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| Open AccessMonolithically-grained perovskite solar cell with Mortise-Tenon structure for charge extraction balance
Disorder crystallization of perovskite and unbalanced charge extraction limit the performance of perovskite solar cells. Here, the authors develop self-polymerizing additive to form monolithic perovskite grains with mortise-tenon structure, achieving efficiency over 24% and long device stability.
- Fangfang Wang
- , Mubai Li
- & Tianshi Qin
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Article
| Open AccessCu-based high-entropy two-dimensional oxide as stable and active photothermal catalyst
Synergistically enhancing catalytic stability and activity of Cu-based nanocatalysts is an ongoing challenge. Here the authors report Cu-based high-entropy two-dimensional oxide as stable and active catalyst for photothermal CO2 hydrogenation under ambient sunlight irradiation.
- Yaguang Li
- , Xianhua Bai
- & Jinhua Ye
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Article
| Open AccessGeometry design of tethered small-molecule acceptor enables highly stable and efficient polymer solar cells
The variation on molecular topology and aggregation behaviour of tethered small molecule acceptors is critical to device operating performance. Here, the authors designed two isomeric dimers via the thiophene-core engineering and realize device efficiency of 18.1% and long stability in solar cells.
- Yang Bai
- , Ze Zhang
- & Zhi-Guo Zhang
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Article
| Open AccessMastering morphology of non-fullerene acceptors towards long-term stable organic solar cells
Energetic traps accumulation aroused by thermal stress is a critical issue in organic solar cells. Here, authors integrate a wide bandgap polymer and two non-fullerene acceptors with different thermal and morphological properties, realizing a promising efficiency of 18.26% and long device stability.
- Kang An
- , Wenkai Zhong
- & Lei Ying
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Article
| Open AccessHierarchical triphase diffusion photoelectrodes for photoelectrochemical gas/liquid flow conversion
Addressing mass and electron transfer challenges hinders practical application of photoelectrochemical (PEC) devices. Here, authors report a simulation-guided development of hierarchical triphase diffusion photoelectrodes, achieving an improved mass transfer and ensuring electron transfer for PEC gas/liquid flow conversion.
- Xiangyu Meng
- , Chuntong Zhu
- & Yujie Xiong
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| Open AccessA semiconductor-electrocatalyst nano interface constructed for successive photoelectrochemical water oxidation
The limited photocurrents and large overpotentials impede practical application of photoelectrochemical water splitting. Here, the authors construct a CdS-CdSe/MoS2/NiFe layered double hydroxides photoanode, delivering a low potential and large photocurrent gains due to the formation of highly oxidized Ni species under illumination
- Zilong Wu
- , Xiangyu Liu
- & Zhuo Chen
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Article
| Open AccessDesigning reliable and accurate isotope-tracer experiments for CO2 photoreduction
Current verification of CO2 photoreduction products using isotope-tracer methods is insufficient and can provide false-positive results. Here, rigorous protocols and case studies are presented to avoid pitfalls in isotope-tracer experiments.
- Shengyao Wang
- , Bo Jiang
- & Jinhua Ye
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Article
| Open AccessPhotothermal-enabled single-atom catalysts for high-efficiency hydrogen peroxide photosynthesis from natural seawater
Photoproduction of solar fuels and important chemicals is of significant interest. Here, the authors construct a cobalt single atom-based photothermal-photocatalytic heterostructure that realizes efficient hydrogen peroxide photosynthesis from earth-abundant seawater.
- Wei Wang
- , Qun Song
- & Ning Wang
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Article
| Open AccessImproved photovoltaic performance and robustness of all-polymer solar cells enabled by a polyfullerene guest acceptor
Fullerene acceptors typically suffer from undesirable segregation and dimerization. Here, the authors report a poly(fullerene-alt-xylene) acceptor as guest component to facilitate charge transfer and suppress charge recombination, achieving efficiency of 18% for ternary all-polymer solar cells.
