{"title":"Modulation of Ti3C2Tx interlayer spacing and functional groups by Lewis-basic halides and their effects on Li+ storage properties","authors":"Xuke Li, Keke Guan, Lixiang Ding, Xinyue Wang, Haijun Zhang, Yaping Deng, Wen Lei","doi":"10.1002/ece2.88","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/ece2.88","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Surface and interfacial chemistry play a vital role in shaping the properties of two-dimensional transition metal carbides and nitrides (MXenes). This study focuses on utilizing Lewis-basic halides (LiCl/KCl) for thermal treatment of multilayered Ti<sub>3</sub>C<sub>2</sub>T<sub><i>x</i></sub>, leading to the simultaneous modulation of interlayer spacing and surface functional groups. Compared to the pristine Ti<sub>3</sub>C<sub>2</sub>T<sub><i>x</i></sub>, the LiCl/KCl treated sample (heating temperature: 450°C, denoted as LK-Ti<sub>3</sub>C<sub>2</sub>T<sub><i>x</i></sub>-450) showcases a remarkable increase in the interlayer spacing and synergistic optimization of the functional groups. These modifications endow LK-Ti<sub>3</sub>C<sub>2</sub>T<sub><i>x</i></sub>-450 with enhanced electrochemical properties, rendering it as a promising anode candidate for lithium-ion batteries. The increased interlayer spacing is particularly advantageous, as it facilitates efficient and rapid Li<sup>+</sup> diffusion, a vital factor in enhancing the performance of energy storage devices.</p>","PeriodicalId":100387,"journal":{"name":"EcoEnergy","volume":"3 2","pages":"449-458"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/ece2.88","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144339222","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Fundamental understanding of texturing electrodeposition metal zinc anodes for practical aqueous Zn-ion batteries","authors":"Qiangchao Sun, Xijun Liu, Linhui Chang, Min Lin, Xionggang Lu, Hongwei Cheng","doi":"10.1002/ece2.86","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/ece2.86","url":null,"abstract":"<p>One of the most promising electrochemical energy storage technologies, aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs), is garnering increasing attention due to their inherent safety, high sustainability, and low cost. However, the challenges posed by dendrite formation and side reactions resulting from uneven deposition of zinc metal anodes significantly impede the reversibility and cycling stability of AZIBs. Given the influence of crystallographic anisotropy on the diversity of deposited metal morphology and crystal orientation, a thorough understanding of the intrinsic texture of zinc is crucial in achieving a dendrite-free zinc anode. This review highlights groundbreaking efforts and significant advancements in promoting the orientational electrodeposition of zinc, encompassing fundamental crystallographic and electrocrystallization theories as well as approaches for achieving textured zinc electrodeposition. The goal is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the crystallography, electrochemistry, and induction mechanisms involved in controlling sustainable zinc orientational electrodeposition for AZIBs. Lastly, four critical research aspects are proposed to facilitate the commercialization of reliable AZIBs.</p>","PeriodicalId":100387,"journal":{"name":"EcoEnergy","volume":"3 2","pages":"296-320"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/ece2.86","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144339221","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Band edge engineering of lead halide perovskites using carboxylic-based self-assembled monolayer for efficient photovoltaics","authors":"Yiheng Shi, Xinyuan Sui, Jingjing He, Zhanpeng Wei, Hua Gui Yang, Qiang Niu, Yu Hou, Shuang Yang","doi":"10.1002/ece2.87","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/ece2.87","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Perovskite solar cells are promising candidates for low-cost and efficient photovoltaic markets, but their efficiency is usually limited by the non-radiative recombination losses at the mismatched interface of perovskite and transport layers. Herein, we show that the band edges of perovskite thin films can be on-demand engineered by a series of carboxylic-based self-assembled monolayers. Experimental and theoretical studies indicate that the functionalized perovskite inherits the polarity of the monolayer with linear dependence of work function on the molecular dipole moments, which enables the management of interfacial charge transport process. Solar cells with 4-bromophenylacetic acid SAMs achieve about 6.48% enhancement in power conversion efficiency with the champion values over 23%.