Energy advances最新文献

Catalyst deactivation remains a fundamental challenge in heterogeneous catalysis, compromising performance, efficiency, and sustainability across numerous industrial processes. This review critically examines the principal deactivation pathways including coking, poisoning, thermal degradation, and mechanical damage and evaluates the breadth of regeneration strategies developed to restore catalytic activity. Traditional methods such as oxidation, gasification, and hydrogenation are assessed alongside emerging approaches like supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), microwave-assisted regeneration (MAR), plasma-assisted regeneration (PAR) and atomic layer deposition (ALD) techniques. The environmental implications and operational trade-offs associated with each regeneration method were evaluated. By integrating recent scientific advancements with bibliometric analysis, this study identifies prevailing research trends and exposes key knowledge gaps in catalyst regeneration. Unlike prior reviews, this work offers a holistic perspective that spans multiple deactivation mechanisms and regeneration routes. Insights into process optimization and environmental impact reduction are presented to guide future innovation in sustainable catalytic system design. By contrasting current progress with unexplored potential, this study provides a basis for promoting innovation and management of sustainable catalysts. It serves as a strategic roadmap for enhancing catalyst longevity and performance in next-generation industrial applications.

Continuous production of good quality low-cobalt Ni-rich cathode is needed as it can offer high capacity suitable for electric vehicles. However, the low-cobalt NCM-based materials suffer from a high cation mixing and poor rate capability. Also, proper optimization of co-precipitation reaction parameters as well as the manufacturing platform are needed to obtain NCM-precursor particles with uniform particle size and morphology. In order to address all the issues, in this work, a slug-flow-based manufacturing platform is utilized for the continuous production of Fe³⁺ substituted Ni_0.85Co_(0.1−x)Mn_0.05Fe_xC₂O₄ (where x = 0, 0.02, 0.04) precursors. The slug-flow manufacturing produces precursor particles with high yield and uniformity. The effect of reactants concentration on the product yield and composition is analyzed through mathematical modelling. Finally, the electrochemical performance of the Ni-rich cathodes with various amounts of Co and Fe content is analyzed through rate capability, cycling stability, and impedance analysis. This work provides key insight into: (i) reactor design for continuous production; (ii) mathematical modelling of the precipitation reaction parameter; and (iii) a detail study of the effect of Co-substitution with Fe³⁺ in Ni-rich NCM on its physical properties as well as electrochemical performance. We find that an intermediate Fe content provides optimum cathode with desired properties.

The identification of novel two-dimensional materials is often highly valued because of their extraordinary characteristics and prospective uses. This study presents a new bismuth selenide (Bi₂Se₃) monolayer based on density functional theory (DFT). Its bandgap, state density, and mobilities are determined and examined. This study investigates hydrogen storage in Bi₂Se₃ adorned with alkali metal (Li/Na and K) atoms. The optimal adsorption site for alkali metal (AM) atoms on the Bi₂Se₃ monolayer is located above an Se atom. The AM atoms are physically adsorbed on Bi₂Se₃, and the electronic charge shifts from these to the Bi₂Se₃ monolayer. In all scenarios examined, hydrogen molecules are physically adsorbed onto AM–Bi₂Se₃ complexes, suggesting that these systems could be employed for hydrogen storage. The K–Bi₂Se₃ monolayer shows the highest hydrogen storage capacity, with one potassium atom adsorbing up to 19 hydrogen molecules, while both Na–Bi₂Se₃ and Li–Bi₂Se₃ could adsorb 18 hydrogen molecules. It is estimated that the hydrogen-storage gravimetric capacities of AM–Bi₂Se₃ are within the US-DOE criteria, where the adatom coverage reaches about 6.71 wt% for K, 6.52 wt% for Na, and 6.66 wt% for Li.

