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| Open AccessRoom temperature and low-field resonant enhancement of spin Seebeck effect in partially compensated magnets
The spin Seebeck effect (SSE) converts thermally induced magnetization dynamics in magnetic materials to spin currents, but is so far an inefficient process. Here, the authors achieved resonant enhancement of the SSE voltage 700% larger than previously observed in Y3Fe5O12 by tuning the magnon lifetime via doping in \({{\rm{Lu}}}_{2}{{\rm{BiFe}}}_{4}{{\rm{GaO}}}_{12}\).
- R. Ramos
- , T. Hioki
- & E. Saitoh
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Article
| Open AccessRoom-temperature direct synthesis of semi-conductive PbS nanocrystal inks for optoelectronic applications
Providing large-scale iodide capped semi-conductive PbS nanocrystals inks preparation for high-throughput manufacturing remains a challenge. Here, the authors propose a direct one step and scalable synthesis method enabling cost reduction and promoting its commercial viability for solar cells.
- Yongjie Wang
- , Zeke Liu
- & Wanli Ma
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Article
| Open AccessUnassisted solar lignin valorisation using a compartmented photo-electro-biochemical cell
The effective valorisation of lignin is crucial for realizing a sustainable biorefinery. Here, the authors report that a compartmented photo-electro-biochemical design enables unassisted, selective, and stable solar lignin valorisation without the need for any additional bias or chemicals.
- Myohwa Ko
- , Le Thanh Mai Pham
- & Ji-Wook Jang
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Article
| Open AccessA bio-inspired coordination polymer as outstanding water oxidation catalyst via second coordination sphere engineering
Proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) process is very important for water oxidation catalysis. Here, the authors introduced uncoordinated carboxylate in the second-coordination-sphere of Ni-Fe coordination polymer catalyst as an internal base to promote the water oxidation kinetics by such PCET process.
- Wenlong Li
- , Fusheng Li
- & Licheng Sun
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Article
| Open AccessLithiophilic montmorillonite serves as lithium ion reservoir to facilitate uniform lithium deposition
The address one of the major challenges facing the lithium metal anode, here the authors use lithiophilic montmorillonite as an additive to the ether-based electrolyte to regulate the lithium ion concentration on the anode surface, facilitating uniform lithium deposition.
- Wei Chen
- , Yin Hu
- & Chenglin Yan
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Article
| Open AccessStructural water and disordered structure promote aqueous sodium-ion energy storage in sodium-birnessite
The authors report a sodium rich disordered birnessite cathode material Na0.27MnO2 for aqueous Na-ion storage. The impressive electrochemical performance is attributed to the co-deintercalation of structural water and Na-ion during the high potential charging process which stabilizes the layered structure.
- Xiaoqiang Shan
- , Fenghua Guo
- & Xiaowei Teng
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Article
| Open AccessPhoto-accelerated fast charging of lithium-ion batteries
Here the authors show that illumination of a lithium manganese oxide cathode can induce efficient charge-separation and electron transfer processes, thus giving rise to a new type of fast lithium-ion battery charging.
- Anna Lee
- , Márton Vörös
- & Christopher S. Johnson
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Article
| Open AccessAtomic layer deposited Pt-Ru dual-metal dimers and identifying their active sites for hydrogen evolution reaction
Atomically precise control over elemental distributions presents a challenge in the preparation of catalytic nanomaterials. Here the authors report Pt-Ru bimetallic dimer structures through atomic layer deposition process and identify the roles of Pt and Ru in hydrogen evolution reaction.
- Lei Zhang
- , Rutong Si
- & Xueliang Sun
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Article
| Open AccessConductive 2D metal-organic framework for high-performance cathodes in aqueous rechargeable zinc batteries
Aqueous zinc batteries are promising candidates for large scale energy storage systems but development of the cathode material remains a challenge. Here, the authors show a conductive 2D metal-organic framework involving intercalation pseudocapacitance mechanism for enhanced rate capability.
- Kwan Woo Nam
- , Sarah S. Park
- & J. Fraser Stoddart
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Article
| Open AccessPrintable magnesium ion quasi-solid-state asymmetric supercapacitors for flexible solar-charging integrated units
Wearable self-powered electronics receive considerable attention, but development is hindered by bulky designs, energy storage systems, and safety issues. Here the authors demonstrate a flexible solar-charging integrated unit based on printed magnesium ion aqueous asymmetric supercapacitors.
