Featured
-
-
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
-
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
-
Article
| Open AccessModulating electrolyte structure for ultralow temperature aqueous zinc batteries
Rechargeable aqueous batteries are promising for potential large-scale energy storage due to their high safety and low cost. Here the authors analyse a zinc chloride based low-temperature electrolyte for improving practicability of the aqueous batteries.
- Qiu Zhang
- , Yilin Ma
- & Jun Chen
-
Article
| Open AccessMutual modulation between surface chemistry and bulk microstructure within secondary particles of nickel-rich layered oxides
The interplay of surface chemistry and bulk microstructure in layered oxides is critical to battery performance. Here, the authors demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of such a reaction mechanism within an individual cathode particle using integrated synchrotron imaging methods.
- Shaofeng Li
- , Zhisen Jiang
- & Yijin Liu
-
Article
| Open AccessA direct coupled electrochemical system for capture and conversion of CO2 from oceanwater
Isolating CO2 to use in electrochemical CO2 reduction systems is an ongoing issue. Here, the authors present a proof-of-concept integrated system combining a bipolar membrane electrodialysis cell with a vapor-fed CO2 reduction cell for capture and conversion of CO2 from oceanwater.
- Ibadillah A. Digdaya
- , Ian Sullivan
- & Chengxiang Xiang
-
Article
| Open AccessSi0.97Ge0.03 microelectronic thermoelectric generators with high power and voltage densities
Thermoelectric generators with a small size are unable to produce enough high voltage and power levels to run Si integrated circuits using commonly encountered temperature differences. Here, the authors present microelectronic thermoelectric generators using Si0.97Ge0.03 to solve the problem.
- Ruchika Dhawan
- , Prabuddha Madusanka
- & Mark Lee
-
Article
| Open AccessSite-dependent reactivity of MoS2 nanoparticles in hydrodesulfurization of thiophene
MoS2 nanoparticles catalyze the extraction of heteroatom S in hydrocarbons by adsorption onto S vacancies. Here, the authors show that S vacancy properties are highly site sensitive and that adsorption of thiophene leads to self-generation of a more open double vacancy site.
- Norberto Salazar
- , Srinivas Rangarajan
- & Jeppe V. Lauritsen
-
Article
| Open AccessDual-mode solid-state thermal rectification
Here, the authors present a dual-mode solid state thermal rectification effect using a heterogeneous irradiated-pristine polyethylene nanofiber junction as a nanoscale thermal diode, in which heat flow can be rectified in both directions by changing the working temperature.
- Ramesh Shrestha
- , Yuxuan Luan
- & Sheng Shen
-
Article
| Open AccessDiffusion of flue gas desulfurization reveals barriers and opportunities for carbon capture and storage
The historical diffusion of SO2 control technology gives insights into the potential uptake of carbon capture and storage. Here the authors show that the global diffusion of flue gas desulfurization technology was very fast at times, especially for retrofit, and even after materiality, but strongly depended on regulation.
- Stijn van Ewijk
- & Will McDowall
-
Article
| Open AccessBoosting output performance of sliding mode triboelectric nanogenerator by charge space-accumulation effect
Improving the output performance of sliding mode triboelectric nanogenerators is a great challenge. Herein, a space charge accumulation effect, based on alternating shielding and blank-tribo areas, is demonstrated and effectively promotes charge density output.
- Wencong He
- , Wenlin Liu
- & Chenguo Hu
-
Article
| Open AccessRational design of Al2O3/2D perovskite heterostructure dielectric for high performance MoS2 phototransistors
Designing high-performance photodetectors based on hybrid perovskites remains a challenge. Here, the authors demonstrate that Al2O3/2D perovskite heterostructure can be utilized as photoactive dielectric for high-performance MoS2 phototransistors with broadband photoresponse, high photogain and reliability operation.
- Jiayang Jiang
- , Xuming Zou
- & Lei Liao
-
Article
| Open AccessSurface chelation of cesium halide perovskite by dithiocarbamate for efficient and stable solar cells
Surface engineering is a known strategy to optimize the perovskite solar cells but it is usually based on weak bondings, such as Van der Waals, or coorordiating interacterions. Here He et al. report a chelation strategy using strongly adsorbed dithiocarbamate molecules and achieve high efficiency of 17.03% with excellent stability for CsPbI2Br based solar cells.
