Energy Reviews最新文献

{"title":"“Solution” for future heating and cooling towards carbon neutrality","authors":"Zhixiong Ding ,&nbsp;Wei Wu","doi":"10.1016/j.enrev.2026.100177","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.enrev.2026.100177","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Meeting heating and cooling demands represents one of the most universal forms of energy use, with electrically driven vapor-compression heat pumps and chillers—based on the reverse Carnot cycle—being the most widely recognized technology. Although vapor-compression heat pumps/chillers benefit from grid accessibility and mature technology, reducing high-emission fossil fuel use at the user end, overall decarbonization is achieved only when the electricity is generated by renewable energy sources. Moreover, the widespread use of high-global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants exacerbates environmental impacts. Although renewable energy and waste heat can be efficiently converted into useable thermal energy, traditional thermal networks suffer from high thermal loss and limited working radius, hindering long-distance transportation and utilization of such energy sources. This study proposes a novel urban-scale solution-mediated thermal network, which leverages concentration gradients in hygroscopic solutions to enable high-density, low-loss thermal transport with inherent energy storage capabilities. By utilizing absorption-based cycles, the network supports both heating and cooling at end-user sites, significantly improving annual utilization rates. The thermal network is driven by renewable energy and waste heat, combined with zero-GWP refrigerants, which positions it as a transformative solution for decarbonizing urban heating and cooling. This approach not only addresses the limitations of conventional thermal networks but also aligns with the global transition toward sustainable and resilient energy systems. Despite its immense potential, the large-scale deployment of this concept requires overcoming practical challenges related to urban infrastructure integration, high-vacuum maintenance, working fluid crystallization, and initial material costs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100471,"journal":{"name":"Energy Reviews","volume":"5 1","pages":"Article 100177"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147613358","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Formation of protonic defects in complex oxides: Fundamentals and methodological considerations of hydration","authors":"Danil Matkin ,&nbsp;Dmitry Medvedev ,&nbsp;Guangming Yang","doi":"10.1016/j.enrev.2026.100179","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.enrev.2026.100179","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>High-temperature proton-conducting oxides are extremely important materials for next-generation electrochemical energy technologies. Although the hydration chemistry of conventional perovskites has recently been well established, contemporary materials science has revealed proton transport in various non-classical systems, including oxides with cation ordering, coherent intergrowth motifs, and redox-active cations. This review covers newly emerged information and discusses existing data on water uptake across the broad spectrum of complex oxides. The analysis emphasizes the use of thermogravimetry as the principal experimental tool and critically evaluates its methodological nuances that govern measurement accuracy. Common experimental limitations (deviated chemical stoichiometry, surface-limited reactions, and specific instrumental artifacts) have been shown to systematically lead to lower water uptake values than expected. By consolidating these insights, this work provides a rigorous foundation for defect-chemical analysis in terms of proton measurements in diverse oxide compositions. Consequently, this review is an important resource for specialists engaged in the applied development and theoretical modeling of high-temperature proton-conducting oxides and related electrochemical cells.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100471,"journal":{"name":"Energy Reviews","volume":"5 1","pages":"Article 100179"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147710528","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Towards zero-carbon-emission direct coal fuel cells for power generation","authors":"Bin Chen ,&nbsp;Shuo Zhai ,&nbsp;Tao Liu ,&nbsp;Heping Xie","doi":"10.1016/j.enrev.2026.100178","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.enrev.2026.100178","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Carbon neutrality has become an international consensus under the requirements established by the Paris Agreement. Accordingly, countries worldwide, especially developing nations, have formulated their own carbon neutrality policies. Owing to differences in regional development histories and resource endowments, as well as the intermittency of new energy, developing countries will continue to rely on coal to meet their energy demands for sustainable economic and social development in the near future. However, conventional coal-fired power generation technologies can hardly achieve low-carbon or even negative-carbon emissions. It is therefore urgent to develop novel carbon-free coal power technologies. This perspective proposes the concept of Zero-carbon-emission direct coal fuel cells (ZC-DCFC) for power generation as a disruptive technological paradigm for efficient coal utilization. The technological architecture of ZC-DCFC is discussed, including fuel supply, key materials, and in-situ CO₂ conversion. The technical challenges and future development directions are also identified. ZC-DCFC is expected to open up a new pathway for near-zero-emission coal utilization, transforming coal from a traditional fossil fuel into a feasible clean energy source in the global low-carbon transition.