Carbon Energy最新文献

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.

Improving device efficiency is fundamental for advancing energy harvesting technology, particularly in systems designed to convert light energy into electrical output. In our previous studies, we developed a basic structure light pressure electric generator (Basic-LPEG), which utilized a layered configuration of Ag/Pb(Zr,Ti)O₃(PZT)/Pt/GaAs to generate electricity based on light-induced pressure on the PZT. In this study, we sought to enhance the performance of this Basic-LPEG by introducing Ag nanoparticles/graphene oxide (AgNPs/GO) composite units (NP-LPEG), creating upgraded harvesting device. Specifically, by depositing the AgNPs/GO units twice onto the Basic-LPEG, we observed an increase in output voltage and current from 241 mV and 3.1 µA to 310 mV and 9.3 µA, respectively, under a solar simulator. The increase in electrical output directly correlated with the intensity of the light pressure impacting the PZT, as well as matched the Raman measurements, finite-difference time-domain simulations, and COMSOL Multiphysics Simulation. Experimental data revealed that the enhancement in electrical output was proportional to the number of hot spots generated between Ag nanoparticles, where the electric field experienced substantial amplification. These results underline the effectiveness of AgNPs/GO units in boosting the light-induced electric generation capacity, thereby providing a promising pathway for high-efficiency energy harvesting devices.

Lithium metal batteries (LMBs) have been regarded as one of the most promising alternatives in the post-lithium battery era due to their high energy density, which meets the needs of light-weight electronic devices and long-range electric vehicles. However, technical barriers such as dendrite growth and poor Li plating/stripping reversibility severely hinder the practical application of LMBs. However, lithium nitrate (LiNO₃) is found to be able to stabilize the Li/electrolyte interface and has been used to address the above challenges. To date, considerable research efforts have been devoted toward understanding the roles of LiNO₃ in regulating the surface properties of Li anodes and toward the development of many effective strategies. These research efforts are partially mentioned in some articles on LMBs and yet have not been reviewed systematically. To fill this gap, we discuss the recent advances in fundamental and technological research on LiNO₃ and its derivatives for improving the performances of LMBs, particularly for Li–sulfur (S), Li–oxygen (O), and Li–Li-containing transition-metal oxide (LTMO) batteries, as well as LiNO₃-containing recipes for precursors in battery materials and interphase fabrication. This review pays attention to the effects of LiNO₃ in lithium-based batteries, aiming to provide scientific guidance for the optimization of electrode/electrolyte interfaces and enrich the design of advanced LMBs.

Although multicrystalline Si photovoltaics have been extensively studied and applied in the collection of solar energy, the same systems suffer significant efficiency losses in indoor settings, where ambient light conditions are considerably smaller in intensity and possess greater components of non-normal incidence. Yet, indoor light-driven, stand-alone devices can offer sustainable advances in next-generation technologies such as the Internet of Things. Here, we present a non-invasive solution to aid in photovoltaic indoor light collection—radially distributed waveguide-encoded lattice (RDWEL) slim films (thickness 1.5 mm). Embedded with a monotonical radial array of cylindrical waveguides (±20°), the RDWEL demonstrates seamless light collection (FoV (fields of view) = 74.5°) and imparts enhancements in J_SC (short circuit current density) of 44% and 14% for indoor and outdoor lighting conditions, respectively, when coupled to a photovoltaic device and compared to an unstructured but otherwise identical slim film coating.

Strategies for achieving high-energy-density lithium-ion batteries include using high-capacity materials such as high-nickel NCM, increasing the active material content in the electrode by utilizing high-conductivity carbon nanotubes (CNT) conductive materials, and electrode thickening. However, these methods are still limited due to the limitation in the capacity of high-nickel NCM, aggregation of CNT conductive materials, and nonuniform material distribution of thick-film electrodes, which ultimately damage the mechanical and electrical integrity of the electrode, leading to a decrease in electrochemical performance. Here, we present an integrated binder-CNT composite dispersion solution to realize a high-solids-content (> 77 wt%) slurry for high-mass-loading electrodes and to mitigate the migration of binder and conductive additives. Indeed, the approach reduces solvent usage by approximately 30% and ensures uniform conductive additive-binder domain distribution during electrode manufacturing, resulting in improved coating quality and adhesive strength for high-mass-loading electrodes (> 12 mAh cm⁻²). In terms of various electrode properties, the presented electrode showed low resistance and excellent electrochemical properties despite the low CNT contents of 0.6 wt% compared to the pristine-applied electrode with 0.85 wt% CNT contents. Moreover, our strategy enables faster drying, which increases the coating speed, thereby offering potential energy savings and supporting carbon neutrality in wet-based electrode manufacturing processes.

