EnergyChem最新文献

The active layer morphology in organic solar cells (OSCs) including ideal vertical phase separation, molecular packing, and domain size are crucial in influencing the behavior of excitons and charge carriers. Many techniques have been developed to optimize the morphology throughout fabrication extending from thermal and solvent vapor annealing to incorporation of solvent additives. Nevertheless, these posttreatments are unsuitable for large-area OSC fabrication, and solvent additives remain within the active layer, gradually comprising morphology and device performance over time. Recently, the development of solid additives with their unique characteristics, offers superior morphology control, easy posttreatments, and enhanced device stability. Consequently, solid additives have rapidly achieved popularity as a universal and considerably used method to optimize morphology and performance. However, the operational mechanism of solid additives, especially their interactions with donor-acceptor within the active layer remains unclear, hindering their development and use in emerging OSC systems. Therefore, we have summarized recent findings on solid additives volatile and nonvolatile depending on their characteristics, and a comprehensive discussion of different mechanisms is reviewed. These insights aim to assist in choosing suitable solid additives for newly developed OSC systems. Finally, we provide a brief overview of challenges and potential advancements concerning solid additives in OSCs.

This review explores the potential of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) to drive sustainable clean energy solutions and their crucial role in transitioning towards a decarbonized global economy. The paper underscores the remarkable versatility and modifiability of MOFs. Central to this discourse is the conversion of MOFs into layered double hydroxides (LDHs), with a detailed exposition of the synthesis methodologies and their consequential effects on catalytic efficacy. A meticulous evaluation of MOF-derived LDHs is presented, particularly in the context of the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), encapsulating cutting-edge progress and probing the feasibility of integrating these materials into next-generation energy technologies. Diverging from existing literature, this research provides an in-depth exploration of MOF-to-LDH conversion, a promising area in OER catalysis. In addition, structural engineering techniques to optimize the performance of MOF-derived LDHs in electrochemical devices are explored, highlighting the potential of MOFs as future electrocatalysts and guiding future research directions.

Modulating the shape and crystal-phase of nano-sized iron-oxide particles play an essential role in the design of highly efficient heterogeneous catalysts. Iron oxides usually present as hematite (α-Fe₂O₃), maghemite (γ-Fe₂O₃), and magnetite (Fe₃O₄), where the coordination environments of Fe and O vary considerably. The diversity structures of iron oxides, in terms of chemical composition, particle size/shape, and crystal-phase, favor a flexible mediation on the geometric and electronic characters of surface Fe and O atoms that are intimately linked to the active sites for catalysis. Tuning the crystal-phase of size/shape-specified FeO_x particles alters the arrangements of Fe and O atoms both in the bulk and on the surface. While tailoring the particle shape, in a specific crystal-phase, enables to expose the more reactive facets featured by unique arrangements of Fe and O atoms. All these strategies could maximize the number of active sites for catalysis and regulate the adsorption and activation manner of reacting molecules. In addition, the shape and crystal-phase of FeO_x particles, when they are used to support the catalytically more active precious metals, affect the dispersion of the precious-metals via interfacial bonding and charge transfer. In this context, the precious-metals would show distinct electronic features via interaction with iron oxides, while their interfacial bonding is governed by the surface properties of iron oxides. Among them, precious-metal single-atoms, anchored on iron oxides, are characterized by the isolated sites, but a straightforward correlation between their electronic and geometric structures and the catalytic properties is controversial. Alternatively, inverse structures (iron-oxide layers on precious -metal particles) and core-shell geometries (a precious-metal core and an oxide shell) enable to construct active interfaces and describe the geometric and electronic characters. Moreover, the dynamic behavior of precious-metal-support interfaces, under reactive gases and at high temperatures, would provide accurate and realistic evidences for revealing the intrinsic structure-reactivity relationships.

Thermoelectric materials are promising in relieving the energy crisis concerning harvesting waste heat and providing a new environment-friendly self-power source for Internet of Things (IoT) sensors. This has attracted significant interest from both the industry and scientific research communities. Fundamentally, general thermoelectric materials are defined as condensed matter that directly converts heat into electricity using electrons or ions as carriers. This review focuses on the emerging ionic thermoelectric (i-TE) gels characterized by distinguished advantages of high voltage output, flexibility, stretchability, and solution processing. Firstly, we systematically review the progress of both p-type and n-type i-TE gels from natural to synthesized gel materials. Secondly, we summarize several strategies for enhancing thermopower, such as entropy engineering, diffusion suppression of counter ions, and several synergistic effects. Thirdly, we briefly review three common modes in which i-TE gels can operate: generator, supercapacitor, and cycle mode. Fourthly, we discussed the effect of electrode structure and gel structure on the energy output. We also highlight the opportunity for i-TE gels to explore new applications based on their unique advantages. Finally, the challenges and perspectives are presented, suggesting a challenging technique road and a bright future in this emerging field.