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100471,"journal":{"name":"Energy Reviews","volume":"5 1","pages":"Article 100178"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147710529","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Electrode materials for reversible solid oxide cells: A review and outlook","authors":"Defu Cai ,&nbsp;Yuhao Zhao ,&nbsp;Yijie Zhao ,&nbsp;Libo Fan ,&nbsp;Nai Shi ,&nbsp;Zheqiang Xu ,&nbsp;Yubin Chen ,&nbsp;Yihang Li ,&nbsp;Jianbing Huang ,&nbsp;Youjun Lu","doi":"10.1016/j.enrev.2026.100175","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.enrev.2026.100175","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Reversible solid oxide cells (RSOCs) are an energy conversion technology capable of efficiently and flexibly converting electrical energy into chemical energy and vice versa, holding significant application potential in establishing a carbon-neutral energy system dominated by renewable energy. This article systematically reviews recent research progress on electrode materials in oxide-ion conducting RSOCs (O-RSOCs) and proton-conducting RSOCs (P-RSOCs), with a focused discussion on both fuel and oxygen electrode materials. Regarding fuel electrodes, it elaborates on the structural characteristics and performance advantages of nickel-based, copper-based, and perovskite oxide materials, while also addressing their challenges and improvement strategies concerning issues such as carbon deposition and sulfur poisoning. For the oxygen electrode, the progress on single perovskite, double perovskite, and Ruddlesden-Popper (RP) perovskite materials in O-RSOCs or P-RSOCs is critically assessed. To achieve both efficient oxygen reduction/evolution reactions (ORR/OER) and long-term operational stability, systematic optimization of perovskite electrodes is essential. Furthermore, the advantages and development potential of symmetric electrode materials are explored. Finally, future research directions for electrode materials of RSOCs are outlined, including intelligent materials design and microstructural control, in-depth investigation of degradation mechanisms, and deeper integration with renewable energy systems. This review aims to provide insights for advancing the practical application and industrial development of RSOCs technology.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100471,"journal":{"name":"Energy Reviews","volume":"5 1","pages":"Article 100175"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147428809","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Recent advances in wastewater treatment technologies: Innovations and new insights","authors":"Ababat Ketema Worku ,&nbsp;Delele Worku Ayele ,&nbsp;Minbale Admas Teshager ,&nbsp;Mohamed Omar ,&nbsp;Parisa Poursafari Yerkrang ,&nbsp;Rida Elgaddafi ,&nbsp;Molla Asmare Alemu","doi":"10.1016/j.enrev.2025.100164","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.enrev.2025.100164","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Wastewater often contains toxic organic pollutants that can have adverse effects on human health and aquatic life upon exposure. Rapid urbanization and technological advancements have led to the growth of various industries, such as agriculture, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology, all of which consume substantial amounts of water and generate complex wastewater compositions during the manufacturing process. As a result, large volumes of these wastewaters are difficult to treat due to the wide variation in composition, including dyes, pharmaceutical waste, organic matter, residual contaminants, and hazardous or inhibitory substances. Conventional wastewater treatment methods have been increasingly challenged and are often failing to meet the required criteria. Consequently, there is a pressing need for innovative, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable solutions, which has accelerated the development of advanced wastewater treatment technologies. This review article first outlines the role of technology in wastewater treatment. Then, it provides an overview of the recent advances in removing various pollutants such as organic compounds, heavy metals, pharmaceutical, and pesticides from wastewater and strategies that enhance efficacy, affordability, and sustainability. Finally, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning for process monitoring and optimization is explored. Ultimately, this review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of wastewater treatment technologies and their potential to contribute to a more sustainable future by integrating new insights from recent research.