Recently, rechargeable aqueous aluminum ion batteries (RAAIBs) have been a promising candidate as the next-generation secondary battery in the rechargeable battery industry owing to its enhanced theoretical specific energy, low cost, and environmental friendliness. The manufacturing cost and price of battery components are very low because they can be prepared in ambient atmosphere and have a simple manufacturing process, which is advantageous compared to other battery types. Furthermore, the raw materials that comprise the battery's components are easily available and not expensive. However, currently its inferior cycle stability precludes real industrial application. In this article, the current progress in development of RAAIBs is briefly summarized based on the type of aluminum salt, including aluminum fluoride, chloride, sulfide, nitride, and others. Additionally, research areas necessary for improving the electrochemical performance of RAAIB will be discussed.

With rising demand for lithium-ion batteries, efficient recycling is crucial. While conventional methods face cost and environmental challenges, electrochemical recovery offers a sustainable and energy-efficient alternative. In this study, we investigate the electrochemical recovery of lithium-ions from spent lithium iron phosphate batteries using carbon-coated lithium iron phosphate electrodes, with a focus on the influence of pH adjustment and competing ion effects. Our results demonstrate that NaOH-adjusted electrolytes provide the highest lithium-ion recovery efficiency, with an average removal capacity of 18 mg_Li g_LFP⁻¹ over 50 cycles. However, prolonged cycling leads to capacity fading, particularly in the presence of competing cations such as Na⁺ and K⁺, which impact lithium selectivity and electrode stability. These findings underscore the importance of optimizing electrolyte conditions and electrode materials to enhance long-term performance. Future research should explore alternative pH control strategies and scalable process designs to facilitate industrial implementation. Advancing electrochemical lithium-ion recovery aligns with broader sustainability goals, offering a viable route toward circular battery recycling and reduced environmental impact.

High-entropy spinel oxide (Cu_0.2Co_0.2Fe_0.2Mn_0.2Ni_0.2)₃O₄ nanoparticles were synthesized and confined in Vulcan carbon for use as a bifunctional OER/ORR catalyst in a rechargeable zinc–air battery (RZAB). A partially inverted spinel phase with a distorted O²⁻ lattice was found, with metals randomly distributed in M²⁺ and M³⁺ states. Copper was the exception, being found only as Cu²⁺. Strong metal oxide–support interactions were noted, as well as ferromagnetism. The composite exhibited moderate intrinsic catalytic activity, with overpotentials and current densities comparable to those of commercial platinum on carbon catalysts even at low loadings: an example being E_j=10 of 1.53 V. Magnetic enhancement was noted and associated with the final OER and initial ORR electron transfers. The performance of the test RZAB was greatly improved when an external magnetic field was applied, with peak power increasing from 101 to 169 mW cm⁻². We report the most significant magnetic enhancement in the RZAB power profile in the literature to date, as well as improved RZAB stability and areal energy, achieving 43.2 mWh cm⁻² for over 140 h during 36 h charge–discharge cycles. This work offers insights into the mechanism of magnetic enhancement in the case of high-entropy materials, and illustrates the use of combined strategies to achieve stable, cost-efficient, and effective bifunctional OER/ORR electrocatalysis.

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) are an attractive storage solution for renewable energy storage system (ESS) applications. Despite the intrinsic safety, eco-friendliness, and low cost of aqueous ZIBs, their practical application is severely hindered by the unavailability of high-capacity and robust cathode materials. Vanadium-based cathodes with various structures, large layer spacing, and different oxidation states are considered to be suitable cathode candidates for ZIBs. In this work, we studied 2D layered VSe₂ with high pseudocapacitive-mediated Zn-ion storage as a cathode for aqueous zinc-ion batteries. The VSe₂ cathode reversibly hosted zinc ions with a capacity of 205 mAh g⁻¹ at 0.2 A g⁻¹, maintaining a capacity of 135 mAh g⁻¹ at 8 A g⁻¹ and a stability of 98% after 600 cycles at 1 A g⁻¹, favoured by its 2D layered structure with defects and metallic conducting nature. The Zn-ion storage mechanism and kinetics in the cathode are examined using ex situ XRD, XPS, TEM, and GITT studies, and it is found that the favourable interlayer spacing with structural defects efficiently stored Zn-ions through a high contribution from capacitive-mediated storage. The favourable architecture enables fast Zn-ion diffusion and high capacity at a high current rate with good stability. The current work emphasizes the potential for the rational design of several transition-metal–dichalcogenide-based cathodes with strong pseudocapacitive storage for sustainable energy storage systems such as aqueous ZIBs.

