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| Open AccessDevelopment of efficient aqueous organic redox flow batteries using ion-sieving sulfonated polymer membranes
Aqueous organic redox flow batteries are promising for grid-scale energy storage, although their practical application is still limited. Here, the authors report highly ion-conductive and selective polymer membranes, which boost the battery’s efficiency and stability, offering cost-effective electricity storage.
- Chunchun Ye
- , Anqi Wang
- & Qilei Song
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Article
| Open AccessMulti-scale turbulence simulation suggesting improvement of electron heated plasma confinement
Understanding the transport of the particles and fuel in the fusion plasma is fundamentally important. Here the authors report a cross-link interaction between electron- and ion-scale turbulences in plasma in terms of trapped electron mode and electron temperature gradient modes and their implication to fusion plasma.
- Shinya Maeyama
- , Tomo-Hiko Watanabe
- & Akihiro Ishizawa
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Article
| Open AccessUnraveling the mechanism for paired electrocatalysis of organics with water as a feedstock
Production of value-added chemicals by using renewable energy and cheap water attract great interest. Herein, the authors design a paired electrocatalytic system to produce 4-aminobenzyl alcohol at cathode and 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid at anode.
- Ganceng Yang
- , Yanqing Jiao
- & Honggang Fu
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Article
| Open AccessLanthanum nitrate as aqueous electrolyte additive for favourable zinc metal electrodeposition
Zinc metal is a promising anode material for aqueous secondary batteries. However, the unfavourable morphologies formed on the electrode surface during cycling limit its application. Here, the authors report the tailoring of the surface morphology using a lanthanum nitrate aqueous electrolyte additive.
- Ruirui Zhao
- , Haifeng Wang
- & Yunhui Huang
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Article
| Open AccessBoosting the performance of single-atom catalysts via external electric field polarization
While single-atom catalysts offer high atomic utilization and tunable reaction pathways, there are still challenges in controlling reactivity. Here, authors use oriented external electric fields to induce electrostatic polarization in metal single-atoms and to boost water-splitting performances.
- Yanghang Pan
- , Xinzhu Wang
- & Mengning Ding
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Article
| Open AccessEliminating the need for anodic gas separation in CO2 electroreduction systems via liquid-to-liquid anodic upgrading
In the electrified conversion of CO2 to multicarbon products, CO2 crossover to the O2-rich anodic stream adds a further, energy-intensive, chemical separation step. Here, the authors demonstrate a strategy that eliminates the separation requirement.
- Ke Xie
- , Adnan Ozden
- & Edward H. Sargent
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Article
| Open AccessGiant energy-storage density with ultrahigh efficiency in lead-free relaxors via high-entropy design
Dielectric ceramics are widely used in advanced high/pulsed power capacitors. Here, the authors propose a high-entropy strategy to design “local polymorphic distortion” in lead-free ceramics, achieving high energy storage performance.
- Liang Chen
- , Shiqing Deng
- & Jun Chen
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Article
| Open AccessOne-step removal of alkynes and propadiene from cracking gases using a multi-functional molecular separator
Separating mixtures of hydrocarbons of low molecular weight is desirable but challenging. Here, the authors report a porous material with responsive and self-adaptive properties that enables one-step removal of alkynes and propadiene from cracking gases.
- Qingju Wang
- , Jianbo Hu
- & Huabin Xing
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Article
| Open AccessIron atom–cluster interactions increase activity and improve durability in Fe–N–C fuel cells
It is challenging to break the activity–stability trade-off in Fe–N–C fuel cell catalysts. Here, the authors show that interactions between iron atoms and clusters accelerate reaction kinetics and suppress demetalation to improve fuel cell stability.
- Xin Wan
- , Qingtao Liu
- & Jianglan Shui
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Article
| Open AccessPhase-transition tailored nanoporous zinc metal electrodes for rechargeable alkaline zinc-nickel oxide hydroxide and zinc-air batteries
Secondary alkaline Zn-based batteries are limited in terms of cycle life. Here, the authors report a nanoporous Zn electrode that stabilizes the electrochemical transition between Zn and ZnO and improves the cycling performance of rechargeable alkaline zinc-based batteries.
