Featured
-
-
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
-
Article
| Open AccessA miniaturized bionic ocean-battery mimicking the structure of marine microbial ecosystems
Marine ecosystems are dominated by microbial communities. Inspired by the photoelectric conversion feature of the marine ecosystems, the authors design a four-species microbial community to mimic primary producer, primary degrader, and ultimate consumers, and show its ability to convert light into electricity for over one month.
- Huawei Zhu
- , Liru Xu
- & Yin Li
-
Article
| Open AccessSustainable production of hydrogen with high purity from methanol and water at low temperatures
Carbon neutrality initiative has stimulated the development of the sustainable methodologies for hydrogen generation and safe storage. Here the authors demonstrate that the dual-active sites of Pt single-atoms and frustrated Lewis pairs on porous nanorods of CeO2 enable the efficient additive-free H2 generation with a low CO generation through reforming of methanol and water.
- Sai Zhang
- , Yuxuan Liu
- & Yongquan Qu
-
Article
| Open AccessThe role of renewables for rapid transitioning of the power sector across states in India
A new study assesses the feasibility of a fully renewable based power system by 2050 across India, finding this option to be cost competitive with the status quo and with zero GHG emissions.
- Ashish Gulagi
- , Manish Ram
- & Christian Breyer
-
Article
| Open AccessOH spectator at IrMo intermetallic narrowing activity gap between alkaline and acidic hydrogen evolution reaction
While alkaline water electrolysis offers a green means for hydrogen production, H2-evolving catalysts typically show worse activities in alkaline media than in acid. Here, authors examine IrMo intermetallics as electrocatalysts and identify a stably-adsorbed OH spectator in promoting performances.
- Jiaxi Zhang
- , Longhai Zhang
- & Zhiming Cui
-
Article
| Open AccessPhotoinduced loading of electron-rich Cu single atoms by moderate coordination for hydrogen evolution
While atomically dispersed metals can maximize reaction catalytic sites, it is challenging to achieve high atomic densities without agglomeration. Here, authors prepared Cu single-atoms on black phosphorous using a photochemical strategy and auxiliary H2 as proton reduction electrocatalysts.
- Weiwei Fu
- , Jin Wan
- & Yu Wang
-
Article
| Open AccessEnhanced oxygen evolution over dual corner-shared cobalt tetrahedra
Efficient oxygen evolution relies on the development of promising catalysts. Herein, the authors demonstrate that cobalt tetrahedra, stabilized over the surface of YBCo4O7 material, can catalyze oxygen evolution reaction efficiently.
- Yubo Chen
- , Joon Kyo Seo
- & Zhichuan J. Xu
-
Article
| Open AccessMain-chain engineering of polymer photocatalysts with hydrophilic non-conjugated segments for visible-light-driven hydrogen evolution
The introduction of hydrophilic segments into the main-chain of polymer photocatalysts allows water to efficiently enter the interior through these hydrophilic segments, and results in effective water/polymer interfaces for hydrogen evolution.
- Chih-Li Chang
- , Wei-Cheng Lin
- & Ho-Hsiu Chou
-
Article
| Open AccessGrave-to-cradle upcycling of Ni from electroplating wastewater to photothermal CO2 catalysis
The valorization of undesirable substrates offers a two-fold strategy for pollution remediation and renewable energy conversion. Here, authors demonstrate the scavenging of Ni from electroplating wastewater and subsequent utilization as materials for photothermal CO2 reduction.
- Shenghua Wang
- , Dake Zhang
- & Geoffrey A. Ozin
-
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
-
Article
| Open AccessHydrogen production from the air
While obtaining H2 from water splitting offers a promising strategy for renewable fuel production, current technologies rely on liquid freshwater. Here, authors use a hygroscopic electrolyte to achieve electrocatalytic water vapor splitting driven by renewable resources without liquid water.
- Jining Guo
- , Yuecheng Zhang
- & Gang Kevin Li
-
Article
| Open AccessRhodium nanocrystals on porous graphdiyne for electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution from saline water
While water electrolysis represents a promising means for renewable hydrogen production, the catalysts needed must be efficient at high current densities. Here, authors show rhodium nanocrystals on graphdiyne to efficiently evolve hydrogen from saline water.
- Yang Gao
- , Yurui Xue
- & Yuliang Li
-
Article
| Open AccessUltrafine nanoporous intermetallic catalysts by high-temperature liquid metal dealloying for electrochemical hydrogen production
Nanoscale intermetallic compounds are promising catalysts but the synthesis remains a challenge. The authors develop a dealloying technique to fabricate nanoporous intermetallic electrocatalysts with fine structures for efficient hydrogen production.
- Ruirui Song
- , Jiuhui Han
- & Hidemi Kato
-
Article
| Open AccessElectrocatalytic synthesis of adipic acid coupled with H2 production enhanced by a ligand modification strategy
Adipic acid is an important building block of polymers, although its production relies on harmful reagents. Here, authors examined surfactant-modified nickel hydroxide for adipic acid electrosynthesis coupled with hydrogen gas evolution.
