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Intrinsic metal-support interactions break the activity-stability dilemma in electrocatalysis
Developing efficient catalysts that resolve the activity-stability trade-off remains challenging for hydrogen production. Here, the authors report a steam-assisted, machine-learning-screened synthesis of self-healing Ru/TiMnOx electrodes that resolve this challenge.
- Lingxi Zhou
- , Menghao Yang
- & Ruitao Lv
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| Open Access
Stabilizing dual-phased perovskite towards high performance photovoltaics with enhanced batch stability and consistency
The stabilization of perovskites in both solution and solid phases is critical to the fabrication of solution-processed perovskite solar cells. Here, 4-(trifluoromethyl)phenylhydrazine is introduced to enhance storage stability, achieving consistent high efficiency of 26.0% in stable devices.
- Guihua Zhang
- , Deng Wang
- & Chun Cheng
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Direct generation of nitrogen-centered radicals via non-covalent interaction between Cu complexes and BiVO4 photoanodes
Photoelectrocatalysis often relies on covalent electrode-reactant interactions. Here, the authors report that non-covalent interactions at Cu complexes/BiVO4 interfaces enable rapid charge transfer, directly generating N-centered radicals from inert N−H bonds for scalable hydrazine synthesis.
- Lei Wu
- , Kun Dang
- & Jincai Zhao
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Rapid conversion of amino acid modified-ice to methane hydrate for sustainable energy storage
Here the authors show that by using amino acid–modified ice under mild conditions, methane storage exhibited a 30-fold increase in capacity and a 29-fold enhancement in reaction kinetics compared to unmodified ice.
- Ye Zhang
- , Yunhan Ma
- & Praveen Linga
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Interface engineering of single-molecular heterojunction catalysts for CO2 electroreduction in strong acid medium
Electrochemical reduction of CO2 in acidic conditions offers high utilization but is hindered by competing hydrogen evolution. Here, the authors demonstrate a nickel-based catalyst that regulates interfacial water, enabling efficient and durable CO2 conversion to CO.
- Shanhe Gong
- , Yanjie Zhai
- & Shu Ping Lau
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Selective Anion Anchoring in MOF-Based Supercapacitors Revealed with Operando Small-Angle X-Ray Scattering
Understanding charge storage in supercapacitors remains a challenge. Here, authors use operando X-ray scattering to show that selective anion immobilization in MOF-based electrodes leads to a cation-driven charge storage mechanism.
- Malina Seyffertitz
- , Chloe J. Balhatchet
- & Oskar Paris
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60 cm2 perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells with an efficiency of 28.9% by homogeneous passivation
The performance of inverted perovskite solar cells has been limited by non-radiative recombination at the perovskite surfaces. Here, authors employ phosphonic acids and piperazinium chloride for homogeneous passivation, achieving certified efficiency of 28.9% for 60 cm2 perovskite-silicon tandems.
- Kerem Artuk
- , Aleksandra Oranskaia
- & Christian M. Wolff
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Minimizing interfacial energy losses via multifunctional cage-like diammonium molecules for efficient perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells
The interfacial energy losses at the perovskite/electron selective contact interface remain an obstacle for perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells to approach its theoretical efficiency limit. Here, authors employ a cage-like diammonium chloride molecule to modulate interfacial dipole.
- Xin Li
- , Zhiqin Ying
- & Jichun Ye
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Interfacial oxide wedging for mechanical-robust electrode in high-temperature ceramic cells
Delamination and cracking hinder the durability of air electrodes in ceramic cells. Here, the authors introduce oxide wedging at particle interfaces to enhance mechanical robustness and thermal compatibility, significantly improving electrode longevity.
- Yuan Zhang
- , Zhipeng Liu
- & Heping Xie
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Electronic tuning of RuO₂ polarizes metal–oxygen redox for proton exchange membrane water electrolysis
Anode catalysts in proton-exchange-membrane water electrolyzers usually trade activity for stability. Here, the authors report an electronic-structure-tuning strategy that modulates the metal–oxygen redox behavior of RuO₂, yielding a catalyst that is both highly active and durable.
