Reviews & Analysis

The solid–electrolyte interphase between the negative electrode and the electrolyte is vital to the performance of rechargeable batteries, yet it is challenging to quantify its physical properties. Now a way of directly measuring the electrical properties of the interphase has been devised, revealing voltage-dependent conducting behaviour.

Aqueous polysulfide-based flow batteries are candidates for large-scale energy storage but the sluggish reaction kinetics of the polysulfide electrolyte limit the operating current density and energy efficiency. A molecular catalyst, riboflavin sodium phosphate, is applied to catalyse polysulfide reduction, enabling the demonstration of long-life polysulfide-based flow batteries with high energy efficiencies.

Justice is increasingly recognized as a core proposition for energy transitions, but questions remain about how it manifests in energy transition innovations. This Perspective introduces a framework for centring justice consideration in these innovations across levels, illustrating its use through two case studies.

Protonic ceramic electrochemical cells (PCECs) have the potential to operate below 450 °C, but their performance is poor at such temperatures. Through the development of a low-resistance electrolyte and the in situ formation of a composite positive electrode, a PCEC with good fuel cell and electrolysis cell performance at <450 °C is demonstrated.

Capacity expansion modelling (CEM) approaches need to account for the value of energy storage in energy-system decarbonization. A new Review considers the representation of energy storage in the CEM literature and identifies approaches to overcome the challenges such approaches face when it comes to better informing policy and investment decisions.

The addition of a guest component can improve the open-circuit voltage in ternary organic solar cells. Spectroscopic experiments, combined with quantum chemistry simulations, conducted on a series of ternary organic solar cells provide a guide to further improving the open-circuit voltage, and hence the power conversion efficiency, of these solar cells.

Solar-driven oxidative coupling of methane is a promising approach to synthesize important C₂₊ products, yet poor efficiency limits its application. Now, a TiO₂ membrane loaded with Au nanoclusters, which act as hole acceptors and catalytic centres, achieves high yield and selectivity in C₂₊ production.

Substantial gaps exist between laboratory innovations and practical applications of Si-based batteries. Here the authors survey critical factors that hinder the development of practical Si-based anodes and propose testing protocols to evaluate laboratory innovations.

Low-income solar adopters are more likely to refer others to a fully subsidized solar programme when referral rewards are combined with an appeal to reciprocity and a simplified referral process, leading to five times as many solar contracts as when referral rewards are used alone. The findings highlight behavioural science strategies that administrators of low-income energy assistance programmes can use to cost-effectively accelerate programme uptake.

Preparing the electric grid to withstand adverse impacts from climate change will require significant investments. New research focused on wildfire risk mitigation in California demonstrates that how the cost of such investments is shared has important implications for affordability and equity in electricity access.

The products of high rate, selective and stable electrochemical CO₂ reduction are often restricted to molecules containing one or two carbon atoms, limiting market potential. Now, a catalyst with ionomer-coated surface-modified nanoparticles enables stable CO₂ conversion to a three-carbon product with 90% Faradaic efficiency at high reaction rates.

The cost of solar photovoltaics has declined over the past two decades, but the driving mechanisms are not fully understood. Now, researchers examine the role of hardware and non-hardware features in cost reduction of photovoltaics and develop a model that could be used to understand cost reductions for other energy technologies.

It has been difficult for organic redox flow batteries to simultaneously achieve high capacity and long cycle life. Now, a catholyte design is shown to have the potential to overcome these challenges.

Understanding drivers of home energy efficiency efforts is important for slowing climate change and managing energy costs. A study now combines open-ended survey questions with natural language processing to find that renovations are typically motivated by factors like comfort and environmental concerns, and that energy efficiency investments are often delayed until renovations are needed.

The commercialization of lithium- and manganese-rich layered cathodes has been hindered by voltage decay during cycling, attributable to the instability of the honeycomb local structure. A lithium-rich cathode material is developed in which the introduction of excess transition metal ions pins and stabilizes the honeycomb structure, suppressing the voltage decay.

Despite advances in batteries, certain applications call for alternative energy storage technologies with very fast charge/discharge capabilities. Now, a configurational entropy index is proposed for deterministic design of relaxor ferroelectric materials with not only high power but also high energy density.

Sodium superionic conductor (NASICON)-type polyanionic materials are promising cathodes for sodium-ion batteries, but they suffer from voltage hysteresis issues that cause cycling instability. Now, a new type of defect in NASICONs is unravelled as the root cause of voltage hysteresis, and molybdenum doping is shown to decrease defect concentration, improving capacity and cyclability.

Silicon heterojunction solar cells represent a promising photovoltaic approach, yet low short-circuit currents limit their power conversion efficiency. New research shows an efficiency record of 26.81% driven by lower resistance loss and higher current by replacing the conventional front and rear amorphous doped-silicon layers with nanocrystalline layers.

China’s electricity market reforms aim to improve the operational efficiency of the power sector, while simultaneously supporting reductions in energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. New research shows that the influence of local interests may limit gains to half of their estimated potential.

Solvation structure engineering in electrolytes enhances the cyclability of lithium-metal anodes, but it also results in compromised ionic conductance and subsequently poor rate capability. Now, a high-entropy electrolyte is designed to improve ionic conductivity while maintaining cyclability.