Energy & Environmental Materials最新文献

Perovskite oxides are highly promising catalysts for the combustion removal of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) due to their excellent stability, structural flexibility, and compositional versatility. This study presents a novel perovskite oxide that exhibits enhanced catalytic activity and superior durability for toluene combustion at reduced temperatures. This improvement is achieved by phosphorus doping at the B-site of LaCoO_3-δ (LC) perovskite oxide, followed by post-synthesis acid etching for a proper time. The resulting catalyst demonstrates increased specific surface area, higher total pore volume, and enhanced oxygen vacancy concentration both in the bulk and on the surface. Additionally, the activity of surface lattice oxygen species is significantly improved, leading to enhanced catalytic performance in toluene combustion. Notably, the optimized catalyst shows an exceptionally low activation energy (E_a) of 49.3 kJ mol⁻¹, with a T₉₀ reduction of over 214 °C compared to the phosphorus doped LC and 190 °C compared to pristine LC. Phosphorus doping plays a main role in significantly improving the long-term durability, particularly in the presence of CO₂ and H₂O, while acid etching boosts the catalytic activity. This work introduces a rational and innovative strategy for optimizing VOC oxidation by improving the structure and surface chemical states of perovskite catalysts.

The uncontrollable growth of zinc metal dendrites and the water-induced parasitic reaction in pure aqueous electrolyte cause the poor cycling stability of zinc ion battery. Herein, a stable electrode/electrolyte interface with a dendrite-free zinc anode is developed by adding acetone into the aqueous electrolyte. The as-formed water/acetone hybrid solvent effectively optimizes the Zn²⁺ solvation structure (coordinated water changes from 6 to 4) and induces the uniform zinc ion deposition through the high adsorption energy with the Zn (002) surface. It also stabilizes the zinc metal by reducing the corrosion reaction (hydrogen evolution) with water and the formation of a basic zinc salt by-product. As a result, the symmetrical cell with the acetone/water electrolyte exhibits a superior stability of 3700 h (154 days) at 1 mA cm⁻². The battery with the Na₂V₆O₁₆·3H₂O cathode delivers an 84.1% capacity retention after 1000 cycles at 1.0 A g⁻¹. The organic/aqueous electrolyte provides a new insight into understanding the relationship between solvation structure, electrode/electrolyte interface, and the performance of the zinc ion battery.

Natural polymers possess the qualities of abundant resources, low cost, as well as excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability, and are ideal materials for next-generation wearable and portable electronic devices. To further augment the application scope of natural polymer materials, integrating them with functional materials represents a promising approach that is of great value for the sustainable development of triboelectric nanogenerators. Here, we successfully synthesized starch–[CsPbBr₃–KBr]–Fe₃O₄ composite films through the combination of natural polymer materials with magnetic and fluorescent components. It is capable of achieving reversible hydrochromic conversion by exposing or removing water. The combination of fluorescent CsPbBr₃–KBr, magnetic Fe₃O₄, and waterproof starch - [CsPbBr₃ - KBr] - Fe₃O₄-Polydimethylsiloxane leads to the realization of fluorescence and magnetic composite anti-counterfeiting. This composite anti-counterfeiting technology presents a novel and highly effective approach for ensuring the authenticity and security of various types of information. In addition, the Composite film based triboelectric nanogenerator has been assembled, which has a stable output with a short circuit current and open-circuit voltage of 15.1 μA and 170.1 V, respectively. The triboelectric nanogenerator can light 204 red LED lights at the same time, and the electrical output is not reduced even after 4200 mechanical cycles. Furthermore, based on the triboelectric nanogenerator, we have successfully demonstrated a self-powered sensor that can monitor human movement signals in real time. The sensor has shown broad application prospects in the field of health monitoring and motion analysis.