- Zhengnan Tian
- , Xiaoling Tong
- & Zhongfan Liu
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Article
| Open AccessCollective excitation of plasmon-coupled Au-nanochain boosts photocatalytic hydrogen evolution of semiconductor
Plasmonic effect offers a valuable opportunity to improve the efficiency of semiconductor, photocatalysts. Here, the authors show that the collective excitation of plasmonic metal, nanoparticles is more favorable for enhancing the utilization of plasmonic energy by, semiconductors.
- Guiyang Yu
- , Jun Qian
- & Gang Liu
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Article
| Open AccessDopant-tuned stabilization of intermediates promotes electrosynthesis of valuable C3 products
The electro-oxidative synthesis of valued chemicals offers to enhance the overall efficiency and economic viability of renewable electrosynthesis systems. Here, the authors use dopant-tuned catalysts to promote the electrosynthesis of dimethyl carbonate from CO and methanol via oxidative carbonylation.
- Tao-Tao Zhuang
- , Dae-Hyun Nam
- & Edward H. Sargent
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Article
| Open AccessQuantifying operational lifetimes for coal power plants under the Paris goals
The plant-by-plant retirement needs are not well-understood yet to achieve the rapid transition away from coal use. Here the authors found that operational lifetimes of existing units must be reduced to approximately 35 years to keep warming well below 2 °C or 20 years for 1.5 °C, even if no new capacity comes online.
- Ryna Yiyun Cui
- , Nathan Hultman
- & Christine Shearer
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Article
| Open AccessUltrahigh β-phase content poly(vinylidene fluoride) with relaxor-like ferroelectricity for high energy density capacitors
Dielectric materials are candidates for electric high power density energy storage applications, but fabrication is challenging. Here the authors report a pressing-and-folding processing of a dielectric with relaxor-like behavior, leading to high energy density in a polymer-based dielectric capacitor.
- Nan Meng
- , Xintong Ren
- & Emiliano Bilotti
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Article
| Open AccessUtilizing solar energy to improve the oxygen evolution reaction kinetics in zinc–air battery
The authors here report a sunlight-promoted rechargeable zinc–air battery in which photoelectrode is used as the air electrode to substantially lower the charge potential under illumination. Notably, the battery can be initially charged with an extremely low voltage of ~1.20 V.
- Xiaorui Liu
- , Yifei Yuan
- & Wenbin Hu
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Article
| Open AccessCorrelation between manganese dissolution and dynamic phase stability in spinel-based lithium-ion battery
To unlock the potential of Mn-based cathode materials, the fast capacity fading process has to be first understood. Here the authors utilize advanced characterization techniques to look at a spinel LiMn2O4 system, revealing that a combination of irreversible structural transformations and Mn dissolution takes responsibility.
- Tongchao Liu
- , Alvin Dai
- & Khalil Amine
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Matters Arising
| Open AccessBias in energy system models with uniform cost of capital assumption
- Florian Egli
- , Bjarne Steffen
- & Tobias S. Schmidt
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Article
| Open AccessReconfiguration of interfacial energy band structure for high-performance inverted structure perovskite solar cells
Charged surface defects are expected to undermine the charge extraction in organic-inorganic perovskite solar cells. Here Zhang et al. design ionic fullerene derivatives to not only passivate the charged defects, but also optimize the interfacial energy due to aligned orientation of the fullerenes.
- Moyao Zhang
- , Qi Chen
- & Yongfang Li
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Article
| Open AccessAtomically ordered non-precious Co3Ta intermetallic nanoparticles as high-performance catalysts for hydrazine electrooxidation
Intermetallic nanoparticles comprised of early transition metals are attractive for fuel cell applications, but are generally limited to noble metal-based systems. Here, authors report non-precious early transition metal intermetallic nanoparticles with promising electrocatalytic performance for the hydrazine oxidation reaction.
- Guang Feng
- , Li An
- & Dingguo Xia
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Article
| Open AccessObservation of a phonon bottleneck in copper-doped colloidal quantum dots
Weak electron-phonon scattering that can enable long-lived hot electrons in semiconductors is of interest in hot carrier solar cells. Here, the authors report copper-doped colloidal cadmium-selenide quantum dots with hot electron lifetime extended by more than 30-fold compared to undoped dots.
