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| Open AccessDecoupling the origins of irreversible coulombic efficiency in anode-free lithium metal batteries
Anode-free lithium metal battery is one of the most promising candidates for next-generation high energy density battery but suffer from poor cycle life. Here the authors present an integrated protocol to dissect and quantify the irreversible coulombic efficiencies for better understanding of the battery.
- Chen-Jui Huang
- , Balamurugan Thirumalraj
- & Bing Joe Hwang
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Article
| Open AccessMonitoring metallic sub-micrometric lithium structures in Li-ion batteries by in situ electron paramagnetic resonance correlated spectroscopy and imaging
Monitoring the nucleation of dendrites in Li-ion batteries during cell cycling is important for the development of new electrochemical materials. Here, the authors use the spectral-spatial mode in electron paramagnetic resonance imaging to visualize the spatial distribution of metallic sub-micrometric lithium structures.
- Charles-Emmanuel Dutoit
- , Mingxue Tang
- & Elodie Salager
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Article
| Open AccessIntegration of full divertor detachment with improved core confinement for tokamak fusion plasmas
Plasma fusion devices like tokamaks are important for energy generation but there are many challenges for their steady state operation. Here, the authors show that full divertor detachment is compatible with high-confinement high-poloidal-beta core plasmas and this prevents the damage to the divertor target plates and the first wall.
- L. Wang
- , H. Q. Wang
- & J. B. Liu
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Article
| Open AccessBoosting photocatalytic hydrogen production from water by photothermally induced biphase systems
The solar-driven H2 production from water by particulate photocatalysts is an effective approach to produce H2 fuel. Here, the authors propose an integrated photothermal–photocatalytic biphase system, which lowers the reaction barrier and the delivery resistance of the H2, boosting the catalytic H2 evolution rate.
- Shaohui Guo
- , Xuanhua Li
- & Bingqing Wei
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Article
| Open AccessNanoscale redox mapping at the MoS2-liquid interface
Here, high-resolution atomic force microscopy and scanning electrochemical microscopy are used to investigate the electron transfer behaviour of layered MoS2 flakes in organic solutions, offering insights on the electronic band alignment at the solid-liquid interface.
- He-Yun Du
- , Yi-Fan Huang
- & Li-Chyong Chen
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Article
| Open AccessA tailored multi-functional catalyst for ultra-efficient styrene production under a cyclic redox scheme
Styrene is an important commodity chemical that is highly energy and CO2 intensive to produce. Here, authors report a redox-oxidative dehydrogenation scheme and a tailored core-shell redox catalyst to convert ethylbenzene to styrene with up to 91.4% single-pass yield and 82% energy savings.
- Xing Zhu
- , Yunfei Gao
- & Fanxing Li
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Article
| Open AccessA stable cathode-solid electrolyte composite for high-voltage, long-cycle-life solid-state sodium-ion batteries
Rechargeable solid-state sodium-ion batteries hold great promise for safer and more energy-dense energy storage. Here, the authors show a new sodium-based halide, Na3-xY1-xZrxCl6, for sodium-all-solid-state batteries with enhanced ionic conductivity and long-term cycling stability.
- Erik A. Wu
- , Swastika Banerjee
- & Shyue Ping Ong
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Article
| Open AccessSurface passivated halide perovskite single-crystal for efficient photoelectrochemical synthesis of dimethoxydihydrofuran
Perovskite single-crystal thin films inherit the advantages of low trap-states, well-defined thickness and remarkable stability. Now, researchers successfully employed MAPbBr3 single-crystal thin film as photoanode in the photoelectrochemical production of organic 2,5-dimethoxy-2,5-dihydrofuran.
- Xu-Dong Wang
- , Yu-Hua Huang
- & Dai-Bin Kuang
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Article
| Open AccessDirect observation of charge separation in an organic light harvesting system by femtosecond time-resolved XPS
Understanding ultrafast dynamics of photon-to-charge conversion is paramount for optimising light-harvesting systems. Here, the authors use femtosecond time-resolved X-ray photoemission spectroscopy to reveal specific charge separation sites and monitor free charge formation in a model donor-acceptor system.
- Friedrich Roth
- , Mario Borgwardt
- & Wolfgang Eberhardt
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Article
| Open AccessTowards tellurium-free thermoelectric modules for power generation from low-grade heat
Though earth abundant magnesium-based materials are attractive for thermoelectrics (TEs) due to their device-level performance, realizing efficient modules remains a challenge. Here, the authors report a scalable route to realizing Mg-based compounds for high performance TE modules.
