Carbon Energy最新文献

Photothermal catalysis utilizing the full solar spectrum to convert CO₂ and H₂O into valuable products holds promise for sustainable energy solutions. However, a major challenge remains in enhancing the photothermal conversion efficiency and carrier mobility of semiconductors like Bi₂MoO₆, which restricts their catalytic performance. Here, we developed a facile strategy to synthesize vertically grown Bi₂MoO₆ (BMO) nanosheets that mimic a bionic butterfly wing scale structure on a biomass-derived carbon framework (BCF). BCF/BMO exhibits high catalytic activity, achieving a CO yield of 165 μmol/(g·h), which is an increase of eight times compared to pristine BMO. The wing scale structured BCF/BMO minimizes sunlight reflection and increases the photothermal conversion temperature. BCF consists of crystalline carbon (sp²-C region) dispersed within amorphous carbon (sp³-C hybridized regions), where the crystalline carbon forms “nano-islands”. The N–C–O–Bi covalent bonds at the S-scheme heterojunction interface of BCF/BMO function as electron bridges, connecting the sp²-C nano-islands and enhancing the multilevel built-in electric field and directional trans-interface transport of carriers. As evidenced by DFT calculation, the rich pyridinic-N on the carbon nano-island can establish strong electron coupling with CO₂, thereby accelerating the cleavage of *COOH and facilitating the formation of CO. Biomass waste-derived carbon nano-islands represent advanced amorphous/crystalline phase materials and offer a simple and low-cost strategy to facilitate carrier migration. This study provides deep insights into carrier migration in photocatalysis and offers guidance for designing efficient heterojunctions inspired by biological systems.

Hard carbon is the most commercially viable anode material for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs), and yet, its practical implementation remains constrained by insufficient low-voltage plateau capacity, a critical parameter governing storage capacity. This study introduces a targeted component removal and chemical etching strategy to precisely tailor the porous structure of hard carbon and thus remarkably enhance the plateau capacity. In this strategy, alkaline-dissolved components are removed to form a closed-pore core with tunable size. Subsequently, the in situ occupied alkaline engineers the pore structure through chemical etching. The optimized hard carbon material not only has short-range disordered graphite domains to facilitate Na⁺ ions' intercalation and deintercalation but also has abundant micropores and closed-pore structures with appropriate pore sizes and an ultrathin carbon layer (1−3 layers) to significantly increase the sodium storage sites. The resulting hard carbon delivers a high reversible specific capacity of 389.6 mAh g⁻¹ with a low-voltage plateau capacity as high as up to 261.5 mAh g⁻¹ and an initial Coulombic efficiency of 90.7%. Crucially, this cost-effective methodology shows broad precursor adaptability across lignocellulosic biomass, establishing a universal paradigm for designing high-performance carbonaceous anodes for SIBs.

Back cover image: Regulating the freedom and distribution of H₂O molecules is crucial for enlarging the electrochemical window of aqueous electrolytes. Hao and Qiu et al. fabricated a heterogel electrolyte by utilizing the bicontinuous microemulsion as template. In this image, the brown pipelike passage represents the interpenetrating oil phase, while the green “tadpole-shaped” objects are actually the surfactant Tween 20. The hydrophobic tail of the surfactant tends to orderly assemble at the electrode surface and enrich the oil phase to create a hydrophobic interfacial microenvironment, thus preventing the proximity of H₂O molecules, resulting in an expanded electrochemical window. Article number: 10.1002/cey2.697

Front cover image: Heterointerfaces are promising candidates for anode materials of aqueous rocking-chair Zn-ion batteries. However, it suffers from interfacial problems between solvation sheath and desolvation processes of solvated Zn²⁺, and in article number 10.1002/cey2.691, Peng Cai, Kangli Wang, and Kai Jiang, et al. firstly propose that the built-in electric field (BEF) effects at the heterointerfaces can promote the desolvation processes of solvated zinc ions, inhibiting the hydrogen evolution reactions (HERs), and improving the cycling stabilities in the deep discharge states.

Cd-based Cs₇Cd₃Br₁₃ perovskites, featuring both tetrahedral and octahedral polyhedral structures, have garnered significant acclaim for their efficient luminescent performance achieved through multi-exciton state regulation by doping. However, it remains controversial whether the doping sites are in the octahedra or tetrahedra of Cs₇Cd₃Br₁₃. To address this, we introduced Pb²⁺ and Sb³⁺ ions and, supported by experimental and theoretical evidence, demonstrated that these ions preferentially occupy the octahedra. Among them, Pb²⁺ ions single doping achieves a near-unity photoluminescence quantum yield of 93.7%, which results in excellent X-ray scintillation performance, high light yield of 41,772 photon MeV⁻¹, and a low detection limit of 29.78 nGy_air s^–1. Moreover, this incorporation of Pb²⁺ and Sb³⁺ enabled an exciton state regulation strategy, resulting in standard white light emission with CIE chromaticity coordinates of (0.33, 0.33). Additionally, a multifaceted optical anticounterfeiting and information encryption scheme was designed based on the differences in optical properties caused by the different sensitivities of [PbBr₆]⁴⁻ octahedron and [SbBr₆]³⁻ octahedron to temperature and excitation wavelengths. These diverse photoluminescence characteristics provide new insights and practical demonstrations for advanced X-ray imaging, lighting, optical encryption, and anticounterfeiting technologies.

