Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain
the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in
Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles
and JavaScript.
Copper-based catalysts are promising for electroreduction of carbon monoxide to multi-carbon products, yet further improvements in selectivity, productivity and stability are still needed. Here the authors show that doping copper with silver and ruthenium boosts its performance towards synthesis of n-propanol—a useful fuel.
High-energy batteries require electrolytes with a wide electrochemical stability window. Building on the water-in-salt electrolyte concept, the authors develop a ternary eutectic electrolyte with substantially reduced salt concentrations that enable high-performance Li1.5Mn2O4 || Li4Ti5O12 batteries
Hydroxide exchange membrane fuel cells (HEMFCs) can make use of some relatively cheap components due to their alkaline environment, but face the problem of CO2 in the air feed impeding performance. Here, the authors demonstrate a hydrogen-powered shorted electrochemical cell that effectively removes CO2 from air streams for use in HEMFCs.
High-temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells are promising for heavy-duty vehicle applications, but strides in performance are needed to improve their commercial viability. Here it is demonstrated that protonating phosphonic acid electrodes greatly enhances power density and durability.
There are increasing questions about emissions from unconventional oil and gas exploration, and the impact of such exploration on health outcomes has not been thoroughly studied. Looking at data from 2.5 million wells and more than 15 million medical beneficiaries, Li et al. find an increased mortality risk for beneficiaries downwind of unconventional plays.
The efficiency of perovskite/organic tandem solar cells is limited by losses in the open-circuit voltage and at the interconnecting layer. Now, Chen et al. develop a defect passivation strategy and a thin indium zinc oxide interlayer which lead to an efficiency as high as 23.6%.
Cycling capability, especially at high rates, is limited for lithium metal batteries. Here the authors report electrolyte solvent design through fine-tuning of molecular structures to address the cyclability issue and unravel the electrolyte structure–property relationship for battery applications.
Integrated models will be needed to capture the cascading effects of climate change through climatic, water, energy and economic systems. Webster et al. now develop a coupled hydrologic–power-production–economic model to estimate water-stress impacts on electricity cost.
Most proton exchange membrane fuel cells are designed to operate within a temperature range of a few tens of degrees, but functioning in a broader range of conditions could be advantageous. Here the authors use ultramicroporous, phosphoric acid-doped membranes that allow fuel cell operation from −20 °C to 200 °C.
Intensive research is underway to develop solid-state electrolytes for rechargeable batteries. Here the authors report a family of mixed-metal halospinel electrolytes that exhibits promising properties for high-performance solid-state batteries.
The efficiency of perovskite solar cells decreases over time, yet the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Ni et al. observe charged iodide interstitial defects within the device layers and how they contribute to the efficiency degradation when the cell is operated under illumination or reverse bias.
Graphene oxide’s permeation properties make it a promising material for purification of hydrogen, but humidity can cause deleterious swelling. Here the authors remedy this by incorporating positively charged nanodiamonds into graphene oxide membranes, stabilizing the structure and minimizing performance degradation.
Perovskite solar cells are stable under light and heat stress during operation. Zhao et al. report on the photothermal instability of conventional metal oxide contacts and propose a bilayer polymer contact that enables over 1,400 h of device operation at 65 °C.
Carbon materials are promising for perovskite solar cells but suffer from poor interfacial energy level alignment. Now, Zhang et al. show that Ti atomically dispersed in reduced graphene reduces energy losses improving device performance.
Temperature extremes increase energy use and reliance on the services that energy provides, which can increase energy insecurity and the associated risks of harm. This study examines energy use of Indigenous communities in remote Australia and finds increased disconnection rates for prepayment-meter users during temperature extremes.
Silicon-based anodes are a promising alternative to the graphite anodes that are widely used in today’s commercial batteries. Here the authors report a synthesis route for silicon anodes consisting of subnanometre-sized particles and demonstrate their use in an unusual large-scale battery pack system.
Peer-to-peer energy trading can foster participation in the energy transition, but little is understood about prosumer preferences and their effect on the grid. Pena-Bello et al. use an online experiment among German homeowners to study decision-making strategies and simulate their impact on the operation of an energy community.
Low-cost, high-performance oxygen evolution catalysts would facilitate implementation of water electrolysers for hydrogen production. Here the authors report a low-iridium mass-selected iridium–tantalum oxide catalyst with high intrinsic activity in acid and carefully evaluate oxygen production to account for parasitic reactions.
Metal- and N-coordinated carbon materials are promising electrocatalysts, but improved activity and stability are desirable for fuel cell applications. Chang et al. address this by introducing F atoms into Pd/N–C catalysts, modifying the environment around the Pd and enhancing performance for ethanol oxidation and oxygen reduction.
The impact of rapidly falling costs of renewable energy and battery technology on long-term climate stabilization pathways is not well understood. Luderer et al. show that reduced renewable costs and climate policies will make electricity the cheapest energy carrier and can lead to electricity accounting for nearly two-thirds of global energy use by mid-century.