Zhi Zheng, Jin Yang, Junjie Fu, Weiwei Dong, Shu Ren, Xin Zhang, Jingyi Su, Chaoliang Zhao, Meng Wei, Dandan Zhao, Yange Zhang, Si-Xin Wu
{"title":"N-type Ag2S modified CZTSSe solar cell with lowest Voc,def","authors":"Zhi Zheng, Jin Yang, Junjie Fu, Weiwei Dong, Shu Ren, Xin Zhang, Jingyi Su, Chaoliang Zhao, Meng Wei, Dandan Zhao, Yange Zhang, Si-Xin Wu","doi":"10.1039/d4ee03244f","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d4ee03244f","url":null,"abstract":"One of the primary challenges impeding the efficiency improvement of kesterite (CZTSSe) solar cells is the significant open-circuit voltage deficit (Voc,def), mainly due to high defect concentrations and energy level mismatches at the heterojunction interface. Here, we propose a novel low-temperature surface modification strategy by in-situ incorporation of n-type Ag2S at the front interface of CZTSSe. We first found that the formation of narrow-bandgap Ag2S induces secondary diffusion of microregion elements on the CZTSSe absorber surface. During annealing, the Sn- and Zn-doped Ag2S forms and serves three critical functions in CZTSSe devices: p-n conversion boosting, front-interface bandgap grading, and defect passivation. These processes collectively reduce the carrier transport barrier and enhance charge extraction capability. Additionally, the outward diffusion of Ag+ to the absorber surface partially substitutes Cu+, reducing concentrations of CuZn, CuSn, and [2CuZn+SnZn] defects, thereby suppressing non-radiative recombination. Notably, the Ag2S-modified CZTSSe device efficiency increases from 12.38% to 14.25%, achieving the highest Voc to date at 0.584 V and the lowest Voc,def of only 0.228 V. This novel strategy offers new insights for significantly promote Voc in p-type copper-based thin-film solar cells.","PeriodicalId":72,"journal":{"name":"Energy & Environmental Science","volume":"60 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":32.5,"publicationDate":"2024-10-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142490532","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}
Mi Xu, Beinuo Zhang, Yudong Sang, Dan Luo, Rui Gao, Qianyi Ma, Haozhen Dou and Zhongwei Chen
{"title":"Bicontinuous-phase electrolyte for a highly reversible Zn metal anode working at ultralow temperature†","authors":"Mi Xu, Beinuo Zhang, Yudong Sang, Dan Luo, Rui Gao, Qianyi Ma, Haozhen Dou and Zhongwei Chen","doi":"10.1039/D4EE02815E","DOIUrl":"10.1039/D4EE02815E","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Hybrid electrolytes utilizing organic solvents as cosolvents or additives present tremendous promise for low-temperature aqueous zinc ion batteries (ZIBs). However, the nanostructure of hybrid electrolytes has been rarely investigated, leaving a knowledge gap between the atomistic solvation structure and macroscopic battery performance. Herein, the nanostructure of hybrid electrolytes was systematically studied, and a new concept of bicontinuous-phase electrolyte (BPE) is proposed. By carefully adjusting the volume ratio of H<small><sub>2</sub></small>O and organic solvent, a BPE with a three-dimensional interpenetrating aqueous phase and organic phase is obtained, which delivers an optimal Zn<small><sup>2+</sup></small> transfer number of 0.68 and fast desolvation kinetics. More importantly, the BPE possesses a well-balanced organic solvent-rich solvation sheath and anion-involved solvation sheath and generates a uniform <em>in situ</em> solid electrolyte interface with an organic-rich outer layer and inorganic-rich inner layer. The BPE affords ultralong cycling stability for about 4700 hours at −20 °C and boosts stability at an ultralow temperature of −60 °C, outperforming most low-temperature ZIBs. Equally intriguingly, the Zn anode exhibits record-breaking reversibility over 13 000 hours at room temperature. Impressively, Zn‖V<small><sub>2</sub></small>O<small><sub>5</sub></small> batteries show an excellent capacity retention of 100% for over 1100 cycles at −60 °C and over 2000 cycles under high mass loading (14 mg cm<small><sup>−2</sup></small>), lean electrolyte conditions (E/C ratio = 8.7 μL mA<small><sup>−1</sup></small> h<small><sup>−1</sup></small>), and limited Zn supply (N/P ratio = 2.55). This study provides an in-depth understanding of the nanostructures of hybrid electrolytes, which opens a universal avenue toward high-performance low-temperature batteries.</p>","PeriodicalId":72,"journal":{"name":"Energy & Environmental Science","volume":" 22","pages":" 8966-8977"},"PeriodicalIF":32.4,"publicationDate":"2024-10-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142490154","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}
Yu Cui, Qunping Fan, Hao Feng, Tao Li, Dmitry Yu. Paraschuk, Wei Ma and Han Yan
