Themed collection Research advancing UN SDG 13: Climate Action

Analysis and calculation of Germany's climate politics and hydrogen strategy, with a focus on the technical demand for hydrogen implementation through a case study of the chemical industry that engages multiple stakeholders.

We discuss the versatility of quinacridone pigment in photocatalysis, embracing water splitting, carbon dioxide reduction and organic synthesis. Applications include homogeneous catalysis, nanoparticles, covalent organic frameworks, photoelectrodes.

Glycosaminoglycans have quietly transitioned from biomaterials to advanced functional materials for energy devices and flexible electronics. Gathered here are 45 years of research highlighting both fundamental studies and recent advances and trends.

Phytochemical-based additives have functional groups that can modulate the nucleation and crystallization process of perovskite films resulting in improved optoelectronic and degradation resistance.

At 250 °C, using an electrochemical setup with a Ru catalyst, Pd alloy H₂-permeable membrane cathode, NaOH–KOH molten salt electrolyte, and Ni anode, NH₃ was synthesized from H₂O and N₂ with 30 mA cm⁻² current density of and 25% current efficiency.

Nanocrystalline high-entropy CoNiFeCrMnO_x thin films were prepared by dip-coating and annealing at 400 °C, showing stable oxygen evolution with overpotentials of 258 mV VS. RHE at 10 mA cm⁻² over 10 hours in alkaline media.

Nanotree LEDs with n-doped branch nanowires grown on the sidewall of pin-doped core wires with higher bandgap. Broadband light is emitted with the core wires under bias, and charge carriers diffuse to the branches and recombine there.

Volumetrically unbalanced compositionally symmetric cell cycling with potentiostatic (CV) or galvanostatic-with-potential-hold (CCCV) protocols is a rigorous technique for evaluating the calendar lifetime of reactants for redox flow batteries.

A biophotovoltaic cell consisting of a 3D hydrogel scaffold-based bio-anode enables microbial biofilm formation for substantial electron capture and extracellular electron transfer as an energy harvesting system.

Renewable energy can be stored in liquid e-fuels such as formate. Here Pd–Au alloy nanoparticles prepared by metal vapor synthesis show enhanced activity and efficiency for the re-transformation to electrical energy in direct formate fuel cells.

Surface-modified ZrO₂ fillers strongly facilitate Li⁺ transport in PEO-based electrolytes, but even simple addition of the modifier serves to greatly improve ionic conductivity, proving the crucial role of the additive–matrix interaction.

Operando confocal microscopy coupled with electrochemistry yields spatially and temporally resolved state of charge maps within porous electrodes.

Unraveling the knowledge of the complex refractive index and photophysical properties of the perovskite layer is paramount to uncovering the physical process that occurs in a perovskite solar cell under illumination.

A sustainable and readily available material, lignin protobind 2400, was upcycled to activated porous carbon (APC) compatible with post-combustion CO₂ capture.

Ag–NiP-deposited carbon channels on NiP panels were successfully developed through lemon juice extract (Ag–CL/NiP) and citric acid (Ag–CC/NiP)-assisted methodologies for photo and electrocatalytic water splitting.

This work demonstrates the first interfacial dipole modification aimed at controlling parasitic reactions at alloying electrodes in Li-ion batteries.

Synthetic methanol can be produced from carbon dioxide captured from ambient air with great improvements in many environmental impact categories compared to traditional production methods.

Experimental demonstration of a new direct air capture cycle driven by a cooperative acid–base reaction that acidifies solution upon concentration.

This paper compares different power-to-methanol process configurations encompassing the electrolyser, adiabatic reactor(s) and methanol purification configurations.

Aluminum, a safe and energy-dense circular fuel, can be cost-competitive with ammonia and cheaper than liquefied hydrogen.

The performance of NiO as p-type semiconducting material in DSSC's suffers from excessive charge recombination, limiting the overall efficiency. Here we study the origin of the phenomenon, indicating that slow hole diffusion is the main cause.

Investigation of bismuth-based materials for the photocatalytic decomposition of N₂O.

Canola-derived SAF can meet about 20% of the jet fuel consumption in Canada but requires incentives to spur domestic production. Increasing transportation connectivity can increase canola accessibility and reduce supply chain risk.

Binderless zeolite LTA and zeotype SAPO-34 macroscopic beads were synthesized and tested for their application in vacuum pressure swing adsorption (VPSA) to upgrade biogas to biomethane.

Engineering interfacial materials for use between the active layer and the electrodes in organic and perovskite solar cells is one of the most effective ways to increase device efficiency.

A stable, efficient, and low-cost Ni-doped Bi₃O₄Br electrocatalyst for improved H₂ production in alkaline conditions.

This study investigated the performance of metal-doped HZSM-5 catalysts in the conversion of low alcohols to hydrocarbons (LATH).

Rotten passion fruits, which are highly available in many countries during some periods of the year, can be used to efficiently produce CoFe₂O₄ material with special structural and electrochemical characteristics for the hydrogen evolution reaction.

Electrochemical flow cell demonstrates near-100% chemisorbing selectivity in separating propylene–propane gas mixtures, paving the way towards a sustainable olefin purifying process.

The table of contents entry represents the use of machine learning to find suitable Mn-based aromatic PNP catalysts for the CO₂ reduction reaction to HCOOH and CH₃OH.

Poor mass transfer in aqueous electrochemical CO₂ reduction limits the achievable current density toward desired products. We introduce flowable suspension electrodes to spread the current over a larger volume and alleviate mass transfer limitations.

Machine learning on perovskite photovoltaics reveals the relative importance of material and process information, while data degeneracy limits prediction accuracy.

Phosphotungstic acid (H₃PW₁₂O₄₀) can function as a surface solid electrolyte for porous WO₃ photoanode in gas-phase photoelectrochemical reactions such as water vapour splitting and methane conversion in the absence of liquid electrolytes.

New water reduction catalysts containing secondary amines in the backbones show turnover numbers for photochemical hydrogen evolution up to 2237.

Using microscopy and spectroscopy to assess ultrathin nanowire structure.

This study reports a comprehensive analysis of the operation of a biogas methanation system with a total 240 kW SNG output.

Next step forward towards green steel! A pilot plant integrated into a steel mill has been operated successfully and shows promising results. This novel, retrofitted process for steel production has the potential to cut global CO₂ emissions by 0.5%!