Sustainable Energy & Fuels最新文献

Aqueous organic redox flow batteries are well-known for their high power density, excellent charge–discharge, and long cycle life. The use of redox-active organic materials is beneficial owing to their low cost, vast abundance, variable solubility with functionalization and energy storage potential. Herein, we introduced an ether-linked alkyl phosphonic acid group onto anthrarufin to form (((9,10-dioxo-9,10-dihydroanthracene-1,5-diyl)bis(oxy))bis(propane-3,1-diyl))bis(phosphonic acid) (1,5-DPAQ) to increase its solubility from 0.07 M to 0.69 M in 1 M KOH and enhance energy density. However, an oxygen evolution reaction occurring at the catholyte, oxidation of the hydroquinone moiety of 1,5-DPAQ by diffused oxygen, and charge–transfer complex formation between 1,5-DPAQ and its hydroquinone form limit discharge capacity. To prevent the formation of this charge–transfer complex, N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyl-1,3-propanediamine was introduced as an additive for the first time at the anolyte side, resulting in capacity regain and increase in cell voltage with cycling owing to the availability of 1,5-DPAQ during cell cycling.

Lignocellulosic biomass, due to its accessibility, abundance, and environmental friendliness, has become a promising renewable resource. The key role of cellulases in the degradation of lignocellulosic biomass has been extensively studied and plays a critical role in various industrial applications. However, the high production costs, low enzymatic activity, and poor stability of cellulases limit their application. Consequently, an increasing number of studies are dedicated to enhancing the activity and stability of cellulases to achieve efficient and economical degradation and utilization of lignocellulosic biomass. This review comprehensively analyzes some methods currently used to enhance cellulase production and the latest research advancements. It mainly introduces high-yield cellulase strain screening, selection and breeding of high-yield cellulase-producing strains, molecular modification of cellulases, and cellulase immobilization. It discusses the shortcomings of these methods and the latest research progress, providing references for further improving the performance of cellulases in the future.

Utilizing ultrasonication and microwave irradiation processes, we present a straightforward synthetic route to microwave-irradiated reduced graphene oxide (MrGO)–antimony oxide (Sb₂O₃) composites used as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). Furthermore, after a chemical pre-lithiation (PL) and pre-sodiation (PS) process, PL-MrGO/Li_xSb₂O₃ and PS-MrGO/Na_xSb₂O₃ composites incorporating an inorganic solid electrolyte interface (SEI) layer and amorphous Li_xSb₂O₃/Na_xSb₂O₃ were prepared by drying in an ambient environment. The inorganic SEI, including Li(Na)OH already formed at the defect site where irreversible Li/Na-ion trapping occurs, inhibits the initial irreversible reaction and provides ∼100% initial coulombic efficiency. In addition, the amorphous Li_xSb₂O₃ and Na_xSb₂O₃ formed before the 1st discharge process promote improved cycling stability. For LIBs, the reversible capacity of the PL-MrGO/Li_xSb₂O₃ anode is 877.7 mA h g⁻¹ at 100 mA g⁻¹ after 150 cycles and 315.3 mA h g⁻¹ after 3000 cycles at 5000 mA g⁻¹. Also, for SIBs, PS-MrGO/Na_xSb₂O₃ exhibits a reversible capacity of 313.1 mA h g⁻¹ at 1200 mA g⁻¹ after 3000 cycles. This rational structural design, which considers the irreversible reactions that occur during cycling, can be extended to the development of other high-performance anode materials.