Hybrid electrolytes are comprised of a salt-containing polymer and an ion-conducting ceramic. The general appeal of these electrolytes is that they combine the desirable properties of each component. Namely, the flexibility, processability and interface compatibility of the polymer and the mechanical strength and high ionic conductivity of the ceramic. In this work, hybrid electrolytes comprised of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and Li_1.5Al_0.5Ge_1.5(PO₄)₃ (LAGP) were prepared using two different methods: solvent casting in acetonitrile and melt processing using a micro compounder. The presence of added solvents has been shown to impact the properties and stability of polymer electrolytes, but the effect of residual solvents on hybrid electrolytes has not been extensively investigated. Hybrid electrolytes prepared by solvent-free melt processing were compared to those prepared by solution casting, with and without vacuum drying, to determine the impact of solvent exposure on the properties of the electrolyte. Preparation via melt processing improved the dispersion of the ceramic phase in the polymer matrix which resulted in lower tortuosity and higher ionic conductivity. The absence of acetonitrile and low water content in the melt-processed sample improved stability during long-term cycling in Li–Li symmetric cells.

Zinc metal batteries suffer from dendrite formation, hydrogen evolution, and interfacial instability. While water-in-salt electrolytes (WiSEs) suppress side reactions and hydrogels enhance interfacial stability, WiSE systems are costly and viscous, and conventional hydrogels contain excess water, promoting hydrogen evolution. To overcome these limitations, we developed a polyethylene glycol-based water-in-salt hydrogel (WiSH) electrolyte, incorporating tunable concentrations of zinc triflate (Zn(OTf)₂) from 1 to 4 mol kg⁻¹. The optimized 4 mol kg⁻¹ formulation enabled dendrite free and corrosion-free zinc plating/stripping in symmetric Zn‖Zn cells for over 2000 hours at 1 mA cm⁻² (1 mAh cm⁻² area capacity), demonstrating exceptional long-term stability. The WiSH electrolyte exhibited improved mechanical strength and toughness with increasing salt concentration, attributed to stronger ionic crosslinking within the hydrogel matrix. Rheological and spectroscopic analyses confirmed the formation of a robust, densely crosslinked polymer network critical for stable and uniform Zn electrodeposition. Furthermore, a Zn–lignin full cell using the WiSH electrolyte achieved an energy density of 25 Wh kg⁻¹ and 506 W kg⁻¹ of specific power, highlighting its potential for energy storage systems. These results establish WiSH as a promising electrolyte platform for next-generation zinc batteries.

The movement of water in zero-gap CO₂ electrolysis cells from the anode side to the cathode side may potentially hamper CO₂ transport to the reduction catalyst, ultimately resulting in reduced CO production. To help prevent this, it is desirable to understand where and how water accumulates. Dynamic water transport in zero-gap CO₂ electrolysis cells was visualized by both visible light and X-ray operando imaging. The water breakthrough to the cathode gas channel was visualized by visible light camera observation, while the water seepage through the membrane-electrode assembly was visualized by X-ray radiography. Each frame from the X-ray radiography video was converted to a spatial map of the liquid saturation, and the consecutive frames were used to calculate the liquid flux from the anode to the cathode. This quantitative analysis provides insight into the locations of water accumulation, which tended to occur under the ribs. The flux data showed that, when the water accumulated in the cathode to a certain extent, breakthrough to the cathode flow channel became significant, and water migration from the cathode parts under the ribs to that facing the flow channel also proceeded.