, which maintains 94.8% capacity after 250 cycles. This study establishes a powerful, low-cost, and scalable manufacturing strategy that resolves the long-standing trade-offs between energy density, safety, and production efficiency, paving the way for the next generation of high-performance batteries.