- Zhenhua Li
- , Xiaofan Li
- & Haohong Duan
-
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
-
Article
| Open AccessTemperature-dependent dual-mode thermal management device with net zero energy for year-round energy saving
Real-world practical utilization of zero-energy thermal management systems often requires adaptability to dynamic weather. Here, authors demonstrate a zero-energy, self-adapting, dual-mode radiative thermal management device, capable of switching between heating and cooling based on the ambient temperature.
- Quan Zhang
- , Yiwen Lv
- & Yongsheng Chen
-
Article
| Open AccessIntroducing Brønsted acid sites to accelerate the bridging-oxygen-assisted deprotonation in acidic water oxidation
While water electrolysis devices represent a technology for renewable energy, there are few stable catalysts that survive the acidic conditions. Here, authors enhance acidic oxygen evolution by introducing strong Brønsted acid sites into RuO2 to accelerate bridging-oxygen-assisted deprotonation.
- Yunzhou Wen
- , Cheng Liu
- & Bo Zhang
-
Article
| Open AccessMechanistic classification and benchmarking of polyolefin depolymerization over silica-alumina-based catalysts
Product distributions have been used to classify the depolymerization pathways of polyolefins catalyzed by silica-alumina-based catalysts to construct an activity-mechanism map as a benchmarking tool to facilitate catalyst discovery.
- Wei-Tse Lee
- , Antoine van Muyden
- & Paul J. Dyson
-
Article
| 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
-
Article
| Open AccessInsights into the activity of nickel boride/nickel heterostructures for efficient methanol electrooxidation
Understanding the role of active sites in electrooxidation reactions is important yet challenging. Here, the authors use operando spectroscopies to monitor the effect of methanol concentration on Ni3B/Ni heterostructures during formate production.
- Yanbin Qi
- , Yue Zhang
- & Chunzhong Li
-
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
-
Article
| 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
-
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
-
Article
| Open AccessShallow subsurface heat recycling is a sustainable global space heating alternative
Using shallow geothermal energy systems to recycle the heat accumulating in the subsurface due to climate change and urbanization is a feasible, sustainable, and opportunistic alternative to conventional space heating in the face of climate change
- Susanne A. Benz
- , Kathrin Menberg
- & Barret L. Kurylyk
-
Article
| Open AccessMetaproteomics reveals enzymatic strategies deployed by anaerobic microbiomes to maintain lignocellulose deconstruction at high solids
Efficient solubilization of plant cell wall carbohydrates is required for microbial production of biofuels from lignocellulosic biomass. Here, the authors employ metaproteomics to interrogate enzymatic strategies of a methanogenic microbiome deconstructing switchgrass at increasing solids loading.
- Payal Chirania
- , Evert K. Holwerda
- & Lee R. Lynd
-
Article
| Open AccessBixbyite-type Ln2O3 as promoters of metallic Ni for alkaline electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution
While renewable H2 evolution will require inexpensive, abundant catalysts, non-noble metals typically show relatively low activities. Here, authors examine lanthanide metal sesquioxide doped metallic Ni and show efficient, stable performances for alkaline H2 evolution electrocatalysis.
- Hongming Sun
- , Zhenhua Yan
- & Miao Du
-
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
-
Article
| Open AccessRuO2 electronic structure and lattice strain dual engineering for enhanced acidic oxygen evolution reaction performance
While water splitting in acid offers higher operational performances than in alkaline conditions, there are few high-activity, acid-stable oxygen evolution electrocatalysts. Here, authors examine electrochemical Li intercalation to improve the activity and stability of RuO2 for acidic water oxidation.
- Yin Qin
- , Tingting Yu
- & Tong-Yi Zhang
-
Article
| Open AccessA unique Co@CoO catalyst for hydrogenolysis of biomass-derived 5-hydroxymethylfurfural to 2,5-dimethylfuran
The development of precious-metal-free catalysts to promote the sustainable production of fuels and chemicals from biomass challenging. Here the authors report a unique core-shell structured Co@CoO catalyst which exhibits excellent performance in the hydrogenolysis of biomass-derived compounds.
- Shuang Xiang
- , Lin Dong
- & Yanqin Wang
-
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
-
Article
| Open AccessSelf-sustained electricity generator driven by the compatible integration of ambient moisture adsorption and evaporation
Generating electricity from air opens a promising way for green energy harvesting. Here, authors present a prototype driven by the integration of moisture adsorption with evaporation to generate continuous electricity for a long duration.
- Jin Tan
- , Sunmiao Fang
- & Wanlin Guo
-
Article
| Open AccessDecoupled temperature and pressure hydrothermal synthesis of carbon sub-micron spheres from cellulose
Temperature and pressure are typically dependent parameters in hydrothermal processes. Here, authors devise a hydrothermal system that allows independent control of these parameters and realize low-temperature fast synthesis of carbon sub-micron spheres directly from cellulose at higher pressure.