- Jingjing He
- , Junxian Liu
- & Hua Gui Yang
-
Article
| Open AccessProbing the active site in single-atom oxygen reduction catalysts via operando X-ray and electrochemical spectroscopy
Understanding active-site geometry and structural evolution during electrocatalysis is important for further development. Here the authors use operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy combined with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy to investigate single atom catalysts derived from Vitamin B12.
- Hsiang-Ting Lien
- , Sun-Tang Chang
- & Li-Chyong Chen
-
Article
| Open AccessPumping up the charge density of a triboelectric nanogenerator by charge-shuttling
Conventionally, triboelectric nanogenerators are based on static charges fixed on dielectric surfaces. Here, the authors report a new mechanism using shuttling of mirror charge carriers corralled in quasi-symmetrical conduction domains, which boosts performance for blue energy harvesting.
- Huamei Wang
- , Liang Xu
- & Zhong Lin Wang
-
Article
| Open AccessMicroscopic origins of performance losses in highly efficient Cu(In,Ga)Se2 thin-film solar cells
Achieving higher efficiencies for thin-film solar cells always requires identification of the limiting factors. Here Krause et al. show that inhomogeneously distributed net doping or lifetime have little impact while recombination at grain boundaries is one of the main loss mechanisms for high performance Cu(In,Ga)Se2 solar cells.
- Maximilian Krause
- , Aleksandra Nikolaeva
- & Daniel Abou-Ras
-
Article
| Open AccessUnderstanding colossal barocaloric effects in plastic crystals
Colossal barocaloric effects with high entropy changes is reported in plastic crystal neopentylglycol, while microscopic mechanism needs to be further explored. Here, the authors show hydrogen bond related reorientational dynamics of neopentylglycol and provide insights in order-disorder transition.
- F. B. Li
- , M. Li
- & Hui Wang
-
Article
| Open AccessIron phthalocyanine with coordination induced electronic localization to boost oxygen reduction reaction
Iron phthalocyanine with a 2D structure and symmetric electron distribution around Fe-N4 active sites is not optimal for O2 adsorption and activation. Here, the authors report an axial Fe–O coordination induced electronic localization strategy to enhance oxygen reduction reaction performance.
- Kejun Chen
- , Kang Liu
- & Min Liu
-
Article
| Open AccessMicro triboelectric ultrasonic device for acoustic energy transfer and signal communication
Miniaturizing efficient triboelectric nanogenerators remains a challenge. Here, the authors propose a MEMS-based micro triboelectric device for acoustic energy transfer and signal communication which is capable of generating the voltage signal of 16.8 mV and 12.7 mV through oil and sound-attenuation medium respectively with 63kPa at 1 MHz ultrasound input.
- Chen Chen
- , Zhen Wen
- & Xuhui Sun
-
Article
| Open AccessResonant thermal energy transfer to magnons in a ferromagnetic nanolayer
Most of the energy harvesting principles are realized in heated-continuously systems. Here, the authors present a concept of high-frequency energy harvesting where the dissipated heat in a sample excites resonant magnons in a ferromagnetic metal layer.
- Michal Kobecki
- , Alexey V. Scherbakov
- & Manfred Bayer
-
Article
| Open AccessEnergy storing bricks for stationary PEDOT supercapacitors
Fired brick is a universal building material, produced by thousand-year-old technology, which throughout history has seldom served any other purpose. Here, the authors show that bricks can store energy after chemical treatment to convert their iron oxide content into conducting polymer nanofibers.
- Hongmin Wang
- , Yifan Diao
- & Julio M. D’Arcy
-
Article
| Open AccessRevealing the role of crystal orientation of protective layers for stable zinc anode
Zinc affinity plays a key role in the zinc plating and stripping processes but its internal mechanism is still unclear. Here, the authors report a protective layer with controllable zinc affinity by adjusting the crystal orientation to suppress the dendrite growth on the zinc anode interface.
