Nature EnergyPub Date : 2026-04-27DOI: 10.1038/s41560-026-02057-y
Xinru Li
{"title":"Sodium is not lithium","authors":"Xinru Li","doi":"10.1038/s41560-026-02057-y","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41560-026-02057-y","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":19073,"journal":{"name":"Nature Energy","volume":"11 4","pages":"503-503"},"PeriodicalIF":60.1,"publicationDate":"2026-04-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147752568","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}
Nature EnergyPub Date : 2026-04-24DOI: 10.1038/s41560-026-02043-4
Kaijie Ma (马凯捷), Yu Cui (崔宇), Yizhang Ren (任奕璋), Qiunan Liu (刘秋男), Song Luo (罗嵩), Jiaxin Mao (毛嘉欣), Guopeng Li (李国鹏), Yueshao Zheng (郑月哨), Kazu Suenaga (末永 和知), Jiang Zeng (曾犟), Yung-Chang Lin (林永昌), Song Liu (刘松), Rui Hao (郝瑞)
{"title":"Imaging dynamic electrocatalytic processes on nano-strained MoS2 using interferometric electro-optical microscopy","authors":"Kaijie Ma \u0000 (马凯捷), Yu Cui \u0000 (崔宇), Yizhang Ren \u0000 (任奕璋), Qiunan Liu \u0000 (刘秋男), Song Luo \u0000 (罗嵩), Jiaxin Mao \u0000 (毛嘉欣), Guopeng Li \u0000 (李国鹏), Yueshao Zheng \u0000 (郑月哨), Kazu Suenaga \u0000 (末永 和知), Jiang Zeng \u0000 (曾犟), Yung-Chang Lin \u0000 (林永昌), Song Liu \u0000 (刘松), Rui Hao \u0000 (郝瑞)","doi":"10.1038/s41560-026-02043-4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41560-026-02043-4","url":null,"abstract":"Understanding the dynamic heterogeneity of the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) at electrochemical interfaces is crucial for advancing HER electrocatalysis. However, conventional electrochemical imaging methods offer limited simultaneous spatial and temporal resolution, hindering capture of dynamic electrocatalytic current distributions. Here we introduce interferometric electro-optical microscopy to in situ map electrocatalytic current with simultaneous nanometre and millisecond resolution. We validate interferometric electro-optical microscopy with Au and Pt electrocatalysts and apply it to investigate the HER activity of bilayer MoS2. The spatial evolution of HER currents reveals sequential activation of HER sites along trajectories aligned with the zigzag or armchair directions of MoS2. Correlative atomic-level structural analysis and simulations reveal that the directional chain electrocatalytic reaction dynamics originate from the more favourable adsorption free energy along nanoscale strain stripes. This method for uncovering dynamically evolving structure relationships at nanoscopic electrochemical interfaces and identifying strain-related electrocatalytic performance holds promise for advancing the rational design of electrocatalysts.","PeriodicalId":19073,"journal":{"name":"Nature Energy","volume":"9 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":56.7,"publicationDate":"2026-04-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147751856","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}
Nature EnergyPub Date : 2026-04-22DOI: 10.1038/s41560-026-02038-1
Christoph D. Alt, Jürgen Janek
{"title":"Quantifying the self-discharge rate of solid-state batteries","authors":"Christoph D. Alt, Jürgen Janek","doi":"10.1038/s41560-026-02038-1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41560-026-02038-1","url":null,"abstract":"Internal self-discharge poses a critical yet often overlooked challenge for the commercialization of solid-state batteries. It arises from the migration of mobile species, typically cations, between the electrodes driven by chemical potential gradients, leading to a gradual loss of charge even during storage, thus ultimately undermining efficiency, reliability and long-term viability. Unlike liquid-electrolyte batteries, self-discharge in solid-state batteries can be attributed to minor electronic leakage currents through the solid separator, which slowly drain the battery’s stored charge. Here we present an analytical model describing reversible internal self-discharge arising from residual electronic conductivity and the chemical potential gradient in the solid separator, depending on its intrinsic thermodynamic stability or artificial stabilization strategies. Our analysis highlights the need for accurate quantification of electronic properties in solid-state separators and the influence of material stability ranges by reviewing reports on different solid separator classes to guide separator selection, materials engineering and overall solid-state cell design.","PeriodicalId":19073,"journal":{"name":"Nature Energy","volume":"136 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":56.7,"publicationDate":"2026-04-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147734089","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}
Nature EnergyPub Date : 2026-04-17DOI: 10.1038/s41560-026-02040-7
Chaolong Wei, Suhwan Yoo, Yan Li, Haibin Ma, Yaqi Cheng, Yao Wu, Guangxin Sun, Caiwei Zhang, Qian He, Tiras Y. Lin, Boon Siang Yeo, Joel B. Varley, Yun Jeong Hwang, Chunnian He, Andrew Barnabas Wong