Advanced oxygen carrier plays a pivotal role in various chemical looping processes, such as CO₂ splitting. However, oxygen carriers have been restricted by deactivation and inferior oxygen transferability at low temperatures. Herein, we design an Fe–O_v–Ce–triggered phase-reversible CeO_2−x·Fe·CaO ↔ CeO₂·Ca₂Fe₂O₅ oxygen carrier with strong electron-donating ability, which activates CO₂ at low temperatures and promotes oxygen transformation. Results reveal that the maximum CO₂ conversion and CO yield obtained with 50 mol% CeO_2−x·Fe·CaO are, respectively, 426% and 53.6 times higher than those of Fe·CaO at 700°C. This unique multiphase material also retains exceptional redox durability, with no obvious deactivation after 100 splitting cycles. The addition of Ce promotes the formation of the Fe–O_v–Ce structure, which acts as an activator, triggers CO₂ splitting, and lowers the energy barrier of C═O dissociation. The metallic Fe plays a role in consuming O²⁻_lattice transformed from Fe–O_v–Ce, whereas CaO acts as a structure promoter that enables phase-reversible Fe⁰ ↔ Fe³⁺ looping.

Layered manganese dioxide (δ-MnO₂) is a promising cathode material for aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) due to its high theoretical capacity, high operating voltage, and low cost. However, its practical application faces challenges, such as low electronic conductivity, sluggish diffusion kinetics, and severe dissolution of Mn²⁺. In this study, we developed a δ-MnO₂ coated with a 2-methylimidazole (δ-MnO₂@2-ML) hybrid cathode. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations indicate that 2-ML can be integrated into δ-MnO₂ through both pre-intercalation and surface coating, with thermodynamically favorable outcomes. This modification expands the interlayer spacing of δ-MnO₂ and generates Mn–N bonds on the surface, enhancing Zn²⁺ accommodation and diffusion kinetics as well as stabilizing surface Mn sites. The experimentally prepared δ-MnO₂@2-ML cathode, as predicted by DFT, features both 2-ML pre-intercalation and surface coating, providing more zinc-ion insertion sites and improved structural stability. Furthermore, X-ray diffraction shows the expanded interlayer spacing, which effectively buffers local electrostatic interactions, leading to an enhanced Zn²⁺ diffusion rate. Consequently, the optimized cathode (δ-MnO₂@2-ML) presents improved electrochemical performance and stability, and the fabricated AZIBs exhibit a high specific capacity (309.5 mAh/g at 0.1 A/g), superior multiplicative performance (137.6 mAh/g at 1 A/g), and impressive capacity retention (80% after 1350 cycles at 1 A/g). These results surpass the performance of most manganese-based and vanadium-based cathode materials reported to date. This dual-modulation strategy, combining interlayer engineering and interface optimization, offers a straightforward and scalable approach, potentially advancing the commercial viability of low-cost, high-performance AZIBs.

Front cover image: The development of lignin-based photocatalyst has become a cutting-edge strategy towards the high-value H₂O₂ production. However, the enhanced catalytic efficiency and stable environmental adaptability are crucial for the establishment of comprehensive photocatalytic H₂O₂ production system. In article number cey2.666, Xiao et al. propose a new-type lignin-based photocatalyst assisted by graphene oxide and delve into the pathways and mechanisms of the optimized photocatalytic process, providing scientific guidance for the development of a green, low-carbon, and circular economy.

Silicon–air (Si–air) batteries have received significant attention owing to their high theoretical energy density and safety profile. However, the actual energy density of the Si–air battery remains significantly lower than the theoretical value, primarily due to corrosion issues and passivation. This study used various metal–organic framework (MOF) materials, such as MIL-53(Al), MIL-88(Fe), and MIL-101(Cr), to modify Si anodes. The MOFs were fabricated to have different morphologies, particle sizes, and pore sizes by altering their central metal nodes and ligands. This approach aimed to modulate the adsorption behavior of H₂O, SiO₂, and OH⁻, thereby mitigating corrosion and passivation reactions. Under a constant current of 150 μA, Si–air batteries with MIL-53(Al)@Si, MIL-88(Fe)@Si, and MIL-101(Cr)@Si as anodes demonstrated lifetimes of 293, 412, and 336 h, respectively, surpassing the 276 h observed with pristine silicon anodes. Among these composite anodes, MIL-88(Fe)@Si displayed the best performance due to its superior hydrophobicity and optimal pore size, which enhance OH⁻ migration. This study offers a promising strategy for enhancing Si–air battery performance by developing an anodic protective layer with selective screening properties.

Back cover image: Fuel cells are electrochemical energy conversion devices that promise clean routes of generating energy for enabling carbon neutrality. The electrolyte membrane medium sandwiched between two electrodes plays a vital role in improving their conversion efficiency and the durability. In the article number cey2.695, Yang et al. provide a comprehensive overview on recent advances in nanofiber-based polyelectrolyte membranes for fuel cells. Emerging strategies for the use of electrospun nanofibers and natural nanofibers as proton-exchange membranes and anion-exchange membranes are carefully outlined, respectively. The key challenges and potential solutions in such fields are finally presented.