- Liangyu Li
- , Yung Chak Anson Tsang
- & Qing Chen
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Article
| Open AccessAn electrochemically stable homogeneous glassy electrolyte formed at room temperature for all-solid-state sodium batteries
Single sodium-ion solid electrolyte that meets the requirements of practical applications is difficult to design. Here, the authors show how kinetic stability via the creation of a self-passivating solid electrolyte interphase allows a homogenous glass solid electrolyte to exhibit remarkable electrochemical stability with sodium metal.
- Xiaowei Chi
- , Ye Zhang
- & Yan Yao
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Article
| Open AccessProduction of a hybrid capacitive storage device via hydrogen gas and carbon electrodes coupling
Conventional electric double-layer capacitors show limited energy content for energy storage applications. Here, the authors report an electrocatalytic hydrogen gas capacitor with improved specific energy, which can operate in pH-universal aqueous electrolyte solutions and a wide temperature range.
- Zhengxin Zhu
- , Zaichun Liu
- & Wei Chen
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Article
| Open AccessScalable super hygroscopic polymer films for sustainable moisture harvesting in arid environments
Extracting atmospheric water is a sustainable strategy to enable decentralized access to safely managed water but remains impractical due to its limited daily water output at low relative humidity. Here, the authors demonstrate a hygroscopic polymer composed of renewable biomass which allows high water uptake at low relative humidity
- Youhong Guo
- , Weixin Guan
- & Guihua Yu
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Article
| Open AccessUltrafast orbital tomography of a pentacene film using time-resolved momentum microscopy at a FEL
Ultrafast pulses are useful to investigate the electron dynamics in excited atoms, molecules and other complex systems. Here, the authors measure transient photoelectron momentum maps following the free-electron laser pulse-induced ionization of a bilayer pentacene thin film on Ag (110) by using time-resolved orbital tomography.
- Kiana Baumgärtner
- , Marvin Reuner
- & Markus Scholz
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Article
| Open AccessAsymmetric electron acceptor enables highly luminescent organic solar cells with certified efficiency over 18%
High-performance organic solar cells call for novel designs of acceptor molecules. Here, He et al. design and synthesize a non-fullerene acceptor with an asymmetric structure for diverse donor:acceptor interfacial conformations and report a certificated power conversion efficiency of 18.2%.
- Chengliang He
- , Zeng Chen
- & Hongzheng Chen
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Article
| Open AccessPhotovoltage memory effect in a portable Faradaic junction solar rechargeable device
A Faradaic junction solar rechargeable device is one of the promising technologies to address the problem of solar energy storage but the working mechanism remains unclear. Here, the authors report a photovoltage memory effect in a portable Si/CoOx/KBi(aq)/MnOx Faradaic junction device.
- Pin Wang
- , Mengfan Xue
- & Zhigang Zou
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Article
| Open AccessMoisture adsorption-desorption full cycle power generation
Reducing humanity’s reliance on fossil fuels will require the development of alternative, renewable energy technologies. Here, authors prepare a moisture adsorption-desorption power generator that asymmetrically adsorbs and desorbs moisture at high and low humidity to provide an electric output.
- Haiyan Wang
- , Tiancheng He
- & Liangti Qu
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Article
| Open AccessRedox-homogeneous, gel electrolyte-embedded high-mass-loading cathodes for high-energy lithium metal batteries
The development of high energy lithium metal batteries is affected by the mass loading of the cathode. Here, the authors report a lithium metal pouch cell with a cathode capacity of 12 mAh cm-2. The positive electrode is prepared by applying UV-curable gel electrolyte as a processing solvent.
- Jung-Hui Kim
- , Ju-Myung Kim
- & Sang-Young Lee
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Article
| Open AccessFluorinated ether electrolyte with controlled solvation structure for high voltage lithium metal batteries
The development of lithium-metal batteries is limited by the low thermodynamic and/or low voltage stability of conventional electrolytes. Here, the authors combined the high voltage stability of fluorinated ethers with high Li+ solvation ability of ethers in a single molecule and realized highly stable lithium-metal batteries.
- Yan Zhao
- , Tianhong Zhou
- & Ali Coskun
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Article
| Open AccessSynchronization in electric power networks with inherent heterogeneity up to 100% inverter-based renewable generation
Modern power grids undergo a transition due to the integration of renewable energy generation technologies that bring heterogeneity in the grid. The authors study the synchronization and stability of power grids with heterogeneous inertia and damping factors, and demonstrate power feasibility of operating a system consisting of only renewable generation technologies with enhanced stability.