</p>","PeriodicalId":100387,"journal":{"name":"EcoEnergy","volume":"3 2","pages":"441-448"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/ece2.87","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144339101","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Advancing aqueous zinc-ion batteries with carbon dots: A comprehensive review","authors":"Mingying Chen, Junjie Ma, Yanhong Feng, Quanping Yuan, Yinghong Wu, Yifan Liu, Guangzhi Hu, Xijun Liu","doi":"10.1002/ece2.83","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/ece2.83","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Recent years have witnessed a surge in research on aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) due to their low cost, stability, and exceptional electrochemical performance, among other advantages. However, practical manufacturing and deployment of AZIBs have been hindered by challenges such as low energy density, significant precipitation-related side reactions, slow ion migration, and dendritic growth. Addressing these issues and enhancing the practical application of AZIBs necessitates the development of novel materials. Carbon dots (CDs), with their distinctive structure and superior electrochemical properties, represent an innovative class of carbon-based materials with broad potential applications for optimizing AZIBs' performance. This study offers a comprehensive review of how CDs can address the aforementioned challenges of AZIBs. It begins with an overview of AZIBs composition and mechanism before delving into the classification, preparation techniques, and functionalization strategies of CDs. The review also thoroughly summarizes the sophisticated roles of CDs as modifiers in electrolytes and electrodes, both positive and negative, and briefly discusses their potential application in membranes. Additionally, it provides a summary of current issues and difficulties encountered in utilizing CDs in AZIBs. This review aims to provide insights and guidance for designing and manufacturing the next generation of high-performance AZIBs.</p>","PeriodicalId":100387,"journal":{"name":"EcoEnergy","volume":"3 2","pages":"254-295"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/ece2.83","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144339487","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
EcoEnergyPub Date : 2024-12-01DOI: 10.1002/ece2.84
Jie Chen, Xin Chen, Jie Sun, Jingkuo Qu, Xiangjiu Guan, Shaohua Shen
{"title":"Thermal management matters in photovoltaic–electrocatalysis for solar hydrogen production","authors":"Jie Chen, Xin Chen, Jie Sun, Jingkuo Qu, Xiangjiu Guan, Shaohua Shen","doi":"10.1002/ece2.84","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/ece2.84","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Photovoltaic–electrolysis (PV-EC) system currently exhibits the highest solar to hydrogen conversion efficiency (STH) among various technical routes. This perspective shifts the focus from the materials exploration in photovoltaics and electrolysis to the critical aspect of thermal management in a PV-EC system. Initially, the theoretical basis that elucidates the relationships between temperature and the performance of both photovoltaics and electrolyzers are presented. Following that, the impact of thermal management on the performance of PV-EC for solar hydrogen production is experimentally demonstrated by designing variables-controlling experiments. It is observed that while utilizing identical PV and EC cells under varying thermal conditions, the highest STH can reach 22.20%, whilst the lowest is only 15.61%. This variation underscores the significance of thermal management in optimizing PV-EC systems. Finally, increased efforts to enhancing heat transfer and optimizing heat distribution are proposed, thus facilitating the design of more efficient PV-EC systems with minimized thermal energy losses.</p>","PeriodicalId":100387,"journal":{"name":"EcoEnergy","volume":"3 2","pages":"205-216"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/ece2.84","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144339143","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Tri(trimethylsilyl) phosphate as a multifunctional additive for moisture-resistant and long-cycling sodium-ion batteries","authors":"Qian Qiu, Longqing Huang, Shuai Wang, Shen Qiu, Wentao Hou, Jialing Zhu, Haoxiang Li, Xianyong Wu, Lan Xia","doi":"10.1002/ece2.85","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/ece2.85","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The sodium hexafluorophosphate (NaPF<sub>6</sub>)/carbonate solution is considered as the benchmark electrolyte for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). However, this NaPF<sub>6</sub> electrolyte undergoes hydrolysis and produces acidic compounds, which deteriorate the electrolyte quality, corrode electrodes, jeopardize electrode interphases, and eventually degrade battery performance. Herein, we