{"title":"Towards efficient and stable organic solar cells: fixing the morphology problem in block copolymer active layers with synergistic strategies supported by interpretable machine learning†","authors":"Yu Cui, Qunping Fan, Hao Feng, Tao Li, Dmitry Yu. Paraschuk, Wei Ma and Han Yan","doi":"10.1039/D4EE03168G","DOIUrl":"10.1039/D4EE03168G","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Achieving outstanding photovoltaic performance in terms of power conversion efficiency (PCE) and long-term stability establishes the basis for commercial application of organic solar cells (OSCs). However, OSCs’ development universally faces a contradiction from these two aspects. To address this critical challenge, we take a morphologically stable donor–acceptor block copolymer (BCP) and optimize its morphology using two types of small-molecule additives to increase the PCE. The suppressed acceptor block crystallinity and the disturbed electron transport pathway in the neat BCP are the targets in this study. Benefiting from calculation-guided experimental design, we discover an unexpected synergistic optimization between the morphological and electrical tuning realized by the two types of additives, one of which acts as an n-type dopant. The latter strengthens the non-covalent attraction between the BCP acceptor blocks to repair the BCP morphology; meanwhile, the other small-molecule acceptor helps to reduce the doping reaction energy barrier to enhance the doping effect. With the aid of interpretable machine learning, we confirm the structured correlation between the morphology, the electrical parameters, and the ultimate photovoltaic performance. The synergistic optimization enhances the PCE from 13.2% to 15.9% with excellent 83% PCE maintenance after 85 °C aging for 1000 h. This impressive combination encourages further OSC development without a traditional compromise between the PCE and thermal stress lifetime.</p>","PeriodicalId":72,"journal":{"name":"Energy & Environmental Science","volume":" 22","pages":" 8954-8965"},"PeriodicalIF":32.4,"publicationDate":"2024-10-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142489606","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}
Kaixian Li, Siqi Gong, Shaoke Fu, Hengyu Guo, Chuncai Shan, Huiyuan Wu, Jian Wang, Shuyan Xu, Gui Li, Qionghua Zhao, Xue Wang and Chenguo Hu
{"title":"Charge target collection from different triboelectrification domains by electrostatic induction and polarization enabled air discharges†","authors":"Kaixian Li, Siqi Gong, Shaoke Fu, Hengyu Guo, Chuncai Shan, Huiyuan Wu, Jian Wang, Shuyan Xu, Gui Li, Qionghua Zhao, Xue Wang and Chenguo Hu","doi":"10.1039/D4EE04035J","DOIUrl":"10.1039/D4EE04035J","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Collecting interfacial tribo-charges is the core of efficient energy conversion in DC triboelectric nanogenerators (DC-TENGs), which is currently realized by electrostatic induction enabled discharges (EID) on side electrodes from nearby tribo-charges. However, the charge collection efficiency is hindered by insufficient collection inside the tribo-layer and non-directional discharges. Herein, different from the traditional DC-TENGs with two electrodes on the sides of the slider, two new dynamic electrodes are positioned below the thick dielectric substrate with a small air gap and move synchronously with the slider. A strong electric field established in the gap causes dynamic dielectric polarization enabled discharges (DPD) on the bottom electrodes, realizing the collection of tribo-charges inside the interface and regulating harmful discharge near the EID. Consequently, the tribo-charges from different triboelectrification domains are fully harvested in target channels, by which the output energy of this charge target collection TENG (CTC-TENG) is increased to 3.85 mJ (EID + DPD) from 0.7 (DPD) and 1.89 mJ (EID), demonstrating a synergistic effect where 1 + 1 > 2. Additionally, the CTC-TENG is utilized for wireless position sensing and energy supply. This work provides important insights into the triboelectrification domains and finds an innovative way for tribo-charge target collection to achieve high output energy.