Article
|
Open Access
Featured
-
-
Article
| Open AccessDiscovery of colossal Seebeck effect in metallic Cu2Se
Recent research efforts have aimed at discovering thermoelectric materials with high efficiency in the middle-low temperature range, where a majority of waste heat is lost to the ambient. Here, the authors discover colossal Seebeck coefficient values in metallic copper selenide from 340 K to 400 K.
- Dogyun Byeon
- , Robert Sobota
- & Tsunehiro Takeuchi
-
Article
| Open AccessManganese based layered oxides with modulated electronic and thermodynamic properties for sodium ion batteries
Mn-based layered oxides are promising cathode materials for next generation sodium ion batteries. To address two existing issues facing the system, here the authors show that a simple zinc doping can suppress both Jahn–Teller distortion and phase separation, enabling enhanced cycling performance.
- Kai Zhang
- , Duho Kim
- & Yong-Mook Kang
-
Article
| Open AccessSpin density encodes intramolecular singlet exciton fission in pentacene dimers
Singlet exciton fission – the separation of photoexcited singlet states into two triplet states – holds promise for enhancing photocurrents in photovoltaic technologies. Krishnapriya et al. characterize how electron delocalization over the bridges in a series of pentacene dimers controls this process.
- K. C. Krishnapriya
- , Palas Roy
- & Satish Patil
-
Article
| Open AccessHighly stable and efficient all-inorganic lead-free perovskite solar cells with native-oxide passivation
Replacing the toxic lead in the state-of-the-art halide perovskite solar cells is highly desired but the device performance and stability are usually compromised. Here Chen et al. develop inorganic cesium tin and germanium mixed-cation perovskites that show high operational stability and efficiency over 7%.
- Min Chen
- , Ming-Gang Ju
- & Nitin P. Padture
-
Article
| Open AccessEffective weight control via an implanted self-powered vagus nerve stimulation device
Developing new technologies for the neuromodulation of the vagus nerve can enable therapeutic strategies for body weight control in obese patients. Here, the authors present a battery-free self-powered implantable vagus nerve stimulation system that electrically responds to stomach movement.
- Guang Yao
- , Lei Kang
- & Xudong Wang
-
Article
| Open AccessPolymer morphology and interfacial charge transfer dominate over energy-dependent scattering in organic-inorganic thermoelectrics
To realize the potential of soft hybrid (inorganic-organic) materials for thermoelectrics, the underlying transport-related physics must be understood. Here, the authors extend the Kang-Synder framework with experimental analysis to gain insight on the thermoelectric transport in hybrid materials.
- Pawan Kumar
- , Edmond W. Zaia
- & Kedar Hippalgaonkar
-
Article
| Open AccessOverall water splitting by graphdiyne-exfoliated and -sandwiched layered double-hydroxide nanosheet arrays
The need for cheap water-splitting materials in order to scale-up and commercialize solar-to-fuel technologies is urgent, but there are still few candidate materials. Here, authors integrate layered double hydroxides with graphdiyne as high-performance overall water-splitting electrocatalysts.
- Lan Hui
- , Yurui Xue
- & Yuliang Li
-
Article
| Open AccessFluorine-free water-in-ionomer electrolytes for sustainable lithium-ion batteries
The flammability and toxicity of the currently used electrolytes are the concerns that must be addressed. Here the authors show a non-fluorinated and non-toxic ionomeric aqueous gel electrolyte called water-in-ionomer that allows an enlargement of electrochemical stability window and design of environmentally friendly battery cell chemistries.
- Xin He
- , Bo Yan
- & Elie Paillard
-
Article
| Open AccessContactless steam generation and superheating under one sun illumination
Solar steam generation is limited by fouling of solar converters, and the steam temperature is usually pinned to 100 °C. Here, both limitations are overcome in a system utilizing a solar absorber and light down-converter to achieve radiative heating, which does not require physical contact between absorber and water.
