Dilxat Muhtar,Weixin Chen,Yuansheng Shi,Xiangjie Yang,Kaili Li,Duoduo Zhang,Zhiling Liu,Xueyi Lu,Xia Lu
{"title":"Covalent-Bond Engineering Stabilizes Layered Oxide Cathodes for Sodium-Ion Batteries","authors":"Dilxat Muhtar,Weixin Chen,Yuansheng Shi,Xiangjie Yang,Kaili Li,Duoduo Zhang,Zhiling Liu,Xueyi Lu,Xia Lu","doi":"10.1021/acsenergylett.6c02456","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acsenergylett.6c02456","url":null,"abstract":"Developing practicable layered oxide cathodes remains a critical challenge for sodium-ion batteries. Here, by systematically varying Cu contents to tune TM–O covalency in Nay[CuxFe3/9Mn(6/9–x)]O2, we show that an optimal degree of covalency simultaneously boosts energy density and structural resilience. The optimized Na7/9[Cu2/9Fe3/9Mn4/9]O2 delivers 131.6 mAh g–1 at 0.1 C and retains 80% capacity after 500 cycles at 0.5 C. Mechanistically, the enhanced Cu–O covalency converts trivalent Cu from a conventional d8 to a heavily mixed d9L configuration, delocalizing holes across the extended TM–O network, enlarging polaron size, and “flattening the ripple” of local lattice distortions. Side-by-side comparison with an ionic Ni analogue confirms the suppressed cation migration and polarization. Crucially, the covalency-driven stabilization is not unbounded–excessive covalency rigidifies the lattice, defining a covalency threshold for optimal performance. These findings establish covalency modulation within a defined threshold as a predictive design principle for durable layered oxide cathodes.","PeriodicalId":16,"journal":{"name":"ACS Energy Letters ","volume":"18 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":22.0,"publicationDate":"2026-11-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149359271","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"When Literature Data Can Mislead Artificial Intelligence in Materials Discovery","authors":"Qian Wang,Ying Li,Ryuhei Sato,Hidemi Kato,Shin-ichi Orimo,Hao Li,Eric Jianfeng Cheng","doi":"10.1021/acsenergylett.6c02891","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acsenergylett.6c02891","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":16,"journal":{"name":"ACS Energy Letters ","volume":"15 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":22.0,"publicationDate":"2026-11-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149359262","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Joseph J. Kuchta III,Andressa V. Müller,Javier J. Concepcion,Gerald J. Meyer
{"title":"Implications for CO2 Reduction: Methanol Formation by Reaction of Benzimidazole Hydrides with Inorganic Oxide Materials","authors":"Joseph J. Kuchta III,Andressa V. Müller,Javier J. Concepcion,Gerald J. Meyer","doi":"10.1021/acsenergylett.6c02466","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acsenergylett.6c02466","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":16,"journal":{"name":"ACS Energy Letters ","volume":"12 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":22.0,"publicationDate":"2026-11-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149359288","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Microscopic Intricacies of Self-Healing in Halide Perovskite–Charge-Transport-Layer Heterostructures","authors":"Tejmani Behera,Boris Louis,Lukas Paesen,Koki Asano,Jim Jui-Kai Chen,Roel Vanden Brande,Feili Lai,Martin Vacha,Maarten Roeffaers,Elke Debroye,Johan Hofkens,Sudipta Seth","doi":"10.1021/acsenergylett.6c02677","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acsenergylett.6c02677","url":null,"abstract":"The operational stability of halide perovskite photovoltaics is critically limited by progressive defect generation and nonradiative losses. Self-healing of defects offers a promising route to sustained performance, yet the coupled microscopic processes underlying it remain poorly understood, particularly at device-relevant interfaces. Here, we elucidate self-healing and defect evolution in photodamaged triple-cation mixed-halide (TCMH) perovskite films and their device-relevant charge-transport-layer (CTL) heterostructures. Using correlation clustering imaging (CLIM), our recently developed microscopic functional imaging tool, we map spatiotemporal photoluminescence heterogeneity to track defect dynamics. Each CTL distinctly modulates local trap activity, healing kinetics, and spectral redistribution in the TCMH layer, and the heterostructures exhibit faster optical recovery than pristine films, beneficial for device resilience. Healing follows biphasic kinetics, with fast electronic relaxation over minutes to tens of minutes and slower ionic redistribution and lattice relaxation over hours. Although quantitative device stability improvements are not established here, these microscopic insights into dynamic evolution of defects and ion redistribution at interfaces provide a framework for rationally designing stable perovskite optoelectronics.","PeriodicalId":16,"journal":{"name":"ACS Energy Letters ","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":22.0,"publicationDate":"2026-11-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149305089","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Reconfiguring