- Han Yu
- , Yan Wang
- & Shangshang Chen
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| Open AccessLong-chain anionic surfactants enabling stable perovskite/silicon tandems with greatly suppressed stress corrosion
Stress-induced instability of perovskite layers is a critical hurdle for commercialization of perovskite solar cells. Here, the authors introduce a long-alkyl-chain anionic surfactant additive to chemically ameliorate crystallization kinetics and demonstrate devices with long operational stability.
- Xinlong Wang
- , Zhiqin Ying
- & Jichun Ye
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Article
| Open AccessOxynitrides enabled photoelectrochemical water splitting with over 3,000 hrs stable operation in practical two-electrode configuration
Solar photoelectrochemical reactions are one of the most promising paths for sustainable energy production, but systems with high efficiency and long-term stability have remained elusive. Here, the authors show a photoelectrode strategy that enables high efficiency and long-term stability.
- Yixin Xiao
- , Xianghua Kong
- & Zetian Mi
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Article
| Open Access19.31% binary organic solar cell and low non-radiative recombination enabled by non-monotonic intermediate state transition
Non-radiative recombination loss suppression is critical for boosting performance of organic solar cells. Here, the authors regulate self-organization of bulk-heterojunction in a non-monotonic manner, and achieve device efficiency over 19% with low non-radiative recombination loss down to 0.168 eV.
- Jiehao Fu
- , Patrick W. K. Fong
- & Gang Li
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Article
| Open AccessIn situ constructing atomic interface in ruthenium-based amorphous hybrid-structure towards solar hydrogen evolution
Solar-driven hydrogen evolution coupled with organic synthesis is important but challenging. Here, the authors report an in-situ oxygen impregnation strategy to build a ruthenium-based amorphous hybrid-mixture with abundant atomic interfaces and show efficient hydrogen evolution with small molecule oxidation.
- Dong Liu
- , Tao Ding
- & Tao Yao
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Article
| Open AccessRoom temperature nondestructive encapsulation via self-crosslinked fluorosilicone polymer enables damp heat-stable sustainable perovskite solar cells
Encapsulation engineering is an effective strategy to improve the stability of perovskite solar cells. Here, authors design and synthesize self-crosslinked fluorosilicone polymer gel for nondestructive encapsulation at room temperature, and maintain 98% of efficiency after 1000 h in damp heat test.
- Tong Wang
- , Jiabao Yang
- & Xuanhua Li
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Article
| Open AccessReshoring silicon photovoltaics manufacturing contributes to decarbonization and climate change mitigation
Reshoring silicon photovoltaic manufacturing back to the U.S. improves domestic competitiveness, advances decarbonization goals, and contributes to mitigating climate change.
- Haoyue Liang
- & Fengqi You
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Article
| Open AccessLifetime over 10000 hours for organic solar cells with Ir/IrOx electron-transporting layer
Long-term stability of organic solar cells is critical to promote practical applications. Here, the authors utilize iridium/iridium oxide nanoparticles as the electron-transporting material and realize enhanced device stabilities under thermal aging with T70 of over 10000 h.
- Yanxun Li
- , Bo Huang
- & Huiqiong Zhou
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Article
| Open AccessNear-infrared absorbing acceptor with suppressed triplet exciton generation enabling high performance tandem organic solar cells
Reducing energy loss of sub-cells is critical for high performance tandem organic solar cells. Here, the authors design and synthesize an ultra-narrow bandgap acceptor through replacement of terminal thiophene by selenophene in the central fused ring, achieving efficiency of 19% for tandem cells.
- Zhenrong Jia
- , Qing Ma
- & Yongfang Li
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Article
| Open AccessRenewable formate from sunlight, biomass and carbon dioxide in a photoelectrochemical cell
The sustainable production of chemicals and fuels from waste carbon sources holds significant promise for reducing our dependence on fossil resources. Here, the authors demonstrate renewable formate production from biomass wastes and CO2 powered by solar energy.