- Amirhossein Sajadi
- , Rick Wallace Kenyon
- & Bri-Mathias Hodge
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Article
| Open AccessModulating Pt-O-Pt atomic clusters with isolated cobalt atoms for enhanced hydrogen evolution catalysis
Modulating single-metal sites at the atomic level can boost the intrinsic catalytic activity. Here, the authors describe the design of Pt atomic clusters containing Pt-O-Pt units supported on Co single atoms and N co-doped carbon for enhanced hydrogen evolution catalysis.
- Yufei Zhao
- , Priyank V. Kumar
- & Xunyu Lu
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Article
| Open AccessA cost-effective alkaline polysulfide-air redox flow battery enabled by a dual-membrane cell architecture
Polysulfide-air redox flow batteries are an appealing energy storage technology but suffer from polysulfide crossover and the use of costly catalysts. Here, the authors report a cell structure that enables battery operation using a cost-effective catalyst while mitigating polysulfide crossover.
- Yuhua Xia
- , Mengzheng Ouyang
- & Nigel P. Brandon
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Article
| Open AccessCorrosion as the origin of limited lifetime of vanadium oxide-based aqueous zinc ion batteries
Aqueous zinc ion batteries are good systems for large-scale energy storage. Here, the authors report that the corrosion of zinc metal anode is the origin of limited lifetime of vanadium oxide-based aqueous zinc ion batteries, and supressing corrosion improves the calendar and cycle lifetime markedly.
- Yangmoon Kim
- , Youngbin Park
- & Jang Wook Choi
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Article
| Open AccessVertically optimized phase separation with improved exciton diffusion enables efficient organic solar cells with thick active layers
Exciton diffusion length and graded vertical phase separation of the active layer play a critical role in the realization of high-performance thick-film organic solar cells (OSCs). Here, authors demonstrated OSCs with an efficiency of 17.31%, with an active layer thickness of around 300 nm.
- Yunhao Cai
- , Qian Li
- & Yanming Sun
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Article
| Open AccessCovalent organic frameworks with high quantum efficiency in sacrificial photocatalytic hydrogen evolution
While organic semiconductors offer a tunable platform for photocatalysis, they often show worse performances. Here, authors examine how a donor-acceptor pair’s incorporation into a covalent organic framework boosts photocatalytic H2 evolution performances with a platinum co-catalyst.
- Chunzhi Li
- , Jiali Liu
- & Qihua Yang
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Article
| Open AccessUltrasensitive barocaloric material for room-temperature solid-state refrigeration
A small driving pressure is desirable for practical application of barocaloric materials. Here, the authors demonstrate a sensitive barocaloric effect in NH4I due to strong reorientation-vibration coupling.
- Qingyong Ren
- , Ji Qi
- & Bing Li
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Article
| Open AccessEfficient and stable noble-metal-free catalyst for acidic water oxidation
While acidic water splitting offers a renewable means to obtain renewable hydrogen fuel, the catalysts needed to oxidize water often require expensive noble metals. Here, authors show manganese oxyhalides as acidic oxygen evolution electrocatalysts.
- Sanjiang Pan
- , Hao Li
- & Xiaodan Zhang
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Article
| Open AccessEnabling high energy lithium metal batteries via single-crystal Ni-rich cathode material co-doping strategy
Li-ion cathode active materials are transitioning from poly- to single-crystal structures. However, the performance of high Ni-content single-crystal cathodes remains below expectations. Here, via Al/Zr co-doping, the authors propose a strategy to mitigate structural degradation in this class of materials.
- Xing Ou
- , Tongchao Liu
- & Jun Lu
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Article
| Open AccessData-driven capacity estimation of commercial lithium-ion batteries from voltage relaxation
Accurate capacity estimation is crucial for lithium-ion batteries' reliable and safe operation. Here, the authors propose an approach exploiting features from the relaxation voltage curve for battery capacity estimation without requiring other previous cycling information.
