Featured
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Article
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Improved interfacial stability of all-solid-state batteries using cation-anion co-doped glass electrolytes
Poor stability against the lithium metal anode and high interfacial resistance at the cathode/solid electrolyte interface in all-solid-state batteries is an issue. Here, metal halide-doped Li7P2S8I–type solid electrolytes are demonstrated to improve electrochemical performance and stability.
- Rajesh Rajagopal
- , Yuvaraj Subramanian
- & Kwang-Sun Ryu
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Perspective
| Open Access
Designing metal halide perovskite solar modules for thermomechanical reliability
Thermomechanical stability is a limiting factor when scaling-up perovskite solar cells. This Perspective discusses several aspects of device design that control thermomechanical degradation, including adhesion of layers and encapsulation, and the importance of accelerated degradation testing.
- Marco Casareto
- & Nicholas Rolston
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Review Article
| Open Access
Plasmonic chemistry for sustainable ammonia production
Ammonia production from dinitrogen is challenging due to the harsh reaction conditions required and significant energy consumption. Here, this Review discusses how plasmonic materials can offer an energetically and ecologically desirable solution to dinitrogen reduction.
- Arsha Choudhary
- , Anubhab Halder
- & Vishal Govind Rao
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Article
| Open Access
Standardized cycle life assessment of batteries using extremely lean electrolytic testing conditions
Many capacitive materials exist but assessment protocols that allow comparisons between laboratory-scale research and industrial-scale trials are lacking. Here, extremely lean electrolytic testing is proposed as a systematic evaluation framework to assess the performance of diverse battery systems.
- Myeong Gyun Nam
- , Hyun Jun Song
- & Pil J. Yoo
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Review Article
| Open Access
Advances in 3D silicon-based lithium-ion microbatteries
Three-dimensional silicon-based lithium-ion microbatteries have potential use in miniaturized electronics that require independent energy storage. Here, their developments are discussed in terms of their material compatibility, cell designs, fabrication methods, and performance in various applications.
- Andam Deatama Refino
- , Calvin Eldona
- & Hutomo Suryo Wasisto
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Article
| Open Access
Three-dimensional distribution of individual atoms in the channels of beryl
Single atom detection in nanoporous materials is challenging due to their sensitivity to electron irradiation. Here, the three-dimensional atomic occupancy of natural beryl is quantitatively analysed using high-angle annular dark-field imaging in a scanning transmission electron microscope and statistical analysis.
- Daniel Knez
- , Christian Gspan
- & Ferdinand Hofer
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Review Article
| Open Access
Morphology controlled performance of ternary layered oxide cathodes
The effect of morphology-focused modifications is often overlooked despite their impact on battery applications. Here, the morphological relationship of ternary layered oxide cathodes to their electrochemical performance is Reviewed, with guidance suggested for their design and commercialization.
- Zifei Meng
- , Xiaotu Ma
- & Yan Wang
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Article
| Open Access
Interfacial interaction promoted titanium oxide-based organic-inorganic nanoheterojunctions by chiral host-guest binding
Achieving close contact between organic and inorganic components in nanostructures is critical for performance. Here, the interfacial interaction in titanium oxide-based organic-inorganic nanoheterojunctions is promoted by host-guest interactions, which are obtained through chiral recognition.
- Juexin Huang
- , Jingyi Xia
- & Chuanliang Feng
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Article
| Open Access
Ordered π-conjugated polymer backbone in amorphous blend for high efficiency nonfullerene organic photovoltaics
The amorphous regions of π-conjugated polymers typically show lower functionality than the crystalline regions with high π–π stacking order. Here, a benzodithiophene–thiazolothiazole copolymer shows a greater coplanar backbone structure when the π–π stacking order is absent compared to the crystalline state.
- Masahiko Saito
- , Hiroya Yamada
- & Itaru Osaka
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Article
| Open Access
Impact of exposing lithium metal to monocrystalline vertical silicon nanowires for lithium-ion microbatteries
Lithiation and de-lithiation of lithium-ion microbatteries pose a challenge for adoption due to their extreme volume change and active lithium loss. Here, the surface morphologies of a monocrystalline vertical silicon nanowire-based lithium microbattery were investigated against performance.