- Lifeng Wang
- , Zongwei Chen
- & Kaifeng Wu
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Article
| Open AccessEnhancing electron diffusion length in narrow-bandgap perovskites for efficient monolithic perovskite tandem solar cells
Tin-based perovskites possess the suitable narrow-bandgap for tandem solar cells but their short carrier diffusion lengths limit device efficiency. Here Yang et al. add cadmium ions to increase diffusion length to above 2 µm by reducing the background free hole concentration and electron trap density.
- Zhibin Yang
- , Zhenhua Yu
- & Jinsong Huang
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Article
| Open AccessSoft chromophore featured liquid porphyrins and their utilization toward liquid electret applications
Though electret materials are attractive for realizing flexible mechanoelectrical devices, these materials are typically solid films. Here, the authors report stretchable ‘liquid-electret’ devices consisting solvent-free liquid porphyrins that show piezoelectric and electroacoustic functionality.
- Avijit Ghosh
- , Manabu Yoshida
- & Takashi Nakanishi
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Article
| Open AccessSolid-state polymer electrolytes for high-performance lithium metal batteries
To address some critical issues facing Li metal batteries, the authors design cross-linked polymer networks to serve as either Li metal anode coatings or all solid-state electrolytes. Their favorable polymer chemistry is found responsible for the impressive performance of Li||NCM full cells.
- Snehashis Choudhury
- , Sanjuna Stalin
- & Lynden A. Archer
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Article
| Open AccessA universal standardized method for output capability assessment of nanogenerators
Figures of merit are used to evaluate output performance of triboelectric nanogenerators, but do not account for the breakdown effect that inhibits maximum output. Here the authors propose a standardized assessment method for output capability of nanogenerators that takes breakdown limits into consideration.
- Xin Xia
- , Jingjing Fu
- & Yunlong Zi
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Article
| Open AccessCatalytic production of impurity-free V3.5+ electrolyte for vanadium redox flow batteries
The vanadium redox flow battery is promising for commercial applications, but is hampered by high-cost electrolytes that are typically prepared via electrolysis. Here the authors demonstrate cost-effective chemical production of a high-quality vanadium electrolyte using platinum nanoparticles as a catalyst.
- Jiyun Heo
- , Jae-Yun Han
- & Hee-Tak Kim
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Article
| Open AccessPhotocatalytic water splitting by N-TiO2 on MgO (111) with exceptional quantum efficiencies at elevated temperatures
Chemical fuels, produced from light, afford an alternative to fossil fuel, but conversion materials suffer from low photon-to-fuel efficiencies. Here, authors incorporate gold/N-doped TiO2 on MgO surfaces and show enhanced photocatalytic water splitting performances at elevated temperatures.
- Yiyang Li
- , Yung-Kang Peng
- & Shik Chi Edman Tsang
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Article
| Open AccessCarbon dioxide capture and efficient fixation in a dynamic porous coordination polymer
Porous coordination polymers that possess structural flexibility show great promise for gas adsorption and catalysis. Here the authors synthesize a dynamic porous coordination polymer with rotating ligands that permit effective CO2 trapping, and demonstrate subsequent CO2 cycloaddition to epoxides.
- Pengyan Wu
- , Yang Li
- & Susumu Kitagawa
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Article
| Open AccessDual-phase nanostructuring of layered metal oxides for high-performance aqueous rechargeable potassium ion microbatteries
Aqueous rechargeable microbatteries could enable new microelectronics, but their current electrode materials still suffer from low capacity and poor rate capability. Here the authors show that layered KxV2O5·nH2O with an amorphous/crystalline dual-phase nanostructure can address these issues.
- Ying-Qi Li
- , Hang Shi
- & Qing Jiang
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Article
| Open AccessDevelopment of a longevous two-species biophotovoltaics with constrained electron flow
Power densities of existing microbial biophotovoltaics (BPV) are low and unendurable. Here, the authors develop a BPV based on d-lactate mediated microbial consortium, which can generate an average power density of 135 mW·m−2 for over 40 days in a spatial-temporal separation setup with medium replenishment.