</p>","PeriodicalId":72,"journal":{"name":"Energy & Environmental Science","volume":" 22","pages":" 8942-8953"},"PeriodicalIF":32.4,"publicationDate":"2024-10-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142489981","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":"Customized Structures of Hydrogen-Bonded Organic Frameworks towards Photocatalysis","authors":"Chengdi Ma, Liyang Qin, Tianhua Zhou, Jian Zhang","doi":"10.1039/d4ee03766a","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d4ee03766a","url":null,"abstract":"Porous semiconductor photocatalysts have recevied consideralbe attention to resolve the issues of the current environmental pollution and future energy supply. As a new class of porous crystalline materials, Hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks (HOFs) are self-assembled through hydrogen-bonding interactions between organic building blocks. Due to the weak interactions of hydrogen bonds, HOF materials possess more flexible frameworks compared to other porous materials formed via strong bonds (covalent bonds and coordination bonds). Combined with their structural polymorphism and ease of modification, HOFs exhibit multifunctionality in enhancing crystal photoelectric performance and responding to external stimuli such as light, temperature, and pressure, demonstrating their potential under various reaction condition. Furthermore, their metal-free composition, renewability, and recyclability endow them with excellent biocompatibility and low toxicity, addressing public concerns about environmental issues, reducing waste, and improving economic feasibility. However, current strategies to enhance the photocatalytic performance of HOFs by improving stability are relatively scarce. The mechanisms behind their stimulus-responsive behavior also present significant scientific issues that require in-depth exploration. Based on these existing issues, this review focuses on discussing material properties, design principles, synthesis methods, photocatalytic application includiong photocatalytic hydrogen production, CO2 reduction, and H2O2 generation, as well as strategies for enhancing stability and photocatalytic performance. Additionally, this paper highlights the main challenges that need to be addressed and proposes future research directions. This review will hlep promote the rapid development of HOFs in the field of solar energy conversion.","PeriodicalId":72,"journal":{"name":"Energy & Environmental Science","volume":"90 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":32.5,"publicationDate":"2024-10-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142488581","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}
Richard Pacalaj, Yifan Dong, Ivan Ramirez, Roderick MacKenzie, Mehrdad Hosseini, Eva Bittrich, Julian E. Heger, Pascal Kaienburg, Subhrangsu Mukherjee, Jiaying Wu, Moritz Riede, Harald Ade, Peter Müller-Buschbaum, Martin Pfeiffer, James Durrant
{"title":"From Generation to Collection – Impact of Deposition Temperature on Charge Carrier Dynamics of High-Performance Vacuum-Processed Organic Solar Cells","authors":"Richard Pacalaj, Yifan Dong, Ivan Ramirez, Roderick MacKenzie, Mehrdad Hosseini, Eva Bittrich, Julian E. Heger, Pascal Kaienburg, Subhrangsu Mukherjee, Jiaying Wu, Moritz Riede, Harald Ade, Peter Müller-Buschbaum, Martin Pfeiffer, James Durrant","doi":"10.1039/d4ee03623a","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d4ee03623a","url":null,"abstract":"Vacuum-processed organic solar cells (VP-OSCs) possess many advantages for scalability. However, as the academic community focusses on high performing solution-processed OSCs, detailed studies about the relation between morphology and device characteristics in VP-OSCs are rare. Here, we present a study on a model donor/fullerene VP-OSC system deposited at different substrate temperatures. Substrate heating results in increases in current density and fill factor (FF). Changes in morphology are characterised by grazing-incidence wide-angle scattering (GIWAXS) and resonant soft X-ray scattering (RSoXS). The increase in the degree of crystallinity and preferential orientation of the donor molecule in heated samples results in enhanced absorption increasing current density. The exciton and charge separation efficiency were studied by transient absorption and photoluminescence quenching showing only minor differences. To study the FF differences, charge transport and non-geminate recombination are studied by optoelectronic measurements and device simulations. The charge carrier kinetics are governed by a large density of trap states. While the energetic disorder and non-geminate recombination under open circuit conditions remain largely unchanged, the increased effective mobility and lower transport disorder observed in photocurrent transients explain the increased collection efficiency for heated devices. We relate this to the increased donor phase purity. Our results suggest that charge recombination and transport are governed by different aspects of disorder related to amorphous and crystalline donor phases. Quantitative comparison with high FF solution-processed OSCs reveals that the low mobility limits FF. Finally, drift-diffusion simulations give an outlook for possible performance increases through further optimisation of the deposition control.","PeriodicalId":72,"journal":{"name":"Energy & Environmental Science","volume":"24 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":32.5,"publicationDate":"2024-10-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142487268","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}
