Themed collection Recent Open Access Articles

We are considering fundamental questions of how redox reactions take place and charge is conducted in redox solids. Redox properties of electrode materials can be explained by considering the Nernst equations for homogeneous or segregated materials.

This perspective explores the crucial yet underexplored topic of solvent effects in semiconductor photocatalysis, emphasizing both the challenges and the opportunities.

Despite tinted transmission, semi-transparent solar cells using the band selective method exhibit higher performance at similar transparency levels, with PCE (28% vs. 22%) and LUE (23% vs. 19%), thus higher power output in empirical city irradiance.

We propose a multi-scale analytics and modeling framework to fill the gap in integrating circular solar economy principles with ecosystem and climate commitments, enabling a holistic sustainability analysis of perovskite PVs.

Large-scale sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production and use is essential to achieving net-zero aviation by 2050.

The market share of low-cost battery chemistries, which offer little to no recycling profitability with current methods, is growing. Design for circularity could be the key to reducing costs and enhancing sustainability for these batteries.

Cointercalation reactions, of particular interest for emerging battery cell chemistries, are more effectively controlled when matching electrolyte formulation with nanoconfinement properties within the interlayer space of host materials.

While perovskite-based photovoltaics is progressing toward commercialization, it remains an open question which fabrication technology – solution-based, vapor-based, or combinations – will pave the way to faster economic breakthrough.

Carbon accounting without life cycle analysis (LCA) is possible by requiring one ton of sequestration for each extracted ton of carbon. A carbon takeback obligation eliminates the need to track carbon through the supply chain.

Biohybrid systems of synthetic materials and microorganisms can be obtained using a range of assembly strategies based on their interactions. This influences charge transfer between the components and their efficiency for solar fuels generation.

A roadmap that delineates the major hurdles and essential RD&D actions to enable large-scale DACCS deployment.

We examine drivers and benefits of adopting circular economy practices for perovskite solar cells (PSCs), a promising low-cost PV technology, identifying key challenges and reviewing research progress towards achieving a circular economy for PSCs.

Highly concentrated (water-in-salt) electrolytes possess peculiar ionic interactions, solvation structure, ion transport, capability to form an SEI, etc. This perspective discusses the role of the salt anion on such properties.

Dislocations were introduced into BaTiO₃ single crystals and become catalytically active centers.

Formulating and establishing design principles to improve low-temperature performance of battery electrolytes.

Demonstration of a new three-terminal semiconductor photoabsorber architecture for photoelectrochemical fuel production that enables protection of the semiconductor in the dark.

The magnetic field significantly enhances the thermoelectric performance of Te-doped Bi₈₈Sb₁₂ by the quantum mechanical effect induced exotic density of states. By such enhancement, the best zT reaches 2.6, comparable to the current best results.

Intrinsically stretchable organic photovoltaics with excellent mechanical robustness are achieved by utilizing poly(dimethylsiloxane)-incorporated polymer donors (PM6-b-PDMS) and dimer acceptors (DYPDMS).

A concept of the skin-like quasi-solid-state electrolyte (skin-QSSE) features an asymmetric structure composed of covalent organic framework (COF) nanolayers and aramid fiber hydrogel layers, advancing the development of long-life Zn–I₂ batteries.

The self-limiting surface leaching mechanism effectively suppresses continuous leaching, significantly prolonging the lifespan of ruthenium-based electrocatalysts for acidic water oxidation.

We developed a model that considers all components of a composite electrode. It integrates particle- and electrode-level behavior and enables simulation of the mechanical behavior of polymeric binders, which is critical for battery degradation.

Solid electrolytes based on a fluorinated ionic liquid plasticizer eliminate the dendrites of zinc batteries and endow the solid zinc batteries with great wide-temperature adaptability.

The EC electrolyte, replacing tBP, enables LiTFSI dissolution and generates p-doped radicals. It achieves a peak efficiency of 25.56% for PSCs, expanding the viability of large-area PSMs and enhancing long-term stability under damp-heat conditions.

The nano-Si₃N₄ additive enables the concurrent engineering of electrode–electrolyte interfaces. It promotes the formation of a bilayer, inorganic-rich SEI via its involvement in SEI formation and Li⁺ solvation, and a uniform CEI by scavenging HF.

