Shubham Singh, Paresh C. Rout, Mohammed Ghadiyali, Udo Schwingenschlögl
{"title":"V2Se2O and Janus V2SeTeO: Monolayer altermagnets for the thermoelectric recovery of low-temperature waste heat","authors":"Shubham Singh, Paresh C. Rout, Mohammed Ghadiyali, Udo Schwingenschlögl","doi":"10.1016/j.mser.2025.101017","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mser.2025.101017","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>We determine the thermoelectric properties of the V<sub>2</sub>Se<sub>2</sub>O and Janus V<sub>2</sub>SeTeO monolayer altermagnets with narrow direct band gaps of 0.74 and 0.26 eV, respectively. Monte Carlo simulations reveal Néel temperatures of 800 K for V<sub>2</sub>Se<sub>2</sub>O and 525 K for Janus V<sub>2</sub>SeTeO. The electrical conductivity is higher for <em>p</em>-type charge carriers than for <em>n</em>-type charge carriers due to lower effective masses. The presence of heavy Te atoms in Janus V<sub>2</sub>SeTeO results in lower phonon group velocities, higher phonon scattering rates, and higher lattice anharmonicity than in the case of V<sub>2</sub>Se<sub>2</sub>O, leading to an almost 19-fold reduction of the lattice thermal conductivity at 300 K. The thermoelectric figure of merit of V<sub>2</sub>Se<sub>2</sub>O reaches 0.4 (0.1) and that of Janus V<sub>2</sub>SeTeO reaches 2.7 (1.0) just below the Néel temperature at the optimal <em>p</em>-type (<em>n</em>-type) charge carrier density, demonstrating that altermagnets have excellent potential in the thermoelectric recovery of low-temperature waste heat.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":386,"journal":{"name":"Materials Science and Engineering: R: Reports","volume":"166 ","pages":"Article 101017"},"PeriodicalIF":31.6,"publicationDate":"2025-06-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144253659","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}
Charlotte Clegg , Jianjun Mei , Aitana Uclés Fuensanta , Taofeeq Ibn-Mohammed , Vincenzo Pecunia
{"title":"Evaluating lead-based vs. lead-free perovskites for environmentally sustainable indoor photovoltaics","authors":"Charlotte Clegg , Jianjun Mei , Aitana Uclés Fuensanta , Taofeeq Ibn-Mohammed , Vincenzo Pecunia","doi":"10.1016/j.mser.2025.101037","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mser.2025.101037","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Indoor photovoltaics (IPVs) based on halide perovskites (HPs) and derivatives (HPDs) hold great promise for powering the vast infrastructure of Internet-of-Things (IoT) smart devices. While lead-based IPVs deliver cutting-edge performance, environmental concerns have spurred research into lead-free alternatives. However, the environmental sustainability of these IPV technologies remains underexplored, with the current lead-based versus lead-free debate confined to elemental considerations, overlooking life-cycle impacts and practical IPV requirements. This study presents the first comparative life-cycle assessment (LCA) addressing the lead-based vs. lead-free HP/HPD IPV dilemma, examining the environmental sustainability of absorbers, precursors, functional layers, and fabrication steps. A modelling framework is introduced to evaluate the net environmental gains (NEGs) of IPVs compared to the conventional battery-centric approach for powering smart devices. Our findings suggest that lead-free HP/HPD IPVs are not inherently more eco-friendly than their lead-based counterparts. We demonstrate that Pb- and Sn-based IPVs can achieve NEGs after just 3–4 weeks and 4–6 weeks, respectively, significantly outperforming mainstream IPVs. In contrast, the NEGs of Sb- and Bi-based IPVs align with mainstream IPVs, limiting their viability unless efficiencies increase to ∼40 %. Key strategies to enhance the eco-friendliness of HP/HPD IPVs and policy considerations for Pb-based IPVs in IoT applications are outlined.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":386,"journal":{"name":"Materials Science and Engineering: R: Reports","volume":"166 ","pages":"Article 101037"},"PeriodicalIF":31.6,"publicationDate":"2025-06-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144253657","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}
Gebrehiwot Gebreslassie , Halefom G. Desta , Jianjian Zhang , Bin Lin , Yingchao Dong , Wei Yan , Jiujun Zhang
{"title":"Advanced membrane materials/structures and technologies for new energy production wastewater treatment and resource recovery","authors":"Gebrehiwot Gebreslassie , Halefom G. Desta , Jianjian Zhang , Bin Lin , Yingchao Dong , Wei Yan , Jiujun Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.mser.2025.101040","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mser.2025.101040","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The rapid expansion of new energy industries including battery production, solar panel manufacturing, biofuel production, and nuclear power generation processes has introduced a significant global challenge in management of wastewater and resources generated during production and operational processes. Therefore, the development of advanced materials and technologies for new energy production wastewater treatment and resources recovery is definitely required. Here, we examine the strategies for treatment of wastewater generated by new energy industries, with a particular focus on membrane technologies for both water treatment and resource recovery purposes. This review begins with an overall introduction of the rapid evolution of new energy industries and the urgent global challenge of new energy wastewater management with particular emphasis on membrane processes for treatment of new energy production wastewater