- Andam Deatama Refino
- , Egy Adhitama
- & Hutomo Suryo Wasisto
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Article
| Open Access
High proton conduction in Ba2LuAlO5 with highly oxygen-deficient layers
Proton conductors are used in diverse applications that require high ionic conductivity at low temperatures and high chemical stability. Here, we report that Ba2LuAlO5 shows high proton conductivities, high diffusivity, and high chemical stability without chemical doping.
- Riho Morikawa
- , Taito Murakami
- & Masatomo Yashima
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Article
| Open Access
Impact of solid-electrolyte interphase reformation on capacity loss in silicon-based lithium-ion batteries
The solid electrolyte interface reformation process and material evolution in silicon composite anodes is not well understood. Here, the authors develop a correlated workflow to study the structural and chemical progression of silicon and solid electrolyte interface reformation upon cycling.
- T. Vorauer
- , J. Schöggl
- & R. Brunner
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Article
| Open Access
Partial liquid metal dealloying to synthesize nickel-containing porous and composite ferrous and high-entropy alloys
Liquid metal dealloying is performed by immersing soluble and insoluble elements into a liquid metal bath but this prevents precise composition control. Here, the authors control the amount of soluble element remaining in the microstructure by partial dealloying and applied them to high-entropy alloys.
- Takeshi Wada
- , Pierre-Antoine Geslin
- & Hidemi Kato
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Review Article
| Open Access
Challenges and possibilities for aqueous battery systems
Aqueous batteries are emerging as a promising alternative to lithium-ion batteries. In this Review, the challenges and recent strategies for various aqueous battery systems are discussed with key factors needing the most improvement highlighted.
- Heeju Ahn
- , Daye Kim
- & Kwan Woo Nam
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Article
| Open Access
A jigsaw-structured artificial solid electrolyte interphase for high-voltage lithium metal batteries
Lithium-metal batteries are hindered by their insufficient Coulombic efficiency and uncontrollable dendrite growth. Here, a multi-component jigsaw-like artificial solid electrolyte interphase was constructed that regulates lithium-ion transport and protects the reactive lithium metal.
- Luyi Chen
- , Jiawei Lai
- & Qifeng Zheng
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Perspective
| Open Access
Functional two-dimensional high-entropy materials
High-entropy materials have been realized in a wide number of alloys and ceramics, usually in bulk form. This Perspective discusses the emerging field of two-dimensional high-entropy materials, focusing on their formation, structure and applications.
- Srinivasa Kartik Nemani
- , Mohammad Torkamanzadeh
- & Babak Anasori
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Article
| Open Access
Dynamic molecular ordering in multiphasic nanoconfined ionic liquids detected with time-resolved diffusion NMR
Molecular motion in nanosized pores can be extremely complex. Here, NMR diffusion experiments in different relaxation windows and molecular dynamics simulations suggest an unusual dynamic molecular ordering when an ionic liquid is confined in nanoporous silica.
- Marina Karagianni
- , Lydia Gkoura
- & Georgios Papavassiliou
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Article
| Open Access
Triplet sensitization via charge recombination at organic heterojunction for efficient near-infrared to visible solid-state photon upconversion
A near-infrared to visible photon upconversion device was previously shown to increase external quantum efficiency by up to 2.3%. Here, the upconversion mechanism is studied by time-resolved spectroscopy, revealing that 67% of incident photons are utilized.
- Yuji Sakamoto
- , Seiichiro Izawa
- & Yasunari Tamai
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Article
| Open Access
Nanomechanical signatures of degradation-free influence of water on halide perovskite mechanics
Humidity can change the properties of halide perovskites used in functional devices. Here, indentation experiments reveal that humidity causes an increase in elastic modulus and a decrease in hardness, which is correlated to bond length, hydrogen bonding and polarizability of the ions.
- Isaac Buchine
- , Irit Rosenhek-Goldian
- & Sidney R. Cohen
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Perspective
| Open Access
Stability of 2D and quasi-2D perovskite materials and devices
3D perovskites are widely researched for their use in optoelectronic devices, yet suffer from issues with environmental stability. Here, the improved stability of 2D and quasi-2D perovskites under a range of environmental factors, as compared to their 3D counterparts, is discussed.