Flash Joule heating (FJH), as a high-efficiency and low-energy consumption technology for advanced materials synthesis, has shown significant potential in the synthesis of graphene and other functional carbon materials. Based on the Joule effect, the solid carbon sources can be rapidly heated to ultra-high temperatures (> 3000 K) through instantaneous high-energy current pulses during FJH, thus driving the rapid rearrangement and graphitization of carbon atoms. This technology demonstrates numerous advantages, such as solvent- and catalyst-free features, high energy conversion efficiency, and a short process cycle. In this review, we have systematically summarized the technology principle and equipment design for FJH, as well as its raw materials selection and pretreatment strategies. The research progress in the FJH synthesis of flash graphene, carbon nanotubes, graphene fibers, and anode hard carbon, as well as its by-products, is also presented. FJH can precisely optimize the microstructures of carbon materials (e.g., interlayer spacing of turbostratic graphene, defect concentration, and heteroatom doping) by regulating its operation parameters like flash voltage and flash time, thereby enhancing their performances in various applications, such as composite reinforcement, metal-ion battery electrodes, supercapacitors, and electrocatalysts. However, this technology is still challenged by low process yield, macroscopic material uniformity, and green power supply system construction. More research efforts are also required to promote the transition of FJH from laboratory to industrial-scale applications, thus providing innovative solutions for advanced carbon materials manufacturing and waste management toward carbon neutrality.

Economical, stable, and corrosion-resistant catalytic electrodes are still urgently needed for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in water and seawater. Herein, a mild electroless plating strategy is used to achieve large-scale preparation of the “integrated” phosphorus-based precatalyst (FeP–NiP) on nickel foam (NF), which is in situ reconstructed into a highly active and corrosion-resistant (Fe)NiOOH phase for OER. The interaction between phosphate anions (PO_x^y−) and iron ions (Fe³⁺) tunes the electronic structure of the catalytic phase to further enhance OER kinetics. The integrated FeP–NiP@NF electrode exhibits low overpotentials for OER in alkaline water/seawater, requiring only 275/289, 320/336, and 349/358 mV to reach 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 A cm⁻², respectively. The in situ reconstructed PO_x^y− anion electrostatically repels Cl⁻ in seawater electrolytes, allowing stable operation for over 7 days at 1.0 A cm⁻² in extreme electrolytes (1.0 M KOH + seawater and 6.0 M KOH + seawater), demonstrating industrial-level stability. This study overcomes the complex synthesis limitations of P-based materials through innovative material design, opening new avenues for electrochemical energy conversion.

Controllable synthesis of ultrathin metallene nanosheets and rational design of their spatial arrangement in favor of electrochemical catalysis are critical for their renewable energy applications. Here, a biomimetic design of “Trunk-Branch-Leaf” strategy is proposed to prepare the ultrathin edge-riched Zn-ene “leaves” with a thickness of ~2.5 nm, adjacent Zn-ene cross-linked with each other, which are supported by copper nanoneedle “branches” on copper mesh “trunks,” named as Zn-ene/Cu-CM. The resulting superstructure enables the formation of an interconnected network and multiple channels, which can be used as an electrocatalytic CO₂ reduction reaction (CO₂RR) electrode to allow a fast charge and mass transfer as well as a large electrolyte reservoir. By virtue of the distinctive structure, the obtained Zn-ene/Cu-CM electrode exhibits excellent selectivity and activity toward CO production with a maximum Faradaic efficiency of 91.3% and incredible partial current density up to 40 mA cm⁻², outperforming most of the state-of-the-art Zn-based electrodes for CO₂ reduction. The phenolphthalein color probe combined with in situ attenuated total reflection-infrared spectroscopy uncovered the formation of the localized pseudo-alkaline microenvironment at the interface of the Zn-ene/Cu-CM electrode. Theoretical calculations confirmed that the localized pH as the origin is responsible for the adsorption of CO₂ at the interface and the generation of *COOH and *CO intermediates. This study offers valuable insights into developing efficient electrodes through synergistic regulation of reaction microenvironments and active sites, thereby facilitating the electrolysis of practical CO₂ conversion.

Graphite, encompassing both natural graphite and synthetic graphite, and graphene, have been extensively utilized and investigated as anode materials and additives in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). In the pursuit of carbon neutrality, LIBs are expected to play a pivotal role in reducing CO₂ emissions by decreasing reliance on fossil fuels and enabling the integration of renewable energy sources. Owing to their technological maturity and exceptional electrochemical performance, the global production of graphite and graphene for LIBs is projected to continue expanding. Over the past decades, numerous researchers have concentrated on reducing the material and energy input whilst optimising the electrochemical performance of graphite and graphene, through novel synthesis methods and various modifications at the laboratory scale. This review provides a comprehensive examination of the manufacturing methods, environmental impact, research progress, and challenges associated with graphite and graphene in LIBs from an industrial perspective, with a particular focus on the carbon footprint of production processes. Additionally, it considers emerging challenges and future development directions of graphite and graphene, offering significant insights for ongoing and future research in the field of green LIBs.