- Xingen Lin
- , Peigen Liu
- & Yuen Wu
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Lattice expansion of hybrid perovskite inhibits halogen interstitial generation and enhances solar cell performance
Water adsorption is known to induce lattice expansion to perovskite. This work reveals that the elimination of lattice expansion causes formation of detrimental defects in hybrid perovskite, highlighting its critical role in lattice stability.
- Tongtong Lu
- , Zhiya Dang
- & Pingqi Gao
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Enriching conductive capping by alkaline treatment of perovskite quantum dots towards certified 18.3%-efficient solar cells
Efficient exchange of long-chain ligands has been challenging for high-performing perovskite quantum dot photovoltaics. Here, the authors construct alkaline environments for antisolvents to promote their hydrolysis into conductive surface capping, enabling a certified solar cell efficiency of 18.3%.
- Donglin Jia
- , Jiaxin Li
- & Meicheng Li
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Spontaneous dissociation of excitons in polymeric photocatalysts for overall water splitting
Polymeric semiconductors suffer from high exciton binding energy. Here, the authors report a crystal structure engineering strategy for producing poly(triazine imide) with the capability of spontaneous exciton dissociation into free charges, enabling efficient photocatalytic overall water splitting.
- Kaitao Bai
- , Xiaohua Yu
- & Gang Liu
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Fully chemical interface engineering for statically and dynamically stable perovskite solar cells
Interfacial modifications between perovskite and charge transport layers based on physical adsorption are susceptible to detachment. Here, authors report a chemical modification with in-situ crosslinking reaction in the modifiers, achieving certified efficiency of over 25% in perovskite solar cells.
- Luyao Li
- , Cheng Wang
- & Wanlin Guo
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Temperature adaptive self-regenerating ionic thermoelectric cycles for time domain thermal energy harvesting
The authors present a PAM-PVP hydrogel ionic thermoelectric device using KI3/KI and K3Fe(CN)6/K4Fe(CN)6 redox couples to harvest time-domain thermal energy without external charging, reaching 4% relative Carnot efficiency from 60 °C to 10 °C.
- Qikai Li
- , Mao Yu
- & Shien-Ping Feng
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Dipole-dipole interaction-induced dense primitive solid-electrolyte interphase for high-power Ah-level anode-free sodium metal batteries
Anode-free sodium batteries promise high energy at low cost but suffer from short lifespans. Here, authors develop a fluorinated electrolyte that forms a robust interphase, enabling fast-charging pouch cells with high energy density and stable cycling even under harsh conditions.
- Jiawen Huang
- , Xingguo An
- & Chao Wu
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Enhanced energy-storage in lead-free multilayer capacitors via entropy-assisted polymorphic domain engineering
The authors propose a stepwise dual-site entropy increase strategy to simultaneously modulate relaxor behavior and enhance the breakdown strength of Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3-based capacitors.
- Jiaqi Li
- , Yibing Zhang
- & Genshui Wang
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Guided phase transition for mitigating voltage hysteresis of iron fluoride positive electrodes in lithium-ion batteries
Iron fluoride positive electrodes suffer from compositional inhomogeneity caused by irreversible phase transitions during discharge. Here, authors develop a LiF-FeF2 nanocomposite positive electrode to enhance cycling stability by guiding a reversible phase transition to tetragonal FeF3.
- Hyoi Jo
- , Minjeong Gong
- & Sung-Kyun Jung
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A membrane Sabatier system for water recovery and rocket propellant production
To make Mars colonization cheaper by reducing the heavy supplies needed from Earth, scientists have created a highly efficient recycling system that turns carbon dioxide and hydrogen into fresh water and rocket fuel (methane), and it works reliably even with the inconsistent solar power available on Mars.
- Inam Ullah
- , Jie Ren
- & Zhandong Wang
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Efficiency optimization for large-scale droplet-based electricity generator arrays with integrated microsupercapacitor arrays
The scalability of the droplet-based electricity generators is hindered by their low efficiency and volatile output. Here, the authors integrate the generators with ultrafast microsupercapacitors and optimise the placement of the bottom electrodes for improved performance and scalability.
- Zheng Li
- , Shiqian Chen
- & Jiantong Li
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Puzzle-like molecular assembly of non-flammable solid-state polymer electrolytes for safe and high-voltage lithium metal batteries
Low conductivity and poor thermal safety limit solid polymer electrolytes for lithium metal batteries. Here, authors present a puzzle-like molecular design that enhances salt dissociation and stability, enabling safe, high-voltage batteries with improved cycling performance.