- Jiangong Zhu
- , Yixiu Wang
- & Helmut Ehrenberg
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Article
| Open AccessProduction of fast-charge Zn-based aqueous batteries via interfacial adsorption of ion-oligomer complexes
Aqueous zinc batteries attract interest because of their potential for cost-effective and safe electricity storage. Here, the authors develop an in situ formed ion-oligomer nanometric interphase strategy to enable fast-charge aqueous Zn cells.
- Shuo Jin
- , Jiefu Yin
- & Lynden A. Archer
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Article
| Open AccessAutomated exploitation of the big configuration space of large adsorbates on transition metals reveals chemistry feasibility
The discovery of heterogeneous catalysts for large molecule conversion has been lagging due to the combinatorial inventory of intermediates. Here, the author presents an automated framework to explore the chemical space of reaction intermediates.
- Geun Ho Gu
- , Miriam Lee
- & Dionisios G. Vlachos
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| Open AccessSurface restructuring of a perovskite-type air electrode for reversible protonic ceramic electrochemical cells
One limiting factor to the high-performing reversible protonic ceramic electrochemical cells is the poor stability and electrocatalytic activity of air electrodes. Here the authors report a water-promoted surface restructuring process to enhance the performance of Ba0.9Co0.7Fe0.2Nb0.1O3-δ air electrode.
- Kai Pei
- , Yucun Zhou
- & Meilin Liu
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Article
| Open AccessMapping the energy level alignment at donor/acceptor interfaces in non-fullerene organic solar cells
Energy level alignment (ELA) at donor-acceptor heterojunctions is of vital importance yet largely undetermined in organic solar cells. Here, authors determine the heterojunction ELA with (mono) layer-by-layer precision to understand the co-existence of efficient charge.
- Xian’e Li
- , Qilun Zhang
- & Mats Fahlman
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Article
| Open AccessEngineering a passivating electric double layer for high performance lithium metal batteries
Developing an electrolyte that is compatible with both high-voltage cathodes and Li metal anodes has always been challenging. Here, the authors created a new strategy by engineering a passivating electric double layer to achieve a fast-charging and lowtemperature high voltage lithium metal batteries.
- Weili Zhang
- , Yang Lu
- & Kai Liu
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Article
| Open AccessElectrifying passenger road transport in India requires near-term electricity grid decarbonisation
India’s plans to electrify transport is complicated by its reliance on coal-power. Here the authors call for diverse policy and technology solutions, including a focus on cleaner grids, electric 2-wheelers, and hybrid 4-wheelers in the near-term.
- Amir F. N. Abdul-Manan
- , Victor Gordillo Zavaleta
- & Amer A. Amer
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Article
| Open AccessRoom temperature all-solid-state lithium batteries based on a soluble organic cage ionic conductor
While solid-state batteries offer higher energy densities than liquid-based batteries, such devices require effective ion conduction pathways. Here, authors prepare porous organic cages as solution-processable catholytes that are enable excellent performances from various cathode active materials.
- Jing Li
- , Jizhen Qi
- & Liwei Chen
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Article
| Open AccessPerylenetetracarboxylic acid nanosheets with internal electric fields and anisotropic charge migration for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution
While organic semiconductors provide a highly tailorable set of systems for solar-to-fuel conversion, such materials often show worse activities than inorganic materials. Here, authors prepare perylene-based nanosheets that demonstrate excellent performances for photocatalytic H2 evolution.
- Yan Guo
- , Qixin Zhou
- & Yongfa Zhu
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Article
| Open AccessLow energy carbon capture via electrochemically induced pH swing with electrochemical rebalancing
This work demonstrates a safe and scalable electrochemical CO2 separation method that allows promisingly low (62 kJ/molCO2) energetic cost at a high current density, and it can be used for direct air capture when a suitable molecule is used.
- Shijian Jin
- , Min Wu
- & Michael J. Aziz
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Article
| Open AccessPromoting favorable interfacial properties in lithium-based batteries using chlorine-rich sulfide inorganic solid-state electrolytes
The interfacial stability of lithium metal is a crucial aspect for all-solid-state battery development. Here, authors report argyrodite solid electrolytes containing LiCl framework, where the Cl ions construct a LiCl-rich interphase capable of improving battery performances.
