Carbon Neutralization最新文献

Solid-state polymer electrolytes have emerged as a safer alternative to liquid electrolytes for lithium metal batteries, yet their flammability and the inherent combustion risks of lithium metal anodes during thermal runaway remain critical safety concerns. Herein, we propose a cost-effective lithium-copper composite anode that synergistically addresses both safety and lithium dendrite suppression challenges. The composite anode enables cells to achieve a fourfold enhancement in cycle lifespan compared with conventional lithium metal anodes. By integrating this non-flammable composite anode with a flame-retardant polymer electrolyte, we establish a dual-protection strategy for battery safety. Notably, the total heat release of composite anode-based batteries decreases by 80% compared to conventional lithium metal counterparts. This study provides a materials engineering solution that simultaneously improves both electrochemical performance and safety metrics for solid-state lithium metal batteries, paving the way for practical high-energy-density battery applications.

Polymer solid electrolytes (PSEs) serve as safer alternatives to liquid electrolytes for lithium metal batteries (LMBs) owing to their enhanced thermal and electrochemical stability. However, the practical application of PSEs is constrained by low ionic conductivity and suboptimal electrochemical performance. In this study, we develop a composite solid polymer electrolyte (CSPE) by incorporating LiX zeolites into a polyethylene oxide (PEO) matrix to create Li⁺ transport channels with low curvature, thereby enhancing Li⁺ mobility. The introduction of LiX significantly improves the electrochemical properties of the CSPE, achieving a high ionic conductivity of 8.5 × 10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹ at 60°C, and a broadened electrochemical stability window of 4.6 V. As a result, Li | |LiFePO₄ all-solid-state cells exhibit excellent cycling performance, retaining 132.8 mAh g⁻¹ with 85.71% capacity retention after 800 cycles at 1C. Furthermore, all-solid-state pouch cells assembled with LiX-based CSPEs maintain stable operation even under mechanical abuse conditions (e.g., folding, twisting, and cutting), highlighting their potential for safe and flexible energy storage applications.

Dairy-derived biomacromolecules offer a sustainable and bio-functional platform for interfacial engineering in aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs). Herein, we present a comparative study using three milk-based substances—casein (CA), whey protein (WP) and enzymatically hydrolysed whey protein peptides (WPPs)—to construct artificial solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) coatings on Zn metal anodes. These protein-based films, rich in functional groups such as ─COOH, ─NH₂ and ─SH, chelate with Zn²⁺ and form conformal, ion-conductive protection layers that mitigate side reactions and dendrite growth. Among them, the WPP-derived SEI exhibits superior interfacial compatibility and molecular mobility, promoting homogeneous Zn deposition and significantly enhanced cycling stability. Zn||Zn symmetric cells with the WPP coating achieved an ultralong lifespan exceeding 3000 h, markedly outperforming WP- and casein-based counterparts. Furthermore, Zn||V₂O₅ full batteries employing WPP-coated Zn anodes delivered a high capacity and extended cyclability. This study not only highlights the interfacial regulation mechanisms of dairy-derived biomolecules but also offers a green and cost-effective strategy for developing high-performance aqueous zinc-ion batteries.

The carbon footprint of lithium-ion battery (LIB) manufacturing is an emerging concern with the rapid expansion of LIBs into electric vehicles and large-scale energy storage systems. In this context, dry electrode processing, enabled by polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) binders, offers a solvent-free, energy-efficient alternative to conventional slurry-based fabrication methods. Moreover, the unique fibril morphology of PTFE supports high-mass-loading electrodes without sacrificing ion transport or rate capability. However, PTFE's low intrinsic adhesion compromises the mechanical integrity of dry-processed electrodes, hindering practical application. Herein, we introduce a surface modification strategy based on polydopamine–poly(acrylic acid) coatings on graphite, enabling in-situ crosslinking during dry-processed electrode fabrication. This approach enhances the electrode adhesion strength without degrading electrochemical performance. The crosslinked electrodes exhibit superior mechanical stability and retain 87.1% of their initial capacity after 500 cycles at 1 C (4.3 mA cm⁻²), demonstrating a scalable route to robust, high-performance dry-processed electrodes.

Radioisotope batteries, as a highly efficient and long-lasting micro-energy conversion technology, demonstrate unique advantages in fields, such as aerospace, medical devices, and power supply in extreme environments. This paper provides a systematic review of the research progress in radioisotope batteries, with a focus on analyzing the performance of different semiconductor materials in terms of energy conversion efficiency, radiation resistance, and application potential. The content covers optimization strategies and application prospects for traditional and wide/ultra-wide bandgap semiconductor materials (including silicon, gallium arsenide, silicon carbide, gallium nitride, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, diamond, gallium oxide, and perovskite, among others). It also identifies current technical challenges, including low energy conversion efficiency, accelerated performance degradation of semiconductor materials under irradiation, and challenges related to the safe management of radioisotope. Finally, the article outlines future research directions, emphasizing the promotion of practical applications of radioisotope batteries through material innovation, structural design, and process optimization, with the aim of advancing academic innovation and engineering practices to address extreme environmental conditions and long-term energy demands.