- Qi Zhang
- , Jingyi Luan
- & Haiyan Wang
-
Article
| Open AccessAn equitable redistribution of unburnable carbon
The allocation of remaining fossil fuel production has stimulated a discussion around issues of equitable allocation but the implications of different options are unclear. Here the authors show that shifting production to low-medium human development regions has limited economic benefits under strong climate policy.
- Steve Pye
- , Siân Bradley
- & Paul Ekins
-
Article
| Open AccessSpontaneous solar water splitting with decoupling of light absorption and electrocatalysis using silicon back-buried junction
The simultaneous management of optical, electrical, and catalytic properties is challenging for photoelectrochemical devices. Here, authors design Si back-buried junction photoelectrodes that can be series connected for unassisted water-splitting with a high solar-to-hydrogen efficiency of 15.62%.
- Hui-Chun Fu
- , Purushothaman Varadhan
- & Jr-Hau He
-
Article
| Open AccessPolymer/molecular semiconductor all-organic composites for high-temperature dielectric energy storage
Dielectric polymers are widely used in electrostatic energy storage but suffer from low energy density and efficiency at elevated temperatures. Here, the authors show that all-organic composites containing high-electron-affinity molecular semiconductors exhibit excellent capacitive performance at 200 °C.
- Chao Yuan
- , Yao Zhou
- & Qi Li
-
Article
| Open AccessSingle-site pyrrolic-nitrogen-doped sp2-hybridized carbon materials and their pseudocapacitance
A mixture of nitrogen species in carbon materials typically hinders the precise identification of electrochemically active nitrogen configurations for specific reactions. Here the authors show single-site pyrrolic-nitrogen-doped sp2-hybridized carbon materials and their pseudocapacitive properties.
- Kesong Tian
- , Junyan Wang
- & Yanglong Hou
-
Article
| Open AccessIdentifying the nature of the active sites in methanol synthesis over Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 catalysts
Methanol synthesis has a high potential for global CO2 reduction. Here, the authors identify the oxidation state of the zinc sites on the metallic copper particles as partially positive for an industrial Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 catalyst under high-pressure reaction conditions.
- Daniel Laudenschleger
- , Holger Ruland
- & Martin Muhler
-
Article
| Open AccessReversible redox chemistry in azobenzene-based organic molecules for high-capacity and long-life nonaqueous redox flow batteries
Organic molecules are promising active materials for nonaqueous redox-flow batteries (RFBs), but suffer from poor cycling stability. Here, the authors introduce azobenzene-based molecules as new type of highly soluble and stable active materials to realize high-capacity and long-life nonaqueous RFBs.
- Leyuan Zhang
- , Yumin Qian
- & Guihua Yu
-
Article
| Open AccessAlkaline thermal treatment of seaweed for high-purity hydrogen production with carbon capture and storage potential
While biomass may serve as a renewable source of carbon-neutral hydrogen, it is challenging both to utilize as-found bio-resources and to suppress CO2 formation. Here, authors convert wet, salty seaweed using alkaline thermal treatment to produce high-purity hydrogen and suppress carbon emission.
- Kang Zhang
- , Woo-Jae Kim
- & Ah-Hyung Alissa Park
-
Article
| Open AccessLi2CO3-affiliative mechanism for air-accessible interface engineering of garnet electrolyte via facile liquid metal painting
At Li-garnet interface, the poor interfacial wettability due to Li2CO3 passivation causes large resistance and unstable contact. Here the authors propose a Li2CO3-affiliative mechanism for air-accessible interface engineering of garnet electrolyte with superior wettability via facile liquid metal painting.
- Junwei Meng
- , Yang Zhang
- & Chilin Li
-
Article
| Open AccessInhibition of transition metals dissolution in cobalt-free cathode with ultrathin robust interphase in concentrated electrolyte
The transition metal dissolution of cathode materials during cycling limits battery performances and lifetimes. Here, authors inhibit metal dissolution by using highly concentrated electrolytes that induce ultra-thin cathode electrolyte interphase formation on cathode surfaces during cycling.
- Wei Liu
- , Jinxing Li
- & Xinping Qiu
-
Article
| Open AccessUsing operando techniques to understand and design high performance and stable alkaline membrane fuel cells
Modern alkaline membrane fuel cells have generally shown very poor operational stability. Here, the authors combine operando neutron imaging and X-ray computed tomography to understand the root cause for this and then design new electrodes to enable high performance and operational stability.