Quinone Cathodes via Transition Metal Coordination for Advanced Calcium Batteries","authors":"Fanbin Zeng,Sanlue Hu,Mengzi Geng,Siqi Zhang,Yao Liu,Chunzhen Yang,Cuiping Han,Biao Zhang","doi":"10.1021/acsenergylett.6c02552","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acsenergylett.6c02552","url":null,"abstract":"Calcium-ion batteries (CIBs) are promising for next-generation energy storage. However, their development is hindered by the lack of high-performance cathode materials. Organic carbonyl compounds possess structural flexibility and redox activity, yet their overall energy density remains fundamentally constrained. Here, we report a molecular engineering strategy to prepare metal (Cu and Ni)-coordinated quinone cathodes. The incorporation of transition-metal centers reconfigures the conjugated molecular framework, simultaneously enhancing reversible capacity and operating voltage. The optimized cathodes deliver reversible capacities of up to 203 mAh g–1 at an average voltage of ∼3.1 V vs Ca2+/Ca, corresponding to an energy density exceeding 600 Wh kg–1. Mechanistic investigations based on in situ characterizations and theoretical calculations reveal a bipolar charge-storage mechanism involving Ca2+ coordination with the carbonyl and imine sites during discharge and TFSI– storage at high charging potentials. This metal-coordination strategy provides a promising strategy for developing high-energy multivalent battery systems.","PeriodicalId":16,"journal":{"name":"ACS Energy Letters ","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":22.0,"publicationDate":"2026-11-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149305096","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Robert Witteck,Duong Nguyen Minh,Michael Owen-Bellini,Joseph M. Luther,Laura T. Schelhas
{"title":"UV Exposure and Durability of Emerging Photovoltaics: Quantifying and Reporting Outdoor UV Doses","authors":"Robert Witteck,Duong Nguyen Minh,Michael Owen-Bellini,Joseph M. Luther,Laura T. Schelhas","doi":"10.1021/acsenergylett.6c02742","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acsenergylett.6c02742","url":null,"abstract":"Ultraviolet (UV) radiation in sunlight is well known to harm components of solar modules, especially those of emerging photovoltaic technologies. Current accelerated UV tests, however, differ in spectral range and by orders of magnitude in intensity and dose. Their usual anchors, IEC 61215-2 preconditioning at 15 kW h m–2 and a fixed UV fraction of AM1.5G, do not represent long-term outdoor exposure. Here, we quantify annual outdoor UV doses (280–400 nm) across the contiguous United States from the National Solar Radiation Database for horizontal, fixed-tilt, and tracked mounting. Spectroradiometer measurements at two sites validate the model. Annual horizontal-plane doses span 72–133 kW h m–2, with a median of nearly 100 kW h m–2, so IEC 61215-2 preconditioning simulates only 1.4–2.5 months of outdoor exposure. Single-axis and dual-axis tracking typically add 10 and 18 kW h m–2, respectively. Finally, we propose reporting the source spectrum and expressing the test dose as a multiple of the annual outdoor dose for a stated location and mounting.","PeriodicalId":16,"journal":{"name":"ACS Energy Letters ","volume":"290 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":22.0,"publicationDate":"2026-11-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149304364","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Diagnosis of Mechanisms of Kinetics in Lithium-Rich Manganese-Based Cathode Materials","authors":"Dongye Liu,Jiantuo Gan,Xu Xue,Zhijun Wu,Shengnan He,Chao Zheng,Chenchen Li,Yaxiong Yang,Yanxia Liu,Wubin Du,Fulai Qi,Mingxia Gao,Hongge Pan","doi":"10.1021/acsenergylett.6c02146","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acsenergylett.6c02146","url":null,"abstract":"The rate-determining step (RDS), which determines rate capability in lithium-rich manganese-based oxide (LRMO) cathode materials, remains unclear. In this work, we establish a quantitative diagnostic method for the RDS in LRMOs using in-situ electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) at different states of charge (SOC) and C-rates. From our results, the SOC determines the intrinsic bottleneck of the RDS, while the C-rate drives the transition from single-step to mixed control. Upon discharging to 4.4 V, the RDS is dominated by electron transfer at the interface accompanied by layered-to-spinel phase transition, whereas it is strongly influenced by solid-state diffusion in the bulk with depletion of Li vacancies arising from Jahn–Teller distortion when discharging to 3.0 V. Furthermore, Li+ diffusion, instead of charge transfer, plays a major part in the RDS of LRMOs when the C-rates are increased. These findings establish quantitative criteria for designing future cathode materials.","PeriodicalId":16,"journal":{"name":"ACS Energy Letters ","volume":"85 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":22.0,"publicationDate":"2026-11-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149305090","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Zirong He,Jeong Seop Yoon,Venkat Srinivasan,Nitash P. Balsara