- Thomas A. Cooper
- , Seyed H. Zandavi
- & Gang Chen
-
Comment
| Open AccessAligning academia and industry for unified battery performance metrics
- Zhan Lin
- , Tiefeng Liu
- & Chengdu Liang
-
Comment
| Open AccessScaling of next generation solution processed organic and perovskite solar cells
- Paul Meredith
- & Ardalan Armin
-
Comment
| Open AccessAddressing the stability issue of perovskite solar cells for commercial applications
When translating photovoltaic technology from laboratory to commercial products, low cost, high power conversion efficiency, and high stability (long lifetime) are the three key metrics to consider in addition to other factors, such as low toxicity, low energy payback time, etc. As one of the most promising photovoltaic materials with high efficiency, today organic–inorganic metal halide perovskites draw tremendous attention from fundamental research, but their practical relevance still remains unclear owing to the notorious short device operation time. In this comment, we discuss the stability issue of perovskite photovoltaics and call for standardized protocols for device characterizations that could possibly match the silicon industrial standards.
- Lei Meng
- , Jingbi You
- & Yang Yang
-
Article
| Open AccessAqueous thermogalvanic cells with a high Seebeck coefficient for low-grade heat harvest
Achieving high thermopower in liquid-state thermogalvanic cells is vital to realize a low-cost technology solution for thermal-to-electrical energy conversion. Here, the authors present aqueous thermogalvanic cells based on modified electrolyte with enhanced Seebeck coefficient and thermopower.
- Jiangjiang Duan
- , Guang Feng
- & Jun Zhou
-
Article
| Open AccessMinimizing the electrosorption of water from humid ionic liquids on electrodes
Ionic liquid electrolytes can impart increased operational voltage and energy density in supercapacitors, but water may diminish performance. Here the authors show that the hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity of ionic liquids can influence electrosorption of water and ultimately the supercapacitor performance.
- Sheng Bi
- , Runxi Wang
- & Guang Feng
-
Article
| Open AccessSolar cell designs by maximizing energy production based on machine learning clustering of spectral variations
Though multijunction solar cells can exceed silicon technology in terms of standard efficiency, the uncertainty in solar spectral changes impacts its energy production. Here, the authors use machine learning techniques to predict the optimal solar cell designs in terms of yearly averaged efficiency.
- J. M. Ripalda
- , J. Buencuerpo
- & I. García
-
Article
| Open AccessFast kinetics of multivalent intercalation chemistry enabled by solvated magnesium-ions into self-established metallic layered materials
While magnesium rechargeable batteries could combine high energy density with low cost and good safety, the extremely sluggish reaction kinetics remains to be overcome. Here, the authors show that by using solvated Mg2+ intercalation, the high charge density of bare Mg2+ may be effectively mitigated.
- Zhenyou Li
- , Xiaoke Mu
- & Maximilian Fichtner
-
Article
| Open AccessUnravelling the role of vacancies in lead halide perovskite through electrical switching of photoluminescence
Methylammonium lead triiodide perovskite based solar cells have attracted lots of attention but many physical characteristics of this material remain elusive. Here Li et al. reveal the role of defects in the carrier recombination dynamics in photoluminescence experiments and present a model to describe it.
- Cheng Li
- , Antonio Guerrero
- & Juan Bisquert
-
Article
| Open AccessSilicon as a ubiquitous contaminant in graphene derivatives with significant impact on device performance
Silicon-based contaminants are ubiquitous in natural graphite, and they are thus expected to be present in exfoliated graphene. Here, the authors show that such impurities play a non-negligible role in graphene-based devices, and use high-purity parent graphite to boost the performance of graphene sensors and supercapacitor microelectrodes.
- Rouhollah Jalili
- , Dorna Esrafilzadeh
- & Gordon G. Wallace
-
Article
| Open AccessTuning anhydrous proton conduction in single-ion polymers by crystalline ion channels
High-conductivity solid-state electrolyte materials with minimal polarization loss are difficult to synthesize. Here the authors show single-ion block copolymers with crystalline protogenic channels having a promising potential to be used as efficient proton conductors.
- Onnuri Kim
- , Kyoungwook Kim
- & Moon Jeong Park
-
Article
| Open AccessEfficient solar-driven electrocatalytic CO2 reduction in a redox-medium-assisted system
Generating high-energy fuels from sunlight, water, and CO2 using synthetic materials requires, among many things, the careful separation of reduced and oxidized products. Here, authors employ a zinc-based redox pair to spatially and temporally separate light-driven water oxidation and CO2 reduction.