- Pingjun Ying
- , Ran He
- & Gabi Schierning
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Article
| Open AccessReal-time feedback control of the impurity emission front in tokamak divertor plasmas
The exhaust of heat and particles is an important challenge in future nuclear fusion devices. Here the authors report the use of carbon emission as indicator for plasma detachment in a tokamak and its real-time feedback control.
- T. Ravensbergen
- , M. van Berkel
- & M. R. de Baar
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Article
| Open AccessEfficient overall water splitting in acid with anisotropic metal nanosheets
Ru is one of the most active metals for oxygen evolution reaction, but it quickly dissolves in acidic electrolyte particularly in nanosized form. Here, the authors show that coral-like solid-solution Ru‒Ir consisting of 3 nm-thick sheets with only 6 at% Ir is a long-lived catalyst with high activity.
- Dongshuang Wu
- , Kohei Kusada
- & Hiroshi Kitagawa
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Article
| Open AccessInterpenetrating interfaces for efficient perovskite solar cells with high operational stability and mechanical robustness
Operational stability and mechanical robustness remain as engineering bottlenecks in perovskite solar cells technology. Here, Dong et al. introduce an interpenetrating perovskite at the electron-transporting-layer interface that enables a 1000-hour stable operation and high endurance against bending fatigue over 2500 cycles.
- Qingshun Dong
- , Chao Zhu
- & Yuanyuan Zhou
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Article
| Open AccessAutomatic light-adjusting electrochromic device powered by perovskite solar cell
The requirement for external electric supplies has significantly limited the application of electrochromic devices in modulating light absorption as smart windows. Here, the authors report automatic switching perovskite solar cells-powered all-in-one gel electrochromic device in response to surrounding light intensity in real-time.
- Huan Ling
- , Jianchang Wu
- & Yan Jun Liu
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Article
| Open AccessDesigning a next generation solar crystallizer for real seawater brine treatment with zero liquid discharge
Proper disposal of industrial brine remains a critical environmental challenge. Here, the authors devise a solar crystallizer and propose a salt crystallization inhibition strategy, which together provide a low-cost and sustainable solution for industrial brine disposal with zero liquid discharge.
- Chenlin Zhang
- , Yusuf Shi
- & Peng Wang
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Article
| Open AccessCarbon dioxide utilization in concrete curing or mixing might not produce a net climate benefit
Carbon curing or mixing in concrete is promising for carbon dioxide sequestration. Here, the authors show that the increased use of binder material to compensate the loss in compressive strength and electricity for carbon dioxide curing is more likely to increase carbon dioxide emissions on a life cycle basis for carbon cured or mixed concrete.
- Dwarakanath Ravikumar
- , Duo Zhang
- & Victor Li
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Article
| Open AccessUltra-fast charging in aluminum-ion batteries: electric double layers on active anode
Developing high-capacity batteries with high-rate performance has been a challenge. Here, the authors use a liquid metal alloy as anode in the aluminum-ion battery to push the boundaries, enabling the discovery of new roles of electric double layers in facilitating a high-rate charge transfer.
- Xuejing Shen
- , Tao Sun
- & Li Tan
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Article
| Open AccessA flexible electromagnetic wave-electricity harvester
Materials that can harvest electromagnetic (EM) waves and harness the resulting energy would have many applications. Here, the authors present a hybrid composite that produces thermoelectricity from the heating in the EM absorption under microwave radiation.
- Hualiang Lv
- , Zhihong Yang
- & Renbing Wu
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Article
| Open AccessReplacing conventional battery electrolyte additives with dioxolone derivatives for high-energy-density lithium-ion batteries
Interface architecture generated from electrolyte additives is a key element for high performance lithium-ion batteries. Here, the authors present that a stable and spatially deformable solid electrolyte interphase mitigates interfacial degradation of Si-embedded anodes and Ni-rich cathodes.
- Sewon Park
- , Seo Yeong Jeong
- & Nam-Soon Choi
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Article
| Open AccessMorphology and mechanism of highly selective Cu(II) oxide nanosheet catalysts for carbon dioxide electroreduction
Copper oxides (CuO) can selectively catalyze the electrochemical reduction of CO2 to hydrocarbons and oxygenates. Here, the authors study the activity and morphological evolution of 2D CuO nanosheets under applied electrode potentials to conclude the primacy of dendritic shapes and involvement of a new coupling pathway.