Ya Chen, Xin Gao, Zheng Zhen, Xiao Chen, Ling Huang, Deli Zhou, Tengfei Hu, Bozhen Ren, Runjing Xu, Jiayi Chen, Xiaodong Chen, Lifeng Cui, Guoxiu Wang
{"title":"The Construction of Multifunctional Solid Electrolytes Interlayers for Stabilizing Li6PS5Cl-based All-Solid-State Lithium Metal Batteries","authors":"Ya Chen, Xin Gao, Zheng Zhen, Xiao Chen, Ling Huang, Deli Zhou, Tengfei Hu, Bozhen Ren, Runjing Xu, Jiayi Chen, Xiaodong Chen, Lifeng Cui, Guoxiu Wang","doi":"10.1039/d4ee03289f","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d4ee03289f","url":null,"abstract":"The electrochemical performance of all-solid-state Li metal batteries (ASSLMBs) can be prominently consolidated by resolving the challenges triggered by the uncontrolled growth of Li dendrites throughout the solid electrolytes (SEs). Herein, a well-defined composite of micron-Li6PS5Cl (LPSC) and nano-Li1.3Al0.3Ti1.7(PO4)3 (LATP) is architected as a LPSC-LATP interlayer sandwiched between LPSC electrolytes for ASSLMBs. This fabrication exerts the electron-blocking functionalities to alleviate the probability of reacting with Li+ ions for the formation of anode-initiated and grain boundaries (GBs)-initiated dendrites. More importantly, it also creates localized eliminated micro-environments of Li dendrites through the high transient reactivity between them and the remaining cracks can be dynamically and effectively filled by decomposition products, thereby prominently suppresses the Li dendrite nucleation, propagation and penetration as well as simultaneously contributing to the enhancement of battery performance and stability. With this approach, a fine-tuned LPSC-LATP (8S-2O) interlayer enables symmetrical Li/LPSC/8S-2O/LPSC/Li cells to achieve a ultra-high critical current density (CCD) of over 5 mA cm−2 at room temperature, and ultra-long cycles at current density of 10 mA cm−2 for over 1600 h. Additionally, ASSLMBs employing commercial LiCoO2 cathodes can deliver exceptional durability, with an extremely high 85.6% retention of initial discharge capacity and coulombic efficiency (CE) of >99.6% after 1200 cycles at 1C (1.28 mA cm-2). These experimental batteries demonstrate the application prospect of this configuration of SEs for the commercialization of ASSLMBs.","PeriodicalId":72,"journal":{"name":"Energy & Environmental Science","volume":"44 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":32.5,"publicationDate":"2024-10-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142486683","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}
Fengqi You, Xueyu Tian, Samuel D Stranks, Jinsong Huang, Vasilis Fthenakis, Yang Yang
{"title":"Perspectives for Sustainability Analysis of Scalable Perovskite Photovoltaics","authors":"Fengqi You, Xueyu Tian, Samuel D Stranks, Jinsong Huang, Vasilis Fthenakis, Yang Yang","doi":"10.1039/d4ee03956d","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d4ee03956d","url":null,"abstract":"Halide perovskite photovoltaics (PVs) are poised to become a critical high-efficiency renewable energy technology in the fight against climate change. This perspective aims to ensure the viability of perovskite PV as a sustainable technology by focusing on key areas such as end-of-life management and sustainability analysis. It highlights the current lack of comprehensive frameworks that incorporate circular solar economy principles, ecosystem impacts, and climate commitments. To address this gap, we propose a multi-scale analytical and modeling framework specifically designed for perovskite PVs. This approach integrates dynamic material flow analysis and life cycle assessment to reshape our understanding of material usage, with an emphasis on critical material demand and recycling opportunities. It seeks to provide in-depth insights into the socio-economic and environmental impacts of material consumption, particularly as perovskite PVs become more prevalent. Additionally, future research should explore distributed manufacturing to optimize costs and reduce environmental impacts, as well as evaluate the benefits of integrating perovskite PVs with agriculture to promote sustainable sector coupling.","PeriodicalId":72,"journal":{"name":"Energy & Environmental Science","volume":"194 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":32.5,"publicationDate":"2024-10-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142487269","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}
