Advanced Energy and Sustainability Research最新文献

The efficient photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting requires semiconductor photocatalyst with high light absorption, favorable band position, minimum electron-hole recombination, and high stability. Zinc oxide–cadmium oxide (ZnO–CdO) nanocomposites are among those candidates for PEC water splitting, offering the potential to harness solar energy for sustainable hydrogen generation. Here, this study first time reports the use of ZnO–CdO nanocomposites prepared using simple, robust, and affordable successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction method for PEC water splitting. The X-ray diffraction reveals the coexistence of ZnO and CdO crystallites with an average size of ≈10 nm, microstrain ≈14.4 × 10⁻³, and dislocation density ≈15.0 × 10¹⁵ m⁻². The optical studies show increased absorption for the nanocomposite as compared to bare ZnO sample. The morphological studies reveal that the neural web-like structure with increased surface area effectively improves light harvesting through developing a light trap and significantly accelerates carrier kinetics processes because of its larger interface contacting zones with the electrolyte, which further provides direct paths for rapid carrier separation and transfer. The PEC studies shown a faster photo response and lower charge transfer impedance which resulted in better photoconversion efficiency and optimum photocurrent density of 0.52 mA cm⁻², a 10-fold that of bare ZnO and four-fold of bare CdO.

The accumulation of plastic waste in agriculture (e.g., nonbiodegradable polyethylene mulch films) necessitates sustainable alternatives. This study investigates biodegradable mulch films composed of poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT), poly(lactic acid) (PLA), and 10% soy waste (predetermined from literature). The PBAT/PLA/Soy films are subjected to accelerated aging, respirometry, and field trials to evaluate their biodegradation, mulch performance, and impact on plant growth. Accelerated aging tests reveal that soy incorporation enhanced hydrolysis and mineralization rates, with PBAT/PLA/Soy films exhibiting earlier weight loss compared to PBAT/PLA films. Field studies demonstrate that plants grown with soy-containing films showed 49% higher plant heights, potentially because soy may act as a biostimulant. Based on ASTM D5338, PBAT/PLA/Soy films show a percent mineralization of 49.6 ± 1.1%, while PBAT/PLA/Soy was lower (44.7 ± 0.8%), indicating that the soy enhances the biodegradation. This research emphasizes the potential of repurposing soy waste as a sustainable additive to enhance the biodegradability of polymer films, addressing environmental concerns and promoting sustainable agriculture. This effort begins to explore the interactions between biodegradable mulch films and plant responses under diverse environmental conditions that can lead to optimization of mulch designs and applications. These findings present a step toward reducing plastic pollution and advancing the use of bioplastics in agriculture.

The electrocatalytic nitric oxide reduction reaction (NORR) is a sustainable approach for converting the gas pollutant nitric oxide (NO) into value-added ammonia (NH₃). Currently, electrocatalytic synthesis remains a significant challenge due to the limited understanding of theoretical principles for designing highly active and selective catalysts. Herein, for the first time, hexagonal ZnIn₂S₄ with a sulfur vacancy (V_S) as a potential NORR catalyst is systematically investigated using first-principles calculations. The hybridization between 5p orbital of the indium (In) atom and absorbed NO leads to a strong interaction between the substrate and the adsorbate. The catalyst demonstrates excellent performance with a low limiting potential and prevents the formation of byproducts. Additionally, the hydrogen evolution reaction can be completely inhibited due to the deviation of the proton adsorption from the optimal zero value. Different from conventional d-block transitional metal catalysts, here, the exposed p-block indium acts catalytically active center for NORR. This work not only highlights a new sustainable catalyst for NORR but also offers an effective strategy for designing novel catalysts.

The growing global demand for efficient energy systems has heightened the need for advanced energy conversion and storage devices. Among emerging solutions, 2D mesoporous carbon materials have garnered significant attention due to their high surface area, tunable porosity, and excellent electrical properties. This review provides a comprehensive examination of recent advancements in the synthesis and fabrication of these materials. Key methods discussed include template-assisted synthesis, chemical vapor deposition, and various activation techniques. Additionally, modern fabrication techniques such as electrospinning, spray drying, freeze drying, and inkjet printing are explored in depth. The review also covers characterization approaches, including structural, surface, and electrochemical analysis, and outlines applications in lithium-ion batteries, supercapacitors, and fuel cells. Finally, the article highlights existing challenges and future directions in the field of 2D mesoporous carbon materials for energy storage and conversion.

Isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) from yeast (EC 1.1.1.42) is an enzyme that catalyzes the decarboxylating isocitrate into 2-oxogurtarate and carbon dioxide and the reverse process of the introducing carbon dioxide as a carboxy-group to 2-oxogurtarate to produce isocitrate via oxalosuccinate in the presence of co-enzyme NADP⁺/NADPH. Thus, IDH is an attractive biocatalyst for carbon recycle technology based on the building carbon-carbon bonds due to carboxylation of 2-oxogurtarate with carbon dioxide. Enhancing the carboxylation of 2-oxogurtarate by the addition of metal ions with carbon dioxide using IDH as a catalyst will lead to the establishment of biocatalytic carbon dioxide utilization. Especially, it is found that the addition of divalent manganese ion accelerates IDH-catalyzed carboxylation of 2-oxogurtarate with carbon dioxide. The direct use of carbon dioxide in the carboxylation of 2-oxoglutarate catalyzed by IDH using the capture function of gaseous carbon dioxide in 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazineethanesulfonic acid (HEPES)-NaOH buffer in the presence of manganese ion is attempted and a low concentration of gaseous carbon dioxide of about 5% is successfully used as a feedstock for isocitrate production.

