The electrochemistry of cathode materials for sodium-ion batteries differs significantly from lithium-ion batteries and offers distinct advantages. Overall, the progress of commercializing sodium-ion batteries is currently impeded by the inherent inefficiencies exhibited by these cathode materials, which include insufficient conductivity, slow kinetics, and substantial volume changes throughout the process of intercalation and deintercalation cycles. Consequently, numerous methodologies have been utilized to tackle these challenges, encompassing structural modulation, surface modification, and elemental doping. This paper aims to highlight fundamental principles and strategies for the development of sodium transition metal oxide cathodes. Specifically, it emphasizes the role of various elemental doping techniques in initiating anionic redox reactions, improving cathode stability, and enhancing the operational voltage of these cathodes, aiming to provide readers with novel perspectives on the design of sodium metal oxide cathodes through the doping approach, as well as address the current obstacles that can be overcome/alleviated through these dopant strategies.
{"title":"Advances in doping strategies for sodium transition metal oxides cathodes: A review","authors":"Zhijing Zhang, Haoze Zhang, Yaopeng Wu, Wei Yan, Jiujun Zhang, Yun Zheng, Lanting Qian","doi":"10.1007/s11708-024-0918-8","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11708-024-0918-8","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The electrochemistry of cathode materials for sodium-ion batteries differs significantly from lithium-ion batteries and offers distinct advantages. Overall, the progress of commercializing sodium-ion batteries is currently impeded by the inherent inefficiencies exhibited by these cathode materials, which include insufficient conductivity, slow kinetics, and substantial volume changes throughout the process of intercalation and deintercalation cycles. Consequently, numerous methodologies have been utilized to tackle these challenges, encompassing structural modulation, surface modification, and elemental doping. This paper aims to highlight fundamental principles and strategies for the development of sodium transition metal oxide cathodes. Specifically, it emphasizes the role of various elemental doping techniques in initiating anionic redox reactions, improving cathode stability, and enhancing the operational voltage of these cathodes, aiming to provide readers with novel perspectives on the design of sodium metal oxide cathodes through the doping approach, as well as address the current obstacles that can be overcome/alleviated through these dopant strategies.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":570,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Energy","volume":"18 2","pages":"141 - 159"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-02-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140020056","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-02-25DOI: 10.1007/s11708-024-0929-5
Shun Chen, Yanru Liu, Xiaogang Fu, Wanglei Wang
Exploring advanced platinum (Pt)-based electrocatalysts is vital for the widespread implementation of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). Morphology control represents an effective strategy to optimize the behavior of Pt catalysts. In this work, an attempt is made to comprehensively review the effect of morphology control on the catalytic behavior of catalysts in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). First, the fundamental physicochemical changes behind morphology control, including exposing more active sites, generating appropriate lattice strains, and forming different crystalline surfaces, are highlighted. Then, recently developed strategies for tuning the morphologies of electrocatalysts, including core-shell structures, hollow structures, nanocages, nanowires, and nanosheets, are comprehensively summarized. Finally, an outlook on the future development of morphology control of Pt catalysts is presented, including rational design strategies, advanced in situ characterization techniques, novel artificial intelligence, and mechanical learning. This work is intended to provide valuable insights into designing the morphology and technological innovation of efficient redox electrocatalysts in fuel cells.
{"title":"Recent advances in morphology control of platinum catalysts toward oxygen reduction reaction","authors":"Shun Chen, Yanru Liu, Xiaogang Fu, Wanglei Wang","doi":"10.1007/s11708-024-0929-5","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11708-024-0929-5","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Exploring advanced platinum (Pt)-based electrocatalysts is vital for the widespread implementation of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). Morphology control represents an effective strategy to optimize the behavior of Pt catalysts. In this work, an attempt is made to comprehensively review the effect of morphology control on the catalytic behavior of catalysts in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). First, the fundamental physicochemical changes behind morphology control, including exposing more active sites, generating appropriate lattice strains, and forming different crystalline surfaces, are highlighted. Then, recently developed strategies for tuning the morphologies of electrocatalysts, including core-shell structures, hollow structures, nanocages, nanowires, and nanosheets, are comprehensively summarized. Finally, an outlook on the future development of morphology control of Pt catalysts is presented, including rational design strategies, advanced <i>in situ</i> characterization techniques, novel artificial intelligence, and mechanical learning. This work is intended to provide valuable insights into designing the morphology and technological innovation of efficient redox electrocatalysts in fuel cells.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":570,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Energy","volume":"18 3","pages":"330 - 355"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-02-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140010009","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-02-22DOI: 10.1007/s11708-024-0932-x
Zeyu Wang, Yanru Liu, Shun Chen, Yun Zheng, Xiaogang Fu, Yan Zhang, Wanglei Wang
Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are playing irreplaceable roles in the construction of the future sustainable energy system. However, the insufficient performance of platinum (Pt)-based electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) hinders the overall efficiency of PEMFCs. Engineering the surface strain of catalysts is considered an effective way to tune their electronic structures and therefore optimize catalytic behavior. In this paper, insights into strain engineering for improving Pt-based catalysts toward ORR are elaborated in detail. First, recent advances in understanding the strain effects on ORR catalysts are comprehensively discussed. Then, strain engineering methodologies for adjusting Pt-based catalysts are comprehensively discussed. Finally, further information on the various challenges and potential prospects for strain modulation of Pt-based catalysts is provided.
