EnergyChem最新文献

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.

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 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.

In the past decades, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have gained great attention as a promising candidate in photocatalytic applications, leveraging their tunable pores, well-defined structures, ease of functionalization and inherent semiconductor properties. Nevertheless, owing to their poor light-harvesting capability and suboptimal electron-hole separation efficiency, their catalytic performances have yet to meet the prerequisites for industrial deployment. To address this issue, researchers started to incorporate guest substances into MOFs, thereby integrating multiple functions or advantages to form MOF composites. Through the construction of active interfaces and the introduction of functional units, the light absorption capacity, charge separation and the reaction activity are pointedly optimized, thus enhancing the overall photocatalytic performances. Moreover, the composites exhibit various active sites with well-defined coordination configuration, facilitating the study of the photocatalytic mechanism. Herein, this review provides an overview of commonly used MOF composites in photocatalysis, including metal nanoparticles/MOFs, semiconductors/MOFs, carbon materials/MOFs, aerogels/MOFs, polymers/MOFs, reticular frameworks/MOFs, and MOF composites with others, summarizes their synthesis strategies, and presents their latest applications in photocatalytic water splitting, CO₂ reduction, N₂ reduction and organic reactions. We hope that this review will highlight the advantages and challenges of MOF composites in photocatalysis and inspire the development of more efficient and widely applicable novel MOF composite photocatalysts.

Photocatalytic solar-to-chemical energy conversion is deemed to be a promising, eco-friendly, and low-energy input strategy for addressing the energy crisis. Donor−acceptor (D−A) conjugated polymers (CPs) have recently emerged as the hub in photocatalysis due to their charming properties, such as variable molecular structure, accessible functionalization, tunable electronic band structure, and versatile synthetic approaches. These features enable D−A-based CPs to be a potential alternative for conventional inorganic photocatalysts. Currently, researchers are making great efforts to design highly-efficient D−A-based CPs for adaptable photocatalytic reactions. In this review, the development, classification, and common synthetic strategies of D−A-based CPs are introduced. The recent progress of D−A-based CPs in photocatalytic energy conversion is systematically summarized, including photocatalytic H₂ evolution, O₂ evolution, overall water splitting, CO₂ reduction, H₂O₂ production, and organic transformation. Meanwhile, the impacts of molecular/electronic structure and morphology of D−A-based CPs on light-harvesting capacity, exciton dissociation, and interfacial reaction during the photo-redox reactions are clarified. Finally, the conclusions and future challenges for photocatalytic energy conversion over D−A-based CPs are provided. This review is expected to offer an in-depth and comprehensive understanding of photocatalytic energy conversion in the aspect of mechanism, as well as to stimulate inspiration for designing D−A-based CP photocatalysts with surpassing efficiency.

Elevated-temperature adsorptive separation involves the selective and rapid adsorption of gas molecules on weakly bonding chemical sites of an adsorbent at elevated temperatures (80–500 °C) and the reversible desorption of the gas molecules at a low cost. It is a significant step in several reactions, such as pre-combustion carbon capture, indirect/direct hydrogen production, ammonia separation, oxygen production from air, and carbon monoxide enrichment. This purification strategy avoids sensible heat loss of the feed gas, heat regeneration, accelerates adsorption kinetics, and can sometimes couple catalysts to achieve sorption-enhanced reactions. Before commercializing elevated-temperature adsorptive separation technologies, highly efficient syntheses for obtaining elevated-temperature-responsive adsorbents are required; competitive adsorption, interactions with gas impurities, and poisoning mechanisms need to be well understood; specific adsorption reactors and processes should also be designed. Therefore, this review covers the key progress made in terms of material design and synthesis, adsorption kinetic models and mechanisms, process design and optimization, as well as system integration for elevated-temperature adsorptive separation. This review will be valuable for the clean fossil-fuel utilization community, as well as energy and chemical industries.