The research and development of energy storage devices has witnessed a paradigm shift towards the realization of solid-state lithium metal batteries owing to the high theoretical capacity of the lithium metal anode (LMA). Among all types of solid-state electrolytes (SSEs), garnet-based solid electrolytes are one of the most promising candidates which developed due to their relatively high ionic conductivity (10^–4 to 10^–3 mS cm^–1), wide electrochemical stability window (0–6 V vs. Li⁺/Li), and, most importantly, thermodynamic stability with lithium. Applying suitable interfacial engineering solutions is crucial for solid-state lithium metal batteries, especially for garnet-solid electrolytes due to their brittle nature, which cannot withstand high stack pressure. In this review, we focus on the recent developments in interface engineering solutions and broadly classify them based on the interface modification approach/fabrication routes using various classes of materials. Certain vital electrochemical performance parameters have been compared closely, which gives an appropriate estimation of what types of interlayers will be suitable along with the possible mechanistic route. Moreover, the role of lithium affinity at the interface in terms of lithiophilicity and its importance, along with the presence of lithiophobic phases, is discussed as it amplifies the critical current density of the anode/solid-electrolyte interface and reduces the area-specific resistance. This article comprehensively analyzes the anode-solid-state electrolyte interface in garnet-based lithium metal batteries. It aims to provide a clear perspective on lithiophilicity and lithiophobicity to achieve high-performance batteries.

The local coordination environment (LCE) plays a pivotal role in determining catalyst performance. By controlling the LCE of catalysts, the catalytic activity, selectivity, and stability of catalysts can be effectively increased. This influence is particularly pronounced in the realm of electrocatalysis, especially for single-atom catalysts (SACs). However, it is still a challenge to properly regulate the LCE and improve the activity and stability of SACs during catalysis. According to the differences in electron distribution and interaction between atoms in different types of chemical bonds, the LCE can be adjusted by experimental and simulated design. In this review, we discuss the characterization of LCE in SACs, explore the impact of adjusting LCE in high-performance electrocatalysts and summarize the challenges and opportunities of SACs in the future. We aim for this review to provide new insights into further research on SACs.

This review explores the latest advancements of iridium(III) phosphorescent blue emitters by focusing on the design strategies employed for saturated blue phosphorescent OLEDs with enhanced operational lifetime. Saturated blue emission remains a challenging aspect of OLED technology, and iridium(III) complexes have emerged as promising materials to address this issue. The molecular design principles, ligand engineering and host materials that facilitate the achievement of highly efficient blue phosphorescent emission are explored. Additionally, various host-guest systems and device architectures that have been employed to prolong the operational lifetime of these OLEDs are systematically examined. The review highlights recent breakthroughs and prospects, including the synthesis of novel iridium(III) complexes, advanced device engineering strategies, and potential application in next-generation displays and lighting technologies. Therefore, this comprehensive analysis serves as a valuable resource for researchers and industry professionals engaged in the development of advanced OLEDs with improved efficiency and longevity.

The field of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) has attracted enormous interests because H₂O₂ is a sort of environmental-friendly oxidant to be widely used in sanitation, chemical industry and environmental field. The high energy consumption and production of harmful by-product waste of conventional anthraquinone oxidation technology calls for the development of green and sustainable technologies for H₂O₂ production. The photocatalytic and electrocatalytic H₂O₂ production based on the covalent organic framework (COF) catalysts has been developed rapidly during the past few years due to the advantages of COFs including structural designability, high crystallinity, good porosity and stability. In this review, the basic principles, recent achievements and strategies for the design of COF photocatalysts and electrocatalysts to improve the performance of H₂O₂ production are summarized and highlighted. The challenges and perspective for the future directions are discussed in detail. This review is expected to pave the way for the rational design of advanced COF catalysts for the sustainable H₂O₂ production.

Rechargeable Li/Na/Zn metal batteries are promising next-generation energy-storage systems owing to their high energy density. However, the inhomogeneous deposition behavior, severe dendrite growth and drastic volume variation hinder the practical applications of Li/Na/Zn metal anodes. Three-dimensional (3D) carbon-based substrates have received extensive attention in view of their low cost, high electronic conductivity, and adjustable physicochemical characteristic. Moreover, their interconnected network architecture can accommodate the enormous internal stress fluctuation, homogenize electric field distribution, and mitigate Li/Na/Zn dendrite growth. Herein, we review the recent advances in 3D carbon-based hosts employing surface modification strategies to accomplish spatially confined deposition behavior of metallic Li/Na/Zn. Firstly, self-templated synthesis and hard-templating synthesis for manufacturing the 3D carbon-based scaffolds are briefly presented. Subsequently, we investigate several typical surface modification strategies, including heteroatom doping, surface functionalization, decoration of nucleation sites, and skeleton gradient design of metallophilicity and electronic conductivity. Finally, the future perspectives on several research orientations for the commercial application of 3D carbon-based hosts as metal anodes are emphasized.