- Xingli Wang
- , Katharina Klingan
- & Peter Strasser
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| Open AccessCharacterisation of oxygen defects and nitrogen impurities in TiO2 photocatalysts using variable-temperature X-ray powder diffraction
Nitrogen-doped TiO2 exhibits improved photocatalytic water-splitting activity partially due to enhanced oxygen vacancy formation. Here, authors demonstrate the temperature-dependent lattice distortion of oxygen vacancies, and identify the presence of a titanium oxynitride phase in high activity catalysts.
- Christopher Foo
- , Yiyang Li
- & Shik Chi Edman Tsang
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| Open AccessFast operando spectroscopy tracking in situ generation of rich defects in silver nanocrystals for highly selective electrochemical CO2 reduction
Efficient electrocatalysts are crucial to the electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction. Here, the authors use the fast operando technique to explore a silver-based catalyst with improved catalytic performance benefiting from the suitable defect structures.
- Xinhao Wu
- , Yanan Guo
- & Zongping Shao
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Article
| Open AccessShadow enhanced self-charging power system for wave and solar energy harvesting from the ocean
Ubiquitous shadows cast from moving objects in hybrid energy-harvesting systems are undesirable as they degrade the performance of the photovoltaic cells. Here the authors report the shadow of the moving object in a hybrid energy-harvesting system shortens charging time to charge a self-charging power system.
- Qian Zhang
- , Qijie Liang
- & Swee Ching Tan
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Article
| Open AccessInsights on forming N,O-coordinated Cu single-atom catalysts for electrochemical reduction CO2 to methane
Single-atom catalysts (SACs) are promising candidates to catalyze CO2 reduction for the formation of high value hydrocarbons but most of the reactions yield CO. Here, the authors show a low-temperature calcining process to fabricate a carbon-dots-based SAC to efficiently convert CO2 to methane.
- Yanming Cai
- , Jiaju Fu
- & Wenlei Zhu
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Article
| Open AccessHigh oxide-ion conductivity through the interstitial oxygen site in Ba7Nb4MoO20-based hexagonal perovskite related oxides
Oxide-ion conductors are important in various applications for clean energy. Here, authors report high oxide-ion conductivity of hexagonal perovskite-related oxide Ba7Nb3.9Mo1.1O20.05, which is ascribed to the interstitialcy diffusion and low activation energy for oxide-ion conductivity.
- Masatomo Yashima
- , Takafumi Tsujiguchi
- & Stephen J. Skinner
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Article
| Open AccessPseudo-bilayer architecture enables high-performance organic solar cells with enhanced exciton diffusion length
The so-called pseudo-bilayer (PB) organic solar cell (OSC) device architecture can promote enhanced exciton dissociation and charge transport, leading to improved device performance. Here, the authors report high-efficiency OSCs that features a PB architecture and optimized ternary system.
- Kui Jiang
- , Jie Zhang
- & Alex K.-Y. Jen
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Article
| Open AccessFlexible and efficient perovskite quantum dot solar cells via hybrid interfacial architecture
Perovskite quantum dots film has better mechanical stability and structural integrity compared to bulk thin film. Here, the authors demonstrate higher endurance of quantum dot films and develop hybrid CsPbI3 QD/PCBM device with PCE of 15.1% and 12.3% on rigid and flexible substrates, respectively.
- Long Hu
- , Qian Zhao
- & Tom Wu
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Article
| Open AccessInterstitial boron-doped mesoporous semiconductor oxides for ultratransparent energy storage
Realizing transparent supercapacitor is hindered by the trade-off between capacitance and transparency of the electrode material. Here, the authors report an interstitial doping strategy to boost the electrochemical activity of transparent conducting oxides while maintaining their optical feature.
- Jian Zhi
- , Min Zhou
- & Fuqiang Huang
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Article
| Open AccessPyroelectric nanoplates for reduction of CO2 to methanol driven by temperature-variation
CO2 is a problematic greenhouse gas, although its conversion to alternative fuels represents a promising approach to limit its long-term effects. Here, the authors demonstrate that CO2 can be reduced to methanol through pyroelectric catalysis under temperature variation near room temperature.