{"title":"Strain engineering of Pt-based electrocatalysts for oxygen reaction reduction","authors":"Zeyu Wang, Yanru Liu, Shun Chen, Yun Zheng, Xiaogang Fu, Yan Zhang, Wanglei Wang","doi":"10.1007/s11708-024-0932-x","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11708-024-0932-x","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are playing irreplaceable roles in the construction of the future sustainable energy system. However, the insufficient performance of platinum (Pt)-based electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) hinders the overall efficiency of PEMFCs. Engineering the surface strain of catalysts is considered an effective way to tune their electronic structures and therefore optimize catalytic behavior. In this paper, insights into strain engineering for improving Pt-based catalysts toward ORR are elaborated in detail. First, recent advances in understanding the strain effects on ORR catalysts are comprehensively discussed. Then, strain engineering methodologies for adjusting Pt-based catalysts are comprehensively discussed. Finally, further information on the various challenges and potential prospects for strain modulation of Pt-based catalysts is provided.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":570,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Energy","volume":"18 2","pages":"241 - 262"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-02-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140010005","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-02-10DOI: 10.1007/s11708-024-0934-8
Research Institute of Carbon Neutrality of Shanghai Jiao Tong University
{"title":"Top 10 Influential Events in carbon neutrality and climate change response for 2023","authors":"Research Institute of Carbon Neutrality of Shanghai Jiao Tong University","doi":"10.1007/s11708-024-0934-8","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11708-024-0934-8","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":570,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Energy","volume":"18 1","pages":"1 - 3"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-02-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140459427","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-02-10DOI: 10.1007/s11708-024-0937-5
Wenzhong Shen, Yixin Zhao, Feng Liu
{"title":"Highlights of mainstream solar cell efficiencies in 2023","authors":"Wenzhong Shen, Yixin Zhao, Feng Liu","doi":"10.1007/s11708-024-0937-5","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11708-024-0937-5","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":570,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Energy","volume":"18 1","pages":"8 - 15"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-02-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139847266","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
With the development of renewable energy technologies, the recovery and utilization of low-grade energy based on hydroelectric effect have drawn much attention owing to its environmental friendliness. Herein, a novel hydroelectric generator utilizing sodium alginate-graphene oxide (SA-GO) fibers is proposed, which is ecofriendly and low-cost. These fibers with a length of 5 cm and a diameter of 0.15 mm can generate an open circuit voltage (Voc) of approximately 0.25 V and a short circuit current (Isc) of 4 µA. By connecting SA-GO fibers in either series or parallel, this combination can power some electronic devices. Furthermore, these fibers enable the recovery of low-grade energy from the atmosphere or around the human body. Both experimental and theoretical analysis confirm that the directional flow of protons driven by water molecules is the main mechanism for power generation of SA-GO fibers. This study not only presents a simple energy transformation method that is expected to be applied to our daily life, but also provides a novel idea for the design of humidity electricity-generation devices.