{"title":"A scalable, biopolymer-based microenvironment for electrochemical CO2 conversion to multicarbon products with current densities over 2 A cm−2","authors":"Chaolong Wei, Suhwan Yoo, Yan Li, Haibin Ma, Yaqi Cheng, Yao Wu, Guangxin Sun, Caiwei Zhang, Qian He, Tiras Y. Lin, Boon Siang Yeo, Joel B. Varley, Yun Jeong Hwang, Chunnian He, Andrew Barnabas Wong","doi":"10.1038/s41560-026-02040-7","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41560-026-02040-7","url":null,"abstract":"The electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) relies heavily on the surrounding microenvironment to promote formation of desirable multicarbon (C2+) products. However, microenvironment control to achieve high C2+ yields at industrially relevant current densities remains a crucial challenge. We report that chitosan, cellulose and chitin biopolymer coatings on CO2RR electrocatalysts enhance the microenvironment by increasing local CO2/CO concentration, reducing local water activity and providing suitable ion conductivity and local pH. This facile approach achieves C2+ Faradaic efficiencies of 90 ± 1.7% at 1.6 A cm−2 and C2+ Faradaic efficiency = 83 ± 3.2% at 2.2 A cm−2 with a formation rate of 5,926 μmol h−1 cm−2. Importantly, within the cathode, these ion-conductive hydrophilic biopolymers can fully substitute traditional hydrophobic ionomers/binders, such as Nafion, challenging previous assumptions about the non-viability of hydrophilic materials for selective CO2RR due to excess interfacial H2O. These findings unveil key insights into microenvironment design to enhance C–C coupling through a simple method.","PeriodicalId":19073,"journal":{"name":"Nature Energy","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":56.7,"publicationDate":"2026-04-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147709338","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}
Nature EnergyPub Date : 2026-04-17DOI: 10.1038/s41560-026-02035-4
Reginaldo J. Gomes, Jianping Li, Jiayi Xu, Bidushi Sarkar, Matin Mohebi, Joshua Gabriel, Tony Joseph Mathew, Ishaan Roy, Noah Paulson, Cong Liu, Chukwunwike O. Iloeje, Chibueze V. Amanchukwu
{"title":"Reactive CO2 capture via controlled amine speciation in non-aqueous electrolytes","authors":"Reginaldo J. Gomes, Jianping Li, Jiayi Xu, Bidushi Sarkar, Matin Mohebi, Joshua Gabriel, Tony Joseph Mathew, Ishaan Roy, Noah Paulson, Cong Liu, Chukwunwike O. Iloeje, Chibueze V. Amanchukwu","doi":"10.1038/s41560-026-02035-4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41560-026-02035-4","url":null,"abstract":"Current efforts to integrate CO2 capture and electrochemical conversion (reactive capture) are often performed under aqueous conditions, resulting in undesired hydrogen evolution and reliance on precious metal catalysts and pure CO2 streams. Here we explore reactive capture in aprotic media. By shifting the amine–CO2 adduct speciation to carbamic acid (instead of carbamate) in dimethyl sulfoxide, we increased CO2 uptake threefold compared with an aqueous medium, suppressing hydrogen evolution and supporting a 78% Faradaic efficiency towards CO over an earth-abundant zinc catalyst. Under simulated high-oxygen-content flue gas (17% CO2, 17% O2, 66% N2), we also obtained up to 43% CO Faradaic efficiency over multiple capture–conversion cycles. Our findings showcase the confluence of reactant speciation, electrolyte composition and electrocatalyst design in enabling selective and active electrochemical transformations.","PeriodicalId":19073,"journal":{"name":"Nature Energy","volume":"27 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":56.7,"publicationDate":"2026-04-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147709339","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}
Nature EnergyPub Date : 2026-04-14DOI: 10.1038/s41560-026-02031-8
Mensur Delic, Michael Bucksteeg
{"title":"Implications of the solar rebound effect for the European energy transition","authors":"Mensur Delic, Michael Bucksteeg","doi":"10.1038/s41560-026-02031-8","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41560-026-02031-8","url":null,"abstract":"The solar rebound effect (SRE) occurs when rooftop photovoltaic adoption increases household electricity consumption, driven by the perception of solar energy as a free resource. Although empirically observed, the SRE has not yet been accounted for in energy system modelling or abatement scenarios. This study integrates empirically derived SRE intensities into an open-source optimization model of the European energy system, translating behavioural effects into temporally distinct demand profiles. The results show that not only the magnitude but also the timing of the rebound determines its system impact. Additional demand leads to increases in renewable investment needs, flexibility requirements and overall system costs while inducing regressive effects, as households driving the rebound do not bear its full costs. The findings call for explicit inclusion of SRE in abatement scenarios and grid planning and highlight load-shifting incentives and energy efficiency policies as key tools to mitigate rebound effects and align demand with renewable generation.","PeriodicalId":19073,"journal":{"name":"Nature Energy","volume":"16 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":56.7,"publicationDate":"2026-04-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147685173","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}