- Lingbo Xiao
- , Xiaoli Xu
- & Guifu Zou
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Article
| Open AccessStable, high-performance, dendrite-free, seawater-based aqueous batteries
Metal anode instability due to several intrinsic factors limits their widespread use in energy storage. Here, the authors report a 3D alloy anode via a universal alloy electrodeposition approach to overcome the anode instability issues and demonstrate a seawater-based aqueous battery.
- Huajun Tian
- , Zhao Li
- & Yang Yang
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Article
| Open AccessCarbon hollow fiber membranes for a molecular sieve with precise-cutoff ultramicropores for superior hydrogen separation
Energy-efficient hydrogen purification technologies are needed for the hydrogen economy. Here the authors report facile and scalable fabrication of asymmetric carbon molecular sieve membranes for the separation of hydrogen and carbon dioxide.
- Linfeng Lei
- , Fengjiao Pan
- & Michael D. Guiver
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Article
| Open AccessAn efficient and stable solar flow battery enabled by a single-junction GaAs photoelectrode
Solar flow batteries (SFBs) can convert, store and release intermittent solar energy but have been built with complex multi-junction solar cells. Here an efficient and stable SFB is shown with single-junction GaAs solar cells via rational potential match modeling and operating condition optimization.
- Hui-Chun Fu
- , Wenjie Li
- & Song Jin
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Article
| Open AccessHigh performance tandem organic solar cells via a strongly infrared-absorbing narrow bandgap acceptor
Development of tandem organic solar cells has been limited by the choice of near-infrared absorbing materials for the rear cell. Here, the authors report a simple strategy to extend the conjugation length of acceptor Y6 and broaden its absorption range to near-infrared region. A tandem organic solar cell with efficiency of 16.4% was achieved.
- Zhenrong Jia
- , Shucheng Qin
- & Yongfang Li
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Article
| Open AccessHydride-based antiperovskites with soft anionic sublattices as fast alkali ionic conductors
Oxide-based lithium/sodium-rich antiperovskites are regarded as promising solid electrolytes. Here, authors report a series of antiperovskites with a soft lattice containing hydride (H–) and chalcogenide (S2–, Se2–, Te2–) anions, enabling the fast Li+ /Na+ transport assisted by rotational phonon modes.
- Shenghan Gao
- , Thibault Broux
- & Hiroshi Kageyama
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Article
| Open AccessEnhancing carbon dioxide gas-diffusion electrolysis by creating a hydrophobic catalyst microenvironment
The local environment for carbon dioxide electrochemical reduction is a key element to improve the efficiency of catalytic sites. Here, the authors demonstrate substantial gain of the catalyst electrochemical activity through the adoption of a hydrophobic catalyst microenvironment.
- Zhuo Xing
- , Lin Hu
- & Xiaofeng Feng
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Article
| Open AccessA flexible electron-blocking interfacial shield for dendrite-free solid lithium metal batteries
The high electronic conductivity of solid-state electrolytes leads to Li dendrite growth, thus hindering the commercialization of solid-state batteries. Here, the authors propose a flexible electron-blocking interface to protect garnet electrolytes from the electronic degradation.
- Hanyu Huo
- , Jian Gao
- & Xueliang Sun
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Article
| Open AccessA four-electron Zn-I2 aqueous battery enabled by reversible I−/I2/I+ conversion
Electrochemically reversible redox couples that embrace more electron transfer at a higher potential are desired for high energy density batteries. Here, the authors report a four-electron aqueous zinc-iodine battery by boosting the iodine electrochemistry in deliberately designed electrolytes.
- Yiping Zou
- , Tingting Liu
- & Xiao Liang
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Article
| Open AccessGreen synthesis of graphite from CO2 without graphitization process of amorphous carbon
Green synthesis of graphite is a great challenge in the absence of the graphitization of amorphous carbon at high temperatures. Here, the authors report a green approach of synthesizing graphite from carbon dioxide at low temperature in seconds timescale.
- Chu Liang
- , Yun Chen
- & Hongge Pan
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Article
| Open AccessA cooperative biphasic MoOx–MoPx promoter enables a fast-charging lithium-ion battery
Fast-charging of lithium-ion batteries is hindered by the uncontrollable plating of metallic Li on the graphite anode during cycling. Here, the authors demonstrate the fast chargeability and long cycle lifetimes via surface engineering of graphite with a cooperative biphasic MoOx–MoPx promoter.