To improve the performance of inverted perovskite solar cells (IPSCs), we introduce a novel approach to enhance the devices' efficiency notably using the Finite Element Method (FEM). Our novel strategy incorporates a cutting-edge metasurface-based reflector featuring titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanodiscs within a MoSe₂ layer, employed as an electron transport layer (ETL). Demonstrating a substantial improvement in light reflection from the lower part of the structure, the TiO₂ nanodiscs as a metasurface-based reflector enhance electron transfer. Notably, the metasurface-based perfect reflector, incorporating TiO₂ nanodiscs, outperforms other TiO₂ nanocube variations with an impressive light reflectance of 97.95%. Exploring different materials for ETLs and hole transfer layers (HTLs), we identify molybdenum diselenide (MoSe₂) as a potent secondary absorbent material, featuring a smaller bandgap than the primary absorbent CH₃NH₃PbI₃ (MAPbI₃), thereby intensifying the electric field within the active layer and improving Power Conversion Efficiency (PCE). In the final evaluation, our inverted metasurface-based device structure (indium tin oxide (ITO)/cuprous oxide (Cu₂O)/MAPbI₃/TiO₂ nanodiscs and MoSe₂/aluminum (Al)/silicon dioxide (SiO₂)) significantly enhances the solar cell's electrical characteristics compared to the planar reference structure (ITO/copper(I) thiocyanate (CuSCN)/MAPbI₃/TiO₂/Al), with noteworthy increases in short circuit current density (J_sc), open circuit voltage (V_oc), and PCE values from 17.98 mA cm⁻² to 21.91 mA cm⁻², 1.03 V to 1.07 V, and 15.33% to 19.17%, respectively. This comprehensive investigation underscores the promising potential of our proposed inverted metasurface-based device structure for advancing solar cell technology.

Perovskite-based solar cells stand out as promising candidates due to their remarkable optoelectronic properties and cost-effective processing methods. These advanced materials have garnered considerable research interest owing to their rapidly increasing power conversion efficiencies. Additionally, perovskite solar cells (PSCs) can be flexible, lightweight, and semi-transparent, expanding their applicability. While conventional spin-coating techniques have achieved record power conversion efficiencies for PSCs, scalability remains a challenge. Furthermore, these materials face two significant hurdles: instability when exposed to open air and concerns regarding chemical toxicity, primarily from lead (Pb) and solvent use. Recent advancements have focused on open-air printing techniques, which offer scalability and adaptability for large-scale production. However, the lack of standardized fabrication protocols and the need to mitigate chemical toxicity remain ongoing challenges. In this comprehensive review, we thoroughly examine the latest developments in perovskite solar cell technology, with a particular emphasis on open-air printing processes. We explore the strategies employed to enhance stability, efficiency, and scalability, highlighting the critical role of open-air printing in achieving these objectives. Furthermore, this review addresses the challenges and opportunities associated with open-air printing, including material synthesis, and device architecture. We analyze recent breakthroughs in materials and interface, and solvent engineering, as well as device fabrication techniques, driving advancements in the field towards simplified, large-area fabrication protocols for PSCs.

Osmotic energy is an untapped source of renewable and non-intermittent energy. However the performances of existing recovery technologies – e.g. pressure retarded osmosis (PRO) and reverse electro-dialysis (RED) – remain too low for sustainable industrial development, while the promising nanopore-based systems remain challenging to scale up. In this study, we explore an alternative osmotic energy harvesting methodology, based on a capacitive recovery process, furthermore at the membrane (large) scale, in contrast to nanopore-based investigations. The approach, here coined capacitive reversed electrodialysis, consists of using porous capacitive electrodes made of (low-cost) activated carbon and periodically alternating the flow through the electrodes with high-salt and low-salt water solutions on each side of a (commercial) cation exchange membrane. Periodic switches prevent full capacitive charging of the electrodes and the harvested power is found to be a non-monotonous function of the switching frequency. Theoretical modelling of the process demonstrates that this optimum results from the internal dynamic properties of the membrane, which has to match the switching frequency for maximal power harvesting. We then demonstrate that the power density accordingly reaches 5.3 W m⁻² under a 100-fold salinity gradient over a cm² membrane, surpassing both all large-scale studies in the literature and the commonly accepted (economic) break-even point of 5 W m⁻². This study demonstrates the feasibility of large-scale, high-power density osmotic energy recovery and suggests a systematic avenue for an informed screening of materials, thus providing a viable pathway for sustainable energy solutions.

Owing to the vast modernization and population growth, the global energy demand is rapidly increasing. Consequently, the excessive use of fossil fuels has become one of the main environmental pollution concerns, causing global warming. In this case, researchers are focusing their work on efficiently utilizing sustainable and renewable resources. One area of research focuses on electrochromic (Ec) energy storage devices, considering the widespread dependence of modern society on intelligent electronic gadgets, integration of smart windows, displays, etc. Electrochromism reverses the optical properties or colour of certain materials through redox reactions under the influence of an external potential. Recently, it was found out that integration of multi-functionality in a single gadget can result in meaningful applications. It can simultaneously scavenge and store energy as well as visually indicate the storage level through colour changes. This review article discusses the basic principles of electrochromic supercapacitor (EcSc) devices and provides a detailed study on the recent development of different materials for their fabrication. Furthermore, various ideas on developing the next-generation of integrated multifunctional energy storage devices are highlighted for future perspectives.