introduce tris(trimethylsilyl) phosphate (TMSP) as a multifunctional additive to the carbonate electrolyte. We found that 10% TMSP could effectively remove H<sub>2</sub>O molecules and inhibit NaPF<sub>6</sub> hydrolysis, thus improving the electrolyte stability against moisture during the long-term storage. Furthermore, the unique structure of TMSP promotes the formation of thinner, more uniform, and inorganic-rich interphases on the Na<sub>3</sub>V<sub>2</sub>(PO<sub>4</sub>)<sub>3</sub> (NVP) cathode and hard carbon (HC) anode. Consequently, the NVP cathode, HC anode, and full cells demonstrate excellent cycling performance. This work suggests that tailoring the electrolyte formulation can provide multiple benefits for boosting SIB performances, such as stabilizing the electrolyte and regulating the electrolyte/electrode interphase, thereby promoting long-term cycling in sodium-ion batteries.</p>","PeriodicalId":100387,"journal":{"name":"EcoEnergy","volume":"3 2","pages":"422-431"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-11-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/ece2.85","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144339636","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Topological electride Hf2Se: Enhanced hydrogen evolution reaction activity from nontrivial topological Fermi arc","authors":"Weizhen Meng, Jiayu Jiang, Hongbo Wu, Yalong Jiao, Xiaoming Zhang, Zhenxiang Cheng, Xiaotian Wang","doi":"10.1002/ece2.82","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/ece2.82","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Recently, the emergence of topological electride catalysts has attracted significant attention in the fields of condensed matter physics, chemistry, and materials science. In this study, we found that electride Hf<sub>2</sub>Se exhibits various types of topological quantum states under the constraint of symmetric operations, particularly the Weyl point (WP) located at the K valley. The WP is closely aligned with the Fermi level and generates an extensive Fermi arc surface state on the (001) surface. In addition, electride Hf<sub>2</sub>Se exhibits a lower work function on the (001) surface. Remarkably, electride Hf<sub>2</sub>Se exhibits extremely high stability in both air and water environments. The catalytic activity of electride Hf<sub>2</sub>Se for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) was significantly improved by utilizing its robust surface state and low work function. Therefore, we provide a new insight into the application of electrides in HER.</p>","PeriodicalId":100387,"journal":{"name":"EcoEnergy","volume":"3 2","pages":"432-440"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-11-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/ece2.82","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144339637","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
EcoEnergyPub Date : 2024-11-27DOI: 10.1002/ece2.81
Yu Xuan Leiu, Ke Ming Lim, Zi-Jing Chiah, Elton Song-Zhe Mah, Wee-Jun Ong
{"title":"Plastic-to-Treasure: Innovative advances in photo/electro-catalytic upcycling technologies for commodity chemicals and fuels","authors":"Yu Xuan Leiu, Ke Ming Lim, Zi-Jing Chiah, Elton Song-Zhe Mah, Wee-Jun Ong","doi":"10.1002/ece2.81","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/ece2.81","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Plastics are one of the greatest inventions of the 20<sup>th</sup> century that bring convenience to mankind. Owing to the commercialization of plastics, plastic pollution has become a petrifying environmental issue as the demand for plastic products overwhelms plastic recycling rates. However, the conventional methods (i.e., pyrolysis and gasification) require high pressure and temperature to treat waste plastic, resulting in ineluctably energy-waste and secondary pollution. On the contrary, selective catalylic technologies provide a green approach to degrade plastics whilst also reforming them into value-added chemicals and fuels. In this review, innovative green approaches, including photocatalysis, electrocatalysis, and photoelectrocatalysis, have been comprehensively reviewed from the perspective of sustainable use of resources. Distinctive emphasis is placed on highlighting the merits of each technology and enlightening the state-of-the-art modification strategies that strengthen the pillars of catalytic activities. The transformation of plastics with the above techniques is also elaborated in terms of the reaction conditions and products from various plastic waste as substrates. With a feasibility breakdown for each technology displayed in this study, insights on the challenges and prospects of innovative green technologies for plastic upcycling are underscored as well to facilitate the society moving toward a plastic circular economy.