generated during the battery production, solar panel manufacturing, biofuel production, and nuclear power production processes. Moreover, the potential of membrane technology in recovery of valuable resources such as metals, nutrients, valuable chemicals, and water from those new energy production wastewaters is also critically analyzed. This review finally gives a comprehensive summary and an outlook on future directions for overcoming technical challenges toward practical applications of such advanced membrane materials/structures and technologies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":386,"journal":{"name":"Materials Science and Engineering: R: Reports","volume":"166 ","pages":"Article 101040"},"PeriodicalIF":31.6,"publicationDate":"2025-06-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144241949","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":"Photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical reduction of CO2 to value-added chemicals using 2D nanomaterials","authors":"Mandira Ghosh , Shyamapada Nandi , Sujoy Sarkar","doi":"10.1016/j.mser.2025.101029","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mser.2025.101029","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The gradual rise in global temperatures due to anthropogenic greenhouse gas (CO<sub>2</sub>) emissions leads to severe climate change. Besides carbon capture and storage (CCS), another efficient solution to environmental issues and energy challenges is to convert CO<sub>2</sub> into value-added chemicals. The urgent need for sustainable energy sources and the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions has driven significant research into novel approaches for CO<sub>2</sub> reduction. Among these, photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical (PEC) strategies hold a strong promise for converting CO<sub>2</sub> into valuable chemicals, thereby offering a potential solution to both energy and environmental challenges. Significant research has been conducted on sustainable photocatalysts capable of reducing CO<sub>2</sub> to value-added products. In this context, two-dimensional (2D) materials, owing to their unique optical, electrical, and structural properties, have emerged as versatile candidates for catalysing CO<sub>2</sub> reduction. Different types of 2D materials, such as layered double hydroxides (LDHs), transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), MXenes, and covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are examined for their suitability in various CO<sub>2</sub> conversion reactions. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances in the utilization of 2D materials for photocatalytic and PEC reduction of CO<sub>2</sub> to value-added chemicals. We discuss the fundamental principles underlying CO<sub>2</sub> reduction mechanisms, including the role of 2D materials in enhancing light absorption, charge separation, and catalytic activity. Moreover, we discuss how machine learning can be introduced for selecting materials for photocatalytic CO<sub>2</sub> reduction. Challenges and opportunities associated with scaling up these technologies for practical applications are also addressed, along with prospects for future research directions. Overall, this review elucidates the significant progress made in leveraging 2D materials for photocatalytic and PEC reduction of CO<sub>2</sub>, underscoring their potential to support the shift to a carbon-neutral and sustainable energy economy.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":386,"journal":{"name":"Materials Science and Engineering: R: Reports","volume":"166 ","pages":"Article 101029"},"PeriodicalIF":31.6,"publicationDate":"2025-06-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144241948","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}
Ali Hassan , Muhammad Iqbal Syauqi , Yanping Liu , Zhicheng Ke , Wenbin Lin , Zhenrong Wang , Yuhua Jin , Randi Azmi
{"title":"Unveiling the potential of flexible perovskite photovoltaics: From lab to fab","authors":"Ali Hassan , Muhammad Iqbal Syauqi , Yanping Liu , Zhicheng Ke , Wenbin Lin , Zhenrong Wang , Yuhua Jin , Randi Azmi","doi":"10.1016/j.mser.2025.101023","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mser.2025.101023","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Flexible perovskite-based single-junction and tandem solar cells have achieved power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) exceeding 25% and 29%, respectively, and are regarded as ideal for portable and wearable optoelectronic devices, including building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPVs) applications, compared to other thin-film technologies and mainstream silicon. This is because perovskite films can be prepared using a low-temperature process and solution-based roll-to-roll fabrication with a superior power-to-weight ratio and high cost-effectiveness. Despite these advancements, the commercialization of f-PSCs remains constrained by several challenges associated with each sandwiched layer stacked in the device configuration, including the perovskite active layer, charge-transport layers (CTLs), flexible substrates, and electrodes. The delicate crystallization of perovskites on flexible substrates typically results in inhomogeneous nucleation and unwanted defect formation in perovskite films. Furthermore, the polycrystalline nature of perovskite films with numerous grain boundaries induces degradation sites and increases the susceptibility to mechanical fracture. Furthermore, CTLs at perovskite film interfaces encounter challenges such as weak adhesion, chemical instability, energetic alignment mismatches, and residual stress