{"title":"Transference Number of Electrolytes at Infinite Dilution","authors":"Zirong He,Jeong Seop Yoon,Venkat Srinivasan,Nitash P. Balsara","doi":"10.1021/acsenergylett.6c02281","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acsenergylett.6c02281","url":null,"abstract":"Understanding ion transport in the limit of infinite dilution is necessary for predicting the performance of electrochemical devices. While transport properties like ionic conductivity and diffusion coefficient can be readily extrapolated to zero concentration, establishing a reliable approach for determining the cation transference number with respect to the solvent velocity, t0+, remains a challenge. To address this challenge, we introduce an approach based on Newman's concentrated solution theory and fundamental dilute-limit constraints. We validate the approach using experimental data for a poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)/ sodium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (NaTFSI) electrolyte and derive a simple quadratic equation relating t0+ to readily measurable transport properties. Our approach has the potential to provide more accurate models of concentration gradients and limiting current in electrochemical systems, thereby improving their use in design and optimization.","PeriodicalId":16,"journal":{"name":"ACS Energy Letters ","volume":"20 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":22.0,"publicationDate":"2026-10-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149303298","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Ultralow Deposition Potential and Antisite-Boosted Diffusivity of Li3Ga2 Anode for All-Solid-State Batteries","authors":"Guoyong Xue,Zhe-Tao Sun,Shiwei Chen,Jie Lu,Yirui Fu,Guokang Chen,Chu Lu,Yanming Cui,Chenji Hu,Shou-Hang Bo,Linsen Li,Fuqiang Huang,Ziyang Ning,Chuying Ouyang,Kai Wu,Liwei Chen","doi":"10.1021/acsenergylett.6c02308","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acsenergylett.6c02308","url":null,"abstract":"Existing alloy anodes suffer from high redox potentials and sluggish Li atomic kinetics, limiting the energy density and rate capability of all-solid-state lithium batteries (ASSLBs). Herein, we report a well-designed Li3Ga2 alloy anode that simultaneously delivers an ultralow Li deposition potential (0.007 V vs. Li+/Li) and fast Li atomic diffusion kinetics (2.0 × 10–8 cm2 s–1). The high Li atomic diffusivity primarily originates from moderate Li/Ga antisite mixing, stabilizing the anode-solid electrolyte interface and enabling a high critical current density of 24 mA cm–2 in ASSLBs. Coupled with a LiCoO2 cathode, the ASSLB delivers a high initial Coulombic efficiency of 96.5% and an ultralong cycle life of 2000 cycles at room temperature, with a high output voltage of 3.84 V, outperforming state-of-the-art alloy-based counterparts. A practical all-solid-state pouch cell employing the LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 cathode also delivers outstanding cycling stability. This work redefines alloy anode design principles through synergistic optimization of Li deposition potential and Li atomic diffusivity.","PeriodicalId":16,"journal":{"name":"ACS Energy Letters ","volume":"11 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":22.0,"publicationDate":"2026-10-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149303326","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Solvent Dipole Engineering Enables Large Quantum Dot Processing for Scalable Short-Wave Infrared Optoelectronics","authors":"Raquel Dantas Campos,Kashimul Hossain,Anatol Prudnikau,Ruth Pinheiro Muniz,Lucas Scalon,Shivam Singh,Vladimir V. Shilovskikh,Herman Heffner,Julius Brunner,Petr Formanek,Ignacio López-Corral,Fabian Paulus,Yana Vaynzof","doi":"10.1021/acsenergylett.6c01776","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acsenergylett.6c01776","url":null,"abstract":"Semiconducting quantum dots (QDs) are key building blocks for optoelectronics, with tunable properties that depend on their size, shape, and surface chemistry. Large lead sulfide (PbS) QDs are particularly attractive for short-wave infrared (SWIR) optoelectronics, yet their processability is hindered by neutral facets, which compromise colloidal stability during liquid-phase ligand exchange and often lead to a collapse of the colloidal ink prior to processing. Herein, we demonstrate that solvent dipole engineering is an effective route for the scalable processing of large PbS QDs, eliminating the need for a layer-by-layer ligand exchange. The approach is utilized to fabricate SWIR-active photovoltaic diodes and photodetectors responsive over a broad spectral range, paving the way for their scalable production and commercialization.","PeriodicalId":16,"journal":{"name":"ACS Energy Letters ","volume":"28 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":22.0,"publicationDate":"2026-10-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149303294","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}