Carbon Energy最新文献

Front cover image: Silicon-based anodes are promising for lithium-ion batteries due to their high theoretical capacity. However, severe volume expansion during cycling leads to rapid capacity decay, hindering commercialization. This review (CEY270057) emphasizes the critical yet overlooked “size effect”, distinguishing failure mechanisms between nano and micro silicon. It systematically categorizes size-specific modification strategies to enhance structural stability and cycling performance. Recent advances in pairing silicon anodes with solid-state electrolytes for high-energy batteries are also summarized. This work aims to provide scientific guidance for rational design and accelerate the industrialization of silicon-based anodes.

Back cover image: Organic solar cells (OSCs) are promising candidates for next-generation photovoltaic devices. However, conventional bulk heterojunction (BHJ) devices face inherent limitations in morphology control and phase separation. In article number CEY270068, Peng et al. systematically investigate the optimizing effects of nine halogenated functional additives for layerby-layer (LbL) devices, identify the core performance advantages of 2-bromo-5-iodothiophene (20.12% PCE), analyzed the bromineiodine synergistic effect and the donor-acceptor regulation mechanism of the thiophene core additive, balancing ease of processing with industrial application potential.

Back cover image: Organic solar cells (OSCs) are promising candidates for next-generation photovoltaic devices. However, conventional bulk heterojunction (BHJ) devices face inherent limitations in morphology control and phase separation. In article number CEY270070, Peng et al. systematically investigate the optimizing effects of nine halogenated functional additives for layer-by-layer (LbL) devices, identify the core performance advantages of 2-bromo-5-iodothiophene (20.12% PCE), analyzed the bromine-iodine synergistic effect and the donor-acceptor regulation mechanism of the thiophene core additive, balancing ease of processing with industrial application potential.

Front cover image: Electrides, with anionic electrons trapped in crystal cavities, promise exceptional electron-donating capabilities but are often plagued by poor stability under reactive conditions. In article number CEY270084, Ren et al. design an ultrastable one-dimensional [Ti₂S]²⁺·2e⁻ electride featuring a unique dual-channel anionic electron architecture and a self-formed amorphous Ti–O passivation layer. This combination not only preserves the electride's chemical integrity in harsh solvents but also enables efficient electron transfer to anchored Pt nanoparticles, dramatically enhancing both hydrogen evolution and oxygen reduction activities with outstanding durability, surpassing commercial Pt/C catalysts.

Copper–carbon (Cu–C) composites have achieved great success in various fields owing to the greatly improved electrical properties compared to pure Cu, for example, a two-order-of-magnitude increase in current-carrying capacity (ampacity). However, the frequent fuse failure caused by the poor thermal transport at the Cu–C heterointerface is still the main factor affecting the ampacity. In this study, we unconventionally leverage atomic distortion at Cu grain boundaries to alter the local atomic environments, thereby placing a premium on noticeable enhancement of phonon coupling at the Cu–C heterointerface. Without introducing any additional materials, interfacial thermal transport can be regulated solely through rational microstructural design. This new strategy effectively improves the interfacial thermal conductance by three-fold, reaching the state-of-the-art level in van der Waals (vdW) interface regulation. It can be an innovative strategy for interfacial thermal management by turning the detrimental grain boundaries into a beneficial thermal transport accelerator.