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100471,"journal":{"name":"Energy Reviews","volume":"4 4","pages":"Article 100164"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145425022","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Multiscale engineering of BaZr1-xYxO3-δ -based protonic ceramics: A critical review of defect chemistry, interface design, and computational insights","authors":"Idris Temitope Bello ,&nbsp;Saroj Karki ,&nbsp;Shuanglin Zheng ,&nbsp;Jiufeng Ruan ,&nbsp;Anshu Kumari ,&nbsp;Yuqi Geng ,&nbsp;Sooraj Patel ,&nbsp;Zheng Li ,&nbsp;Pejman Kazempoor ,&nbsp;Wenjuan Bian ,&nbsp;Yihan Ling ,&nbsp;Iman Ghamarian ,&nbsp;Yingtao Liu ,&nbsp;Bin Wang ,&nbsp;Zongping Shao ,&nbsp;Meng Ni ,&nbsp;Hanping Ding","doi":"10.1016/j.enrev.2025.100165","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.enrev.2025.100165","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Protonic ceramic energy devices represent a promising frontier for sustainable energy conversion and storage, operating efficiently at intermediate temperatures (350–650 ​°C) and facilitating integration with renewable energy sources. Among protonic ceramic materials, yttrium-doped barium zirconate (BaZr_1-xY_xO_3-δ, BZY) stands out for its competitive proton conductivity, chemical resilience, and compatibility with diverse fuels and environments. This review critically examines the fundamentals and multiscale design strategies for BZY-based ceramic cells. We discuss atomic-level composition-structure relationships, innovative synthesis routes, and advanced processing methods to overcome manufacturing and scalability challenges. We then highlight microstructure engineering and interface design approaches that minimize resistance and elevate device performance, supported by state-of-the-art characterization and predictive modeling techniques, including density functional theory and machine learning. Recent advances, such as hybrid architectures and AI-driven defect optimization, demonstrate significant improvements in conductivity, stability, and Faradaic efficiency, confirming BZY's pivotal role in green hydrogen production and power-to-chemicals applications. By integrating insights across materials chemistry, electrochemistry, and engineering, this review provides a comprehensive roadmap for researchers aiming to translate laboratory breakthroughs into robust, scalable protonic ceramic technologies for decarbonized energy systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100471,"journal":{"name":"Energy Reviews","volume":"4 4","pages":"Article 100165"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145579118","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"High-entropy phosphate-based cathode materials for sodium-ion batteries: Multi-component doping design, enhancement mechanisms, and frontier challenges","authors":"Li Zhang,&nbsp;Shaojie Qin,&nbsp;Xianrui Wu,&nbsp;Yiyong Zhang,&nbsp;Jie Xiao,&nbsp;Ziyi Zhu,&nbsp;Qi Meng,&nbsp;Xue Li,&nbsp;Yingjie Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.enrev.2025.100166","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.enrev.2025.100166","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Phosphate-based cathode materials for sodium-ion batteries exhibit considerable potential for widespread application owing to their cost-effectiveness, excellent structural stability, and high safety profile. Nonetheless, their intrinsic low electronic conductivity and sluggish ion diffusion kinetics significantly limit their electrochemical performance. High-entropy doping engineering presents a promising approach to overcoming these limitations by leveraging multi-component synergistic effects. However, investigations into composition screening, structural design, and mechanism optimization remain at an early stage. This review elucidates the fundamental principles of the high-entropy concept and examines the selection criteria for multi-component doping elements appropriate for phosphate-based cathode materials. Additionally, from the perspectives of material structure and kinetics, it emphasizes the substantial impact and potential mechanisms by which high-entropy doping enhances the performance of phosphate-based cathode materials. These mechanisms include reinforcing crystal structural stability, optimizing electrode-electrolyte interface compatibility, effectively suppressing the formation of electrochemically inactive impurity phases, markedly improving redox reaction kinetics, and significantly enhancing ion diffusion capacity and electronic conductivity. Furthermore, addressing current critical technological challenges and proposes future research directions and development objectives aimed at facilitating the large-scale application of high-entropy-doped phosphate-based cathode materials.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100471,"journal":{"name":"Energy Reviews","volume":"4 4","pages":"Article 100166"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145623595","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Shifting the electrocatalysis paradigm: from transition metals to main group elements-based systems","authors":"Yundong Qian,&nbsp;Guangkai Lu,&nbsp;Haotian Tan,&nbsp;Wenxue Chen,&nbsp;Yanjia Zhang,&nbsp;Jintao Liu,&nbsp;Yingjie Zhang,&nbsp;Jie Xiao,&nbsp;Xiaoyuan Zeng","doi":"10.1016/j.enrev.2025.100173","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.enrev.2025.100173","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Electrocatalysts are pivotal to renewable energy conversion and sustainable chemical synthesis, yet conventional noble metal catalysts suffer from scarcity and high cost, while transition metal catalysts are plagued by the Fenton effect, which degrades electrode structures, reduces reaction selectivity, and poses safety risks. To address these bottlenecks, main-group element-based electrocatalysts have emerged as promising alternatives, leveraging their