- Junjie Chen
- , Changxiang He
- & Tianshou Zhao
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In-situ detection of pH and dissolved oxygen in electrolyte of aqueous zinc-ion batteries
Aqueous zinc-ion batteries suffer from performance-degrading side reactions. Here, authors develop an extended gate field-effect transistor to monitor the real-time changes of pH and dissolved oxygen in the electrolyte during battery operation.
- Bichu Luo
- , Biao Jiang
- & Ruili Liu
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Ultrawide-temperature-stable high-entropy relaxor ferroelectrics for energy-efficient capacitors
The authors achieve high energy storage performance with near-ideal energy conversion efficiency and outstanding temperature stability in the entropy-stabilized ferroelectric ceramics by constructing a temperature-adaptive multiphase coexistence structure.
- Shiyu Zhou
- , Yucheng Zhou
- & Tongqing Yang
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Versatile polymer-coated Ag2Se thermoelectric materials and devices for multi-scenario applications developed by direct-ink printing
Polymer-coated Ag2Se for high-performance thermoelectric composite films are developed via direct-ink printing. Flexible generators demonstrate high power density and applications in heat recovery, respiratory monitoring, and energy conversion.
- Jie Qin
- , Yong Du
- & Qinfei Ke
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Multimodal super-resolution: discovering hidden physics and its application to fusion plasmas
Sensor failures and limited resolution challenge many complex systems. Here, authors develop a multimodal AI method to generate super-resolution of a sensor using other available sensors in the system, revealing hidden dynamics in fusion plasmas and enabling cost-effective, high-resolution diagnostics.
- Azarakhsh Jalalvand
- , SangKyeun Kim
- & Egemen Kolemen
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Sustainable eco-friendly printing of high-performance large-area organic photovoltaics via enhanced Laplace pressure gradient
The coffee-ring effect has been a challenge for scalable fabrication and deployment of organic photovoltaics. Here, the authors employ a fluorinated rheology modifier to modulate the rheological properties and improve wettability, achieving an efficiency of 17.85% in green-printed solar modules.
- Siqi Liu
- , Hanlin Wang
- & Yiwang Chen
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| Open Access
Symmetry-broken MoS2 nanotubes through sequential sulfurization of MoO2 nanowires
Transition metal dichalcogenide nanotubes possess symmetry-breaking properties promising for fundamental physics research. Here, the authors report a direct synthesis of crystalline MoS2 nanotubes exhibiting strong polarization and bulk photovoltaic effects.
- Lei Luo
- , Yao Wu
- & Zheng Liu
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Large lithium-ion battery model for secure shared electric bike battery in smart cities
Shared E-bike battery systems offer a solution to battery range limitations by enabling battery swapping. Here, authors develop a billion-parameter large foundation model trained on over ten million E-bike batteries data, which is capable of three downstream tasks: anomaly detection, state of health estimation, and remaining range prediction.
- Donghui Ding
- , Zhao Li
- & Huiqi Hu
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Active learning accelerates electrolyte solvent screening for anode-free lithium metal batteries
Next-generation batteries require innovative electrolytes, but conventional methods are tedious and costly. Here, authors develop an active learning framework to rapidly identify seven efficient electrolytes for anode-free lithium-metal batteries, accelerating electrolyte discovery.
- Peiyuan Ma
- , Ritesh Kumar
- & Chibueze V. Amanchukwu
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Doping with phosphorus reduces anion vacancy disorder in CdSeTe semiconductors enabling higher solar cell efficiency
Doping is used in p-n junction devices to partially mitigate nonradiative recombination losses. Here, authors use phosphorus dopants to reduce charge carrier trapping and electronic band tails in polycrystalline CdSeTe, achieving improved ambipolar mobilities, fill factor and solar cell efficiency.
- Darius Kuciauskas
- , Marco Nardone
- & Rouin Farshchi
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An active bifunctional natural dye for stable all-solid-state organic batteries
Incompatibility between organic electrodes and inorganic solid electrolytes limits the performance of solid-state organic batteries. Here, the authors introduce indigo natural dye as a redox-active material and molecular catalyst, enabling high capacity and long cycle life via synergistic redox reactions with sulfide electrolytes.