- Tik Lun Leung
- , Ishaq Ahmad
- & Aleksandra B. Djurišić
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Review Article
| Open Access
Degradation pathways in perovskite solar cells and how to meet international standards
Stable performance in solar cells is a key requirement for industrial success. Here, stability and degradation of perovskite solar cells are discussed within the context of the International Electrotechnical Commission’s standards for commercialized solar cells.
- Deyi Zhang
- , Daiyu Li
- & Hongwei Han
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Article
| Open Access
Predicting the formation of fractionally doped perovskite oxides by a function-confined machine learning method
Fractionally doped perovskites oxides are interesting for their energy production and storage applications. Here, the authors develop an easy-to-use machine learning model for materials discovery from limited data, identifying and synthesizing 7 new compositions relevant for solar thermochemical hydrogen production.
- Ximei Zhai
- , Fei Ding
- & Jianhua Tong
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Article
| Open Access
Tracking the evolution of materials and interfaces in perovskite solar cells under an electric field
Stable performance is a key requirement for solar cell devices. Here, spectroscopy combined with depth profiling reveals I2 and PbI2 are distributed evenly in a perovskite solar cell under an electric field, while the electric field itself promotes chemical heterogeneity and device degradation.
- Juntao Hu
- , Peng Chen
- & Zheng-Hong Lu
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Matters Arising
| Open AccessConcerns about global phosphorus demand for lithium-iron-phosphate batteries in the light electric vehicle sector
- Bryan M. Spears
- , Will J. Brownlie
- & José M. Mogollón
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Article
| Open Access
High-throughput exploration of halide perovskite compositionally-graded films and degradation mechanisms
High-throughput materials discovery can reduce the time taken to identify high-performing materials. Here, compositionally-graded films are fabricated in a binary halide perovskite system, of interest for solar cells, and their stability investigated during artificial aging.
- Shahram Moradi
- , Soumya Kundu
- & Makhsud I. Saidaminov
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Review Article
| Open Access
Plasmon-induced hot-hole generation and extraction at nano-heterointerfaces for photocatalysis
Plasmon-enhanced photocatalysis allows for enhanced reaction kinetics and selectivity. Here, the importance of hot holes in plasmonic catalysis is discussed, with a focus on their efficient extraction via different nano-heterointerfaces.
- Monika Ahlawat
- , Diksha Mittal
- & Vishal Govind Rao
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Article
| Open Access
Lithium-ion-conductive sulfide polymer electrolyte with disulfide bond-linked PS4 tetrahedra for all-solid-state batteries
Solid polymer electrolytes that are resistant to volume changes during charge-discharge cycling are important for all-solid-state batteries. Here, a sulfide polymer electrolyte is fabricated by reacting PS43− anions with iodine, obtaining cells with low resistance and high capacity retention.
- Atsutaka Kato
- , Mari Yamamoto
- & Masanari Takahashi
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Article
| Open Access
Structural complexity and the metal-to-semiconductor transition in lead telluride
Lead telluride is an important thermoelectric material but its metal-to-semiconductor transition above 230 °C is not fully understood. Here, atomic-resolution transmission electron microscopy provides structural insights into this transition, explaining the metallic behavior by a dislocation network within the rock salt structure.
- Iryna Zelenina
- , Paul Simon
- & Yuri Grin
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Article
| Open Access
Reducing crystallinity in solid polymer electrolytes for lithium-metal batteries via statistical copolymerization
Polyethylene oxide is a common solid polymer electrolyte for solid-state lithium metal batteries. Here, statistical copolymerization is shown to be an effective approach to reduce its crystallinity, enabling a high ionic conductivity during room temperature battery operation.
- Vincent St-Onge
- , Mengyang Cui
- & Jerome P. Claverie
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Article
| Open Access
Chemical stability of hydrogen boride nanosheets in water
Nanoscale boron-based materials are promising for electronic devices, and it is important to understand their chemical stability. Here, hydrogen boride nanosheets are stable against hydrolysis in water, which ab initio calculations attribute to the charge state of boron and the boron-boron bond network.
- Kurt Irvin M. Rojas
- , Nguyen Thanh Cuong
- & Ikutaro Hamada
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Article
| Open Access
Open-air printing of Cu2O thin films with high hole mobility for semitransparent solar harvesters
Semiconducting Cu2O is attractive for photovoltaic and optoelectronic devices, though balancing high hole mobility with low-cost fabrication is challenging. Here, Cu2O thin films with high hole mobility of 92 cm²V−1s−1 are deposited in air, and applied in a semi-transparent solar harvester.