- Huawei Zhu
- , Hengkai Meng
- & Yin Li
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Article
| Open AccessCross-linked beta alumina nanowires with compact gel polymer electrolyte coating for ultra-stable sodium metal battery
Here the authors show a beta alumina nanowires/gel polymer composite electrolyte design. The dense and homogeneous solid-liquid hybrid sodium-ion transportation channels promote uniform sodium deposition and stripping and significantly improve the performance of a Na metal battery.
- Danni Lei
- , Yan-Bing He
- & Feiyu Kang
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Article
| Open AccessDirect thermal charging cell for converting low-grade heat to electricity
Recovery of low-grade heat can aid in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, but heat-to-electricity conversion technologies should be optimized. Here the authors report a direct thermal charging cell that uses asymmetric electrodes and a redox electrolyte to efficiently convert low-grade heat into electricity.
- Xun Wang
- , Yu-Ting Huang
- & Shien-Ping Feng
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Article
| Open AccessA high-performance oxygen evolution catalyst in neutral-pH for sunlight-driven CO2 reduction
Solar-to-fuel conversion under mild conditions offers a renewable means to store energy. Here authors report a Brownmillerite oxide for neutral-pH oxygen evolution that, when integrated with an anodized silver cathode, enables a 13.9% energy-conversion efficiency for light-driven CO2 reduction
- Li Qin Zhou
- , Chen Ling
- & Hongfei Jia
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Article
| Open AccessHighly efficient decomposition of ammonia using high-entropy alloy catalysts
Alloys are important materials for catalysis but are usually limited by miscibility gaps present in their phase diagrams. Here the authors break this limitation by developing high-entropy alloy catalysts made of five earth-abundant elements and demonstrate great catalytic enhancements for ammonia decomposition.
- Pengfei Xie
- , Yonggang Yao
- & Chao Wang
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Article
| Open AccessDirect evidence for grain boundary passivation in Cu(In,Ga)Se2 solar cells through alkali-fluoride post-deposition treatments
Grain boundaries play critical roles in determining the properties and performance of solar cells based on polycrystalline materials. Here Nicoara et al. showcase that proper treatments passivate defects at grain boundaries by forming secondary material phases with the CIGSe absorbers and lead to higher Voc.
- Nicoleta Nicoara
- , Roby Manaligod
- & Sascha Sadewasser
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Article
| Open AccessIn situ observation of picosecond polaron self-localisation in α-Fe2O3 photoelectrochemical cells
The efficiency of Hematite (α-Fe2O3) photo-anodes is thought to be limited by ultrafast lattice distortions or polarons. Here, we use an optical-control method with photocurrent detection to track small polarons in real time and demonstrate that they impact photoelectrochemical cell activity
- Ernest Pastor
- , Ji-Sang Park
- & Artem A. Bakulin
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Article
| Open AccessTriggered reversible phase transformation between layered and spinel structure in manganese-based layered compounds
The irreversible layered-to-spinel phase transformation is detrimental for many cathode materials. Here, the authors show that reversibility can be realized in crystal water containing sodium birnessite by controlled dehydration, leading to enhanced ion diffusion kinetics and improved structural stability.
- Mi Ru Jo
- , Yunok Kim
- & Yong-Mook Kang
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Article
| Open AccessCyclic two-step electrolysis for stable electrochemical conversion of carbon dioxide to formate
Reduction of carbon dioxide is promising for the production of value-added chemicals, but electrocatalysts are hindered by carbon monoxide poisoning. Here, the authors alternate reduction and oxidation potentials to achieve stable and selective long-term electrocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide to formate.
- Chan Woo Lee
- , Nam Heon Cho
- & Byoung Koun Min
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Article
| Open AccessConductive carbon nanofiber interpenetrated graphene architecture for ultra-stable sodium ion battery
Here the authors construct carbon nanofiber interpenetrated graphene architecture with in-situ grown MoS2 nanoflakes alongside the framework. The design combines exceptional mechanical integrity and excellent electronic conductivity, enabling outstanding electrochemical performance in sodium-ion battery.
- Mingkai Liu
- , Peng Zhang
- & Shanqing Zhang
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Article
| Open AccessHigh-performance silk-based hybrid membranes employed for osmotic energy conversion
Membrane-based reverse electrodialysis is promising for salinity gradient power generation, but achieving efficiency and stability is challenging. Here the authors design silk nanofibril-based hybrid membranes to realize high-performance capture of osmotic energy from ambient waters.
