Sustainable Energy & Fuels最新文献

Fullerene derivative PCBM is a widely used electron transport layer (ETL) in p–i–n structured perovskite solar cells (PSCs). However, the high cost of PCBM, often exceeding that of all other active materials combined (excluding ITO), represents a significant barrier to the large-scale commercialization of PSCs, necessitating the search for more cost-effective alternatives. Herein, nine novel perylenediimide (PDI) dimers are synthesized and employed as ETLs to overcome these challenges. Electrochemical, optoelectronic, and morphological properties of the synthesized compounds were systematically compared with respect to the reference PDI derivative with a thiophene core building block. Correlations were identified between the ability of the developed materials to form high-quality, uniform films and the stabilization of the underlying perovskite layer. A further significant correlation was also observed between the LUMO level of the PDI derivative and the performance of the perovskite devices. These findings offer valuable insights into the targeted design of dimeric perylenediimide derivatives for creating stable and efficient perovskite solar cells.

In this study, binder-free nickel cobalt oxide (NiCo₂O₄) nanowire arrays with a cubic spinel structure were directly grown on nickel foam (NF) via an in situ hydrothermal process. The resulting one-dimensional nanowires exhibited a uniform morphology and a favourable bandgap of approximately 1.67 eV, making them ideal candidates as electrode materials for photo-assisted supercapacitors. Electronic structure analysis revealed the coexistence of Ni²⁺/Ni³⁺ and Co²⁺/Co³⁺ redox pairs, significantly enhancing electrochemical kinetics and facilitating efficient photo-assisted charge storage. Under illumination, the NiCo₂O₄@NF nanowires demonstrated a remarkable 54% increase in areal capacitance, from 570 to 880 mF cm⁻² at 15 mA cm⁻², attributed to the efficient separation and storage of photo-generated charges driven by surface polarization effects. An asymmetric supercapacitor device was fabricated with activated carbon (AC) as the anode and NiCo₂O₄@NF nanowires as the photoactive cathode, maintaining 88% capacitance retention after 1000 illumination cycles. Density functional theory with the on-site Hubbard U correction (DFT + U) calculations further confirmed that nickel substitution in the Co₃O₄ matrix significantly reduces the bandgap and enhances the magnetic moment, supported by asymmetric spin-resolved density of states and band structure analyses. This research provides valuable insights for developing next-generation photo-assisted energy storage solutions.

Flexible thermoelectric generators (FTEGs) have garnered considerable interest for their potential in energy harvesting applications. This study investigates the synthesis of SnSe and Bi/Te co-doped SnSe polycrystals using the solid-state reaction method, followed by the fabrication of FTEGs using a low-cost, scalable screen-printing technique. Hall effect measurements confirm successful doping, resulting in a transition from p-type to n-type conduction in SnSe. The Seebeck coefficient of the 2% Bi-doped SnSe/SnSe (p–n type) FTEG reaches −1146 μV K⁻¹, enhancing the thermoelectric performance. A maximum power output of 6.8 nW was obtained for a p–n-type FTEG consisting of SnSe and Sn_0.98Bi_0.02Se_0.97Te_0.03 at a temperature difference of 120 °C. Thermal conductivity measurements indicate that doping reduces phonon transport due to increased microstrain and dislocation density, which enhance phonon scattering. Furthermore, the FTEGs exhibited excellent mechanical stability, with less than 0.5% change in electrical resistance at bending angles up to 120° and after 500 cycles. These results suggest that Bi/Te co-doped SnSe is a potential candidate for scalable, flexible thermoelectric applications.

In hydrocarbon-based proton exchange membrane fuel cells, cathode catalyst layers (CLs) made from fluorine-free, sulfonated polyphenylenes (e.g., Pemion®) face challenges in balancing sufficient gas transport with low protonic resistance – a tradeoff that is especially pronounced at application-relevant low humidity operation. Here, we address this issue by utilizing unsupported Pt, i.e., platinum black (PtB), as the electrocatalyst to reach very thin CLs (<2.5 μm). When compared to CLs with carbon-supported platinum (Pt/C), evaluation at the same roughness factor (rf) reveals a performance increase from 180 to 420 mA cm⁻² at 0.75 V, 50% RH and 95 °C, which is the highest reported performance for a fuel cell with hydrocarbon membrane and CLs and on par with perfluorosulfonic acid reference cells. Accelerated Pt dissolution tests reveal a fast initial rf loss within the first 100 potential cycles for PtB compared to Pt/C (15% vs. 4%), but virtual identical after 30 000 cycles.

Liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHCs) are a promising method for renewable, green hydrogen transportation from the point of generation using renewable energy to the point of demand. Methanol is one such LOHC with advantages such as high hydrogen content, easy transportation and a simple reaction to release the hydrogen. Herein, we reported the use of a novel supported liquid phase (SLP) catalyst in a miniplant to carry out low-temperature methanol steam reforming (MSR) to release hydrogen and subsequently produce electricity using a high-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell (HT-PEMFC). This reformed methanol fuel cell (RMFC) setup successfully ran over the course of 45 h experiencing little catalyst deactivation, producing up to 49.2 l_N h⁻¹ of hydrogen and up to 39 W electrical power using HT-PEMFC. Comparing between the reformate gas produced using SLP catalyst and pure hydrogen as feed for the fuel cell, the HT-PEMFC showed almost no difference in the voltage–current characteristic curve in the technically relevant operating points between 500 and 700 mV cell voltage. Furthermore, a pinch analysis indicated that the combination of a low-temperature MSR and HT-PEMFC presents an opportunity for heat-integration which could lead to increased efficiency.