{"title":"A fibrous hydroelectric generator derived from eco-friendly sodium alginate for low-grade energy harvesting","authors":"Feng Gong, Jiaming Song, Haotian Chen, Hao Li, Runnan Huang, Yuhang Jing, Peng Yang, Junjie Feng, Rui Xiao","doi":"10.1007/s11708-024-0930-z","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11708-024-0930-z","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>With the development of renewable energy technologies, the recovery and utilization of low-grade energy based on hydroelectric effect have drawn much attention owing to its environmental friendliness. Herein, a novel hydroelectric generator utilizing sodium alginate-graphene oxide (SA-GO) fibers is proposed, which is ecofriendly and low-cost. These fibers with a length of 5 cm and a diameter of 0.15 mm can generate an open circuit voltage (<i>V</i><sub>oc</sub>) of approximately 0.25 V and a short circuit current (<i>I</i><sub>sc</sub>) of 4 µA. By connecting SA-GO fibers in either series or parallel, this combination can power some electronic devices. Furthermore, these fibers enable the recovery of low-grade energy from the atmosphere or around the human body. Both experimental and theoretical analysis confirm that the directional flow of protons driven by water molecules is the main mechanism for power generation of SA-GO fibers. This study not only presents a simple energy transformation method that is expected to be applied to our daily life, but also provides a novel idea for the design of humidity electricity-generation devices.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":570,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Energy","volume":"18 4","pages":"474 - 482"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-02-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139760137","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-02-01DOI: 10.1007/s11708-024-0933-9
Ruiqin Liu, Liang Yin, Lingxiao Fu
{"title":"Engineering Fronts 2023 announced engineering fronts in fields of Energy and Electrical Science and Technology","authors":"Ruiqin Liu, Liang Yin, Lingxiao Fu","doi":"10.1007/s11708-024-0933-9","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11708-024-0933-9","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":570,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Energy","volume":"18 1","pages":"4 - 7"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140468457","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-01-30DOI: 10.1007/s11708-024-0925-9
Guangxun Chen, Jian-hua Zhang, Kai-Ling Zhou, Yang Yang, Haoxiang Ma, Yuhong Jin, Jingbin Liu, Hao Wang
Using the electrochemical technology to split water molecules to produce hydrogen is the key to obtain green hydrogen for solving the energy crisis. The large-scale application of hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in water dissociation requires a highly active catalyst. In this paper, the highly dispersed PtCo bimetallic nanoparticles loading on MXene (PtCo/MXene) were prepared by using a step-to-step reduction strategy. The mentioned PtCo/MXene catalyst exhibits a high current density of −100 mA/cm2 in an acidic medium with just a 152 mV overpotential. In addition, the PtCo/MXene catalyst also displays a superior stability. Computational analysis and experimental testing demonstrate that the electronic interaction between Pt and Co can effectively modify the electronic structure of the active site, thereby enhancing the inherent catalytic performance of the material. More importantly, MXene two-dimensional nanosheets can expose more active sites because of their large specific surface area. Furthermore, MXene substrate with excellent electrical conductivity and harmonious interfaces between PtCo and MXene enhance charge transfer efficiency and lower the reaction activation energy.
{"title":"MXene supported PtCo bimetallic catalyst for hydrogen evolution in acidic conditions","authors":"Guangxun Chen, Jian-hua Zhang, Kai-Ling Zhou, Yang Yang, Haoxiang Ma, Yuhong Jin, Jingbin Liu, Hao Wang","doi":"10.1007/s11708-024-0925-9","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11708-024-0925-9","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Using the electrochemical technology to split water molecules to produce hydrogen is the key to obtain green hydrogen for solving the energy crisis. The large-scale application of hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in water dissociation requires a highly active catalyst. In this paper, the highly dispersed PtCo bimetallic nanoparticles loading on MXene (PtCo/MXene) were prepared by using a step-to-step reduction strategy. The mentioned PtCo/MXene catalyst exhibits a high current density of −100 mA/cm<sup>2</sup> in an acidic medium with just a 152 mV overpotential. In addition, the PtCo/MXene catalyst also displays a superior stability. Computational analysis and experimental testing demonstrate that the electronic interaction between Pt and Co can effectively modify the electronic structure of the active site, thereby enhancing the inherent catalytic performance of the material. More importantly, MXene two-dimensional nanosheets can expose more active sites because of their large specific surface area. Furthermore, MXene substrate with excellent electrical conductivity and harmonious interfaces between PtCo and MXene enhance charge transfer efficiency and lower the reaction activation energy.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":570,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Energy","volume":"18 3","pages":"369 - 377"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-01-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139760108","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-01-20DOI: 10.1007/s11708-024-0916-x
Meng Fang, Yuqin Peng, Puwei Wu, Huan Wang, Lixin Xing, Ning Wang, Chunmei Tang, Ling Meng, Yuekuan Zhou, Lei Du, Siyu Ye
The development of renewable and affordable energy is crucial for building a sustainable society. In this context, establishing a sustainable infrastructure for renewable energy requires the integration of energy storage, specifically use of renewable hydrogen. The hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) of electrochemical water splitting is a promising method for producing green hydrogen. Recently, two-dimensional nanomaterials have shown great promise in promoting the HER in terms of both fundamental research and practical applications due to their high specific surface areas and tunable electronic properties. Among them, molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), a non-noble metal catalyst, has emerged as a promising alternative to replace expensive platinum-based catalysts for the HER because MoS2 has a high inherent activity, low cost, and abundant reserves. At present, greatly improved activity and stability are urgently needed for MoS2 to enable wide deployment of water electrolysis devices. In this regard, efficient strategies for precisely modifying MoS2 are of interest. Herein, the progress made with MoS2 as an HER catalyst is reviewed, with a focus on modification strategies, including phase engineering, morphology design, defect engineering, heteroatom doping, and heterostructure construction. It is believed that these strategies will be helpful in designing and developing high-performance and low-cost MoS2-based catalysts by lowering the charge transfer barrier, increasing the active site density, and optimizing the surface hydrophilicity. In addition, the challenges of MoS2 electrocatalysts and perspectives for future research and development of these catalysts are discussed.