- Qihang Yu
- , Yang Hu
- & Xia Li
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Operando interlayer expansion of multiscale curved graphene for volumetrically-efficient supercapacitors
Supercapacitors are high-power energy storage devices that suffer from poor volumetric performance. Here, the authors demonstrate that unusually curved graphene crystallites exhibit rapid ion transport dynamics and enable the fabrication of thin electrodes for compact energy and power delivery.
- Petar Jovanović
- , Meysam Sharifzadeh Mirshekarloo
- & Mainak Majumder
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| Open Access
Directing selective solvent presentations at electrochemical interfaces to enable initially anode-free sodium metal batteries
Electrolyte design faces challenges of balancing stability at both electrodes. Here, authors present an electrolyte design strategy to direct distinct solvent molecules to negative and positive electrodes respectively, achieving good stability in initially anode-free sodium metal batteries.
- Qianli Xing
- , Jung Min Lee
- & Fang Liu
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| Open Access
Asymmetric coordination enhances the synergy of Pt species dual active sites for efficient photocatalytic H2 evolution
Photocatalytic water splitting is hindered by inefficient cooperation between catalytic sites. Here, the authors report that asymmetric Pt coordination enables a strong synergy between single-atom sites and nanoparticles, delivering efficient photocatalytic hydrogen production.
- Bo Li
- , Hongshun Zheng
- & Qingju Liu
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Fully biocompatible, thermally drawn fiber supercapacitors for long-term bio-implantation
Implantable energy devices must ensure biocompatibility and electrochemical safety. Here, the authors present a fiber-based supercapacitor with high durability and flexibility, enabling seamless implantation and reliable long-term operation.
- Sungha Jeon
- , Hyeonyeob Seo
- & Seongjun Park
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Support-tuned iridium reconstruction with crystalline phase dominating acidic oxygen evolution
Conventional iridium catalysts suffer from instability due to surface amorphization into hydrous IrOx phase during reaction. Here, the authors report how a TiOx@Ti support transforms iridium nanoparticles into stable crystalline IrO2, enabling both high activity and durability in water electrolyzers.
- Kexin Zhang
- , Xiao Liang
- & Xiaoxin Zou
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Lanthanum-assisted lattice anchoring of iridium in Co3O4 for efficient oxygen evolution reaction in low-iridium water electrolysis
Hydrogen production via proton exchange membrane water electrolysis is limited by the high cost and scarcity of iridium catalysts. By doping lanthanum into cobalt oxide, the authors anchor iridium atoms within the oxide lattice, boosting oxygen evolution activity and stability and reducing iridium loading.
- Zhuoming Wei
- , Yunxuan Ding
- & Biaobiao Zhang
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A biopiezocatalyst harnessing mechanical energy to enhance bioplastic production from CO2 and organic carbon
Mechanical energy is ubiquitous but inaccessible for microbial bioproduction. Here, the authors show that the piezocatalyst ZnO, upon mechanical stimulation, transfers charges to autotrophic Cupriavidus necator and enhances bioplastic synthesis.
- Pier-Luc Tremblay
- , Mengying Xu
- & Tian Zhang
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Ten thousand hour stable zinc air batteries via Fe and W dual atom sites
Long-lasting oxygen catalysts are crucial for rechargeable zinc-air batteries. Here, the authors report that placing tungsten atoms next to iron atoms within N4 units creates durable Fe-N4/W-N4 diatomic sites, enabling a zinc-air battery to cycle reliably for more than 10,000 h.
- Yifan Li
- , Hanlin Wang
- & Zhi Li
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Article
| Open Access
Photo-homogenization assisted segregation easing technique (PHASET) for highly efficient and stable wide-bandgap perovskite solar cells
Wide-bandgap perovskite solar cells often suffer from phase segregation under continuous illumination. Here, authors combine light soaking with small-molecule surface passivation to suppress halide segregation, achieving efficiency of 28.64% in stable two-terminal all-perovskite tandem solar cells.