- Yuhang Wang
- , Junlang Liu
- & Gengfeng Zheng
-
Article
| Open AccessPassive directional sub-ambient daytime radiative cooling
Passive daytime radiative cooling presents a promising low-cost refrigeration solution but has thus far relied on specialized nanophotonic structures. Here Bhatia et al. show a directional approach that decouples solar reflectance and infrared emission to achieve superior cooling performance.
- Bikram Bhatia
- , Arny Leroy
- & Evelyn N. Wang
-
Article
| Open AccessUnravelling the effect of charge dynamics at the plasmonic metal/semiconductor interface for CO2 photoreduction
Light-driven CO2 reduction provides a way to limit greenhouse gas concentrations, but understanding how materials accomplish this transformation is challenging. Here, authors examine the reaction over plasmonic silver-titanium dioxide using time-resolved, in situ techniques to follow the mechanism.
- Laura Collado
- , Anna Reynal
- & Víctor A. de la Peña O’Shea
-
Article
| Open AccessUnderstanding structure-activity relationships in linear polymer photocatalysts for hydrogen evolution
While inorganic semiconductors are well-studied for their solar-to-fuel energy conversion abilities, organic materials receive far less attention. Here, authors prepare linear conjugated polymers as H2 evolution photocatalysts and rationalize photocatalytic activities with fundamental properties.
- Michael Sachs
- , Reiner Sebastian Sprick
- & Andrew I. Cooper
-
Article
| Open AccessA robust zirconium amino acid metal-organic framework for proton conduction
Metal-organic frameworks are promising materials for proton exchange membrane fuel cells, but cumbersome ligand preparation and use of toxic metals or solvents hinders their application. Here, the authors report the green synthesis of a zirconium, amino acid-based MOF that displays high proton conductivity and excellent stability.
- Sujing Wang
- , Mohammad Wahiduzzaman
- & Christian Serre
-
Article
| Open AccessPhase and structure engineering of copper tin heterostructures for efficient electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction
While CO2 removal will play a crucial role in limiting climate change, it is challenging to understand the factors that control materials’ selectivity to convert CO2 to valuable products. Here, authors show copper and tin oxide interfaces to impact activities for CO2 reduction products.
- Pengtang Wang
- , Man Qiao
- & Xiaoqing Huang
-
Article
| Open AccessAtomic scale insights into structure instability and decomposition pathway of methylammonium lead iodide perovskite
Hybrid perovskites are highly promising for photovoltaic applications, but they are prone to decomposition. Here, the authors probe the stability of CH3NH3PbI3 films in a transmission electron microscope, defining the threshold conditions to avoid damage under the electron beam, and describing a decomposition pathway.
- Shulin Chen
- , Xiaowei Zhang
- & Peng Gao
-
Article
| Open AccessMyths and reality of HPbI3 in halide perovskite solar cells
Hydriodic acid or hydrogen lead iodide is widely used to stabilize all-inorganic perovskite cesium lead iodide to make high performing solar cells. Here Ke et al. reveal the real composition of the perovskites, where dimethylammonium partially take place of cesium cation at the A-site.
- Weijun Ke
- , Ioannis Spanopoulos
- & Mercouri G. Kanatzidis
-
Article
| Open AccessLarge-area and adaptable electrospun silicon-based thermoelectric nanomaterials with high energy conversion efficiencies
To realize waste heat recovery solutions based on thermoelectricity, high-performance materials with device and manufacturing compatibility are required. Here, the authors demonstrate large-area paper-like nanostructured fabrics consisting of aligned nanotubes with high thermoelectric performance.
- Alex Morata
- , Mercè Pacios
- & Albert Tarancón
-
Article
| Open AccessUniversal passivation strategy to slot-die printed SnO2 for hysteresis-free efficient flexible perovskite solar module
Uniformity and hysteresis are long lasting problems for flexible perovskite solar modules. Here Bu et al. develop a universal potassium passivation strategy to improve the quality of slot-die printed tin oxide electron transport layers and demonstrate highly efficient and hysteresis-free flexible devices.
- Tongle Bu
- , Jing Li
- & Fuzhi Huang
-
Article
| Open AccessAlleviating oxygen evolution from Li-excess oxide materials through theory-guided surface protection
Rechargeable Li-ion batteries can show extensive oxygen loss from the cathode material under operating conditions. Here, the authors use high-throughput computational screening to guide the synthesis of a Tantalum-doped Li-excess cathode that significantly reduces oxygen loss.