- Abderrahime Sekkat
- , Viet Huong Nguyen
- & David Muñoz-Rojas
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Article
| Open Access
Blocking lithium dendrite growth in solid-state batteries with an ultrathin amorphous Li-La-Zr-O solid electrolyte
The formation and growth of dendrites in solid-state lithium metal batteries is a common cause of failure. Here, thin-film amorphous Li-La-Zr-O shows high resistance to lithium penetration, making it promising for thin-film solid-state batteries and as a coating for bulk ceramic electrolyte.
- Jordi Sastre
- , Moritz H. Futscher
- & Yaroslav E. Romanyuk
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Article
| Open Access
Manipulation of parity and polarization through structural distortion in light-emitting halide double perovskites
Halide perovskites recently attracted wide attention for light emitting applications. Here, octahedral distortion in halide double perovskites Cs2AgMCl6, induced by the mixture of trivalent M-cations Bi3+, In3+, and Sb3+, gives rise to enhanced white light emissivity and longer photoluminescence lifetimes.
- Tamilselvan Appadurai
- , Ravi Kashikar
- & Aravind Kumar Chandiran
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Review Article
| Open Access
Intrinsic differences and realistic perspectives of lithium-sulfur and magnesium-sulfur batteries
Magnesium-sulfur batteries offer several advantages compared to lithium-sulfur batteries, including a more stable anode and lower material costs. Here, the challenges and prospects for both classes of batteries are discussed, including their outlook for practical energy and cost levels.
- Georg Bieker
- , Verena Küpers
- & Martin Winter
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Article
| Open Access
Transient morphology of lithium anodes in batteries monitored by in operando pulse electron paramagnetic resonance
Knowing the morphology of lithium anodes is important for designing batteries with long service life. Here, pulse electron paramagnetic resonance is used to monitor pulsed plating of lithium on a timescale of 100 ms, revealing transient morphology changes after the charging pulse ended.
- Conrad Szczuka
- , Jörg Ackermann
- & Josef Granwehr
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Article
| Open Access
Nano-vault architecture mitigates stress in silicon-based anodes for lithium-ion batteries
Lithiation of anodes during cycling of lithium-ion batteries generates stresses that reduce operation lifetime. Here, a composite silicon-based anode with a nanoscale vaulted architecture shows high mechanical stability and electrochemical performance in a lithium-ion battery.
- Marta Haro
- , Pawan Kumar
- & Panagiotis Grammatikopoulos
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Article
| Open Access
Stretchable micro-scale concentrator photovoltaic module with 15.4% efficiency for three-dimensional curved surfaces
The use of photovoltaic devices for energy harvesting in real-world applications requires that they are conformable to non-flat surfaces. Here, a micro-scale concentrator module shows 15.4% outdoor conversion efficiency and can stretch over curved 3D surfaces.
- Daisuke Sato
- , Taizo Masuda
- & Noboru Yamada
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Article
| Open Access
Moisture resistance in perovskite solar cells attributed to a water-splitting layer
The poor environmental stability of lead halide perovskites limits their performance in solar cells. Here, a CuSCN nanoplateletes/p-type semiconducting polymer composite layer enables the stable performance of a solar cell for 28 days in high-moisture conditions, attributed to water splitting.
- Min Kim
- , Antonio Alfano
- & Francesco Lamberti
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Article
| Open Access
Deterioration mechanism of perovskite solar cells by operando observation of spin states
Perovskite solar cells have seen a strong improvement in power conversion efficiency, but their intrinsic degradation is yet to be elucidated. Here, operando electron spin resonance is used to probe the number of spin states and relate its variation with the device performance under operation.
- Takahiro Watanabe
- , Toshihiro Yamanari
- & Kazuhiro Marumoto
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Article
| Open Access
Enhanced dielectric constant and energy density in a BaTiO3/polymer-matrix composite sponge
Polymer-matrix composites have a number of attractive properties for use as dielectrics in electrostatic energy storage devices. Here, a BaTiO3 sponge filled with epoxy achieves a high dielectric constant and energy density, attributed to large local electrical displacements.