high terrestrial abundance, tunable s/p orbital characteristics, and radical resistance. This review systematically summarizes the synthesis strategies, catalytic mechanisms, and performance breakthroughs of main-group metal electrocatalysts. Key synthesis methods including pyrolysis, aerogel, hydrothermal, template, combinatorial magnetron co-sputtering, and chemical vapor carbonization enable precise regulation of atomic dispersion and nanostructure, with pyrolysis and template methods achieving 3–5 times higher specific surface area via Al-N₄ and Mg-N₂ coordination without harsh acid etching. In terms of catalytic performance, main-group metal catalysts exhibit remarkable activity. Mechanistically, p-band center regulation optimizes intermediate adsorption energy, while s-block metals (Mg, Ca) inhibit ·OH formation via stable valence states and s-orbital properties, improving alkaline stability. Furthermore, integrating in-situ characterization with machine learning accelerates the shift from “trial-and-error\" to rational design. Despite challenges in acidic stability, reaction selectivity regulation, and large-scale preparation cost, main-group metal electrocatalysts offer innovative solutions for advancing electrocatalytic systems, with promising extensions to CO₂ reduction and nitrogen fixation. This review provides critical insights into the design and development of high-performance, cost-effective electrocatalysts for sustainable energy applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100471,"journal":{"name":"Energy Reviews","volume":"4 4","pages":"Article 100173"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145839775","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Nanofabrication technologies for low-temperature solid oxide cells: a comprehensive review of techniques, challenges, and future perspectives","authors":"Tengpeng Wang ,&nbsp;Qiuning Li ,&nbsp;Xiangcheng Liu ,&nbsp;Muhammad Bilal ,&nbsp;Dehua Dong ,&nbsp;Huanting Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.enrev.2025.100163","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.enrev.2025.100163","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Solid oxide cells (SOCs) are pivotal for renewable energy storage and conversion. They operate in two key modes: solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOECs) efficiently transform electrical power into fuel, while solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) convert fuel back into power. Conventional SOC fabrication relies on high-temperature sintering, leading to microstructured components that limit performance at reduced operating temperatures. Nanostructured electrodes and electrolytes are essential to enhance electrochemical activity (e.g., oxygen reduction and hydrogen evolution reactions) and ion transport rates at low temperatures, thereby addressing challenges such as material degradation and sealing reliability under high-temperature operation. This review systematically examines advanced nanofabrication techniques for SOCs, including infiltration, exsolution, electrospinning, template-assisted synthesis, self-assembly, vapor deposition, high-pressure compaction, and sintering-free direct assembly. For each method, we analyze the process-microstructure-performance relationships, alongside comparative assessments of cost, scalability, complexity, and technological maturity. Furthermore, we critically evaluate the current limitations and future prospects of SOC nanofabrication, providing insights for next-generation energy technologies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100471,"journal":{"name":"Energy Reviews","volume":"4 4","pages":"Article 100163"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145242516","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Opportunities and challenges of latent thermal energy usage in the hydrogen economy","authors":"Michael Opolot ,&nbsp;Javier Ruiz Ramírez ,&nbsp;Chunrong Zhao","doi":"10.1016/j.enrev.2025.100152","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.enrev.2025.100152","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Hydrogen plays a key role in decarbonising hard-to-abate sectors like aviation, steel, and shipping. However, producing pure hydrogen requires significant energy to break chemical bonds from its sources, such as gas and water. Ideally, the energy used for this process should match the energy output from hydrogen, but in reality, energy losses occur at various stages of the hydrogen economy—production, packaging, delivery, and use. This results in needing more energy to operate the hydrogen economy than it can ultimately provide. To address this, passive power sources like latent thermal energy storage systems can help reduce costs and improve efficiency. These systems can enable passive cooling or electricity generation from waste heat, cutting down on the extra energy needed for compression, liquefaction, and distribution. This study explores integrating latent thermal energy storage into all stages of the hydrogen economy, offering a cost and sizing approach for such systems. The integration could reduce costs, close the waste-heat recycling loop, and support green hydrogen production for achieving NetZero by 2050.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100471,"journal":{"name":"Energy Reviews","volume":"4 3","pages":"Article 100152"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144889782","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}