Organic solar cells (OSCs) have emerged as promising candidates for next-generation photovoltaics, yet traditional bulk heterojunction (BHJ) devices face inherent limitations in morphology control and phase separation. Layer-by-layer (LbL) processing with a p–i–n configuration offers an innovative solution by enabling precise control over donor–acceptor distribution and interfacial characteristics. Here, we systematically investigate nine halogen-functionalized additives across three categories—methyl halides, thiophene halides, and benzene halides—for optimizing LbL device performance. These additives, distinguished by their diverse thermal properties and solid–liquid transformation capabilities below 100°C, are functionalized as both nucleation centers and morphology-modulating plasticizers during thermal treatment. Among them, 2-bromo-5-iodothiophene (BIT) demonstrates superior performance through synergistic effects of its bromine–iodine combination and thiophene core in mediating donor–acceptor interactions. LbL devices processed with BIT achieve exceptional metrics in the PM6/L8-BO system, including a open-circuit voltage of 0.916 V, a short-circuit current density of 27.12 mA cm⁻², and an fill factor of 80.97%, resulting in an impressive power conversion efficiency of 20.12%. This study establishes a molecular design strategy for halogen-functionalized additives that simultaneously optimizes both donor and acceptor layers while maintaining processing simplicity for potential industrial applications.

This study begins by exploring the typical practical applications of phase-change materials (PCMs) in various industries, highlighting their importance in energy storage, temperature regulation, and thermal management. It then emphasizes the necessity of flame-retardant functionalization tailored to the specific application scenarios of PCMs, especially considering their use in safety-critical environments such as electronics, automotive, and construction. The classic characterization methods for assessing the flame-retardant properties of PCM are introduced in detail, including the limiting oxygen index, the vertical burning test, and the cone calorimeter, which are widely recognized standards in material safety testing. Additionally, newly developed methods for evaluating combustion safety are discussed, such as direct combustion tests, candle combustion experiments, and back temperature response, which offer a more comprehensive understanding of the material's fire resistance. Following this, this study provides a thorough summary and categorization of the flame-retardant strategies used in PCMs, divided into four main approaches: (1) incorporation of external flame retardants, (2) use of flame-retardant microcapsules, (3) development of flame-retardant support materials, and (4) creation of intrinsic flame-retardant PCMs. Each strategy is critically analyzed in terms of effectiveness, applicability, and potential challenges. Lastly, the conclusion provides an overview of the current state of flame-retardant PCMs, offering insights into future development directions, including the pursuit of more sustainable and efficient flame-retardant solutions, as well as prospects for their broader adoption in various industries.

Acidic environments enhance CO₂ utilization during CO₂ electrolysis via a buffering effect that converts carbonates formed at the electrode surface back into CO₂. Nevertheless, further investigation into acidic CO₂ electrolysis is required to improve its selectivity towards certain CO₂ reduction reaction (CO₂RR) products, such as multicarbon (C₂₊) species, while enhancing its overall stability. In this study, liquid product recirculation in the catholyte and local OH⁻ accumulation were identified as primary factors contributing to the degradation of gas diffusion electrodes mounted in closed-loop catholyte configurations. We demonstrate that a single-pass catholyte configuration prevents liquid product recirculation and maintains a continuous flow of acidic-pH catholyte throughout the reaction while using the same volume as a closed-loop setup. This approach improves electrode durability and maintains a Faradaic efficiency of 67% for multicarbon products over 4 h of CO₂ electrolysis at −600 mA cm⁻².

Back cover image: The exsolution method offers a powerful route for developing efficient and stable electrocatalysts. In article number e70013, Sun et al. present a pnictogenation-assisted exsolution approach to fabricate size-tunable Ru nanocatalysts embedded in a conductive metal pnictogenide matrix. By tuning the pnictogenation conditions, they achieve controlled formation of Ru nanoclusters and single atoms, enabling tailored catalytic performance. The resulting materials exhibit exceptional electrocatalytic performance for the hydrogen evolution reaction, with improved stability and activity attributed to strong interfacial electronic interactions.

Front cover image: Oxygen carriers play pivotal roles in various chemical looping processes, such as CO₂ splitting. Nevertheless, they have been restricted by deactivation and inferior oxygen transferability at low temperatures, and in article number e70011, Sun et al. design a Fe–O_v–Ce-triggered phase-reversible CeO_2−x·Fe·CaO oxygen carrier with strong electron-donating ability, which activates CO₂ at low temperatures and promotes oxygen transformation.