Recent advancements in lead halide perovskites opened up an avenue for vast optoelectronic applications. However, lead toxicity and the complicated synthesis process posed major obstacles to their further practical applications. To address these issues, a facile and robust mechanochemical synthesis of cesium manganese halide (Cs₃MnX₅, X = halide element) was developed via a highly efficient solvent-free ball milling strategy. This green approach exempted the utilization of any harmful organic solvents, thereby enabling the fast and cost-effective production of lead-free Cs₃MnX₅ with excellent optical properties. Cs₃MnX₅ perovskites with mixed halide compositions could also be readily fabricated through this eco-friendly approach at room temperature without any post-purification. Furthermore, the robustness of the ball milling strategy was proved by fabricating zinc-doped Cs₃MnX₅ perovskites with enhanced thermal stability and ambient stability. These features demonstrated that ball milling was highly efficacious for producing high-quality non-toxic halide perovskites, which could be used in light-emitting diodes.

As a forefront energy storage technology, lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have garnered immense attention across diverse applications, including electric vehicles, consumer electronics, and medical devices, owing to their exceptional energy density, minimal self-discharge rate, high open circuit voltage, and extended lifespan. However, despite their remarkable advancements and widespread commercialization, LIBs continue to face critical challenges, particularly the demand for even higher energy density, which inhibits their performance in high-power applications such as electric and hybrid electric vehicles. This review presents a comprehensive analysis of the fundamental limitations hindering LIBs from achieving superior energy density and long-term electrochemical stability. The discussion is systematically structured around four key components: cathode materials, anode materials, separators, and current collectors, with a particular emphasis on the challenges, emerging strategies, and future perspectives. By delving into recent breakthroughs in novel material architecture, electrode design optimizations, and the selection of advanced separators and current collectors, this work provides an in-depth examination of innovative approaches aimed at enhancing battery performance. Furthermore, this review explores pivotal factors such as interfacial stability, ion transport kinetics, and degradation mechanisms that significantly impact the longevity, safety, and efficiency of LIBs. By critically evaluating these aspects, it offers valuable insights into the trajectory of LIB development, helping to shape the next generation of high-performance energy storage solutions.

Demonstrating significant achievements in efficiency, perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have acquired unique positions in photovoltaics, offering alternatives to conventional commercial silicon solar cells. While there has been significant progress in enhancing photovoltaic performance, obvious stability problems remain a primary challenge that continues to hinder the commercial viability of PSCs. This present review first comprehensively discusses the main challenges to the commercialization of PSCs, including stability problems, ion migration, toxicity, and complexities in large-scale fabrication. It then effectively presents universal strategies to overcome the mentioned problems. Moreover, this review article examines various printing techniques that can be used to improve PSCs, emphasizing their benefits like low-cost components and procedures. Several printing processes are covered in the discussion, such as slot-die coating, spray coating, inkjet printing, doctor-blade coating, roll-to-roll printing, and screen printing. The potential uses of PSCs for the implementation of greenhouses, building-integrated photovoltaic systems, and indoor light energy harvesting. These uses highlight the adaptability of PSCs and demonstrate their ability to transform energy production technologies. Additionally, this review highlights the special qualities of perovskite materials that present chances to surpass silicon solar cells' efficiency restrictions and get close to the Shockley-Queisser limit. In conclusion, the current review provides a brief overview of recent developments, existing challenges, and opportunities of PSCs. It provides a thorough understanding of the merits of highly efficient PSCs fabricated by adopting printing methods to tackle stability problems along with facile fabrication of PSCs using simplified and cost-effective strategies.

MXene is a promising conductive nanofiller for hydrogels due to its excellent electricity conductivity and water dispersibility. However, MXene is prone to oxidize in the presence of air and water, resulting in a significant loss of conductivity. Polydopamine (PDA) has been coated on MXene to enhance its antioxidation stability via the physical barrier and chemical reducing ability of PDA, which unavoidably causes severe aggregation and a significant decrease in conductivity due to the crosslinking and insulation of PDA. Herein, we propose a facile strategy to construct a highly conductive, stable, and self-healing MXene-based polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogel by a controlled assembly of PDA and cellulose nanocrystal (CNC). PDA is first formed by oxidation self-polymerization in PVA solution without the presence of CNC and MXene, which can effectively reduce the content of aggregation-inducing groups and avoid the formation of an insulating PDA layer on the surface of MXene. The addition of CNCs results in the easy dispersion of a high content of MXene via hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions. The PVA-PDA hydrogel with MXene and CNC as conductive and reinforcing nanofillers (PP-CM) is cross-linked by dynamic borax covalent bonds and shows a conductivity of 7.14 S m⁻¹. The introduction of PDA effectively protects MXene and results in only a 14% decrease in conductivity after 7 days, significantly improving antioxidant stability. This hydrogel also possesses rapid self-healing capabilities, achieving 90.5% self-healing efficiency within 10 min. This versatile approach opens new avenues for the preparation and application of MXene-based conductive hydrogels.

