Advanced Energy and Sustainability Research最新文献

Synchrotron Radiation Techniques

In article number 2500029 by Shih-Ching Huang, Hao Ming Chen, Yan-Gu Lin, and co-workers, a comprehensive overview of the latest advancements in key in situ/operando techniques, such as scattering and spectroscopy, highlighting their current limitations and challenges, is provided. Using synchrotron X-rays to observe catalytic reactions in real time at the atomic scale could deepen our core understanding and improve the design of critical reactions central to everyday manufacturing.

Z-Scheme System

The cover image represents water splitting into H₂ and O₂ via a Z-scheme system employing two photocatalyst materials. The electron transfer pathway, which resembles the shape of the letter “Z”, is highlighted. The originality of the present work lies in the development of a novel combination of photocatalyst materials for the Z-scheme system, utilizing reduced graphene oxide as a solidstate electron mediator. More details can be found in article number 2400371 by Akihide Iwase and co-workers.

Using a sacrificial ZnO template, this study report the fabrication of fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO)-based photoanodes displaying a porous network of interconnected 3D-tungsten oxide nanosheets (WO₃ 3D-NS), with diameter/thickness distribution respectively in the range 0.20–0.94 μm and 10–40 nm, leading to record aspect ratios (≈100) with respect to literature benchmarks (≈10) and dominant {001} facets. WO₃ 3D-NS provide an ideal platform for shaping hybrid photosynthetic interfaces by deposition of supramolecular perylenebisimide polymers (PBI_n). The combined WO₃ 3D-NS|PBI_n are probed for photoelectrochemical HBr splitting using low energy photons (λ > 450 nm), with up to a 83% increase of the state-of-the-art performance based on WO₃-analogs (J > 0.3 mA cm⁻² at 0.85 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE)). Structure versus reactivity comparison with WO₃ microplates (WO₃ MP) and inverse opal (WO₃ IO) points to a favorable enhanced active surface area of WO₃ 3D-NS exposing dominant {001} facets, which promote PBI sensitization and charge transfer at the photoanode|electrolyte interface. Building on this technology, a >50% improvement of photoanodic water splitting is achieved using WO₃ 3D-NS photoanode as platform for the core-shell self-assembly of the PBI based quantasome architecture (QS), templated around the tetra-ruthenated polyoxometalate as oxygen evolving catalyst ({[PBI]₅Ru₄POM}_n). Rendering the bio-inspired QS on the WO₃ 3D-NS surface yields an incident-photon-to-current-conversion efficiency (IPCE) of 0.67%, using green photons for oxygenic photosynthesis (500 nm at 0.91 V vs. RHE) which stems from a multiheterojunction molecular array for light harvesting and charge transport, representing a significative advancement in the field.

Aqueous rechargeable Zn–CO₂ batteries are emerging as a promising technology for sustainable energy storage and carbon dioxide (CO₂) utilization, owing to their high safety, theoretical capacity, and product diversity. Despite their significant theoretical potential, the application of Zn–CO₂ batteries is hindered due to several challenges, including low product-added value, low current density, poor cycle stability, and excessively high overpotential. These issues hinder the widespread use of Zn–CO₂ batteries. Cathode bifunctional catalysts, which can promote the CO₂ reduction reaction while lowering the reaction energy barrier for the oxygen evolution reaction, have garnered research interest in recent years. However, a systematic summary is rarely reported. This review mainly focuses on the cathode catalysts of aqueous rechargeable Zn–CO₂ batteries, summarizing current research progress in terms of devices, reaction mechanisms, and bifunctional catalysts. This review also discusses existing challenges and prospects, offering enlightenment for the future research of Zn–CO₂ batteries.

Microtubular solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are known for their tolerance to thermal shocks and ability to withstand rapid thermal cycling. However, the heating and cooling rates for the thermal cycling tests of SOFCs in laboratory settings are often constrained by the design and thermal mass of electric furnaces. To overcome this limitation, herein, a novel test setup is developed using a tubular ceramic heater. The developed setup is used to perform extreme thermal cycling on an anode-supported microtubular SOFC, achieving heating and cooling rates of ≈175 and 100 °C min⁻¹, respectively. The microtubular SOFC shows excellent tolerance to over 100 thermal cycles, with no degradation in open-circuit voltage and no signs of thermal cycling-induced damage in the microstructure. Electrochemical characterization shows an increase in the cell's power density after thermal cycling as a result of the reduction in interfacial polarization resistance. This work confirms that the test setup developed here provides a convenient and effective solution for conducting extreme thermal cycling tests of SOFCs at well-controlled heating and cooling rates.

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.