- Weiwen Xin
- , Zhen Zhang
- & Liping Wen
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Article
| Open AccessMolecular cobalt corrole complex for the heterogeneous electrocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide
Electrochemical conversion of carbon dioxide to ethanol is one of the most challenging energy conversion reactions. Here the authors show selective electroreduction of carbon dioxide to ethanol by using a functionalized cobalt A3-corrole catalyst immobilized on a carbon paper electrode.
- Sabrina Gonglach
- , Shounik Paul
- & Soumyajit Roy
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Article
| Open AccessOctahedral gold-silver nanoframes with rich crystalline defects for efficient methanol oxidation manifesting a CO-promoting effect
Direct methanol fuel cells are promising for clean, sustainable energy, but catalysts should be optimized. Here the authors construct ultrathin nanoframes with rich crystalline defects to increase electrocatalytic activity of gold for methanol oxidation, which is surprisingly promoted by carbon monoxide.
- Likun Xiong
- , Zhongti Sun
- & Yang Peng
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Article
| Open AccessShale gas reserve evaluation by laboratory pyrolysis and gas holding capacity consistent with field data
Quantification of shale gas reserves is critical to shape the energy policies of countries. Here, the authors present a new procedure to estimate gas in place and show that important UK gas reserves are actually much lower than previously thought.
- Patrick Whitelaw
- , Clement N. Uguna
- & Andrew D. Carr
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Article
| Open AccessStrong light-matter coupling for reduced photon energy losses in organic photovoltaics
Strong light-matter coupling can tune exciton properties but its effect in photovoltaics remains unexplored. Here Nikolis et al. show that the photon energy loss from optical gap to open-circuit voltage can be reduced to unprecedented values by embedding organic solar cells in optical microcavities.
- Vasileios C. Nikolis
- , Andreas Mischok
- & Koen Vandewal
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Article
| Open AccessEnhancing photoelectrochemical water splitting by combining work function tuning and heterojunction engineering
While photoelectrodes represent a promising solar-to-fuel conversion technology, material challenges limit performances. Here, authors improve the onset potential and charge separation of bismuth vanadate photoanode water splitting performances by work function tuning and heterojunction engineering.
- Kai-Hang Ye
- , Haibo Li
- & Shihe Yang
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Article
| Open AccessMeasurement of the combined quantum and electrochemical capacitance of a carbon nanotube
Contact between electrons in a nanotube and solvated ions in an electrolyte yield electric fields confined to small dimensions and electrostatics that are affected by quantum density of states. Here the authors measure quantum effects on capacitance in a reduced-dimension system in a liquid electrolyte.
- Jinfeng Li
- & Peter J. Burke
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Article
| Open AccessAnode interfacial layer formation via reductive ethyl detaching of organic iodide in lithium–oxygen batteries
To fulfill the great promise of Li-O2 batteries, the high charge overpotential is a major challenge that has to be addressed. Here the authors introduce triethylsulfonium iodide as a redox mediator as well as an enabler of a protective layer on Li anode, leading to notable electrochemical performance.
- Xiao-Ping Zhang
- , Yi-Yang Sun
- & Tao Zhang
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Article
| Open AccessEmploying antineutrino detectors to safeguard future nuclear reactors from diversions
Nuclear reactors can be used for energy generation or for dangerous weapons and therefore their monitoring is crucial. Here the authors discuss detecting antineutrino from a nuclear reactor and use it for nuclear safeguards in a diversion scenario.
- Christopher Stewart
- , Abdalla Abou-Jaoude
- & Anna Erickson
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Article
| Open AccessTailoring the photoelectrochemistry of catalytic metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) photoanodes by a dissolution method
Designing synthetic systems to convert light into fuel is crucial in renewable energy development. Here, authors study electrodissolution in nickel thin films from metal-insulator-semiconductor junctions and find decreased homogeneity to improve junction properties and catalytic performances.
- G. Loget
- , C. Mériadec
- & S. Ababou-Girard
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Article
| Open AccessAn oxalate cathode for lithium ion batteries with combined cationic and polyanionic redox
Polyoxyanion compounds are alternative cathodes to conventional oxides, but their reliance on the transition metal redox limits the performance. Here the authors report an oxalate system which possesses additional polyanionic redox reactivity, suggesting a new direction for cathode materials design.
- Wenjiao Yao
- , A. Robert Armstrong
- & Hui-Ming Cheng