- Yongwoo Shin
- , Wang Hay Kan
- & Kristin A. Persson
-
Article
| Open AccessMicrofluidic-spinning construction of black-phosphorus-hybrid microfibres for non-woven fabrics toward a high energy density flexible supercapacitor
Supercapacitors that exhibit flexibility and deformability are attractive for wearable devices; however achieving high energy density remains challenging. Here the authors report a non-woven fabric based on black phosphorus and carbon nanotubes for use in a supercapacitor with notable performance.
- Xingjiang Wu
- , Yijun Xu
- & Su Chen
-
Article
| Open AccessManagement of transition dipoles in organic hole-transporting materials under solar irradiation for perovskite solar cells
In perovskite solar cells, the excited state property of hole-transport layer is not usually considered for the devices. Here the authors design organic hole-transport materials with high transition dipoles having extended lifetime at the excited states to improve the charge extraction of the devices.
- Song Ah Ok
- , Bonghyun Jo
- & Hui Joon Park
-
Article
| Open AccessInterfacing nickel nitride and nickel boosts both electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution and oxidation reactions
Efficient hydrogen production and utilization materials will be crucial in order to compete with fossil fuel technologies. Here, authors report nickel and nickel nitride interfaces as effected catalysts for hydrogen evolution and oxidation in water.
- Fuzhan Song
- , Wei Li
- & Yujie Sun
-
Article
| Open AccessA high-energy sulfur cathode in carbonate electrolyte by eliminating polysulfides via solid-phase lithium-sulfur transformation
Carbonate-based electrolytes can impart advantages in lithium sulfur batteries, but performance is often limited by incompatibility with sulfur-based cathodes. Here the authors elucidate a mechanism for conversion of sulfur to lithium sulfide and demonstrate improved performance in a Li-S cell.
- Xia Li
- , Mohammad Banis
- & Xueliang Sun
-
Article
| Open AccessDeconvolution of octahedral Pt3Ni nanoparticle growth pathway from in situ characterizations
Understanding the growth pathway of faceted alloy nanoparticles at the atomic level is crucial to morphology control and property tuning, but remains a challenge. Here, the authors reveal the particle growth and facet formation mechanisms of octahedral Pt3Ni nanoparticles using multiple cutting-edge in situ techniques.
- Xiaochen Shen
- , Changlin Zhang
- & Zhenmeng Peng
-
Article
| Open AccessMultifunctional molecular modulators for perovskite solar cells with over 20% efficiency and high operational stability
Engineering hybrid perovskites at the molecular level to solve the stability problem remains a challenge. Here Grätzel et al. design a multifunctional molecular modulator that interacts with the perovskite via modes elucidated by solid state NMR spectroscopy and show high efficiency and operational stability.
- Dongqin Bi
- , Xiong Li
- & Michael Grätzel
-
Article
| Open AccessHigh-energy-density dual-ion battery for stationary storage of electricity using concentrated potassium fluorosulfonylimide
Lithium-free graphite dual-ion battery offers a new means of energy storage. Here the authors show such device utilizing a highly concentrated electrolyte solution of KFSI in alkyl carbonates that exhibits a high energy density and high energy efficiency as well as an average discharge voltage of 4.7 V.
- Kostiantyn V. Kravchyk
- , Preeti Bhauriyal
- & Maksym V. Kovalenko
-
Article
| Open AccessFlexible and stable high-energy lithium-sulfur full batteries with only 100% oversized lithium
Lightweight and flexible energy storage devices are needed to persistently power wearable devices. Here the authors employ metallized carbon fabrics as hosts for sulfur and lithium to achieve flexibility, electrochemical stability and high energy density in a lithium-sulfur battery.
- Jian Chang
- , Jian Shang
- & Zijian Zheng
-
Article
| Open AccessInherent potential of steelmaking to contribute to decarbonisation targets via industrial carbon capture and storage
Carbon budget is diminishing to comply with the target under 2 °C scenario. Facing the limited capacity to improve energy efficiency, the authors show that steelmaking with inherent decarbonisation process can potentially help achieve 2050 emission reduction targets under 2 °C scenario before 2030.
