Carbon Energy最新文献

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.

Strategic fluorination of solvent, a prominent strategy to enhance the electrolyte oxidation resistance and engineer a robust cathode–electrolyte interface, is crucial for realizing high-voltage lithium-ion batteries. Actually, the adaptability of fluorinated solvents to high voltages is critically determined by the degree of fluorination and the fluorination site, yet lacks systematic design principles. Herein, we introduce a solvent screening descriptor based on ionization energy and Fukui function to assess molecular and site-specific reactivity. Computational and experimental results demonstrate that an optimal solvent with low ground-state energies and reactive sites is required as an ideal candidate for high-voltage electrolytes. Among derivatives from anisole, (trifluoromethoxy)benzene is identified as a superior candidate, enabling the formulation of a low reactivity solution (LPT) as electrolyte. Remarkably, the prepared Li‖LCO cell using LPT electrolyte maintained a high-capacity retention of 78.8% after 600 cycles at 4.5 V. In addition, the formation of an inorganic-rich interphase from LPT electrolyte effectively suppresses structural degradation to ensure a fast dynamic behavior. The utilization of LPT electrolyte also greatly reduces the amount of heat released and the production of O₂ gas, which is favorable for addressing thermal runaway hazards. This screening strategy offers a practical approach for the design of flame-retardant high-voltage electrolytes.

Carbon-based air cathodes offer low cost, high electrical conductivity, and structural tunability. However, they suffer from limited catalytic activity and inefficient gas transport, and they typically rely on noble metal additives or complex multilayer configurations. To tackle these issues, this study devised a self-activated integrated carbon-based air cathode. By integrating in situ catalytic site construction with structural optimization, the strategy not only induces the formation of oxygen functional groups (─C─OH, ─C═O, ─COOH), hierarchical pores, and uniformly distributed active sites, but also establishes a favorable electronic and mass-transport environment. Furthermore, the roll-pressing-based integrated design streamlines electrode construction, reinforces interfacial bonding, and significantly enhances mechanical stability. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations show that oxygen functional groups initiate hydrogen bonding interaction and promote charge enrichment, which improves the activity of the cathode and facilitates intermediate adsorption/desorption in oxygen reduction and evolution reactions processes. As a result, the integrated air cathode-based rechargeable zinc-air batteries (RZABs) achieve a high specific capacity of 811 mAh g^–1. It also performs well in quasi-solid-state RZABs and silicon-air batteries systems across a wide temperature range, demonstrating strong adaptability and application potential. This study provides a scalable and cost-effective design strategy for high-performance carbon-based air cathodes, offering new insights into advancing durable and practical metal–air energy systems.

The latent heat thermal energy storage system with solid–liquid phase-change material (SLPCM-LHTES) as energy storage medium provides outstanding advantages such as system simplicity, stable temperature control, and high energy storage density, showing great potential toward addressing the energy storage problems associated with decentralized, intermittent, and unstable renewable energy sources. Notably, effective heat transfer within the SLPCM-LHTES is crucial for extending its application potential. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of the heat transfer processes in SLPCM-LHTES from a theoretical perspective is necessary. In this review, we propose a three-stage heat transfer pathway in SLPCM-LHTES, including external heating, interfacial heat transfer, and intrinsic phase transition processes. From the perspective of this three-stage pathway, the theoretical basis of heat transfer processes and typical efficiency enhancement strategies in SLPCM-LHTES are summarized. Moreover, an overview of the typical applications of SLPCM-LHTES in various fields, such as building energy efficiency, textiles and garments, and battery thermal management, is presented. Finally, the remaining challenges and possible avenues of research in this burgeoning field will also be discussed.

Rechargeable Zn/Sn-air batteries have received considerable attention as promising energy storage devices. However, the electrochemical performance of these batteries is significantly constrained by the sluggish electrocatalytic reaction kinetics at the cathode. The integration of light energy into Zn/Sn-air batteries is a promising strategy for enhancing their performance. However, the photothermal and photoelectric effects generate heat in the battery under prolonged solar irradiation, leading to air cathode instability. This paper presents the first design and synthesis of Ni₂-1,5-diamino-4,8-dihydroxyanthraquinone (Ni₂DDA), an electronically conductive π-d conjugated metal–organic framework (MOF). Ni₂DDA exhibits both photoelectric and photothermal effects, with an optical band gap of ~1.14 eV. Under illumination, Ni₂DDA achieves excellent oxygen evolution reaction performance (with an overpotential of 245 mV vs. reversible hydrogen electrode at 10 mA cm⁻²) and photothermal stability. These properties result from the synergy between the photoelectric and photothermal effects of Ni₂DDA. Upon integration into Zn/Sn-air batteries, Ni₂DDA ensures excellent cycling stability under light and exhibits remarkable performance in high-temperature environments up to 80°C. This study experimentally confirms the stable operation of photo-assisted Zn/Sn-air batteries under high-temperature conditions for the first time and provides novel insights into the application of electronically conductive MOFs in photoelectrocatalysis and photothermal catalysis.