or strain. In addition, the top and bottom electrodes, including flexible substrates, remain susceptible to cracking and delamination under mechanical stress and real-world operating conditions. Consequently, f-PSCs exhibit fragility, reduced operational stability, and lower PCE than their rigid counterparts. These limitations present significant barriers to the industrial-scale production and commercialization of f-PSCs. In this review, we comprehensively discuss the existing challenges and progress regarding the material design of flexible devices based on the state-of-the-art results of single- and multijunction-based flexible perovskite devices. This involves flexible substrates and transparent electrodes, perovskite crystallization growth at low temperatures, synthesis of suitable CTLs, and interface passivation engineering to enhance performance and mechanical stability. Furthermore, we discuss large-scale production techniques, future prospects of flexible perovskite modules and encapsulation design, and the existing market potential to highlight the potential of f-PSCs for wearable and self-powered electronic devices in modern energy-harvesting technology. Finally, we also highlight the flexible perovskite recycling strategies prior to commercialization and emphasize a low carbon footprint and minimal environmental impact.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":386,"journal":{"name":"Materials Science and Engineering: R: Reports","volume":"166 ","pages":"Article 101023"},"PeriodicalIF":31.6,"publicationDate":"2025-06-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144230936","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}
Jinqiu Ye , Mohamedazeem M. Mohideen , Xin Qu , Chellouche Djohaina , Abdurohman Mengesha Yessuf , Shuang Shuang , Xia Yang , Ce Wang , Ping Hu , Yong Liu
{"title":"Advances and challenges in micro-porous layer design for commercialization of proton exchange membrane fuel cell","authors":"Jinqiu Ye , Mohamedazeem M. Mohideen , Xin Qu , Chellouche Djohaina , Abdurohman Mengesha Yessuf , Shuang Shuang , Xia Yang , Ce Wang , Ping Hu , Yong Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.mser.2025.101028","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mser.2025.101028","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>As global efforts to mitigate climate change intensify, proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) have become a cornerstone of low-carbon energy systems. At the core of PEMFC performance and durability is the micro-porous layer (MPL), a critical component that facilitates mass and electron transport, water management, and mechanical stability. Despite its importance, MPL research has been comparatively underexplored, with limited comprehensive reviews discussing its current advancements and future directions. This review bridges the gap by thoroughly analyzing MPL materials, structures, mechanisms, performance, and evaluation methods from academic and industrial perspectives. It highlights the contributions of high-dimensional carbon materials and advanced manufacturing techniques to enhancing MPL performance while identifying challenges such as the degradation of hydrophobic materials during long-term operation. It investigates the current state of industrial production and scalability. MPL development is expected to benefit from sustainable innovations and advancements driven by artificial intelligence, enabling future breakthroughs in material design and manufacturing technologies. By balancing performance and cost, MPL advancements have the potential to transform academic progress into practical industrial applications, accelerating PEMFC commercialization and supporting global carbon neutrality goals.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":386,"journal":{"name":"Materials Science and Engineering: R: Reports","volume":"165 ","pages":"Article 101028"},"PeriodicalIF":31.6,"publicationDate":"2025-06-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144189918","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}
Ting Wang , Zihe Wu , Shiqi Li , Yuting Deng , Chao He , Xikui Liu , Shuang Li , Yi Wang , Mingru Bai , Tian Ma , Chong Cheng , Changsheng Zhao
{"title":"Synergistic Pt-Mo pair sites on molybdenum carbides for bionic and portable oxygen production","authors":"Ting Wang , Zihe Wu , Shiqi Li , Yuting Deng , Chao He , Xikui Liu , Shuang Li , Yi Wang , Mingru Bai , Tian Ma , Chong Cheng , Changsheng Zhao","doi":"10.1016/j.mser.2025.101026","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mser.2025.101026","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Oxygen (O<sub>2</sub>) is utilized in various applications, including medical use, industrial manufacturing, tunnel construction, and scientific research, serving as an important resource for essential technologies and life support systems. However, current O<sub>2</sub> generation methods are complex, dependent on heavy equipment and considerable power, and exhibit limited adaptability to harsh environments. Here, to address this challenge, we propose the <em>de novo</em> design of single-atomic Pt lattice-doped molybdenum carbide catalysts with synergistic Pt-Mo pair sites (Pt-Mo@MoC<sub>x</sub>) to serve as bioinspired O<sub>2</sub>-evolution catalysts for cost-effective, portable, and environmentally friendly O<sub>2</sub> generation. Our experimental and theoretical studies indicate that Mo coordination enhances the electron density at the Pt active site, increasing its interaction with oxygen species and thereby reducing the activation energy of the O<sub>2</sub> evolution reaction. Accordingly, the prepared Pt-Mo@MoC<sub>x</sub> catalysts demonstrate high efficiency and durability in O<sub>2</sub> generation, achieving a turnover number of 18.92 s<sup>−1</sup>, which exceeds the performance of state-of-the-art H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>-catalytic materials reported in the literature. We believe that this bioinspired and portable technology, which does not rely on traditional electrical energy, will provide a reliable solution for O<sub>2</sub> applications in areas with limited O<sub>2</sub> availability and in emergency situations such as power outages.