Carbon Neutralization最新文献

Leather plays a significant role in daily life due to its exceptional permeability, mechanical strength, and durability. However, traditional tanning processes not only lead to chromium pollution but also promote bacterial growth and yellowing. This study aims to develop an all green processing technology of multifunctional chromium-free tanning agent (OKC-EGDE) based on kappa-carrageenan (KC), in which natural plant-derived KC was pretreated by a green H₂O₂/Cu²⁺ oxidation system, followed by cross-linking modification with ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether (EGDE). The aldehyde (–CHO) and carboxyl (–COOH) groups introduced during the oxidation process significantly enhance the antimicrobial properties of OKC-EGDE. During tanning, these aldehyde and epoxy groups bind with amino and carboxyl groups on collagen fibers, leading to significant improvements in the mechanical properties of the tanned leather. Characterization results from FTIR, ¹H NMR, and XRD analyses indicate that the epoxy value of OKC-EGDE is 0.37 mol/100 g, the oxidation value is 71%. Compared to traditional commercial chromium-free tanning agents (TWS and F-90), leather tanned with OKC-EGDE exhibits superior mechanical properties (tensile strength: 17.5 MPa, elongation at break: 38.7%, tear strength: 55.6 N/mm), thermal stability, yellowing resistance, and biocompatibility. Meanwhile, the OKC-EGDE has high antimicrobial rate of 99% against both Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The degradation of tanning wastewater and life cycle analysis confirm that OKC-EGDE-tanned leather achieves full-process environmental sustainability. This study demonstrates the significant application potential of natural plant polysaccharides and provides a new approach for sustainable and clean leather production.

Flexible perovskite solar cells (FPSCs) have emerged as a promising next- generation photovoltaic technology due to their lightweight, conformal design, and compatibility with low-cost, scalable fabrication. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in FPSC development, focusing on low-temperature fabrication strategies, functional material engineering, and device integration. We first detail one- step and two-step deposition methods, along with other novel approaches for producing high-quality perovskite films on flexible substrates at reduced thermal budgets. Subsequently, we examine the design of key functional layers, including perovskite absorbers, electron and hole transport layers, flexible electrodes, and substrates, highlighting innovations that enhance performance and mechanical resilience. A dedicated section explores Sn-based perovskite solar cells as a low-toxicity alternative to lead-based systems, covering compositional optimization, device architecture, and their growing deployment in flexible configurations. This review further discusses the scalable realization of flexible perovskite solar modules, including module architecture, charge transport management, and environmental safety strategies such as lead encapsulation and sustainable substrates. We conclude with an overview of application scenarios ranging from wearable electronics and high-altitude platforms to self-powered IoT systems and evaluate commercialization prospects through integrated portable energy systems. Together, these insights provide a comprehensive roadmap toward the development of high-efficiency, mechanically robust, and environmentally responsible FPSCs for real-world deployment.

Silicon (Si) is a promising anode material for boosting the energy density of current lithium-ion batteries; however, Si anodes suffer from enormous volume modulations and unstable solid electrolyte interphases (SEI) associated with the voltage window. Nevertheless, the relationship between voltage changes and deterioration of electrochemical performance remains unclear. Through systematic investigation of Si anodes under various cut-off voltages, we reveal that an increased degree of delithiation generates high hoop stress around the particle surface, ultimately leading to SEI thickening, fragmentation, and reformation. Furthermore, residual Li retained within Si particles after delithiation facilitates bidirectional Li⁺ diffusion, from Si core to shell and from electrolyte to shell, during the subsequent lithiation process. This phenomenon reduces the internal Li⁺ concentration gradient, delays the formation of crystalline Li₁₅Si₄, and alters delithiation kinetics. In addition, we observed that maintaining the voltage window within a range that induces high hoop stress and prevents the formation of crystalline Li₁₅Si₄ enables the Si anode to achieve optimized cycling performance and capacity. This voltage modulation criterion is also applicable for nano-sized Si, graphite-Si composite anodes, and solid-state batteries. The practical effectiveness of this approach is demonstrated through the successful operation of 5 Ah LiCoO₂/Si pouch cells, confirming that dynamic voltage control based on polarization can substantially enhance the cycle life of lithium-ion batteries.