- Sicong Tian
- , Jianguo Jiang
- & Vasilije Manovic
-
Article
| Open AccessRaising the redox potential in carboxyphenolate-based positive organic materials via cation substitution
Organic electrode materials could enable novelty chemistry required by the new generation of batteries. Here the authors show the synthesis and electrochemical performance of Mg(Li2)-p-DHT as a lithiated cathode material that cycles at 3.4 V due to the presence of a spectator cation in the host structure.
- Alia Jouhara
- , Nicolas Dupré
- & Philippe Poizot
-
Article
| Open AccessSelf-powered H2 production with bifunctional hydrazine as sole consumable
While water electrolysis provides an attractive means to produce high-energy hydrogen (H2), the process imposes significant material overpotential barriers. Here, authors employ the more-facile hydrazine splitting reaction, coupled to a hydrazine fuel cell, to perform self-powered H2 evolution.
- Xijun Liu
- , Jia He
- & Yi Ding
-
Article
| Open AccessPhotonic thermal management of coloured objects
Understanding the tunable range of radiative thermal load for a given colour is important for thermal management of outdoor structures. Here, the authors theoretically and experimentally highlighted all mechanisms through which one can control the radiative thermal load of coloured objects.
- Wei Li
- , Yu Shi
- & Shanhui Fan
-
Article
| Open AccessNanoporous aramid nanofibre separators for nonaqueous redox flow batteries
Nonaqueous redox flow batteries may offer high energy and power densities, but development of separators is key for optimization. Here the authors achieve high coulombic efficiency with a nanoporous aramid nanofibres-based separator with low permeability, high ion conductivity, and exceptional stability.
- Siu on Tung
- , Sydney L. Fisher
- & Levi T. Thompson
-
Article
| Open AccessExceptional catalytic effects of black phosphorus quantum dots in shuttling-free lithium sulfur batteries
Lithium sulfur batteries are promising for next-generation energy storage, but are hindered by polysulfide shuttle effects. Here the authors use black phosphorus quantum dots to adsorb and catalyze the conversion of lithium polysulfides to lithium sulfide, achieving low capacity fade and high sulfur loading.
- Zheng-Long Xu
- , Shenghuang Lin
- & Shu Ping Lau
-
Article
| Open AccessSalt concentration and charging velocity determine ion charge storage mechanism in nanoporous supercapacitors
To improve supercapacitor performance, mechanisms of operation should be understood. Here the authors identify parameters controlling ion charge storage mechanisms and show that charging initially implies a non-equilibrium ion configuration followed by charge-neutral equilibration.
- C. Prehal
- , C. Koczwara
- & O. Paris
-
Article
| Open AccessEnhanced voltage generation through electrolyte flow on liquid-filled surfaces
Superhydrophobic surfaces are expected to increase streaming potential, but are hindered by the presence of air. Here the authors enhance streaming potential by flowing high-dielectric salt water over liquid-filled surfaces infiltrated with low-dielectric liquid, harnessing electric slip and surface charge.
- B. Fan
- , A. Bhattacharya
- & P. R. Bandaru
-
Article
| Open AccessTwo-dimensional amorphous NiO as a plasmonic photocatalyst for solar H2 evolution
While photocatalysis offers a means to store solar energy as chemical fuels, photocatalysts typically require crystalline structures and expensive noble-metal cocatalysts. Here, authors prepare 2D amorphous nano-nickel oxide capable of plasmonic, photodriven H2 evolution without cocatalysts.
- Zhaoyong Lin
- , Chun Du
- & Guowei Yang
-
Article
| Open AccessAdvanced sulfide solid electrolyte by core-shell structural design
Sulfide electrolyte materials offer the opportunity for the development of solid-state batteries. Here the authors further improve the voltage stability of core-shell structured sulfides by modifying the microstructures, and pair the optimized electrolytes with lithium metal anode into battery devices.
- Fan Wu
- , William Fitzhugh
- & Xin Li
-
Article
| Open AccessMultibandgap quantum dot ensembles for solar-matched infrared energy harvesting
Efficient harvest of solar energy beyond the silicon absorption edge of 1100 nm by semiconductor solar cells remains a challenge. Here Sun et al. mix high multi-bandgap lead sulfide colloidal quantum dot ensembles to further increase both short circuit current and open circuit voltage.
- Bin Sun
- , Olivier Ouellette
- & Edward H. Sargent