- Xiong Peng
- , Devashish Kulkarni
- & William E. Mustain
-
Article
| Open AccessThe stability of P2-layered sodium transition metal oxides in ambient atmospheres
Air-stability is a critical challenge faced by layered sodium transition metal oxide cathodes. Here, the authors depict a general and in-depth model of the structural/chemical evolution of P2-type layered oxides in air and propose an evaluation rule for the air-stability of layered sodium cathodes.
- Wenhua Zuo
- , Jimin Qiu
- & Yong Yang
-
Article
| Open AccessHigh-efficiency super-elastic liquid metal based triboelectric fibers and textiles
Current triboelectric fibers suffer from complex fabrication schemes and relatively poor performance. Here the authors use a highly scalable thermal drawing process to make soft and resilient micro-structured triboelectric fibers and textiles with applications both as sensors and energy harvesters.
- Chaoqun Dong
- , Andreas Leber
- & Fabien Sorin
-
Article
| Open AccessImaging electrochemically synthesized Cu2O cubes and their morphological evolution under conditions relevant to CO2 electroreduction
Catalytic selectivity during carbon dioxide electroreduction can be tuned by using geometric copper-based catalysts. Here, the authors use liquid cell transmission electron microscopy to study the in situ synthesis and morphological evolution Cu2O cubes under carbon dioxide electroreduction conditions.
- Rosa M. Arán-Ais
- , Rubén Rizo
- & Beatriz Roldan Cuenya
-
Article
| Open AccessLithium lanthanum titanate perovskite as an anode for lithium ion batteries
Exploration of high performance materials for lithium storage presents as a critical challenge. Here authors report micron-sized La0.5Li0.5TiO3 as a promising anode material, which demonstrates improved capacity, rate capability and suitable voltage as anode for lithium ion batteries.
- Lu Zhang
- , Xiaohua Zhang
- & Fei Du
-
Article
| Open AccessLiquid metal-based synthesis of high performance monolayer SnS piezoelectric nanogenerators
The presence of strong inter-layer interactions has hindered the synthesis efforts towards large-area and highly crystalline monolayer SnS. Here, the authors report synthesis of large-area monolayer SnS using a liquid metal-based technique, and fabricate piezoelectric nano-generators with average peak output voltage of 150 mV at 0.7% strain.
- Hareem Khan
- , Nasir Mahmood
- & Kourosh Kalantar-Zadeh
-
Article
| Open AccessPhotocatalytic hydrogen peroxide splitting on metal-free powders assisted by phosphoric acid as a stabilizer
While H2 can serve as a renewable fuel, its large scale production, storage, and transport are challenging. Here, authors show H2O2 to serve as a potential energy carrier via the photocatalytic production of H2 from stabilized H2O2 solutions and metal-free catalysts.
- Yasuhiro Shiraishi
- , Yuki Ueda
- & Takayuki Hirai
-
Article
| Open AccessBoosting hydrogen evolution on MoS2 via co-confining selenium in surface and cobalt in inner layer
The lack of efficient, inexpensive catalysts hinders large-scale application of hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Here, the authors report a MoS2 nanofoam catalyst with co-confined Se in the surface and Co in the inner layer, exhibiting high large-current-density HER activity and durability.
- Zhilong Zheng
- , Liang Yu
- & Dehui Deng
-
Article
| Open AccessAmbient weathering of magnesium oxide for CO2 removal from air
To remove CO2 from the atmosphere every year by mid-century will need new technologies. Here the authors proposed the use of magnesia (MgO) in ambient looping processes to remove CO2 from the air and they found that the proposed approach will cost $46–195 tCO2−1 net removed from the atmosphere considering both grid and solar electricity resources without including post-processing costs.
- Noah McQueen
- , Peter Kelemen
- & Jennifer Wilcox
-
Article
| Open AccessStrain engineering of two-dimensional multilayered heterostructures for beyond-lithium-based rechargeable batteries
Beyond-Li+-ion batteries are promising energy storage systems but suffer from lack of suitable electrode materials. Here the authors report a new type of zero-strain cathodes for Na+, K+, Zn2+, and Al3+ ion batteries through strain engineering of a 2D multilayered VOPO4-graphene heterostructure.