发展可再生能源和负担得起的能源对于建设可持续发展的社会至关重要。在这种情况下,要建立可持续的可再生能源基础设施,就必须整合能源储存,特别是使用可再生氢。电化学水分裂的氢进化反应(HER)是一种很有前景的生产绿色氢气的方法。最近,二维纳米材料因其高比表面积和可调电子特性,在基础研究和实际应用方面都显示出促进氢进化反应的巨大前景。其中,二硫化钼(MoS2)作为一种非贵金属催化剂,因其固有的高活性、低成本和丰富的储量,已成为替代昂贵的铂基催化剂用于 HER 的有前途的替代品。目前,亟需大幅提高 MoS2 的活性和稳定性,以便广泛应用于水电解装置。为此,精确改性 MoS2 的高效策略备受关注。本文回顾了将 MoS2 用作 HER 催化剂所取得的进展,重点介绍了相工程、形态设计、缺陷工程、杂原子掺杂和异质结构构建等改性策略。通过降低电荷转移障碍、增加活性位点密度和优化表面亲水性,相信这些策略将有助于设计和开发高性能、低成本的基于 MoS2 的催化剂。此外,还讨论了 MoS2 电催化剂面临的挑战以及未来研究和开发这些催化剂的前景。
{"title":"Advanced 2D molybdenum disulfide for green hydrogen production: Recent progress and future perspectives","authors":"Meng Fang, Yuqin Peng, Puwei Wu, Huan Wang, Lixin Xing, Ning Wang, Chunmei Tang, Ling Meng, Yuekuan Zhou, Lei Du, Siyu Ye","doi":"10.1007/s11708-024-0916-x","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11708-024-0916-x","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The development of renewable and affordable energy is crucial for building a sustainable society. In this context, establishing a sustainable infrastructure for renewable energy requires the integration of energy storage, specifically use of renewable hydrogen. The hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) of electrochemical water splitting is a promising method for producing green hydrogen. Recently, two-dimensional nanomaterials have shown great promise in promoting the HER in terms of both fundamental research and practical applications due to their high specific surface areas and tunable electronic properties. Among them, molybdenum disulfide (MoS<sub>2</sub>), a non-noble metal catalyst, has emerged as a promising alternative to replace expensive platinum-based catalysts for the HER because MoS<sub>2</sub> has a high inherent activity, low cost, and abundant reserves. At present, greatly improved activity and stability are urgently needed for MoS<sub>2</sub> to enable wide deployment of water electrolysis devices. In this regard, efficient strategies for precisely modifying MoS<sub>2</sub> are of interest. Herein, the progress made with MoS<sub>2</sub> as an HER catalyst is reviewed, with a focus on modification strategies, including phase engineering, morphology design, defect engineering, heteroatom doping, and heterostructure construction. It is believed that these strategies will be helpful in designing and developing high-performance and low-cost MoS<sub>2</sub>-based catalysts by lowering the charge transfer barrier, increasing the active site density, and optimizing the surface hydrophilicity. In addition, the challenges of MoS<sub>2</sub> electrocatalysts and perspectives for future research and development of these catalysts are discussed.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":570,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Energy","volume":"18 3","pages":"308 - 329"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-01-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139759957","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}