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| Open AccessHow to speed up ion transport in nanopores
Narrowing pores filled with an electrolyte usually slows down their charge-discharge dynamics. Here the authors demonstrate through molecular dynamics simulations and experiments with novolac-derived carbon electrodes how non-linear voltage sweeps can accelerate charging and discharging of subnanometer pores.
- Konrad Breitsprecher
- , Mathijs Janssen
- & Svyatoslav Kondrat
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Article
| Open AccessBismuth atom tailoring of indium oxide surface frustrated Lewis pairs boosts heterogeneous CO2 photocatalytic hydrogenation
Surface frustrated Lewis pairs (SFLPs) provide a unique class of active sites that enable efficient gas-phase CO2 photocatalysis. How to tailor the reactivity of the SFLPs represents a major challenge, which the authors address here by single-site Bi3+ ion substitution of the SFLPs.
- Tingjiang Yan
- , Na Li
- & Geoffrey A. Ozin
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Article
| Open AccessIntegration of daytime radiative cooling and solar heating for year-round energy saving in buildings
Future zero-energy buildings require smart and dynamic utilization of renewable energy for efficient indoor temperature control. Here the authors show that the dual-mode device enables building envelopes to switch between solar heating and radiative cooling to save HVAC energy for all seasons and all climate zones.
- Xiuqiang Li
- , Bowen Sun
- & Po-Chun Hsu
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Article
| Open AccessScalable thermoelectric fibers for multifunctional textile-electronics
Despite the potential of incorporating thermoelectric (TE) fibers into textile electronics for green energy harvesting, existing fabrication methods are not commercially viable. Here, the authors report a scalable gelation extrusion fabrication strategy for realizing alternating p/n-type TE fibers.
- Tianpeng Ding
- , Kwok Hoe Chan
- & Ghim Wei Ho
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Article
| Open AccessUnraveling the influence of non-fullerene acceptor molecular packing on photovoltaic performance of organic solar cells
Non-fullerene acceptors are crucial for realising efficient charge transport and high power conversion in organic solar cells, yet the relationship of molecular packing and carrier transport is not well-understood. Here, the authors study the effect of side-chain engineering on the backbone assembly and the corresponding charge transport pathway.
- Linglong Ye
- , Kangkang Weng
- & Yanming Sun
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Article
| Open AccessHigh-performance compliant thermoelectric generators with magnetically self-assembled soft heat conductors for self-powered wearable electronics
Though flexible thermoelectric generators (TEGs) are attractive for energy harvesting applications, existing devices show low efficiency due to heat loss and poor thermal contact. Here, the authors report high-performance conformable TEGs with stretchable interconnects and soft heat conductors.
- Byeongmoon Lee
- , Hyeon Cho
- & Seungjun Chung
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Article
| Open Accessd-Orbital steered active sites through ligand editing on heterometal imidazole frameworks for rechargeable zinc-air battery
Low intrinsic activity and accessibility of active sites limit the application of metal-organic framework as catalyst for Zn-air battery. Here, authors present a cation substitution strategy to regulate the electronic state of metal sites and modify its porosity, which enables battery operation.
- Yi Jiang
- , Ya-Ping Deng
- & Zhongwei Chen
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Article
| Open AccessAdding salt to expand voltage window of humid ionic liquids
Water adsorbed on the electrode surface of electrochemical energy storage devices narrows the electrochemical windows. Combining atomistic simulations and cyclic voltammetry experiments the authors demonstrate an approach to expand the voltage window of humid ionic liquids based on the addition of lithium salt.
- Ming Chen
- , Jiedu Wu
- & Guang Feng
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Article
| Open AccessDiscontinuous transition to loop formation in optimal supply networks
Supply networks with optimal structure do not contain loops but these can arise as a result of damages or fluctuations. Here Kaiser et al. uncover the mechanisms of loop formation, predict their location and draw analogies with loop formation in biological networks such as plants and animal vasculature.
- Franz Kaiser
- , Henrik Ronellenfitsch
- & Dirk Witthaut
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Article
| Open AccessInsights into interfacial effect and local lithium-ion transport in polycrystalline cathodes of solid-state batteries
Solid state battery is regarded as one of the most promising next generation energy storage systems due to high safety and high energy density. Here, authors demonstrate the importance of interfacial local environment in polycrystalline cathodes for electrochemical reactions in solid-state batteries.
