材料导报:能源(英文)最新文献

Cobalt-rich perovskite oxides play a paramount role in catalyzing oxygen evolution reaction (OER) on account of their acceptable intrinsic activity but are still challenging due to the high costs and undesired stability. In response to the defects, herein, the Mg-incorporated perovskite cobaltite SrCo_0.6Fe_0.3Mg_0.1O_3−δ (SCFM-0.1) is proposed as a novel earth-abundant and durable OER electrocatalyst. A well-consolidated cubic-symmetry structure and more active oxygen intermediates are enabled upon Mg substitution. Hence, the optimized SCFM-0.1 perovskite oxide achieves prominent OER electrocatalytic performance, that is, a low overpotential of only 320 mV at 10 mA cm⁻², a small Tafel slope of 65 mV dec⁻¹, as well as an outstanding durability within 20 h, substantially outperforming that of the pristine SrCo_0.7Fe_0.3O_3−δ and benchmark Ba_0.5Sr_0.5Co_0.8Fe_0.2O_3−δ and IrO₂ catalysts. The strong pH-dependent behavior associated with lattice oxygen activation mechanism for SCFM-0.1 catalyst is also confirmed. This work paves a unique avenue to develop cost-effective and robust perovskite cobaltites for efficient OER electrocatalysis.

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and lithium-sulfur (Li–S) batteries are two types of energy storage systems with significance in both scientific research and commercialization. Nevertheless, the rational design of electrode materials for overcoming the bottlenecks of LIBs and Li–S batteries (such as low diffusion rates in LIBs and low sulfur utilization in Li–S batteries) remain the greatest challenge, while two-dimensional (2D) electrodes materials provide a solution because of their unique structural and electrochemical properties. In this article, from the perspective of ab-initio simulations, we review the design of 2D electrode materials for LIBs and Li–S batteries. We first propose the theoretical design principles for 2D electrodes, including stability, electronic properties, capacity, and ion diffusion descriptors. Next, classified examples of promising 2D electrodes designed by theoretical simulations are given, covering graphene, phosphorene, MXene, transition metal sulfides, and so on. Finally, common challenges and a future perspective are provided. This review paves the way for rational design of 2D electrode materials for LIBs and Li–S battery applications and may provide a guide for future experiments.

Using clean solar energy to reduce CO₂ into value-added products not only consumes the over-emitted CO₂ that causes environmental problems, but also generates fuel chemicals to alleviate energy crises. The photocatalytic CO₂ reduction reaction (PCO₂RR) relies on the semiconductor photocatalysts that suffer from high recombination rate of the photo-generated carriers, low light harvesting capability, and low stability. This review explores the recent discoveries on the novel semiconductors for PCO₂RR, focusing on the rational catalyst design strategies (such as surface engineering, band engineering, hierarchical structure construction, single-atom catalysts, and biohybrid catalysts) that promote the catalytic performance of semiconductor catalysts on PCO₂RR. The advanced characterization techniques that contribute to understanding the intrinsic properties of the photocatalysts are also discussed. Lastly, the perspectives on future challenges and possible solutions for PCO₂RR are presented.

Earth-abundant copper-tin (CuSn) electrocatalysts are potential candidates for cost-effective and sustainable production of CO from electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction (eCO₂R). However, the requirement of high-overpotential for obtaining reasonable current, low Faradaic efficiencies (FE) and low intrinsic catalytic activities require the optimisation of the CuSn nanoarchitecture for the further advancement in the field. In the current work, we have optimised Sn loading on Cu gas diffusion electrodes (GDEs) by electrochemical spontaneous precipitation. Samples with various Sn loadings were tested in a three-chamber GDE reactor to evaluate their CO₂ reduction performances. The best performance of 92% CO Faradaic efficiency at a cathodic current density of 120 mA cm⁻² was obtained from the 20 min Sn deposited Cu₂O sample operated at −1.13 V vs. RHE. The electrocatalyst had ∼13% surface coverage of Sn on Cu GDE surface, and had Sn in oxide form and copper in metallic form. The catalyst also showed stable performance and was operable for >3 h under chronoamperometric conditions. The surface of the GDE reduces from Cu₂O to Cu during eCO₂R and goes further reconstruction during the eCO₂R. This study demonstrates the potential of Cu–Sn for selective CO production at high current densities.

Electrochemical reduction of CO₂ into valuable fuels and chemicals has become a contemporary research area, where the heterogeneous catalyst plays a critical role. Metal nanoparticles supported on oxides performing as active sites of electrochemical reactions have been the focus of intensive investigation. Here, we review the CO₂ reduction with active materials prepared by exsolution. The fundamental of exsolution was summarized in terms of mechanism and models, materials, and driven forces. The advances in the exsolved materials used in high-temperature CO₂ electrolysis were catalogued into tailored interfaces, synergistic effects on alloy particles, phase transition, reversibility and electrochemical switching.

The electrochemical reduction of CO₂ (CO₂ER) into the renewable and sustainable green fuels, such as low-carbon alcohols, is one of several workable strategies. CO₂ER can be combined with renewable electricity to transform intermittent energy sources (such as wind, hydro, and solar) into a fuel that can be stored until it is ready to be used. The intrinsic characteristics of the employed catalyst have a significant and substantial effect on the efficiency of CO₂ER and the ensuing economic viability. The paradigmatic multicarbon alcohol catalysts should increase the concentration of ^∗CO in the reaction environment, stabilize the key intermediate products during the reaction, and facilitate the C–C coupling interaction. Since graphene has a large surface area and exceptional conductivity, it has been used as a support for active phases (nanoparticles or nanosheets). It is possible for graphene to enhance charge transport and accelerate CO₂ conversion through its electronic and structural coupling effects. At the interface, a synergy can be produced that improves CO₂ER by increasing ^∗CO adsorption, intermediate binding, and stability. This article focuses on recent advancements in graphene-based catalysts that promote CO₂ER to alcohols. Likewise, this paper also describes and discusses the key role graphene plays in catalyzing CO₂ER into alcohols. Finally, we hope to provide future ideas for the design of graphene-based electrocatalysts.