</p>","PeriodicalId":100387,"journal":{"name":"EcoEnergy","volume":"3 2","pages":"217-253"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-11-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/ece2.81","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144339638","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Recent progress in advanced design of iridium-based and ruthenium-based perovskite catalysts for acidic oxygen evolution reaction","authors":"Yuqing Cheng, Yibo wang, Zhaoping Shi, Hongxiang Wu, Jiahao Yang, Jing Ni, Ming Yang, Ziang Wang, Meiling Xiao, Changpeng Liu, Wei Xing","doi":"10.1002/ece2.79","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/ece2.79","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Proton exchange membrane water electrolyzer (PEMWE) is of great importance for the production of green hydrogen. The large-scale implementation of PEMWE, however, is seriously impeded by the sluggish oxygen evolution reaction (OER) at the anode, which results in considerable overpotential and thus the decreased energy conversion efficiency. To overcome this problem, researchers have extensively explored efficient anode catalysts that possess high activity and prolonged stability. Up to now, Ir-based and Ru-based catalysts are considered to be the most efficient candidates. Especially perovskite-based catalysts have received intensive attention due to their distinctive structures and exceptional OER catalytic performance. To further promote their practical application, considerable research efforts are devoted to structural engineering toward enhanced activity and stability. In this paper, a review of the research progress on the advanced design of Ir- and Ru-based perovskite catalysts is presented, with a focus on phase engineering, doping/substitution, morphology control, and compositing with other materials for perovskite catalysts as well as some preparation methods commonly used. It also summarizes the challenges and opportunities concerning perovskite-based catalysts in current research, yielding further comprehension of the pertinent preparation and scrutiny of perovskite catalysts in the future.</p>","PeriodicalId":100387,"journal":{"name":"EcoEnergy","volume":"3 1","pages":"131-155"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-11-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/ece2.79","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143689438","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
EcoEnergyPub Date : 2024-11-16DOI: 10.1002/ece2.76
Juan An, Haohao Zhang, Yijie Wang, Zhen Kong, Wensi Li, Xing Gao, Jibin Song, Yancai Yao
{"title":"Application and prospects of interface engineering in energy storage and conversion of graphdiyne-based materials","authors":"Juan An, Haohao Zhang, Yijie Wang, Zhen Kong, Wensi Li, Xing Gao, Jibin Song, Yancai Yao","doi":"10.1002/ece2.76","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/ece2.76","url":null,"abstract":"<p>A new carbon allotrope, graphdiyne (GDY) has great promise for future use. Much interest was piqued when it was initially prepared in 2010. GDY is made up of <i>sp-</i> and <i>sp</i><sup>2</sup>-hybridized carbon atoms. It has a one-atom thick two-dimensional structure and many interesting and useful qualities, such as strong chemical bonds, super-large π structures, the ability to change from an alkyne to an alkene, and can be grown on any surface. GDY has become one of the frontier hotspots in chemistry and materials science, with original research achievements in energy conversion and storage, catalysis, intelligent information, life sciences constantly emerging and so on, showing revolutionary performance. In electrochemical cells, the electrode interface content not only accounts for a small proportion in the entire electrode system but it also plays a crucial role, affecting the efficiency, lifespan, power performance, and safety performance of the battery. In view of this, the intrinsic properties of GDY have been thoroughly analyzed, and a new GDY-based electrochemical interface has been proposed by combining the key problems of electrochemical interfaces in electrochemical energy storage and conversion. This has led to new understanding and insights to address many critical scientific issues. In this review, the structure, characteristics, and applications of GDY in interface engineering are presented. In particular, recent advances in GDY and its aggregates in energy storage and conversion are summarized and discussed.</p>","PeriodicalId":100387,"journal":{"name":"EcoEnergy","volume":"3 1","pages":"77-104"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-11-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/ece2.76","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143688676","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}