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":386,"journal":{"name":"Materials Science and Engineering: R: Reports","volume":"165 ","pages":"Article 101026"},"PeriodicalIF":31.6,"publicationDate":"2025-06-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144189917","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}
Muhammad Sultan Irshad , Naila Arshad , Ghazala Maqsood , Iftikhar Ahmed , Bushra Shakoor , Muhammad Sohail Asghar , Uzma Ghazanfar , Liangyou Lin , M.A.K. Yousaf Shah , Irshad Ahmed , Xia Chen , Jianying Wang , Chen Yi , Jinhua Li , Jingwen Qian , Wenlu Li , Zafar Said , Hongrong Li , Nang Xuan Ho , Hao Wang , Xianbao Wang
{"title":"Advancing water collection efficiency in hybrid solar evaporators: key factors, strategic innovations, and synergistic applications","authors":"Muhammad Sultan Irshad , Naila Arshad , Ghazala Maqsood , Iftikhar Ahmed , Bushra Shakoor , Muhammad Sohail Asghar , Uzma Ghazanfar , Liangyou Lin , M.A.K. Yousaf Shah , Irshad Ahmed , Xia Chen , Jianying Wang , Chen Yi , Jinhua Li , Jingwen Qian , Wenlu Li , Zafar Said , Hongrong Li , Nang Xuan Ho , Hao Wang , Xianbao Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.mser.2025.101018","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mser.2025.101018","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Solar-driven interfacial evaporation (SDIE) technique is a sustainable approach that utilizes solar energy to produce steam, thus addressing freshwater scarcity. Despite several earlier research investigations, claims beyond the theoretical limit were raised due to limitations in solar-to-vapor and condensate efficiency, which remain under debate. Even under superlative conditions, low condensate and energy losses persist, indicating that the system's efficiency will never reach > 100 %. This review primarily analyzes the theoretical values of evaporation rate, structural configurations, strategic approaches, and physical factors influencing condensate yields in the SDIE process. Using a theoretical energy distribution framework, this study identifies mechanisms driving conversion efficiency and condensate rate beyond equilibrium predictions, e.g., phase change process, and vapor-liquid equilibrium. Low water collection efficiency in condensation systems, driven by poor thermal management and inadequate surface designs, demands interfacial engineering strategies such as hydrophobic/hydrophilic coatings to enhance latent heat recovery and condensate yields, as briefly examined in this review. It emphasizes misconceptions about efficiencies beyond theoretical limits, purification challenges, and complementary applications while guiding researchers to provide plausible explanations for breakthroughs under specific and established reference conditions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":386,"journal":{"name":"Materials Science and Engineering: R: Reports","volume":"165 ","pages":"Article 101018"},"PeriodicalIF":31.6,"publicationDate":"2025-05-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144185007","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":"Perceptions of metal-nitrogen-carbon catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction","authors":"Zeyu Jin, Yizhe Chen, Jialin Sun, Shiming Zhang, Jiujun Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.mser.2025.101027","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mser.2025.101027","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Non-noble metal-nitrogen-carbon (M-N-C) catalysts are promising alternatives to precious platinum (Pt) group metals-based catalysts for oxygen reduction reactions (ORR). However, their practical applications toward proton exchange membrane fuel cells and metal-air batteries remain challenging because of the insufficient electrocatalytic activity and stability. In this review, a comprehensive perception of M-N-C catalysts has been summarized in terms of the electrocatalytic fundamentals (ORR mechanisms and degradation mechanisms), identification of active sites (metal-nanoparticle, metal-atom, and non-metal), design of regulation strategies (improving intrinsic activity of active sites, increasing site density, and enhancing fundamental properties of carbon-based materials), and advanced characterization techniques (in-situ and operando) for understanding of the structure-performance relationship. Particularly, this review highlights the innovative strategies for the improvement of intrinsic activity through optimizing the catalysts’ coordination numbers, coordination shell, and peripheral environment. Also, for obtaining in-depth insight into M-N-C catalysts, the potential challenges and possible perspectives are presented. This review aims to providing a valuable guideline for efficient and stable non-noble metal carbon catalysts.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":386,"journal":{"name":"Materials Science and Engineering: R: Reports","volume":"165 ","pages":"Article 101027"},"PeriodicalIF":31.6,"publicationDate":"2025-05-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144169620","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}