- Pan Xiong
- , Fan Zhang
- & Guoxiu Wang
-
Article
| Open AccessImpact of dual-layer solid-electrolyte interphase inhomogeneities on early-stage defect formation in Si electrodes
Severe structural deformation during (de)lithiation is the main factor limiting the stability of Si anodes in Li-ion batteries. Here, a multi-modal approach is used to visualize these deformations in their early-stage and link them to inhomogeneities in the dual-layer solid-electrolyte interphase.
- Chunguang Chen
- , Tao Zhou
- & Peter H. L. Notten
-
Article
| Open AccessEmploying a MEMS plasma switch for conditioning high-voltage kinetic energy harvesters
Conditioning efficiently high-voltage triboelectric nanogenerators for low-voltage applications remains a challenge. Here, the authors demonstrate two orders of magnitude improvement of the energy harvesting efficiency by applying a conditioning circuit with self-sustained and automatic hysteresis MEMS micro-plasma switches.
- Hemin Zhang
- , Frédéric Marty
- & Philippe Basset
-
Article
| Open AccessUnlocking the passivation nature of the cathode–air interfacial reactions in lithium ion batteries
Environmentally triggered degradation at the cathode–air interface is dictated by Li-ion de-intercalation caused by Li+-water interactions. Here, thin disordered rocksalt surface layers are reported to suppress chemical delithiation, facilitating development of high energy and stability cathodes.
- Lianfeng Zou
- , Yang He
- & Chongmin Wang
-
Article
| Open AccessEstablishing the carrier scattering phase diagram for ZrNiSn-based half-Heusler thermoelectric materials
Chemical doping plays an important role in tuning carrier concentration of materials, but its influence on other aspects of electrical properties is less known. Here, the authors find that chemical doping brings strong screening effects to ionized impurities, grain boundary, and polar optical phonon scattering.
- Qingyong Ren
- , Chenguang Fu
- & Jie Ma
-
Article
| Open AccessRadiation-resistant metal-organic framework enables efficient separation of krypton fission gas from spent nuclear fuel
Management of spent nuclear fuel is challenging due to the release of volatile radionuclides. Here the authors report krypton separation from fission gas in the presence of other competing gases by a radiation resistant metal-organic framework using the two-bed breakthrough technique.
- Sameh K. Elsaidi
- , Mona H. Mohamed
- & Ju Li
-
Article
| Open AccessHighly active deficient ternary sulfide photoanode for photoelectrochemical water splitting
While water splitting could provide a means to utilize solar energy, identifying sufficiently stable and active semiconductors is challenging. Here, authors report a deficient CdIn2S4 photoanode with improved water splitting performances due to efficient charge separation/transfer kinetics.
- Haimei Wang
- , Yuguo Xia
- & Dairong Chen
-
Article
| Open AccessDirect and indirect Z-scheme heterostructure-coupled photosystem enabling cooperation of CO2 reduction and H2O oxidation
The stoichiometric photoreaction of CO2 with H2O is one of the big challenges in photocatalysis. An artificial photosynthetic system based on a direct and indirect Z-scheme heterostructure is synthesised, enabling simultaneous CO2 reduction to HCOOH and H2O oxidation to O2.
- Ying Wang
- , Xiaotong Shang
- & Can Li
-
Article
| Open AccessEngineering unsymmetrically coordinated Cu-S1N3 single atom sites with enhanced oxygen reduction activity
Engineering the coordination environment of single atom catalysts offers to opportunity to optimize electrocatalytic activity. In this work, the authors prepare an unsymmetrical Cu-S1N3 single atom site on porous carbon with high performance in the oxygen reduction reaction.
- Huishan Shang
- , Xiangyi Zhou
- & Yadong Li
-
Article
| Open AccessHeterostructures formed through abraded van der Waals materials
Low-cost, mass-scalable production routes which preserve the quality of the single crystals are required to up-scale van der Waals materials. Here, the authors demonstrate an approach to realise a variety of functional heterostructures based on van der Waals nanocrystal films produced through the mechanical abrasion of bulk powders.
- Darren Nutting
- , Jorlandio F. Felix
- & Freddie Withers