By replacing the inert, strongly positive electrostatic potential of TTE with the active, weakly positive electrostatic potential of MDFSA, thermally resistant interfacial films are formed, enhancing the battery's performance at high temperatures.

Very simple Ah-level aqueous batteries are realized by employing an X electrolyte which can fundamentally inhibit the polyiodide shuttle effect and zinc dendrite growth.

Fibrous TiN fillers are incorporated into PVDF–HFP-based quasi-solid-state polymer electrolytes, serving multiple functions and significantly enhancing interfacial Li-ion transport kinetics, thereby ensuring stability over 3000 cycles at 2 C.

Polyamide (PA, Nylon), a classical polymer featuring oxidation-resistant amide linkages, has been reengineered as high-voltage polymer electrolytes compatible with Li-metal batteries.

Heterogeneous micelle-like structures in the electric double layer of localized high-concentration electrolytes are revealed.

A lithiophilic copper-based alloy skin is fabricated on Cu current collectors via scalable ultrafast Joule heating. This skin enables uniform Li nucleation and dendrite-free growth, significantly improving cycling stability of Li-metal batteries.

This work presents a zinc–iodine battery featuring a liquid–liquid biphasic electrolyte and an integrated cell structure, which facilitates an iodine loading of 69.8 mg cm⁻², a self-discharge rate of 3.4% per month, and ∼100% recycling efficiency.

Constructing an enhanced SEI based on the mortise and tenon joints using chemical and electrochemical reactions.

A schematic illustration of the NVFP-VO cathode with a two-phase intergrown heterostructure of NVFP and V₂O₃.

Research strategy and synthesis of a core–shell Ru catalyst.

Aluminium oxide coatings on Ni-rich layered oxide materials have the dual functions of scavenging protic and acidic species from the electrolyte, and in stabilising surface oxygen against chemical oxidation of electrolyte species at high potentials.

Reduced latent heat of water in solar evaporating materials cannot explain superthermal rates due to the full energy balance and vapor kinetic limitations. New mechanistic studies need to be pursued to understand superthermal solar evaporation.

DCB-Br-2 is used as a hole-transporting layer for 1.79 eV wide-bandgap perovskite solar cells. Its stronger interaction with the perovskite and better energy level alignment enable the achievement of a notable V_OC of 1.37 V.

All-inorganic perovskites, such as CsPbI₂Br, have emerged as promising compositions due to their enhanced thermal stability. However, they are very prone to degradation due to moisture.

Augmenting characterization methods with deep learning and other machine learning methods allows the identification of material inconsistencies, device performance predictions, and the generation of in situ AI recommendations.

Understanding the impedances of battery materials remains a major challenge. Features of Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) can now be accurately attributed using a new materials-agnostic methodology.

Reversible Mn²⁺/MnO₂ reaction for Zn–Mn flow batteries achieved by modulating the solvation-shell structure of Mn²⁺ and the structure of electrodeposited MnO₂ through a cation-assisted effect.

Adding an infrared transparent spacer to far-field thermophotovoltaic (TPV) devices boosts power density. This scalable zero-gap design surpasses vacuum blackbody limit and achieves performance comparable to near-field TPV with nanoscale gaps.

Fe-ion batteries durably deliver 225 mA h g⁻¹ for 27 000 cycles, offering non-flammable, cost-effective energy storage solutions using innovative PANI/CNT cathodes and carbon steel anodes, along with theoretical insights into working mechanisms.

This study introduces a new method to analyse mobile ion-related processes in metal halide perovskite devices, which reveals how ion conductivity determines electric field screening and provides new insights into the mixed ionic–electronic behaviour.

A new self-conductive all-polymer GDL configuration, using a conductive polymer layer and hydrophobic layer, overcomes the most prominent obstacles of existing carbon-based and PTFE-based GDLs, representing a next-generation GDL technology.

A highly efficient Ni₄Mo–MoO_x catalyst enables anionic exchange membrane (AEM) water electrolyzers to operate at 3 A cm⁻² with a voltage of only about 2 V.