As fossil energy resources deplete and environmental challenges escalate, the development of clean energy technologies has gained global consensus. Among emerging strategies, electrochemical water splitting for hydrogen production stands out due to its zero-carbon emissions. However, the oxygen evolution reaction suffers from sluggish kinetics and typically depends on precious metal catalysts. Recently, non-oxygen anion (e.g., S, P, N, F, C, etc.) high-entropy ceramics (NOHECs), a subclass of high-entropy materials doped with diverse elements, have demonstrated significant OER potential, offering a cost-effective solution with high activity and excellent stability. This review delineates the synthesis methods for NOHECs from two distinct perspectives: liquid-phase synthesis routes and gas-phase synthesis routes. Subsequently, the catalytic mechanisms and performance breakthroughs of various NOHECs are reviewed in detail, which are categorized by the types of coordinated non-oxygen anions. Importantly, this review critically explores future research directions for these materials from multiple perspectives, including innovative synthetic routes, novel NOHEC designs, theoretical simulations, advanced material characterization techniques, industrial feasibility, and expanded applications. Ultimately, it aims to provide a theoretical foundation and technical references for the integration of NOHECs in energy conversion systems while highlighting promising pathways for further advancement in this rapidly evolving field.

An economical, sustainable, and industry-acceptable process of utilizing low-value resources to produce highly competitive silicon-based anodes is attractive. In this study, a special anode architecture of PV nano-Si–SiO_x/graphite is developed by utilizing low-value photovoltaic (PV) recycled silicon, which is partially converted to new hybrid PV Si–SiO_x and nano-size simultaneously and wrapped by graphite fragments. An industry-grade ball milling techniques are exploited to assemble this special anode architecture under controlled environment conditions. The attained new PV nano-Si–SiO_x/graphite electrode-incorporated dual binders of carboxymethyl cellulose and poly (acrylic acid) demonstrates high charge capacity and stability (600 mAh g⁻¹ at 0.2 C after 500 cycles; 600 mAh g⁻¹ at 1 C after 100 cycles) as well as commendable Coulombic efficiencies (87% initial and ≥ 99.5% subsequent cycles), providing new opportunities for practical application. The structural analysis reveals that the partial conversion of Si to Si–SiO_x is critical to in situ generate the inert matrix of Li₂O–lithium silicate, which works as a buffer in diminishing the volume variation in the electrode during initial lithiation. Our silicon anode design and subsequent assembly by environmentally friendly processes can potentially be used to produce high-value practical silicon anodes for lithium-ion battery technology.

Solar-driven interfacial evaporation (SDIE) technology stands as a core technology for sustainable water treatment, with the development of 3D evaporators breaking through the bottlenecks of traditional 2D structures in evaporation efficiency and functional expansion. Textile fabrics, featuring simple preparation, low cost, high scalability, environmental friendliness, and high specific surface area porous structures, enable the synergistic optimization of photothermal conversion, water transport, and anti-salt performance when integrated into 3D evaporation systems. This review systematically classifies and summarizes fabric-based 3D interfacial evaporators based on three dimensions: photothermal materials (carbon-based, semiconductors, polymers, and metal nanomaterials), weaving methods (woven, knitted, braided, non-woven, and special processing techniques), and structural designs (multilayer fabrics, 3D spatial structures, and bionic structures). It deeply analyzes their impacts on photothermal conversion efficiency, water evaporation rate, and anti-salt deposition capability. The review concludes with an overview of application scenarios and discusses future technical challenges and research prospects for fabric-based solar interfacial evaporators (SIEs).

The electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide (CO₂RR) to produce C₂₊ products is extremely important. It serves as a crucial link in realizing efficient carbon cycle utilization and promoting sustainable energy development. Among various catalyst fields, copper-based materials stand out. Their unique electronic and surface properties give them an advantage in selectively converting carbon dioxide into C₂₊ compounds, thus attracting extensive research. However, challenges such as high overpotential, slow reaction kinetics, and low selectivity still persist. We analyzed various structural forms, ranging from single-metal copper with tunable morphologies, to copper with different oxidation states, and then to copper-doped diatomic single-atom catalysts (DSACs). We discussed the design strategies of these three major categories of catalysts, systematically compared their catalytic performances and underlying mechanisms, and provided design insights for the further preparation of C₂₊ products. Finally, the main challenges are outlined, the potential prospects of CO₂RR are proposed, and it is hoped that large-scale industrial applications can be achieved in the future.

Silicon is a promising anode material for lithium-ion batteries because of its high theoretical capacity. However, their practical application is hindered by substantial volume expansion during lithiation/delithiation, which leads to mechanical degradation and capacity fading. To address this challenge, we propose a stress-dissipative binder system based on UV-induced cross-linking of viscoelastic poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS) with rigid linear poly(acrylic acid) (PAA). The resulting PAA–PDMS binder can reversibly deform and recover in response to external stress due to the flexible siloxane backbone in PDMS, thereby accommodating the substantial volume expansion of Si electrode. Furthermore, the amphiphilic nature of the PDMS molecule increases its affinity for both carbon and Si particles, resulting in enhanced mechanical integrity of the Si electrode. These inherent characteristics of PDMS can effectively compensate for the rigidity of PAA, resulting in a well-balanced binder system tailored for Si electrodes. Consequently, the PAA–PDMS electrode exhibited a discharge capacity of 2072.68 mAh g⁻¹ after 100 cycles at 0.5 C−rate, whereas the PAA−based electrode reached failure after only 70 cycles. Post-mortem analyses reveal that the improved electrochemical performance of the PAA–PDMS electrode arises from its ability to mitigate Si electrode degradation by suppressing volume expansion and stabilizing the electrode–electrolyte interface.