Argon, a protective gas, is susceptible to contamination by impurity gases in the production of monocrystalline silicon for solar cells. Chemical looping combustion (CLC) technology offers a solution for argon recycling by leveraging the cyclic conversion of oxygen carriers. However, the desorption of low-concentration impurity gases requires high-activity oxygen carriers, and current screening methods primarily rely on experimental trial and error, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive. Herein, we propose machine learning-assisted Density Functional Theory (DFT) for high-throughput screening of oxygen carriers. Quaternary iron-based spinel oxygen carriers A1_xA2_1−xB_yFe_2−y were used as the object of study. DFT calculations were conducted on 756 oxygen carriers, while the remaining 3619 were predicted through machine learning, achieving a prediction accuracy R² of 0.87. Based on these predictions and a three-step screening criterion of synthesizability, thermodynamic stability, and reactivity, Cu_0.875Ni_0.125Al_0.5Fe_1.5O₄ exhibited the highest reactivity and its desorption of impurity gases is 6 times higher than that of fresh Fe₂O₃. In the stability test, Cu_0.875Ni_0.125Al_0.5Fe_1.5O₄ maintained 96% CO removal efficiency after 10 cycles, facilitating the cyclic purification of crude argon. This study provides new guidance for the design and discovery of high-activity materials through high-throughput screening.

Biomass hard carbon, serving as a negative electrode material for sodium-ion batteries, boasts advantages such as abundant sources, low cost, and high sodium storage capacity, thus earning its reputation as a highly promising negative electrode material. We utilized discarded peanut shells as raw materials and prepared high-performance hard carbon through a two-step process involving hydrothermal treatment and high-temperature carbonization. The application of the hydrothermal method significantly enhanced the nanoscale structure of the material, resulting in a highly dispersed sheet-like structure that facilitates the infiltration of the electrolyte and enhances the sodium storage capacity. The prepared hard carbon exhibits a specific surface area of 7.1 m² g⁻¹ and an interlayer spacing of 0.406 nm. Serving as a negative electrode material for sodium-ion batteries, it demonstrates a reversible sodium storage capacity of up to 357.55 mA h g⁻¹ and a first coulombic efficiency of 63.4% at a current density of 30 mA g⁻¹. PSHC-2 exhibits superior rate performance and good structural stability. The GITT test shows that PSHC-2 has good diffusion kinetics, which is beneficial for the insertion and extraction of sodium ions. The development of this new and efficient hard carbon negative electrode material has certain positive significance for the development of sodium ion batteries.

This study describes the synthesis of innovative high-entropy layered double hydroxide (HE-LDH) nanoneedles, achieved through a straightforward hydrothermal method using a combination of cost-effective active non-noble transition elements, Fe, Co, Cr, Mn, and Zn (denoted as FCCMZ), for electrocatalysis. The structure and elemental composition of the synthesised HE-FCCMZ LDH were characterised by FE-SEM, FE-TEM, XRD, XPS, and ICP-OES. The electrocatalytic activity for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and urea oxidation reaction (UOR) was analysed by LSV, CV, chronopotentiometry, and EIS methods. The resulting HE-FCCMZ LDH, exhibited superior performance in the electrocatalytic OER and UOR in alkaline medium. Specifically, the optimized HE-FCCMZ LDH sample demonstrated a low overpotential of 185 mV vs. RHE to achieve a current density of 10 mA cm⁻², with a minimal Tafel slope of 49.7 mV dec⁻¹. It is superior to other ternary and quaternary LDHs. For the UOR, HE-FCCMZ LDH demonstrated a very low potential of 250 mV vs. Hg/HgO. The HE-FCCMZ LDH demonstrated remarkable electrocatalytic OER performance, as evidenced by its high intrinsic activity, including the turnover frequency (TOF). Moreover, HE-FCCMZ LDH electrocatalysts showcased exceptional stability for 60 hours and hold potential for practical industrial use as OER catalysts.