Alternative atomistic model describing OER and Ir dissolution in amorphous, hydrous iridium oxides derived from synchrotron-based X-ray spectroscopies and DFT.

We propose an ultrasonic spraying strategy for the one-step fabrication of uniform nano-electrodes with a nano-convex structure on an all-ceramic fuel electrode, enhancing both activity and durability.

Engineered thin-layer algal catalysts optimise light utilisation, achieving up to 4% efficiency in light-to-hydrogen conversion.

Self-assembled cholesteric liquid crystals uniquely enable non-spectral coloured and thermochromic covered highly efficient photovoltaic devices for aesthetic integration.

This work gives a comprehensive description of the fundamental electronic processes taking place in the active layer of PM6:Y6 solar cells. It also points to the role of triplet states, excimer-like states, and defect states in device performance.

Outdoor monitoring of Roll-to-Roll (R2R) printed flexible organic photovoltaic (OPV) modules for building integrated/attached photovoltaics (BIPV/BAPV) applications.

Modifying grain boundary chemistry boosts carrier mobility and electrical conductivity while reducing thermal conductivity via alloying and defect engineering, yielding a record-setting average zT of 1 among p-type half-Heusler thermoelectrics.

Non-fused core with non-covalent interactions refines the film-forming kinetics of star-shaped oligomer acceptors for achieving long-term stable solar cells with 19.27% efficiency.

The twisted spiro-type SAM 4PA-spiro effectively suppresses molecular aggregation and ensures appropriate energy levels, providing an efficiency of 25.28 and 21.87% for the p–i–n PSCs (0.05 cm²) and modules (29.0 cm²).

The role of thiocyanates in minimising organohalide diffusion into PEDOT:PSS whilst accelerating device degradation is identified and a route towards improving both device efficiency and stability is demonstrated.

Utilizing thermally evaporated hole transport layers (HTLs) in fully textured perovskite silicon tandem solar cells.

The presence of moderate water volume enhances the photocatalytic oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural in acetonitrile, consistently observed across various catalysts and substrates, highlighting its potential for broad application in photocatalysis.

Our electrochemical production uses carbon-free rocks, water electrolysis, and CO₂ capture/circulation for carbon-neutral/negative cement and green H₂, turning cement from the second-largest industrial CO₂ emitter to a gigaton-scale CCUS enabler.

We present an optimization framework to analyze emerging power systems technologies that coproduce power and alternative fuels. Emerging solid oxide-based systems have the potential to enable a reliable, efficient transition to cleaner energy.

Unavoidable relaxed heat from excited TiO₂-based photocatalytic systems inverts the long-chain fatty acids conformation, which increases the strain of C–COOH to alter the reaction path, leading to a high biofuel output concentration under sunlight.

A schematic representation of a four-stage data-driven material screening methodology, progressing from uncovering unexplored chemical spaces through high-throughput calculations to validating findings in protonic ceramic cells.

Substrate heating during co-evaporation of bulk heterojunction organic solar cells aids phase separation and improves performance. While recombination remains unaffected, hole transport improves due to more crystalline donor domains.

A Janus architecture mitigates Li-ion polarization in high-energy-density Li–S cells, achieving uniform charge/discharge reactions and stable performance under ultra-high sulfur loading and practical operating conditions.

A global softening strategy using stearic acid in MgAgSb to reduce sound velocity has been shown to enhance its thermoelectric performance, achieving high zT values and demonstrating strong potential for low-grade heat harvesting.

Underutilized wastewaters containing dilute levels of reactive nitrogen (Nr) can help rebalance the nitrogen cycle.

While a rapid defossilisation of the energy system is the highest priority, additional post-fossil CDR for net-negative emissions will be necessary. Routes for mineralisation (in situ-, ex situ mineralisation, enhanced rock weathering) are examined.

Mesoscale engineering of small organic molecules towards a 3D nanowire network offers a potent toolkit for improved energy storage performance.

The Anderson localization effect has been exploited in the design of high-temperature dielectric polymers, resulting in reduced conduction loss and outstanding capacitive energy storage performance over a wide temperature range up to 250 °C.

This work achieves a high-voltage and high-charge energy cycle for TENGs, as well as lossless energy transmission between TENGs and PMCs.