- Yuyang Pan
- , Huiyan Zhang
- & Sheng Chu
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Article
| Open AccessEfficient and stable organic solar cells enabled by multicomponent photoactive layer based on one-pot polymerization
Degradation of kinetically bulk heterojunction film morphology in organic solar cells is a grand challenge for their practical application. Here, the authors design and synthesise multicomponent photoactive material by facile one-pot polymerization and achieve efficiency of 11.8% and T80 of 1000 h.
- Bin Liu
- , Huiliang Sun
- & Xugang Guo
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| Open AccessOrientated crystallization of FA-based perovskite via hydrogen-bonded polymer network for efficient and stable solar cells
Formamidinum lead iodide perovskite solar cells commonly suffer from photoinduced phase segregation and humidity instability. Here, the authors design a multifunctional fluorinated additive to promote orientated crystallization of α-phase, and achieve maximum efficiency of 24.1% and T95 over 1000 h.
- Mubai Li
- , Riming Sun
- & Tianshi Qin
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Article
| Open AccessSilver nanoparticle enhanced metal-organic matrix with interface-engineering for efficient photocatalytic hydrogen evolution
The integration of plasmonic structures with photoactive matrices offers a promising means to enhance solar-to-fuel conversion. Here, the authors bridge plasmonic nanoparticles and metal-organic matrix through interface-engineering to boost photocatalytic hydrogen evolution.
- Yannan Liu
- , Cheng-Hao Liu
- & Dongling Ma
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Article
| Open AccessSuppressing non-radiative recombination in metal halide perovskite solar cells by synergistic effect of ferroelasticity
The origin of low non-radiative recombination in perovskites was not well-understood. Here, authors apply electric field to manipulate ferroelastic lattice deformation to study non-radiative recombination and strain in twinning tetragonal phase, achieving an increased open-circuit voltage to 1.26 V.
- Wei Qin
- , Wajid Ali
- & Can Li
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Article
| Open AccessNear-infrared-featured broadband CO2 reduction with water to hydrocarbons by surface plasmon
Changes in Polycomb repression during interphase transition modulate the ability of pluripotent cells to enter cell differentiation.
- Canyu Hu
- , Xing Chen
- & Yujie Xiong
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Article
| Open AccessDecoupling light absorption and carrier transport via heterogeneous doping in Ta3N5 thin film photoanode
While photoelectrochemical water splitting offers a promising means to obtain renewable H2, it is challenging to balance light absorption and carrier transport in semiconductor thin films. Here, authors combine surface doping and bulk gradient doping to decouple these factors to boost performances.
- Yequan Xiao
- , Zeyu Fan
- & Yanbo Li
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| Open AccessBig data driven perovskite solar cell stability analysis
A direct comparison of stability data of perovskite solar cells is challenging due to widely different measurement conditions and reporting standards. Here, the authors propose a single indicator to assess the stability under different environmental stress and analyse the data of over 7000 devices.
- Zhuang Zhang
- , Huanhuan Wang
- & Jingshan Luo
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Article
| Open AccessConstructing molecular bridge for high-efficiency and stable perovskite solar cells based on P3HT
The poor contact at poly(3-hexylthiophene)/perovskite interface has led to unsatisfactory performance in solar cells. To resolve this issue, the authors introduce a molecular bridge to form a charge transport channel, realizing devices with maximum efficiency value of 22.87% and long-term stability.
- Dongdong Xu
- , Zhiming Gong
- & Jinwei Gao
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Article
| Open AccessSimultaneous atmospheric water production and 24-hour power generation enabled by moisture-induced energy harvesting
Collecting water directly from air provides one sustainable solution to water scarcity. Li et al. combine sorption-based atmospheric water harvesting with a thermoelectric module for efficient harvesting water and electricity in arid environments and show that the two components operate synergistically.
- Tingxian Li
- , Minqiang Wu
- & Siqi Wang
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Article
| Open AccessThree-dimensional open architecture enabling salt-rejection solar evaporators with boosted water production efficiency
Conventional salt-rejection evaporators typically exhibit low evaporation rate due to large heat loss. Here, authors demonstrate a solar evaporator featuring vertically aligned mass transfer bridges that takes advantage of the conductive heat to enable optimized water transport and salt backflow.