- Sang-Min Lee
- , Junyoung Kim
- & Min-Sik Park
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Article
| Open AccessOxygen-rich interface enables reversible stibium stripping/plating chemistry in aqueous alkaline batteries
The practical application of aqueous alkaline battery is confined by limited choice of anode. Here, the authors demonstrate an oxygen-rich interface induced reversible Sb stripping/plating chemistry that provides a promising Sb metal anode with fast reaction kinetics and favourable stability.
- Haozhe Zhang
- , Qiyu Liu
- & Xihong Lu
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Article
| Open AccessEngineering fluorinated-cation containing inverted perovskite solar cells with an efficiency of >21% and improved stability towards humidity
Efficient and stable perovskite solar cells with simple active layers are desirable for manufacturing, yet formation of a two-dimensional component in the perovskite film compromises the performance. Here, the authors report low temperature fabrication of highly efficient and stable inverted solar cells by adding a fluorinated lead salt.
- Xiao Wang
- , Kasparas Rakstys
- & Paul E. Shaw
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Article
| Open AccessPillar-beam structures prevent layered cathode materials from destructive phase transitions
The specific capacity of P2-type sodium-ion battery cathode is limited because full extraction of Na ions leads to structural degradation. Here authors report pillar-beam structured material to overcome this issue by using K pillar ions to uphold the transition metal layers upon extraction of Na ions.
- Yuesheng Wang
- , Zimin Feng
- & Karim Zaghib
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Article
| Open AccessNeuromorphic van der Waals crystals for substantial energy generation
Controlling ion transport in nanofluidics is fundamental to numerous material applications but designing a material for ion selection is challenging. Here the authors report a confined van der Waals graphene oxide membrane as cation selective channel for energy generation inspired by neuron electromotive force.
- Sungsoon Kim
- , Sangjin Choi
- & Wooyoung Shim
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Article
| Open AccessDepth-dependent valence stratification driven by oxygen redox in lithium-rich layered oxide
Lithium-rich layered material deserves in-depth understanding because it has large capacity enabled by both cation and anion activities. Here, authors apply 3D spectro-tomography with nano resolution to reveal the multi-layer morphology and depth-dependent transition metal valence distribution associated with oxygen redox.
- Jin Zhang
- , Qinchao Wang
- & Yijin Liu
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Article
| Open AccessOpen database analysis of scaling and spatio-temporal properties of power grid frequencies
Power grid frequencies mirror the state of the grid. Here, Rydin Gorjão et al. analyse measurements of power grid frequencies across areas and continents and uncover scaling laws of their fluctuations and spatio-temporal dynamics, which could aid the design, operation and control of power systems.
- Leonardo Rydin Gorjão
- , Richard Jumar
- & Benjamin Schäfer
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Article
| Open AccessEarly decarbonisation of the European energy system pays off
For a given carbon budget between 2020 and 2050, different transformation rates for the European energy system yield starkly different results. Here the authors show that strongly reducing emissions in the first decade is cost-effective and entails additional benefits.
- Marta Victoria
- , Kun Zhu
- & Martin Greiner
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Article
| Open AccessLaser photonic-reduction stamping for graphene-based micro-supercapacitors ultrafast fabrication
Microfabrication for cost-effective miniaturized energy storage devices remains a challenge. Here, the authors propose a spatially shaped femtosecond laser method, which is ultrafast, one-step, high resolution and large-scale, for use in patterning flexible high-performance micro-supercapacitors.
- Yongjiu Yuan
- , Lan Jiang
- & Tianhong Cui
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Article
| Open AccessRationally patterned electrode of direct-current triboelectric nanogenerators for ultrahigh effective surface charge density
Low charge density is the bottleneck for the applications of triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG). Here, the authors demonstrate a microstructure-designed direct-current TENG with rationally patterned electrode structure to enhance its effective charge density to a new milestone.
- Zhihao Zhao
- , Yejing Dai
- & Jie Wang
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Article
| Open AccessMaximizing ion accessibility in MXene-knotted carbon nanotube composite electrodes for high-rate electrochemical energy storage
Improving the accessibility of ions in the electrodes of electrochemical energy storage devices is vital for charge storage and rate performance. Here, the authors report a new type of MXene-carbon nanotube composite electrode that maximizes ion accessibility, resulting in high rate performance at low temperatures.
- Xiang Gao
- , Xuan Du
- & Ming Xu