Gi-Hyeok Lee, Suwon Lee, Jiliang Zhang, Bernardine Rinkel, Matthew J. Crafton, Zengqing Zhuo, Youngju Choi, Jialu Li, Junghoon Yang, Jongwook W. Heo, Byung-Chun Park, Bryan D. McCloskey, Maxim Avdeev, Wanli Yang, Yong-Mook Kang
{"title":"Oxygen Redox Activities Governing High-Voltage Charging Reversibility of Ni-Rich Layered Cathodes","authors":"Gi-Hyeok Lee, Suwon Lee, Jiliang Zhang, Bernardine Rinkel, Matthew J. Crafton, Zengqing Zhuo, Youngju Choi, Jialu Li, Junghoon Yang, Jongwook W. Heo, Byung-Chun Park, Bryan D. McCloskey, Maxim Avdeev, Wanli Yang, Yong-Mook Kang","doi":"10.1039/d4ee03832k","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d4ee03832k","url":null,"abstract":"The chemical reactions and phase transitions at high voltages are generally considered to determine the electrochemical properties of high-voltage layered cathodes such as Ni-rich rhombohedral oxides. Even if significantly higher SOCs (states-of-charge) are utilized above the capability of transition metal redox (primarily Ni and Co), the effect of oxygen redox on Ni-rich rhombohedral oxides still looks mysterious thereby necessitating research that can clarify the relationships between redox reactions and phase transitions. Here, we performed a comprehensive and comparative study of the cationic and anionic redox reactions, as well as the structural evolution of a series of commercial Ni-rich layered oxides with and without Al doping. We combined the results from X-ray spectroscopy, operando electrochemical mass spectrometry, and neutron diffraction with electrochemical properties, and revealed the different oxygen redox activities associated with structural and electrochemical degradations. We reveal that Al doping suppresses the irreversible oxygen release, however enhances the lattice oxygen oxidization. With this modulated oxygen redox activity, the Ni-rich layered oxides' notorious H2-H3 structural phase transition becomes highly reversible. Our findings disentangle the different oxygen redox activities during high-voltage cycling and clarify the role of dopants in the Ni-rich layered oxides in terms of structural and electrochemical stability, shedding lights on the future directions of optimizing layered cathode materials for safer high energy-density secondary batteries.","PeriodicalId":72,"journal":{"name":"Energy & Environmental Science","volume":"12 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":32.5,"publicationDate":"2024-10-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142452589","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":"Electrocatalytic nitrogen cycle: mechanism, materials, and momentum","authors":"Laiquan Li, Linyuan Xu, Hanyun Wang, Haohong Wei, Cheng Tang, Guisheng Li, Yuhai Dou, Huakun Liu, Shi Xue Dou","doi":"10.1039/d4ee03156c","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d4ee03156c","url":null,"abstract":"Artificial nitrogen fixation has been pivotal in escalating agricultural productivity and sustaining exponential human population growth. Nonetheless, these practices have concurrently perturbed the natural nitrogen cycle, engendering a plethora of environmental challenges. The advent of electrochemical nitrogen transformation techniques represents a burgeoning avenue for rectifying the nitrogen cycle's imbalance and for synthesizing value-added nitrogenous products from atmospheric nitrogen. In this review, we delve into the recent progress concerning the electrocatalytic interconversion among key nitrogen species, namely N2, NOx(-), and NH3. Our examination encompasses a multifaceted analysis, including the elucidation of reaction mechanisms and a critical evaluation of the intrinsic challenges behind each reaction and the strategies to boost their translation to practical applications. Extending beyond primary nitrogen transformations, we also assess a spectrum of emergent and promising directions. These include lithium-mediated nitrogen fixation, carbon-nitrogen coupling reactions, and the development of electrochemical batteries harnessing nitrogen transformation chemistry. This review aims to offer a critical and forward-looking perspective on the role of electrocatalysis in modulating the nitrogen cycle and to highlight untapped opportunities for its application in a myriad of innovative domains.","PeriodicalId":72,"journal":{"name":"Energy & Environmental Science","volume":"21 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":32.5,"publicationDate":"2024-10-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142452590","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}