- Liming Du
- , Fangfang Cao
- & Chuanxiao Xiao
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| Open Access
Aligned d-orbital energy level of dual-atom sites catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction in anion exchange membrane fuel cells
The inherent scaling relationships among the adsorption energies of intermediates limit the efficiency of oxygen electrocatalysis. Here, a dual-atom catalyst with aligned orbital energy level is developed, driving the dissociative pathway to bypass scaling relationships towards enhanced performance.
- Youze Zeng
- , Xue Wang
- & Jianbing Zhu
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Article
| Open Access
Solvent engineering enables tin-lead perovskite films with long carrier diffusion lengths and reduced tin segregation
The performance of all-perovskite tandem solar cells remains limited by the insufficient infrared photon absorption in the narrow bandgap subcells. Here, the authors develop a ternary solvent system to suppress tin-rich phases and achieve an efficiency of 29.3% in operationally stable devices.
- Sheng Li
- , Xiaotian Yang
- & Zhiping Wang
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Article
| Open Access
Opportunities for decentralised solar power to improve reliability, reduce emissions and avoid stranded assets
National grid-connected solar mini-grids can reduce electricity costs, increase reliability and reduce carbon emissions. Improvements in grid reliability carry minimal financial risk to mini-grid operators and can be mitigated through policy interventions.
- Philip Sandwell
- , Benedict Winchester
- & Jenny Nelson
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Article
| Open Access
Assessment of carbon-abatement pricing to maximize the value of electrolytic hydrogen in emissions-intensive power sectors
Electrolytic hydrogen can play a role in the power sector by 2030 if its use is accompanied by a break-even abatement cost and if electricity market dispatch rules shift from minimizing costs to prioritizing emissions reductions.
- Ayodeji Okunlola
- , Matthew Davis
- & Amit Kumar
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| Open Access
Aqueous asymmetric pseudocapacitor featuring high areal energy and power using conjugated polyelectrolytes and Ti3C2Tx MXene
Pseudocapacitors are emerging as alternatives to conventional supercapacitors. Here, authors showed an uncommon charge storage mechanism in a high-rate conjugated polyelectrolyte and demonstrated practical pouch and solid-state pseudocapacitor devices with competitive energy up to 71 μWh cm−2 and power performance up to 160 mW cm−2.
- Benjamin Rui Peng Yip
- , Chaofan Chen
- & Xuehang Wang
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| Open Access
Dyson sphere-like evaporators enhanced interfacial solar evaporation via self-generated internal convection
Convective flow can enhance solar evaporation performance but requires external components and power input. Here, authors develop a Dyson sphere-like evaporator capable of self-generating internal convection to significantly improve evaporation rates. Energy allocation for direct water evaporation and vapor removal is investigated.
- Deyu Wang
- , Xuan Wu
- & Haolan Xu
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| Open Access
Dynamic construction of a durable epitaxial catalytic layer for industrial alkaline water splitting
Alkaline hydrogen production needs stable catalysts, but the electrical double layer is overlooked. Here, the authors report a dense epitaxial hydroxide layer that strengthens the double layer, prevents catalyst leaching, and enhances material stability for 1,400 h in an industrial electrolyzer.
- Bin Chang
- , Xiaoyan Liu
- & Huabin Zhang
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Article
| Open Access
Adsorbed oxygen dynamics at forced convection interface in the oxygen evolution reaction
The oxygen evolution reaction is central to electrochemistry, yet how its intermediates contribute to overpotential is unclear. Here, the authors use a multi-component forced-convection mass-spectrometry system to label adsorbed oxygen and reveal its conversion through product fractionation.
- Zhixuan Chen
- , Ze Lin
- & Ying Wang
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| Open Access
A salt-free medium facilitating electrode prelithiation towards fast-charging and high-energy lithium-ion batteries
The substantial consumption of lithium ions and sluggish reaction kinetics at the silicon-based anode detrimentally impact their deliverable energy and fast-charging capability. Here, authors explore a controllable contact prelithiation methodology employing cyclic carbonate mediums, which simultaneously introduces additional active Li, augments electrochemical reaction kinetics, and enhances stability, thereby improving the comprehensive electrochemical performance of batteries.
- Yangtao Ou
- , Bao Zhang
- & Yongming Sun
Topological Luttinger-semimetal CoAs3 dye-sensitized photocatalyst for efficient solar hydrogen evolution