- Kaijie Yang
- , Tingting Pan
- & Yu Han
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Article
| Open AccessLow-bias photoelectrochemical water splitting via mediating trap states and small polaron hopping
While photoelectrochemical water splitting produces fuel from solar energy, a large fraction of photoanode photoexcited charge carriers cannot be extracted efficiently at low bias voltages. Here, authors improve the charge transport in P-doped BiVO4 by mediating polaron hopping and trap states.
- Hao Wu
- , Lei Zhang
- & Yun Hau Ng
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Article
| Open AccessImportance of structural hinderance in performance–stability equilibrium of organic photovoltaics
The intrinsic trade-off between efficiency and stability is a challenging issue for organic photovoltaics. Here, the authors develop non-fullerene acceptors with tailored side-group hindrance and backbone planarity and realise efficiency of 18.3% and good stability for xylene-processed solar cells
- Baobing Fan
- , Wei Gao
- & Alex K.-Y. Jen
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Article
| Open AccessBias-free solar hydrogen production at 19.8 mA cm−2 using perovskite photocathode and lignocellulosic biomass
While light-driven water splitting offers a means to produce renewable H2 fuel, water oxidation limits performances and yields low-value products. Here, authors demonstrate a photoelectrochemical cell that converts lignocellulosic biomass into valuable products alongside H2.
- Yuri Choi
- , Rashmi Mehrotra
- & Jungki Ryu
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Article
| Open AccessA hygroscopic nano-membrane coating achieves efficient vapor-fed photocatalytic water splitting
Although light-driven water vapor splitting may avoid material stability challenges for renewable fuel production, material performances lag behind solution-based studies. Here, authors incorporate metal hydroxides layers into particulate photocatalysts to enhance water vapor splitting activities.
- Takuya Suguro
- , Fuminao Kishimoto
- & Kazuhiro Takanabe
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Article
| Open AccessHigh performance polymerized small molecule acceptor by synergistic optimization on π-bridge linker and side chain
The modification of small molecule acceptor building block and π−bridge linker is effective to improve photovoltaic performance. Here, the authors replace linear with branched alkyl chains and introduce difluorene-substituted linker to realise all-polymer solar cells with efficiency of 17.24%.
- Guangpei Sun
- , Xin Jiang
- & Yongfang Li
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Article
| Open AccessMoisture-triggered fast crystallization enables efficient and stable perovskite solar cells
Perovskite structure is disturbed by environmental moisture, limiting the device performance. Here, Wei et al. monitor the effect of moisture during the growth by N2-protected characterization techniques, and obtain an operationally stable perovskite solar cell with efficiency approaching 24%.
- Kaikai Liu
- , Yujie Luo
- & Zhanhua Wei
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| Open AccessNiPS3 ultrathin nanosheets as versatile platform advancing highly active photocatalytic H2 production
While light-driven water splitting offers a renewable means to produce fuel, the limited availability of high-performance materials inspires the search for new photocatalysts. Here, authors demonstrate two-dimensional NiPS3 to enhance semiconductor photocatalytic H2 evolution activities.
- Jingrun Ran
- , Hongping Zhang
- & Shi-Zhang Qiao
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Article
| Open AccessStable solar water splitting with wettable organic-layer-protected silicon photocathodes
Preparation of inorganic protective layers for photoelectrodes requires high-quality deposition techniques. Here, the authors report a spin-coated organic protective layer that enables Si photocathodes to realize stable solar water splitting.
- Bo Wu
- , Tuo Wang
- & Jinlong Gong
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| Open AccessAmmonia for post-healing of formamidinium-based Perovskite films
Solvents used for perovskite film fabrication not only dissolve the precursors but also play a role in the crystallization process. Here, authors study the role of transamination reactions in the underlying degradation mechanism of formamidinium-containing perovskites in aliphatic amines environment.
