Energy & Environmental Materials最新文献

Nanodroplets of Gallium-Based Liquid Metal (LM) have applications in stretchable electronics, electrochemical sensors, energy storage, hyperthermia, and rapid polymerization. The gallium oxide layer around LMNDs prevents aggregation. However, LM nanodroplets (LMNDs) are neither mechanically nor chemically stable. The ultrathin oxide layer ruptures under slight pressure, hindering their use in stretchable electronics. The shell also dissolves in slightly acidic/alkaline solutions, making them unstable for energy storage and electrochemical sensing. We demonstrate the synthesis of a dry LM powder with an LM core and a reduced graphene oxide shell. Graphene oxide provides excellent mechanical and chemical stability and permits electrical conductivity. Its porous structure does not block ion exchange between the LM droplets and the environment, allowing LMNDs to be used in energy storage and electrochemical sensing. The resulting EGaIn powders benefit from higher surface and long-term stability, addressing LMND limitations. We report using GO@EGaIn nanocomposite as an anode for alkali-ion batteries in a novel Ag-EGaIn cell with impressive energy storage capacity. The combination of liquid deformability of LMNDs, higher surface area in the nano form, and the stability of GO@EGaIn dry powder expands the applications of liquid metals in electronics and energy storage.

Photocatalysis is a promising technology for purification of indoor air by oxidation of volatile organic compounds. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the adsorption and photo-oxidation of surface-adsorbed acetone on three SrTiO₃ morphologies: cubes (for which exclusively {100} facets are exposed), {110}-truncated cubes, and {100}-truncated rhombic dodecahedrons, respectively, all prepared by hydrothermal synthesis. In situ Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Fourier Transform Spectroscopy shows that cubic crystals contain a high quantity of surface –OH groups, enabling significant quantities of adsorbed acetone in the form of η¹-enolate when exposed to gas phase acetone. Contrary, {110} facets exhibit fewer surface –OH groups, resulting in relatively small quantities of adsorbed η¹-acetone, without observable quantities of enolate. Interestingly, acetate and formate signatures appear in the spectra of cubic, surface η¹-enolate containing, SrTiO₃ upon illumination, while besides acetate and formate, the formation of (surface) formaldehyde was observed on truncated cubes, and dodecahedrons, by conversion of adsorbed η¹-acetone. Time-Resolved Photoluminescence studies demonstrate that the lifetimes of photogenerated charge carriers vary with crystal morphology. The shortest carrier lifetime (τ₁ = 33 ± 0.1 ps) was observed in {110}-truncated cube SrTiO₃, likely due to a relatively strong built-in electric field promoting electron transport to {100} facets and hole transport to {110} facets. The second lifetime (τ₂ = 259 ± 1 ps) was also the shortest for this morphology, possibly due to a higher amount of surface trap states. Our results demonstrate that SrTiO₃ crystal morphology can be tuned to optimize performance in photocatalytic oxidation.

Two-dimensional transition metal porphyrinoid materials (2DTMPoidMats), due to their unique electronic structure and tunable metal active sites, have the potential to enhance interactions with nitrogen molecules and promote the protonation process, making them promising electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (eNRR) electrocatalysts. Experimentally screening a large number of catalysts for eNRR catalytic performance would consume considerable time and economic resources. First-principles calculations and machine learning (ML) algorithms could greatly improve the efficiency of catalyst screening. Using this approach, we selected 86 candidates capable of catalyzing eNRR from 1290 types of 2DTMPoidMats, and verified the results with density functional theory (DFT) computations. Analysis of the full reaction pathway shows that MoPp-meso-F-β-Py, MoPp-β-Cl-meso-Diyne, MoPp-meso-Ethinyl, and WPp-β-Pz exhibit the best catalytic performance with the onset potential of −0.22, −0.19, −0.23, and −0.35 V, respectively. This work provides valuable insights into efficient design and screening of eNRR catalysts and promotes the application of ML algorithmic models in the field of catalysis.

This review provides an insightful and comprehensive exploration of the emerging 2D material borophene, both pristine and modified, emphasizing its unique attributes and potential for sustainable applications. Borophene's distinctive properties include its anisotropic crystal structures that contribute to its exceptional mechanical and electronic properties. The material exhibits superior electrical and thermal conductivity, surpassing many other 2D materials. Borophene's unique atomic spin arrangements further diversify its potential application for magnetism. Surface and interface engineering, through doping, functionalization, and synthesis of hybridized and nanocomposite borophene-based systems, is crucial for tailoring borophene's properties to specific applications. This review aims to address this knowledge gap through a comprehensive and critical analysis of different synthetic and functionalisation methods, to enhance surface reactivity by increasing active sites through doping and surface modifications. These approaches optimize diffusion pathways improving accessibility for catalytic reactions, and tailor the electronic density to tune the optical and electronic behavior. Key applications explored include energy systems (batteries, supercapacitors, and hydrogen storage), catalysis for hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions, sensors, and optoelectronics for advanced photonic devices. The key to all these applications relies on strategies to introduce heteroatoms for tuning electronic and catalytic properties, employ chemical modifications to enhance stability and leverage borophene's conductivity and reactivity for advanced photonics. Finally, the review addresses challenges and proposes solutions such as encapsulation, functionalization, and integration with composites to mitigate oxidation sensitivity and overcome scalability barriers, enabling sustainable, commercial-scale applications.