Correction for “Enhanced activity and chlorine protection in prolonged seawater electrolysis using MoS₂/sulfonated reduced graphene oxide” by Prerna Tripathi et al., Sustainable Energy Fuels, 2025, 9, 4300–4319, https://doi.org/10.1039/D5SE00541H.

Bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) and engineered living materials (ELMs) are revolutionizing sustainable energy and carbon management by addressing thermodynamic and kinetic barriers in energy conversion and carbon capture. However, misconceptions about the terminology along with a lack of comprehensive environmental footprint and lifecycle assessments still impact the BESs. In this context, this Tutorial Review highlights the distinct roles of bio-batteries and biofuel cells (BFCs) and addresses the substrate-specific effects on electron transfer (ET), carbon flux, and metabolic byproducts. In yeast, the glucose substrate facilitates rapid, high-flux ET suitable for immediate applications, while fructose supports prolonged ET activity, demonstrating flexibility in carbon capture and energy conversion, as the core of the BES. Thermodynamic analysis reveals the energy potential of extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs), storing energy, while kinetic analyses feature the influence of enzymatic efficiency and mass transport limitations. Additionally, ethanol production integrates energy efficiency with environmental sustainability. By overcoming thermodynamic, kinetic, and scalability challenges, BESs and ELMs emerge as transformative tools advancing carbon neutrality, circular economy, and green energy innovation. Strategic research directions, including synthetic biology and scalable materials, are proposed to enhance the modularity and accelerate the transition to commercial viability.

Designing hierarchically core–shell heterostructured nanocomposite electrode materials with more active sites and delivering enhanced electrochemical performances for supercapacitors is pursued with great interest. With this motivation, herein, we report a facile two-step reflux condensation method for developing heterostructured core–shell nickel manganese layered double hydroxide nanosheets@ZnCo₂O₄ on a flexible stainless steel mesh substrate (NM-LDH@ZCO/SSM) as a nanocomposite electrode. The ZnCo₂O₄ nanorods/SSM core structure (ZCO/SSM) facilitates the deposition of the NiMn-LDH shell structure (NM-LDH), forming a core–shell NM-LDH@ZCO/SSM nanocomposite electrode. The structural and morphological characterization studies were done using XRD, FT-IR, FE-SEM, EDAX, XPS, and TEM to confirm the synthesis of the nanocomposite electrode. The NM-LDH@ZCO/SSM nanocomposite demonstrated an ultrahigh specific capacitance of 3169.14 F g⁻¹ at 10 mA cm⁻² with a capacitance retention (CR) of 89.3% after 3000 galvanometric charging–discharging (GCD) cycles at a higher current density (CD) of 55 mA cm⁻². An asymmetric supercapacitor device fabricated by using the NM-LDH@ZCO/SSM nanocomposite as the cathode and activated carbon (AC/SSM) as the anode exhibited an energy density of 58.7 Wh kg⁻¹ at 2492 W kg⁻¹, and 91% CR after 5000 GCD cycles at 25 mA cm⁻². The results reveal that the NM-LDH@ZCO/SSM nanocomposite is one of the potential candidates for high-performance supercapacitors and is expected to pave the way for its future exploration in energy storage devices.

With a surge in atmospheric greenhouse gas levels, a switch to carbon-free energy sources, such as hydrogen, is imminent. Herein, the electrocatalytic activity of triphenylenehexathiolate (THT) based coordination polymers (CPs), NiTHT, was studied toward the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in acidic medium. Liquid–liquid interfacial synthesis was employed for film synthesis, with a controlled film thickness ranging from 212 nm to 1740 nm. The best performing film exhibited an overpotential of 501 mV vs. RHE to reach a current density of 10 mA cm⁻², with a Tafel slope of 98 mV dec⁻¹, indicating that either the Heyrovsky or the Tafel step was rate determining for the catalysis. Additionally, the influence of extrinsic factors (the identity and concentration of the supporting electrolyte and the catalyst loading) and intrinsic factors (thickness and morphology) on the hydrogen evolution activity of the materials was studied and the kinetics of the HER were rationalized. Finally, the long-term stability of the NiTHT films was evaluated and the highest selectivity (faradaic efficiency, FE) for hydrogen evolution was determined to be > 90%. Post-catalysis characterization revealed a retention of structural integrity with ∼12.5% of Ni leaching into the acidic medium employed for the HER. Solvothermally synthesized NiTHT_ST CP showed an improved catalytic overpotential of 301 mV vs. RHE in a pH 1.3 electrolyte solution, with a FE toward the HER of > 90% over 28 h, displaying a more robust phase of the framework compared to that generated via the interfacial method.

Lithium metal is considered the top choice for anode materials due to its exceptionally high energy density (3860 mAh g⁻¹). However, its practical use in lithium metal anodes (LMAs) is limited by significant dendrite growth and an unstable interface between the anode and electrolyte. Herein, 18-crown-6 and fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) were introduced as combined additives to improve the stability of the electrode/electrolyte interface and enhance long-term cycling performance. The presence of FEC promotes the formation of a LiF-rich solid electrolyte interphase (SEI), which guides lithium deposition and accelerates the transport of Li⁺ ions. Additionally, 18-crown-6 can eliminate “hotspots” during the lithium deposition and dissolution processes, leading to superior electrochemical performance. By incorporating 1 wt% 18-crown-6 and 10 vol% FEC, Li‖Cu half-cells achieved an impressive average coulombic efficiency of 97%, while Li‖Li symmetric cells demonstrated excellent stability for over 800 hours. When paired with LiFePO₄, the Li‖LFP full cell retained approximately 98% of its capacity and maintained a high average coulombic efficiency of 99% after 100 cycles at 0.5C. This research underscores the vital role of 18-crown-6 and FEC in electrolytes, revealing a fresh strategy to reduce lithium dendrite formation in lithium-based energy storage systems.