The practical application of biomass-derived hard carbon (HC) in sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) remains hindered by low initial Coulombic efficiency (ICE) and limited rate capability, primarily caused by unstable surface functionalities and inefficient interfacial chemistry. In this study, we propose a facile precisely controlled partial oxidation strategy to selectively regulate the surface chemical environment of glucose-derived hard carbon, enabling the transformation of unstable hydroxyl and carboxyl groups into more stable carbonyl functionalities without significantly altering the carbon framework. This mild, low-temperature partial oxidation process partially unifies surface functional groups, promotes the formation of a thin and uniform solid electrolyte interphase (SEI), and enhances Na⁺ adsorption and diffusion kinetics. The optimized sample (CS-HO) exhibits a reversible capacity of 310.5 at 50 mA g^–1, a high ICE exceeding 70%, and excellent rate performance and cycling stability, with 73% capacity retention after 1000 cycles at 1 A g^–1. Mechanistic investigations, including in situ Raman spectroscopy and galvanostatic intermittent titration technique (GITT), reveal a dominant “adsorption–intercalation–pore filling” storage mechanism, attributed to the homogenized carbonyl-rich surface and optimized porous environment. This study offers mechanistic insights into bond-specific surface engineering and establishes a scalable, energy-efficient, and chemically rational pathway toward the design of high-performance SIB anode materials.

The narrow electrochemical stability window (ESW), gaseous by-products, and interfacial issues in aqueous electrolytes have long hindered the advancement of Zn-ion batteries. Herein, we report the first application of a zinc trifluoromethylsulfonate/1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethylsulfonate (Zn(TfO)₂/[EMIm]TfO) ionic liquid electrolyte with wide ESW exceeding 3 V in nonaqueous zinc-selenium (Zn-Se) batteries. To further enhance the reaction kinetics, the Co single atoms anchored onto N-doped ordered mesoporous carbon (Co-N/C) with Co-N₄ sites is designed as a Se host (Se@Co-N/C). Significantly, the Se@Co-N/C composite demonstrates an improved electrochemical performance, delivering a high discharge voltage of 1.5 V and a capacity of 410.6 mAh g⁻¹. Comprehensive mechanistic studies reveal that the Co-N₄ structure in the Co-N/C host acts as dual-function catalytic sites, lowering the energy barrier for both Zn(TfO)₄²⁻ dissociation and Se(TfO)₄ formation, thereby accelerating the conversion kinetics. This finding provides novel insights into designing stable Zn-Se batteries in nonaqueous ionic liquid electrolytes.

Step-scheme (S-scheme) heterojunctions offer significant potential for enhancing photocatalytic hydrogen evolution (PHE) by promoting charge separation while preserving high redox capabilities. Herein, theoretical calculations predict that constructing a ZnMoO₄@ZnIn₂S₄ S-scheme (ZMO@ZIS) heterojunction significantly lowers the Gibbs free energy for H₂ evolution compared to the individual monomers, indicating a thermodynamically and kinetically favored pathway. Guided by this prediction, we synthesized the ZMO@ZIS heterojunction by in situ anchoring ZnIn₂S₄ nanosheets onto ZnMoO₄ hexagonal platform, with the expectation of achieving excellent photocatalytic H₂ evolution performance. This unique trans-scale assembly strategy spontaneously organizes ZIS into a hierarchical porous network, markedly increasing the surface area and providing abundant accessible active sites and efficient mass transfer channels. Comprehensive experimental characterization combined with detailed theoretical simulation provides compelling evidence confirming the S-scheme electron transfer mechanism and establishment of an internal electric field, where high-potential electrons in ZIS and holes in ZMO are retained for PHE. Consequently, the ZMO@ZIS-13 S-scheme heterojunction achieves an exceptional visible-light PHE rate of 5.045 mmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹ under visible light, representing a 10.7-fold improvement compared to that of pure ZnIn₂S₄. This study demonstrates the efficacy of theory-guided design and trans-scale assembly for creating efficient S-scheme photocatalysts with optimized charge dynamics.