Recycling plastic waste into triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) presents a sustainable approach to energy harvesting, self-powered sensing, and environmental remediation. This study investigates the recycling of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe waste polymers into nanofibers (NFs) optimized for TENG applications. We focused on optimizing the morphology of recycled PVC polymer to NFs and enhancing their piezoelectric properties by incorporating ZnO nanoparticles (NPs). The optimized PVC/0.5 wt% ZnO NFs were tested with Nylon-6 NFs, and copper (Cu) electrodes. The Nylon-6 NFs exhibited a power density of 726.3 μW cm⁻²—1.13 times higher than Cu and maintained 90% stability after 172 800 cycles, successfully powering various colored LEDs. Additionally, a 3D-designed device was developed to harvest energy from biomechanical movements such as finger tapping, hand tapping, and foot pressing, making it suitable for wearable energy harvesting, automatic switches, and invisible sensors in surveillance systems. This study demonstrates that recycling polymers for TENG devices can effectively address energy, sensor, and environmental challenges.

A commentary on an anode-free cell design with electrochemically stable sodium borohydride solid electrolyte and pelletized aluminium current collector for sodium all-solid-state batteries is presented. First, the viable strategies for implementing anode-free configuration utilizing solid-state electrolytes are briefly reviewed. Then, the remarkable work of Meng et al. on designing an anode-free sodium all-solid-state battery is elucidated. Finally, the significance of Meng's work is discussed.

Two-dimensional MXenes are renowned for their remarkable electrical conductivity and electrochemical activity making them highly promising for electrode applications. However, the restacking of MXene nanosheets impairs their functionality by reducing active sites and obstructing ionic transport. This study presents a facile synthesis approach for nickel-intercalated MXene, designed to enhance surface reactivity, avoid restacking, and achieve improved electrochemical performance. Electrochemical studies revealed that the nickel-MXene hybrid showed better cycling stability, retaining 83.7% of its capacity after 10 000 cycles and attaining an energy density of 26 Wh kg⁻¹ at a power density of 1872 W kg⁻¹. It also exhibited overpotentials of 109 and 482 mV at 10 and 100 mA cm⁻², respectively, in the hydrogen evolution reaction. To predict the structural and electrical alterations caused by nickel inclusion, as well as to understand the intercalation mechanism, spin-polarized density functional theory calculations were carried out. The theoretical results showed an improved carrier concentration for nickel-MXene. Nickel-MXene possessed superior electronic characteristics and surplus active sites with hexagonal closed-packed (hcp) edge sites, which enhanced electrochemical properties. Our results demonstrate that nickel intercalation prevents the restacking of MXene but also significantly improves their electrochemical characteristics, making them ideal for energy storage and catalytic applications.

Bimetallic oxides are promising electrocatalysts due to their rich composition, facile synthesis, and favorable stability under oxidizing conditions. This paper innovatively proposes a strategy aimed at constructing a one-dimensional heterostructure (Fe–NiO/NiMoO₄ nanoparticles/nanofibers). The strategy commences with the meticulous treatment of NiMoO₄ nanofibers, utilizing in situ etching techniques to induce the formation of Prussian Blue Analog compounds. In this process, [Fe(CN)₆]³⁻ anions react with the NiMoO₄ host layer to form a steady NiFe PBA. Subsequently, the surface/interface reconstituted NiMoO₄ nanofibers undergo direct oxidation, leading to a reconfiguration of the surface structure and the formation of a unique Fe–NiO/NiMoO₄ one-dimensional heterostructure. The catalyst showed markedly enhanced electrocatalytic performance for the oxygen evolution reaction. Density functional theory results reveal that the incorporation of Fe as a dopant dramatically reduces the Gibbs free energy associated with the rate-determining step in the oxygen evolution reaction pathway. This pivotal transformation directly lowers the activation energy barrier, thereby significantly enhancing electron transfer efficiency.

This study explores how the performance of triboelectric nanogenerators can be enhanced by incorporating Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles into nylon films using a spray coating technique. Five triboelectric nanogenerator prototypes were created: one with regular nylon and four with nylon/Fe₃O₄ nanocomposites featuring varying nanoparticle densities. The electrical output, measured by open-circuit voltage and short-circuit current, showed significant improvements in the nanocomposite-based triboelectric nanogenerators compared to the nylon-only triboelectric nanogenerator. When a weak magnetic field was applied during nanocomposite preparation, the maximum voltage and current reached 56.3 V and 4.62 μA, respectively. Further analysis revealed that the magnetic field during the drying process aligned the magnetic domains, boosting output efficiency. These findings demonstrate the potential of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles to enhance electrostatic and magnetic interactions in triboelectric nanogenerators, leading to improved energy-harvesting performance. This approach presents a promising strategy for developing high-performance triboelectric nanogenerators for sustainable energy and sensor applications.

Gallium nitride (GaN) single crystal with prominent electron mobility and heat resistance have great potential in the high temperature integrate electric power systems. However, the sluggish charge storage kinetics and inadequate energy densities are bottlenecks to its practical application. Herein, the self-supported GaN/Mn₃O₄ integrated electrode is developed for both energy harvesting and storage under the high temperature environment. The experimental and theoretical calculations results reveal that such integrated structures with Mn-N heterointerface bring abundant active sites and reconstruct low-energy barrier channels for efficient charge transferring, reasonably optimizing the ions adsorption ability and strengthening the structural stability. Consequently, the assembled GaN based supercapacitors deliver the power density of 34.0 mW cm⁻² with capacitance retention of 81.3% after 10 000 cycles at 130 °C. This work innovatively correlates the centimeter scale GaN single crystal with ideal theoretical capacity Mn₃O₄ and provides an effective avenue for the follow-up energy storage applications of the wide bandgap semiconductor.