- Shuaifeng Lou
- , Qianwen Liu
- & Jiajun Wang
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Article
| Open AccessDirect conversion of methane to formaldehyde and CO on B2O3 catalysts
Partial oxidation of methane to value-added C1 products remains challenging due to the favorable formation of fully-oxidized CO2. Here, the authors show supported B2O3 catalysts with tri-coordinated BO3 units as the active site are highly selective in oxidizing methane to HCHO and CO.
- Jinshu Tian
- , Jiangqiao Tan
- & Yong Wang
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Article
| Open AccessN-type organic thermoelectrics: demonstration of ZT > 0.3
Achieved high thermoelectric figure of merit (ZT) in organic thermoelectric materials remains a challenge due to their low packing order and poor host/dopant miscibility. Here, the authors report side chain-engineered n-doped fullerene derivatives with record ZT >0.3 for organic thermoelectrics.
- Jian Liu
- , Bas van der Zee
- & L. Jan Anton Koster
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Article
| Open AccessA highly-active, stable and low-cost platinum-free anode catalyst based on RuNi for hydroxide exchange membrane fuel cells
Development of hydroxide exchange membrane fuel cells (HEMFCs) requires high-performance and low-cost catalysts for hydrogen oxidation reaction at the anode. Here the authors report Ru7Ni3/C as anode catalysts, delivering high power density and good durability in alkaline media for HEMFCs.
- Yanrong Xue
- , Lin Shi
- & Zhongbin Zhuang
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Article
| Open AccessMethylamine-assisted growth of uniaxial-oriented perovskite thin films with millimeter-sized grains
Suppressing grain boundaries and defects in perovskite solar cells remains a quest to address the efficiency and stability issues. Here, the authors use methylamine gas for assisting the growth of uniaxial-oriented perovskite thin films with millimeter-sized grains.
- Haochen Fan
- , Fengzhu Li
- & YanLin Song
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Article
| Open AccessUniversal and versatile morphology engineering via hot fluorous solvent soaking for organic bulk heterojunction
Morphology control of bulk heterojunction organic solar cells has been a challenge for realising optimal photovoltaic performance. Here, the authors utilise amphiphobic nature and temperature-dependent miscibility of fluorous solvent to promote molecular reorganisation and morphological optimisation.
- Tong Shan
- , Yi Zhang
- & Hongliang Zhong
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Article
| Open AccessCharge-generating mid-gap trap states define the thermodynamic limit of organic photovoltaic devices
The inability to accurately measure the charge-generating energy states in organic solar cells makes elucidating the photovoltaic effect in these devices difficult. Here, the authors report charge-generating mid-gap trap states in organic solar cells via ultra-sensitive photovoltaic measurements.
- Nasim Zarrabi
- , Oskar J. Sandberg
- & Ardalan Armin
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Article
| Open AccessEfficient energy transfer mitigates parasitic light absorption in molecular charge-extraction layers for perovskite solar cells
The performance of perovskite solar cells can be limited by light absorption loss in organic charge extraction layers, through which sun light must propagate before reaching the perovskite. Here, the authors demonstrate that efficient energy transfer to the perovskite layer from a thin organic layer is able to eliminate this parasitic loss.
- Hannah J. Eggimann
- , Jay B. Patel
- & Laura M. Herz
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Article
| Open AccessOn-surface lithium donor reaction enables decarbonated lithium garnets and compatible interfaces within cathodes
Formation of insulating lithium carbonate on surface of lithium garnets hinders their application as solid electrolyte in lithium ion batteries. Here the authors explore a scalable sintering approach to utilize the undesired Li2CO3 and improve the active material-electrolyte interface within cathodes.
- Ya-Nan Yang
- , Ying-Xiang Li
- & Tao Zhang
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Article
| Open AccessHigh-performance and stable photoelectrochemical water splitting cell with organic-photoactive-layer-based photoanode
While organic semiconductors may be useful in photoelectrochemical water-splitting materials, they show low stability in water. Here, the authors report high-performance and stable organic-semiconductor-based photoanodes passivated using nickel foils, GaIn eutectic, and layered double hydroxides.
- Je Min Yu
- , Jungho Lee
- & Ji-Wook Jang
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Article
| Open AccessReprogramming bacterial protein organelles as a nanoreactor for hydrogen production
The extreme oxygen sensitive character of hydrogenases is a longstanding issue for hydrogen production in bacteria. Here, the authors build carboxysome shells in E. coli and incorporate catalytically active hydrogenases and functional partners within the empty shell for the production of hydrogen.