The development of efficient photocatalyst materials is crucial for solar hydrogen production through photocatalytic water splitting. Recently, earth-abundant elemental red phosphorus (RP) materials with broader light absorption ability and appropriate band structure characteristics have been considered as promising metal-free photocatalysts. Herein, this review seeks to provide a comprehensive overview of the progress achieved so far in the utilization of RP-based photocatalysts for solar driven hydrogen production applications. It starts off with a summary of the discovery, crystal and electronic structures of various RP allotropes, including amorphous, type Ⅱ, Hittorf's and fibrous phosphorus materials. Subsequently, the synthesis strategies of RP and RP-based materials utilized in photocatalysis were discussed. Furthermore, the elemental RP, and the modification of RP with cocatalyst and other semiconductors were examined to ascertain its potential in efficient photocatalytic hydrogen production. Finally, an overview and outlook on the challenges and future avenues in designing and constructing advanced visible-light-driven RP-based photocatalysts were also proposed.

Built-in electric field (BIEF) engineering has emerged as a pivotal strategy for enhancing electrocatalytic performance by tailoring interfacial charge redistribution in heterojunctions. As an innovative approach, BIEF engineering demonstrates remarkable potential in accelerating charge transport, optimizing intermediate adsorption/desorption, enhancing catalyst conductivity, and tailoring local reaction microenvironments. This review comprehensively summarizes recent advancements in BIEF-driven electrocatalysts, providing an overview of their fundamental mechanisms and pivotal advantages. First, electrocatalysts capable of forming BIEF are classified, and the representative geometric characteristics are discussed. Then, the techniques for characterizing BIEF are systematically summed up, including the direction and intensity analysis. Additionally, the positive effects of BIEF on the catalytic properties are highlighted and elaborated. Finally, this review offers an outlook on the future directions in this emerging field, aiming to offer a reference for the blossoming of advanced BIEF-driven electrocatalysts.

Accelerating the decarbonization of power systems is crucial for achieving China's carbon neutrality goals and mitigating global warming. Considering the carbon neutrality targets and temperature limits set by the Paris Agreement, three carbon neutrality scenarios—NDC (Nationally Determined Contribution), CN2055 (Accelerated Decarbonization), and GM1.5 (Global 1.5°C Temperature Control)—were developed. The Global Change Analysis Model (GCAM) was used to quantitatively assess carbon emission pathways, energy transformation, and power generation costs across different scenarios. The spatial and temporal variations, along with the dynamic trends in carbon emissions and power systems across 31 provinces of China from 2025 to 2060, were systematically analyzed. The results indicate the following: (1) Emission reduction pathways vary significantly across different scenarios. Carbon emissions in the NDC scenario peaked in 2030 and then declined. The CN2055 scenario reached its peak earlier and accelerated decarbonization. The GM1.5 scenario reached nearzero emissions by 2050. (2) Low-carbon emissions are concentrated in inland regions, particularly the west, while high-carbon emissions are predominantly found in the eastern coastal areas. This contrast diminishes over time. (3) The proportion of nonfossil energy increased from 45% to 82%, coal power decreased to 16%, and wind and solar power collectively contributed over 56%. (4) The Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) suggests that the eastern region reached the EKC turning point earlier, while the central and western regions benefited from the “late-mover advantage” and achieved emission reductions with a lower economic threshold. (5) Increased clean energy penetration will lower power generation costs, while moderate power demand growth can significantly reduce future total costs. The findings provide valuable insights for decision-making regarding the low-carbon transformation of China's power system and offer implications for other countries striving to achieve carbon neutrality goals.

Waste rubber products pose a significant threat to the Earth's ecological environment due to their non-biodegradability and long-term persistence. In this study, we present a method for converting various rubber products into single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) and hydrogen (H₂) gas via a two-stage chemical vapor deposition (CVD) system. The core of this method is a porous magnesium oxide-supported cobalt catalyst (Co/MgO) prepared via a simple impregnation method, exhibiting high metal dispersion and superior performance. In the pyrolysis stage, thermal decomposition of the rubbers generates various hydrocarbons and carbon oxides. Subsequently, in the catalysis stage, these carbon-containing substances serve as the carbon source for the synthesis of SWNTs on the Co/MgO catalyst, concurrently releasing H₂. Remarkably, under optimal reaction temperatures, the synthesized SWNTs demonstrate a narrow chirality distribution with a (8, 4) SWNT proportion of 20.1%. Moreover, this approach is also applicable to convert real waste tires, which proposes a new avenue to recycling them into high-value carbon nanomaterials and H₂, thus shedding light on mitigating the environmental challenges associated with waste rubber disposal.