Piezo-Electro-Catalytic Hydrogen Production

Piezocatalytic water-splitting takes vibrations and creates electricity and hydrogen. In the study described in article number 2500045, Peter Cameron Sherrell, Amanda V. Ellis, and co-workers have integrated a MXene-loaded piezoelectric fluoropolymer with metallic catalysts to make a piezo-electro-catalytic system. When capturing motion, the overpotential is reduced by >200 mV for equivalent current density in 3 electrode testing. This work paves the way for coupling piezo- and electro-catalytic devices for efficient reactor systems.

This study introduces a comprehensive multiscale framework for analyzing and optimizing the microstructural properties of catalyst-coated membranes (CCMs) in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells. The approach integrates mercury intrusion porosimetry, multiple microscopy techniques, and nondestructive focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM), enabling detailed characterization across microstructural scales, from tens of nanometers to hundreds of micrometers. A custom MATLAB-based image-processing algorithm is developed to extract pore attributes—including size, porosity, and geometry—from FIB-SEM cross-sections, providing unprecedented insights into microstructural variations under varying fabrication conditions. This multiscale strategy enables robust analysis of catalyst layer features, from micrometer-scale defects to nanoscale secondary pores. By employing this approach, the study reveals significant correlations between process parameters (such as hot-pressing) and dispersion formulations with the resulting microstructural properties and electrochemical performance. Previously hidden dependencies were uncovered, demonstrating that catalyst layers produced from different dispersions exhibit distinct responses to hot-pressing. For instance, the catalyst layers produced from dispersions containing higher alcohol and ionomer contents appear more susceptible to microstructural change under compression. This scalable, cost-effective approach lays the foundation for rational, data-driven design of CCMs and related electrochemical systems.

Silicon is considered an attractive active anode material for lithium-ion batteries because of its high theoretical capacity and abundance. However, the application of silicon anodes is hindered by their large volume changes during charge–discharge cycles and low conductivity. Herein, structural design is focused and a scalable method is developed for producing porous Si electrodes with excellent electrochemical characteristics and cycle properties. Al_72.5Si₂₅Ti_2.5 powders with fine solidification structures are produced using the gas atomization method, and porous Ti(Al,Si)₂@Si particles with uniform silicon frameworks are synthesized by leaching Al in the atomized powder precursor using hydrochloric acid. The porous Ti(Al,Si)₂@Si particles show a pore size distribution of 50–200 nm and demonstrate excellent rate characteristics with a capacity of 1683 mAh g⁻¹ after 100 cycles, a Coulombic efficiency of >97%, and high stability. The particles maintain discharge capacity at a constant charge capacity of 1000 mAh g⁻¹ at 0.2 C for up to 1000 cycles without degradation. The pores elicit a buffer effect that suppresses volume expansion during lithium insertion while the Ti(Al,Si)₂ silicide phase improves the electrical conductivity, improving rate and cycle performances.

The retirement of early-generation electric vehicles has created an urgent need for recycling low-nickel LiNi_xCo_yMn_1–x–yO₂ (lithium nickel cobalt manganese oxide [NCM], Ni < 0.5) cathodes, while contemporary battery technology demands high-energy Ni-rich NCMs (Ni > 0.8) with compromised thermal stability. To address this contradiction, a molten-salt-based direct upcycling strategy that transforms spent polycrystalline LiNi₀.₅Co₀.₂Mn₀.₃O₂ (NCM523) into medium-nickel single-crystal LiNi_0.7Co_0.1Mn_0.2O₂ (NCM712) with balanced energy and safety characteristics is proposed. By utilizing LiOH–Li₂SO₄ eutectic salts, this approach achieves simultaneous lithium replenishment and nickel enrichment via a two-stage thermal process, thereby converting polycrystalline agglomerates into monocrystalline particles. The regenerated NCM712 exhibits a high specific capacity of 196 mAh g⁻¹ at 4.6 V (vs. Li⁺/Li), rivaling the performance of NCM811 at 4.3 V, while demonstrating superior thermal resilience with a phase transition delayed by 20 °C compared to NCM811. This work establishes a closed-loop paradigm for battery recycling that aligns with market-driven cathode evolution, thereby circumventing the inherent energy density/safety trade-off associated with ultrahigh-nickel cathodes.

Chemicals derived from biomass lignin, with phenolic compounds, are particularly valuable in organic synthesis and catalytic conversion. The electrochemical conversion of biomass materials has gained significant attention in recent years as a sustainable means of producing value-added chemicals. A green process has been developed utilizing electrochemistry to convert inexpensive, readily available phenol derived from lignin into para-benzoquinone, a valuable chemical widely used in the manufacturing and chemical industries. For the first time, a novel electrocatalytic oxidation system is achieved with high 96.2% conversion of phenols to para-benzoquinone with 83.3% selectivity using a nonprecious metal-based electrocatalyst. The high conversion and selectivity are driven by the excellent conductivity and corrosion resistance of carbon felt in the reaction, alongside the redox chemistry of the NiFeB catalyst. This innovative approach not only provides an efficient method for electrochemically producing hydrogen and valuable lignin-derived compounds, but it also lays the foundation for a continuous, sustainable synthesis of para-benzoquinone.