Nature EnergyPub Date : 2026-04-14DOI: 10.1038/s41560-026-02021-w
Avi Jakhmola, Jessica Jewell, Vadim Vinichenko, Aleh Cherp
{"title":"Probabilistic projections of global wind and solar power growth based on historical national experience","authors":"Avi Jakhmola, Jessica Jewell, Vadim Vinichenko, Aleh Cherp","doi":"10.1038/s41560-026-02021-w","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41560-026-02021-w","url":null,"abstract":"Despite the recent surge of wind and solar power, both technologies need to accelerate to meet climate goals. Yet, there are no robust methods to assess the likelihood of such acceleration. Here we show that renewable energy deployment follows a recurring pattern across countries with prolonged periods of relatively steady growth punctuated by growth pulses. Based on this insight and on observed growth trajectories in early adopting countries, we develop a probabilistic model (PROLONG) for projecting global wind and solar power deployment. In our central projections, both wind and solar power grow similarly to Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 2 °C-compatible pathways and faster than in current policy scenarios. The COP28 pledge to triple renewables by 2030 is near the 95th percentile of our projections and requires that the growth of wind and solar photovoltaics in major economies accelerate by 1.4–3 times and 2–5 times, respectively. PROLONG can be adopted for data-driven projections of other policy-dependent energy technologies.","PeriodicalId":19073,"journal":{"name":"Nature Energy","volume":"48 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":56.7,"publicationDate":"2026-04-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147685172","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}
Nature EnergyPub Date : 2026-04-13DOI: 10.1038/s41560-026-02039-0
Ying Liu, Niklas Blagojevic, Qingdong Xuan, Jiahe Liu, Yuan Liao, Yang Fu, Yanbo Fang, Pengfei Cheng, Xueling Xu, Tao Wang, Naiqin Yi, Wei Li, Marcus Müller, Jian-Guo Dai, Ronggui Yang, Dangyuan Lei
{"title":"One-step-processed bilayer ethyl cellulose for full-colour sub-ambient daytime radiative cooling","authors":"Ying Liu, Niklas Blagojevic, Qingdong Xuan, Jiahe Liu, Yuan Liao, Yang Fu, Yanbo Fang, Pengfei Cheng, Xueling Xu, Tao Wang, Naiqin Yi, Wei Li, Marcus Müller, Jian-Guo Dai, Ronggui Yang, Dangyuan Lei","doi":"10.1038/s41560-026-02039-0","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41560-026-02039-0","url":null,"abstract":"Passive radiative cooling can cool objects exposed to sunlight without requiring additional energy input. However, it remains challenging to develop aesthetically pleasing coloured materials without sacrificing solar reflectance. Here we present a biomass-derived, bilayer and coloured ethyl cellulose (BCEC) coating fabricated in a single casting step through controlled drying-induced self-stratification. By adjusting the precursor concentration, we tune the thickness of the top layer to produce different colours through thin-film interference without introducing solar absorption. The hierarchically porous bottom layer provides high solar reflectance and long-wave infrared emission. The BCEC coating achieves solar reflectance of 97.0% and sub-ambient daytime radiative cooling of up to 9 °C under a solar intensity of 800 W m−2. In field tests conducted in the humid subtropical climate of Hong Kong, the BCEC coating outperforms commercially available coloured paints and fluorescence-based coloured coatings. Our one-step phase-separation approach can simplify fabrication, facilitating the practical deployment of this technology.","PeriodicalId":19073,"journal":{"name":"Nature Energy","volume":"33 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":56.7,"publicationDate":"2026-04-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147685174","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}
Nature EnergyPub Date : 2026-04-13DOI: 10.1038/s41560-026-02036-3
{"title":"Unlocking the potential of the insulator–metal transition for photocatalysis","authors":"","doi":"10.1038/s41560-026-02036-3","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41560-026-02036-3","url":null,"abstract":"Designing photocatalysts typically demands complex engineering of junctions. Vanadium dioxide (VO2), however, can spontaneously form homogeneous junctions upon undergoing an insulator–metal transition. This transition in VO2 thin films under light increases the photocatalytic conversion rate of methane into hydrogen and light alkanes.","PeriodicalId":19073,"journal":{"name":"Nature Energy","volume":"11 4","pages":"515-516"},"PeriodicalIF":60.1,"publicationDate":"2026-04-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147752567","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}