As the carrier of charge storage, the electrode determines the efficiency of the energy conversion reaction between the battery and the substance. However, with the continuous development of scientific research, electrode preparation is still facing complex technical problems, and it is difficult to achieve a balance in performance, cost, and technology. Based on the ion dissolution and deposition behavior of Mn²⁺/MnO₂ and Al³⁺/Al, a novel cathode-free aqueous ion dissolution/deposition battery is designed, which can contribute 15 mAh at 16 cm² in a voltage window of 0.5–1.8 V. The charge storage and the attenuation mechanism are systematically investigated. The battery model with compensable electrolyte was constructed, and the cycle characteristics of the cathode-free aqueous ion dissolution/deposition battery were optimized, which could achieve 1000 h continuous operation. This system provides a low-cost and high-safety solution for future high-energy density and large-scale energy storage. Future research will focus on optimizing electrolytes, controlling deposition morphology, and improving interface stability to further promote the commercialization of cathode-free batteries.

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) have emerged as a promising complement to lithium-ion batteries due to their inherent safety benefits. However, the cycle life of AZIBs is severely limited by the poor stability of zinc anodes, manifested in uncontrolled dendritic growth and persistent side reactions, which hinder wider application. Herein, we report an ion-selective separator (UIO-66-4F/GF) achieved by in situ growth of a fluorine-functionalized metal–organic framework (UIO-66-4F) onto commercial glass fiber (GF). The synergistic mechanism, involving electrostatic repulsion between -F groups and $��{\mathrm{SO}}_4^{�2�-�}�$ anions along with strong interactions between -F and Zn²⁺ cations, effectively restricts $��{\mathrm{SO}}_4^{�2�-�}�$ migration, suppresses 2D Zn²⁺ diffusion across electrode interfaces, and enhances [Zn(H₂O)₆]²⁺ desolvation. Furthermore, the -F groups enable precise regulation of interfacial electric fields and Zn²⁺ concentration gradients, thereby homogenizing ion flux to realize dendrite-free Zn deposition. The UIO-66-4F separator achieves stable Zn||Zn cell operation for 1500 h at 1 mA cm⁻² via oriented deposition and sustains long-term cycling over 1000 h at 1 mA cm⁻², and delivers a Zn||Cu cell with 99.4% Coulombic efficiency. Moreover, the Zn|UIO-66-4F/GF|NH₄V₄O₁₀ full cell represents an ultrastable cycling stability with a high capacity retention of 90% after 500 cycles at a current density of 1 A g⁻¹.

Transition metal phosphides exhibit excellent efficiency in the oxygen evolution reaction under alkaline conditions, and they have garnered widespread recognition. Currently, most studies have focused on the evolution and role of metal cations in the oxygen evolution reaction process, while attention to phosphorus elements is relatively scarce. Actually, phosphides possess unique properties that distinguish them from other metal compounds, and the role of phosphorus in them cannot be ignored. This study used nickel phosphide (Ni₂P) as a model catalyst to reveal the reconstruction and dynamic behavior of anions under alkaline conditions through cyclic voltammetry. The results indicate that as the cycle progresses, surface phosphides are converted into active oxyhydroxides. It is worth noting that the presence of the P element accelerates the rapid completion of the reconstruction process but also exhibits triple synergistic functions. First, the internal phosphorus nuclei of the active layer act as conductive scaffolds, effectively enhancing the efficiency of electron conduction. Second, the oxygen-containing anions formed in situ on metal hydroxides optimize the adsorption of reaction intermediates. Finally, the phosphorus atoms dissolved in the electrolyte suppress nickel loss, improve stability, and increase the electrochemical activity specific surface area, exposing more active sites. This study elucidates the oxygen evolution reaction mechanism of phosphides from a novel perspective, enhancing comprehension of surface reconstruction phenomena and the characteristics of active sites, guiding the rational design of phosphide pre-catalysts.