- Tianpei Li
- , Qiuyao Jiang
- & Lu-Ning Liu
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Article
| Open AccessImmunizing lithium metal anodes against dendrite growth using protein molecules to achieve high energy batteries
The practical application of lithium metal anodes in high-energy-density lithium metal batteries is hindered by the formation and growth of lithium dendrites. Here, authors report fibroin protein as an electrolyte additive to prevent and eliminate the growth of wispy lithium dendrites.
- Tianyi Wang
- , Yanbin Li
- & Guoxiu Wang
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Article
| Open Access3D printed graphene-based self-powered strain sensors for smart tires in autonomous vehicles
Designing efficient sensors for smart tires for autonomous vehicles remains a challenge. Here, the authors present a tire-integrated system that combines direct mask-less 3D printed strain gauges, flexible piezoelectric energy harvester for powering the sensors and secure wireless data transfer electronics, and machine learning for predictive data analysis.
- Deepam Maurya
- , Seyedmeysam Khaleghian
- & Shashank Priya
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Article
| Open AccessMetal chalcogenide hollow polar bipyramid prisms as efficient sulfur hosts for Na-S batteries
Sodium sulfur batteries require efficient sulfur hosts that can capture soluble polysulfides and enable fast reduction kinetics. Here, authors report hollow catalytic bipyramid prism CoS2/C as efficient sulfur carriers, and investigate the reaction mechanism in the sodium sulfur battery.
- Muhammad Kashif Aslam
- , Ieuan D. Seymour
- & Maowen Xu
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Article
| Open Access16.8% Monolithic all-perovskite triple-junction solar cells via a universal two-step solution process
Integrating several different perovskite absorber layers in a multi-junction solar cell imposes a great processing challenge. Here, the authors demonstrate a versatile two-step solution process for fabricating monolithic all-perovskite triple-junction solar cells.
- Junke Wang
- , Valerio Zardetto
- & René A. J. Janssen
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Article
| Open AccessDual redox mediators accelerate the electrochemical kinetics of lithium-sulfur batteries
The sluggish electrochemical kinetics of sulfur species remains a major hurdle for the broad adoption of lithium-sulfur batteries. Here, the authors construct an energy diagram of sulfur species to unveil their reaction pathways and propose a general strategy to accelerate electrochemical reactions.
- Fang Liu
- , Geng Sun
- & Yunfeng Lu
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Article
| Open AccessLong-range exciton diffusion in molecular non-fullerene acceptors
The short-range diffusion length of organic semiconductors severely limits exciton harvesting and charge generation in organic bulk heterojunction solar cells. Here, the authors report exciton diffusion length in the range of 20 to 47 nm for a wide range of non-fullerene acceptors molecules.
- Yuliar Firdaus
- , Vincent M. Le Corre
- & Thomas D. Anthopoulos
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Article
| Open AccessDimer rattling mode induced low thermal conductivity in an excellent acoustic conductor
CuP2 has a puzzling thermal transport behavior, with low thermal conductivity but quite large mean sound speeds. Here, the authors conduct a systematical study of the atomic structure and lattice dynamics of CuP2 to reveal the origin, finding a dimer rattling behavior.
- Ji Qi
- , Baojuan Dong
- & Zhidong Zhang
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Article
| Open AccessEnabling “lithium-free” manufacturing of pure lithium metal solid-state batteries through in situ plating
While the impetus to develop lithium metal solid-state batteries is clear, identifying a practical manufacturing process is challenging. Herewith, authors study the underlying mechanisms controlling in-situ anode formation that could enable viable lithium-free manufacturing.
- Michael J. Wang
- , Eric Carmona
- & Jeff Sakamoto
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Article
| Open AccessObservation of a high degree of stopping for laser-accelerated intense proton beams in dense ionized matter
A detailed understanding of particle stopping in matter is essential for nuclear fusion and high energy density science. Here, the authors report one order of magnitude enhancement of intense laser-accelerated proton beam stopping in dense ionized matter in comparison with currently used models describing ion stopping in matter.