- Shijie Yu
- , Xinyue Dong
- & Hui Zhou
-
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
-
Article
| Open AccessTransition-metal-free synthesis of pyrimidines from lignin β-O-4 segments via a one-pot multi-component reaction
Lignin depolymerization to make heterocyclic aromatic compounds is of great importance to expanding the product portfolio derived from biomass, but it is also particularly challenging. In this work, the authors report pyrimidine synthesis from lignin β-O-4 model compounds via a one-pot multicomponent cascade reaction.
- Bo Zhang
- , Tenglong Guo
- & Changzhi Li
-
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
-
Article
| Open AccessUnraveling the mechanism for paired electrocatalysis of organics with water as a feedstock
Production of value-added chemicals by using renewable energy and cheap water attract great interest. Herein, the authors design a paired electrocatalytic system to produce 4-aminobenzyl alcohol at cathode and 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid at anode.
- Ganceng Yang
- , Yanqing Jiao
- & Honggang Fu
-
Article
| Open AccessBoosting the performance of single-atom catalysts via external electric field polarization
While single-atom catalysts offer high atomic utilization and tunable reaction pathways, there are still challenges in controlling reactivity. Here, authors use oriented external electric fields to induce electrostatic polarization in metal single-atoms and to boost water-splitting performances.
- Yanghang Pan
- , Xinzhu Wang
- & Mengning Ding
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
Article
| Open AccessModulating Pt-O-Pt atomic clusters with isolated cobalt atoms for enhanced hydrogen evolution catalysis
Modulating single-metal sites at the atomic level can boost the intrinsic catalytic activity. Here, the authors describe the design of Pt atomic clusters containing Pt-O-Pt units supported on Co single atoms and N co-doped carbon for enhanced hydrogen evolution catalysis.
- Yufei Zhao
- , Priyank V. Kumar
- & Xunyu Lu
-
Article
| Open AccessCovalent organic frameworks with high quantum efficiency in sacrificial photocatalytic hydrogen evolution
While organic semiconductors offer a tunable platform for photocatalysis, they often show worse performances. Here, authors examine how a donor-acceptor pair’s incorporation into a covalent organic framework boosts photocatalytic H2 evolution performances with a platinum co-catalyst.
- Chunzhi Li
- , Jiali Liu
- & Qihua Yang
-
Article
| Open AccessEfficient and stable noble-metal-free catalyst for acidic water oxidation
While acidic water splitting offers a renewable means to obtain renewable hydrogen fuel, the catalysts needed to oxidize water often require expensive noble metals. Here, authors show manganese oxyhalides as acidic oxygen evolution electrocatalysts.
- Sanjiang Pan
- , Hao Li
- & Xiaodan Zhang
-
Article
| Open AccessAutomated exploitation of the big configuration space of large adsorbates on transition metals reveals chemistry feasibility
The discovery of heterogeneous catalysts for large molecule conversion has been lagging due to the combinatorial inventory of intermediates. Here, the author presents an automated framework to explore the chemical space of reaction intermediates.
- Geun Ho Gu
- , Miriam Lee
- & Dionisios G. Vlachos
-
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
-
Article
| Open AccessPerylenetetracarboxylic acid nanosheets with internal electric fields and anisotropic charge migration for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution
While organic semiconductors provide a highly tailorable set of systems for solar-to-fuel conversion, such materials often show worse activities than inorganic materials. Here, authors prepare perylene-based nanosheets that demonstrate excellent performances for photocatalytic H2 evolution.
- Yan Guo
- , Qixin Zhou
- & Yongfa Zhu
-
Article
| Open AccessA high-performance capillary-fed electrolysis cell promises more cost-competitive renewable hydrogen
Water electrolysis offers a promising means for green hydrogen production, however current electrolysers do not provide a competitive edge over fossil fuels. Here, authors develop a capillary-fed electrolyser setup that avoids bubble formation to achieve a high-performance, cost-competitive device.
- Aaron Hodges
- , Anh Linh Hoang
- & Gordon G. Wallace
-
Article
| Open AccessThe synergistic effect of Hf-O-Ru bonds and oxygen vacancies in Ru/HfO2 for enhanced hydrogen evolution
Although ruthenium nanomaterials have proven to be effective catalysts for H2 evolution, there is still room for activity improvements. Here, authors develop an efficient Ru/HfO2 electrocatalyst with tuned Ru-O-Hf bonds and oxygen vacancies that shows high activities for alkaline H2 evolution.
- Guangkai Li
- , Haeseong Jang
- & Jaephil Cho
-
Article
| Open AccessHydrogen spillover in complex oxide multifunctional sites improves acidic hydrogen evolution electrocatalysis
While renewable H2 production offers a promising route for clean energy production, there is an urgent need to improve catalyst performances. Here, authors design a Pt-containing complex oxide that utilizes atomic-scale hydrogen spillover to promote H2 evolution electrocatalysis in acidic media.
- Jie Dai
- , Yinlong Zhu
- & Zongping Shao