- Dewu Zeng
- , Jingming Yao
- & Lin Wang
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Article
| Open AccessEnabling fast-charging selenium-based aqueous batteries via conversion reaction with copper ions
Aqueous battery Se-based cathodes are based on a two-electron transfer electrochemical reaction and generally show inadequate rate capability behaviour. Here, the authors propose a four-electron Se chemistry with copper ions as charge carriers to enable fast-charging battery cycling.
- Chunlong Dai
- , Linyu Hu
- & Liangti Qu
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Article
| Open AccessHigh-energy and durable lithium metal batteries using garnet-type solid electrolytes with tailored lithium-metal compatibility
Lithium-metal batteries (LMBs) have attracted intense interest but the instability issues limit its practical deployment. Here, the authors report a durable LMB with high energy density using a garnet-type solid electrolyte with a tailored Li-metal compatibility.
- Sewon Kim
- , Ju-Sik Kim
- & Kisuk Kang
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Article
| Open AccessHollow-core optical fibre sensors for operando Raman spectroscopy investigation of Li-ion battery liquid electrolytes
New analytical tools are needed to identify chemical degradation and failure mechanisms in Li-ion batteries. Here, the authors report an operando Raman spectroscopy method, based on hollow-core optical fibres, that enables monitoring the chemistry of liquid electrolytes during battery cycling.
- Ermanno Miele
- , Wesley M. Dose
- & Tijmen G. Euser
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Article
| Open AccessHigh-speed 4D neutron computed tomography for quantifying water dynamics in polymer electrolyte fuel cells
Characterisation of water dynamics in polymer electrolyte fuel cells is important for technology development. Here, the authors demonstrate a 4D neutron imaging technique, enabling quantitative analysis of the local water evolution, and identify performance parameters for water management.
- Ralf F. Ziesche
- , Jennifer Hack
- & Paul R. Shearing
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Article
| Open AccessEpitaxial growth of an atom-thin layer on a LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 cathode for stable Li-ion battery cycling
Transition metal dissolution from cathode materials limits the cycle life of Li-ion batteries. Here, the authors report an atomic-thin protecting layer on the surface of a high-voltage cathode material, enabling long-term Li-ion battery cycling.
- Xiaobo Zhu
- , Tobias U. Schülli
- & Lianzhou Wang
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| Open AccessMetrics and methods for moving from research to innovation in energy storage
Research activities are crucial for the advancement of energy storage technologies. However, not all the research lead to practical innovation. Here the author, focusing on supercapacitor devices, discusses the most challenging aspects to be considered to deliver practical innovation from fundamental research.
- Sebastian Pohlmann
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Article
| Open AccessA stable quasi-solid electrolyte improves the safe operation of highly efficient lithium-metal pouch cells in harsh environments
Solvent molecules under nanoconfinement dictates several key physical properties. Here, the authors reveal the behaviour of a quasi-solid electrolyte by using a microporous metal-organic framework with a small amount of liquid electrolyte influencing a number of properties in a lithium-metal pouch-cell.
- Zhi Chang
- , Huijun Yang
- & Haoshen Zhou
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Article
| Open AccessMismatching integration-enabled strains and defects engineering in LDH microstructure for high-rate and long-life charge storage
Layered double hydroxides (LDH) are ideal for charge storage, however, the sluggish reaction dynamics are obstacle to their development. Here, triggered by mismatching integration of Mn sites, the authors configure wrinkled Mn/NiCo-LDH with strains and defects, where promoted mass & charge transport behaviors are realized.
- Wei Guo
- , Chaochao Dun
- & Jieshan Qiu
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Article
| Open AccessTrends in oxygenate/hydrocarbon selectivity for electrochemical CO(2) reduction to C2 products
Key mechanistic steps for selective CO(2) reduction over Cu into hydrocarbon versus oxygenated C2 products are identified by atomistic and microkinetic modeling. Variations in C and OH binding are found to predict catalytic selectivity of materials.
- Hong-Jie Peng
- , Michael T. Tang
- & Frank Abild-Pedersen
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Article
| Open AccessExcellently balanced water-intercalation-type heat-storage oxide
There are few well-balanced heat storage materials up to date. Here, the authors report that δ-type K0.33MnO2 ∙ nH2O can be an excellently balanced heat storage material exhibiting a “water-intercalation mechanism”.
- Takuya Hatakeyama
- , Norihiko L. Okamoto
- & Tetsu Ichitsubo