- Jieru Ren
- , Zhigang Deng
- & Yongtao Zhao
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Article
| Open AccessRoll-to-roll gravure-printed flexible perovskite solar cells using eco-friendly antisolvent bathing with wide processing window
Driven by recent improvement in efficiency and stability of perovskite solar cells, the next step toward commercialisation is upscaling. Here, the authors demonstrate pilot-scale fully roll-to-roll manufacturing of flexible perovskite solar cells through gravure-printing and antisolvent bathing.
- Young Yun Kim
- , Tae-Youl Yang
- & Jangwon Seo
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Article
| Open AccessMulti-functional flexible 2D carbon nanostructured networks
Creating two-dimensional carbon nanoscale building blocks is of fundamental importance, but is extremely challenging. Here, the authors report a facile electro-spraying/netting technique for self-assembly of two-dimensional carbon nanostructured networks with superflexibility and multi-functionality.
- Shichao Zhang
- , Hui Liu
- & Bin Ding
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Article
| Open AccessThermal runaway of Lithium-ion batteries employing LiN(SO2F)2-based concentrated electrolytes
Concentrated electrolytes display superior thermal stability due to their non-flammability nature. Here, the authors show that LiN(SO2F)2-based concentrated electrolytes are incapable of solving the safety issues due to heat release during reaction between the lithiated graphite and electrolyte.
- Junxian Hou
- , Languang Lu
- & Minggao Ouyang
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Article
| Open AccessRational design of a robust aluminum metal-organic framework for multi-purpose water-sorption-driven heat allocations
Adsorption-based heat transfer devices are attractive for clean energy resources, but those using water as the working fluid require suitable water adsorbents. Here the authors use computation and experiment to develop an aluminum-based metal-organic framework adsorbent for adsorption-driven heat transfer devices.
- Kyung Ho Cho
- , D. Damasceno Borges
- & Jong-San Chang
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Article
| Open AccessRegional impacts of electricity system transition in Central Europe until 2035
Implementation of Central European electricity targets will redistribute regional benefits and burdens. Here the authors show that the aims of cost-efficiency, regional equality, and renewable electricity generation have vastly different implementation pathways, impacts, and trade-offs.
- Jan-Philipp Sasse
- & Evelina Trutnevyte
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Review Article
| Open AccessSolid state chemistry for developing better metal-ion batteries
The development of high performing metal-ion batteries require guidelines to build improved electrodes and electrolytes. Here, the authors review the current state-of-the-art in the rational design of battery materials by exploiting the interplay between composition, crystal structure and electrochemical properties.
- Artem M. Abakumov
- , Stanislav S. Fedotov
- & Jean-Marie Tarascon
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Article
| Open AccessExploiting two-dimensional morphology of molybdenum oxycarbide to enable efficient catalytic dry reforming of methane
The two-dimensional morphology of molybdenum oxycarbide (2D-Mo2COx) nanosheets dispersed on silica is found vital for the dry reforming of methane. Here the authors show that the specific activity of 2D-Mo2COx/SiO2 exceeds that of other Mo2C-based catalysts by ca. 3 orders of magnitude.
- Alexey Kurlov
- , Evgeniya B. Deeva
- & Christoph R. Müller
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Article
| Open AccessInhibition of oxygen dimerization by local symmetry tuning in Li-rich layered oxides for improved stability
Li-rich layered oxide cathodes show high capacities in Li-ion batteries but suffer from structural degradation via O–O dimerization. Here, the authors present local-symmetry-tuned Li2RuO3 with oxygen redox involving a telescopic O–Ru–O configuration avoiding O2 release, enhancing cycling stability.
- Fanghua Ning
- , Biao Li
- & Dingguo Xia
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Article
| Open AccessPersistent and reversible solid iodine electrodeposition in nanoporous carbons
Iodide based energy storage is a potential candidate to improve performance of hybrid supercapacitors and batteries. Here, the authors revisit the previous understanding and show that electrochemical oxidation of iodide results in solid iodine deposits stabilized by the confinement of nanoporous carbons.
- Christian Prehal
- , Harald Fitzek
- & Qamar Abbas
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Article
| Open AccessOrthogonal colloidal quantum dot inks enable efficient multilayer optoelectronic devices
The realisation of film made up of different compositions using colloidal QD inks remains a challenge because of redispersing of underlying films by polar solvents. Here, the authors introduce aromatic ligands to achieve QD inks in weakly-polar solvents that enable fabrication of multi-compositional films.