- Zhipeng Li
- , Xiao Wang
- & Shuping Pang
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Article
| Open AccessLong-range charge carrier mobility in metal halide perovskite thin-films and single crystals via transient photo-conductivity
Charge carrier mobility is a fundamental property of semiconductors. The authors of this study demonstrate a novel way to estimate long-range mobilities of perovskite thin-films and single crystals by taking early-time carrier dynamics into account.
- Jongchul Lim
- , Manuel Kober-Czerny
- & Henry J. Snaith
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Article
| Open AccessTraps and transport resistance are the next frontiers for stable non-fullerene acceptor solar cells
Long operational stability is essential to commercialisation of organic solar cells. Here, the authors investigate the thermal degradation of inverted photovoltaic devices based on PM6:Y6 non-fullerene system to reveal that trap-induced transport resistance is primarily responsible for the drop in fill factor.
- Christopher Wöpke
- , Clemens Göhler
- & Carsten Deibel
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Article
| Open AccessLow-cost synthesis of small molecule acceptors makes polymer solar cells commercially viable
The high−cost of the acceptor-donor-acceptor structured small molecule acceptors impedes its commercial viability for polymer solar cells. To address this problem, here, the authors developed a simple and cheap boron trifluoride etherate-catalyzed Knoevenagel condensation with high reaction efficiency.
- Hongyuan Fu
- , Jia Yao
- & Yongfang Li
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Article
| Open AccessHydrogenated Cs2AgBiBr6 for significantly improved efficiency of lead-free inorganic double perovskite solar cell
Though inorganic perovskites are an attractive, non-toxic and stable alternative to organic-inorganic halide perovskite solar cells, realizing efficient devices remains a challenge. Here, the authors report hydrogenated lead-free inorganic perovskite solar cells with enhanced power conversion efficiency.
- Zeyu Zhang
- , Qingde Sun
- & Manling Sui
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Article
| Open AccessTransforming Ti3C2Tx MXene’s intrinsic hydrophilicity into superhydrophobicity for efficient photothermal membrane desalination
Membrane distillation is susceptible to thermal inefficiency and membrane wetting issues during seawater desalination. Here, authors design a MXene-engineered membrane that imparts efficient localized photothermal effect and strong water repellency, achieving sustainable freshwater production.
- Baoping Zhang
- , Pak Wai Wong
- & Alicia Kyoungjin An
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Article
| Open AccessSynergy of Pd atoms and oxygen vacancies on In2O3 for methane conversion under visible light
CH4 oxidation to high value chemicals under mild conditions through photocatalysis confronts critical issues regarding both conversion and selectivity. Here, atomic Pd and oxygen vacancies were integrated on In2O3 nanorods, leading to visible-driven CH4 conversion with a remarkable yield of oxygenates and high selectivity of primary products.
- Lei Luo
- , Lei Fu
- & Junwang Tang
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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 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 AccessOverall photosynthesis of H2O2 by an inorganic semiconductor
An inorganic and robust photocatalytic system based on Mo-doped faceted BiVO4 particles exhibits a solar-to-chemical conversion efficiency of 0.29% for H2O2 generation, a new record among inorganic systems.
- Tian Liu
- , Zhenhua Pan
- & Kazunari Domen
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Article
| Open AccessHighly efficient and salt rejecting solar evaporation via a wick-free confined water layer
Solar evaporation is promising for sustainable freshwater production but typically limited by salt accumulation. Here, by manipulating natural convection, authors develop a wick-free confined water layer that enables highly efficient and salt rejecting solar evaporation.
- Lenan Zhang
- , Xiangyu Li
- & Evelyn N. Wang
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Article
| Open AccessGeneral heterostructure strategy of photothermal materials for scalable solar-heating hydrogen production without the consumption of artificial energy
The 1 sun-heating temperatures of photothermal materials can be generally elevated from ~90 °C to ~300 °C by hybridizing with infrared insulating materials, capable of driving methanol reforming to 310 mmol g−1 h−1 over CuOx/ZnO/Al2O3 nanosheets.
- Yaguang Li
- , Xianhua Bai
- & Guangsheng Fu