- Gang Jian
- , Yong Jiao
- & Ching-Ping Wong
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Article
| Open Access
Infrared response in photocatalytic polymeric carbon nitride for water splitting via an upconversion mechanism
Photocatalysts with broad-spectrum light activation are needed for high efficiency water splitting. Here, an upconversion process in oxygen-doped carbon nitride nanosheets contributes to enhanced photocatalytic activity under both visible and infrared light.
- Zhengyuan Jin
- , Xiantao Jiang
- & Yu-Jia Zeng
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Article
| Open Access
Dynamic observation of manganese adatom mobility at perovskite oxide catalyst interfaces with water
Atomic processes on the surface of a catalyst control reaction mechanisms. Here, in-situ imaging of manganese adatom dynamics on La0.6Sr0.4MnO3 and Pr0.67Ca0.33MnO3 surfaces used in the oxygen evolution reaction reveals the importance of partial surface solvation of active metal sites on reaction mechanism.
- Gaurav Lole
- , Vladimir Roddatis
- & Christian Jooss
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Article
| Open Access
Proton-assisted electron transfer and hydrogen-atom diffusion in a model system for photocatalytic hydrogen production
The chemical pathways by which photocatalytic hydrogen production occurs remain to be fully understood. Here, a model system is studied, composed of single atoms deposited on quantum dots, attached to a primary photocatalyst.
- Yuanzheng Zhang
- , Yunrong Dai
- & Michael R. Hoffmann
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Article
| Open Access
Two-photon photocurrent in InGaN/GaN nanowire intermediate band solar cells
Intermediate band solar cells have the ability to reach efficiencies similar to multijunction cells using a single semiconductor junction. Here, enhanced two-photon carrier generation is demonstrated on a silicon substrate in an InGaN/GaN quantum dot-in-nanowire heterostructure intermediate band solar cell.
- Ross Cheriton
- , Sharif M. Sadaf
- & Karin Hinzer
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Article
| Open Access
Catalysis-free transformation of non-graphitising carbons into highly crystalline graphite
Non-graphitising carbon materials typically cannot be converted to graphite without the use of metal catalysts. Here, catalyst-free, high-temperature pulsing is shown to convert polyvinylidene chloride and cellulose into highly ordered graphite.
- Jason L. Fogg
- , Kate J. Putman
- & Irene Suarez-Martinez
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Article
| Open Access
Crystallisation control of drop-cast quasi-2D/3D perovskite layers for efficient solar cells
Perovskite solar cells have substantial potential for solar conversion, but developing simple and scalable fabrication processes is challenging. Here, a drop-casting process compatible with roll-to-roll production of quasi-2D/3D perovskite layers is developed, with a conversion efficiency of up to 16%.
- Chuantian Zuo
- , Andrew D. Scully
- & Mei Gao
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Article
| Open Access
High cycle life all-solid-state fluoride ion battery with La2NiO4+d high voltage cathode
Fluoride ion batteries receive substantial interest, but are limited by their cyclic performance. Here, an La2NiO4.13 cathode in an all-solid-state fluoride ion battery achieves up to 220 cycles for a 30 mAh/g cut-off capacity.
- Mohammad Ali Nowroozi
- , Kerstin Wissel
- & Oliver Clemens
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Article
| Open Access
Simple and fast fabrication of single crystal VO2 microtube arrays
Vanadium dioxide is well known to display a metal-insulator transition, making it an attractive option for functional devices. Here, the growth of single crystal VO2 microtube arrays is achieved via a thermal oxidation process that is faster and simpler than many existing fabrication technologies.
- Chunwang Zhao
- , Shuxiang Ma
- & Yongming Xing
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Article
| Open Access
Strain-induced structure and oxygen transport interactions in epitaxial La0.6Sr0.4CoO3−δ thin films
Strain engineering can enhance oxygen transport in cathodes in solid oxide fuel cells. Here, atomic scale imaging is used to probe local structures in tensile- and compressive-strained La0.6Sr0.4CoO3-δ films, revealing higher oxygen vacancy concentration in tensile films, and vacancy ordering.
- Yurii P. Ivanov
- , Markus Kubicek
- & Zaoli Zhang
Selecting non-halogenated low-toxic hole transporting materials for Roll-to-Roll perovskite solar cells using carbon electrodes