- Seungjin Lee
- , Min-Jae Choi
- & Edward H. Sargent
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Article
| Open AccessBimetallic nickel-molybdenum/tungsten nanoalloys for high-efficiency hydrogen oxidation catalysis in alkaline electrolytes
The lack of efficient and cost-effective catalysts for hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) hampers the application of hydroxide exchange membrane fuel cells. Here, authors reported bimetallic MoNi4 and WNi4 nanoalloys with marked HOR activity in alkali, among which MoNi4 outperforms the Pt/C catalyst.
- Yu Duan
- , Zi-You Yu
- & Shu-Hong Yu
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Article
| Open AccessImpacts of solar intermittency on future photovoltaic reliability
The intermittency of solar resources is one of the primary challenges for the large-scale integration of the renewable energy. Here Yin et al. used satellite data and climate model outputs to evaluate the geographic patterns of future solar power reliability, highlighting the tradeoff between the maximum potential power and the power reliability.
- Jun Yin
- , Annalisa Molini
- & Amilcare Porporato
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Article
| Open AccessDirect growth of uniform carbon nitride layers with extended optical absorption towards efficient water-splitting photoanodes
Photoelectrochemical cells (PEC) can convert sunlight and water directly to a hydrogen fuel. Here a robust metal-free carbon nitride-based layer is used as an efficient photoanode for water-splitting PEC.
- Jiani Qin
- , Jesús Barrio
- & Menny Shalom
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Article
| Open AccessMaterializing efficient methanol oxidation via electron delocalization in nickel hydroxide nanoribbon
Development of suitable methanol oxidation reaction catalysts for direct methanol fuel cells is challenging due to sluggish kinetics. Herein, authors show that four-coordinate nickel atoms form charge-transfer orbitals near the Fermi energy level, leading to remarkable methanol oxidation activity.
- Xiaopeng Wang
- , Shibo Xi
- & Junmin Xue
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Article
| Open AccessGradient tantalum-doped hematite homojunction photoanode improves both photocurrents and turn-on voltage for solar water splitting
Solar-to-fuel conversion represents a renewable means to harvest sunlight, but the most efficient materials are often expensive or rare. Here, authors demonstrate gradient tantalum-doped hematite homojunctions as a method to improve photoelectrochemical water splitting performances.
- Hemin Zhang
- , Dongfeng Li
- & Jae Sung Lee
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Article
| Open AccessDeep learning enabled smart mats as a scalable floor monitoring system
Designing efficient and fast monitoring and response systems for smart building/home applications remains a challenge. Here, the authors propose a smart floor monitoring system developed through the integration of self-powered triboelectric sensing mechanism and deep learning data analytics.
- Qiongfeng Shi
- , Zixuan Zhang
- & Chengkuo Lee
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Article
| Open AccessRandom terpolymer based on thiophene-thiazolothiazole unit enabling efficient non-fullerene organic solar cells
The batch reproducibility of polymer donor materials limits the performance of polymer solar cells. Here Wu et al. develop a polymer donor PM1 by random terpolymerization strategy with a high efficiency of 17.6% in the device and excellent batch-to-batch reproducibility.
- Jingnan Wu
- , Guangwei Li
- & Yongfang Li
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Article
| Open AccessAssessment of lithium criticality in the global energy transition and addressing policy gaps in transportation
The long-term availability of lithium in the event of significant demand growth of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries is important to assess. Here the authors assess lithium demand and supply challenges of a long-term energy transition using 18 scenarios, developed by combining 8 demand and 4 supply variations.
- Peter Greim
- , A. A. Solomon
- & Christian Breyer
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Article
| Open AccessDefect and structural evolution under high-energy ion irradiation informs battery materials design for extreme environments
Defect and structural evolution are critical in determining the stability of battery materials. Here, the authors use high-energy Kr ion irradiation to induce rapid defect and study structural evolution in Li- and Na-layered cathodes to find that Li-layered cathodes are more resilient under irradiation.
- Muhammad Mominur Rahman
- , Wei-Ying Chen
- & Feng Lin
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Article
| Open AccessRobust metal ion-chelated polymer interfacial layer for ultraflexible non-fullerene organic solar cells
Simultaneously achieving high efficiency and mechanical robustness is challenging for ultraflexible organic solar cells. Here, Qin et al. present a robust interlayer of Zinc-chelated polyethylenimine (PEI-Zn) to facilitate the demonstration of efficient and mechanically robust ultraflexible solar cells.
- Fei Qin
- , Wen Wang
- & Yinhua Zhou