Themed collection The EES Family Board Members Collection

We discuss emerging phenomena in membrane electrode assembly CO₂ electrolysers and highlight the critical role of electrolyte-free interfaces in governing catalytic performance at the device level.

This perspective summarizes principles and trends in extreme fast charging lithium-ion batteries, a key enabler of the mass adoption of electric vehicles.

While perovskite-based photovoltaics is progressing toward commercialization, it remains an open question which fabrication technology – solution-based, vapor-based, or combinations – will pave the way to faster economic breakthrough.

The Li metal battery performance is notably influenced by the CE of Li metal anodes. The core principles, significance in various batteries, calculation methods of CE, the pivotal factors influencing CE, and the strategies to improve CE are reviewed.

Hexaazatriphenylene-based covalent organic frameworks with electronegative skeletons and high porosity that enhance ion transport, redox activity, and cycling stability, offering insights into the design of high-performance electrode materials.

This review summarizes the recent progress, challenges, and future perspective towards stable non-fullerene organic solar cells (NF-OSCs) with detailed discussion of various aspects and effective strategies to improve the stability of NF-OSCs.

The acidic CO₂RR is an alternative to the alkaline/neutral CO₂RR, mitigating carbonate formation and carbon crossover. This review covers its history, evaluation, advances and challenges, focusing on catalyst–electrolyte interface engineering.

An overview of water/alcohol-based organic nanoparticles applied in optoelectronic devices, encompassing the entire journey from nanoparticle synthesis to practical applications.

Our societies must reconsider current industrial practices and find carbon-neutral alternatives to avoid the detrimental environmental effects that come with the release of greenhouse gases from fossil-energy carriers.

EPR aids catalyst research in energy systems by enhancing understanding, optimizing synthesis, elucidating mechanisms, and improving stability.

Photovoltaic-coupled electrolysis and photoelectrochemical water splitting are two options for storing solar energy as hydrogen. For each technology, the energy inputs and hydrogen output need to be considered to compare the overall energy balance.

A multi-technique operando study reveals a three-stage sodium storage mechanism in hard carbon—surface adsorption, accumulation, and pore filling—while classical intercalation is found to be insignificant under practical conditions.

Explainable machine learning techniques elucidate the interplay of multiple factors throughout the cathode thermal reaction process.

We show that asymmetric cross-orbital coupling in K_xFe_yMn_1−yO_z spinel decouples the trade-off between stability and kinetics. Fe doping induces Mn e_g–Fe t_2g synergy, boosting both electronic conductivity and structural integrity.

Mixed-cation ILs containing P₁₄₄₄⁺ significantly improve sodium cycling stability, revealed through in situ techniques studying interfacial nano-structuring.

Slurry-processed t-Li₇SiPS₈ SE-sheets with larger thiophosphate particles show enhanced ionic conductivity and Li diffusivity, highlighting the importance of SE morphology and microstructure on the performance of all-solid-state batteries.

Flash Joule heating rapidly converts waste silicon solar cells into high purity SiC at ∼2200 °C, offering a low-emission, energy-efficient, and cost-effective route for sustainable PV waste upcycling.

Geothermal energy has been utilized for centuries. This study presents a framework to assess how geothermal resources can power direct air capture (DAC) systems, optimizing for overall CO₂ abatement.

A plasma-thermal tandem reactor offers a novel way to sequester greenhouse gases found in biogas into carbon nanofibers.

Vibrational excitation of reactants can play an important role in increasing the reactivity in heterogeneous and plasma catalysis. Here, a critical look is taken on how to model this chemical process.

Yttrium-incorporated porous polymeric carbon nitride photoanodes show enhanced water oxidation with 90% FE and 14% IPCE at 390 nm owing to improved light harvesting, conductivity, charge separation, and hole extraction in the 1D–2D structure.

Ir/terpyridine-based solid molecular catalysts facilitate efficient base-free formic acid dehydrogenation both in batch and continuous operation. A kinetic isotope effect study highlights β-hydride elimination as a rate-determining step.

Data-driven interpretation of battery degradation visually summarizes the relationship between 16 state-of-health metrics and aging, facilitating users in simplifying large datasets and identifying key degradation regimes for further experimentation.

The role of A-site cations (MA⁺, FA⁺, Cs⁺) in the defect chemistry of metal halide semiconductor is well-studied in lead halide perovskites; here we investigate it in the less explored tin perovskites.

A solution-processed metal-oxide:polymer mixed interlayer enables reproducible perovskite photodiodes with competitive performance and simple processing.

With ppb-level sensitivity, the HUGS toolkit diagnoses diverse sulfur and lithium species in Li–S batteries, enabling mechanistic insights into performance degradation.

Guided by phase-field simulations, a pre-coated 2D perovskite layer enables the growth of void-free perovskite layers over one-micron-thick, achieving high-efficiency, fully printed solar cells.

New insights into the structure–performance relationship in hard carbon by coupling key structural parameters based on integrating theoretical computations and experimental data were proposed.

This study assesses the techno-economic and environmental viability of plasma-assisted methane reforming for syngas production, finding oxy-CO₂ reforming the most effective and bi-reforming promising for clean, cost-efficient syngas production.

A mesoporous carbon scaffold rich in oxygen-functional groups, combined with a chemical sulfur loading method, enables effective sulfur confinement and stable cycling in high-performance Li–S batteries.

Despite the potential for a greater energy density than lithium-ion batteries, polysulphide dissolution, the polysulphide shuttle effect, and lithium metal instability impede the commercialization of lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries.

A series of high fluorescence triphenylamine halides are proposed as solid additives to reduce the static disorder and thus improve the luminescence performance of the active layer to suppress non-radiative recombination loss.

Immobilised nano-particulate photocatalyst sheets under concentrated solar conditions could offer a competitive approach to scaling water-splitting photocatalytic systems for low-emission hydrogen production.

Mo–Ni single atom pairs supported on N-doped carbon efficiently and selectively produce urea (yield of 11.3 mmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹ and 31.8%) from nitrates and CO₂ upon optimized pulsed electrochemical reduction conditions (−0.5/−0.7 V vs. RHE).

A quasi-solid-state Zn–I₂ battery, which incorporates a 3D continuous ion-transport network through a bacterial cellulose-integrated thick cathode design, enables high iodine loading of 39.3 mg cm⁻² and efficient zinc ion conduction.

CuCo₁ triangular sheets were successfully created by modifying Co single atoms on the exposed Cu(111) crystal face, and the CuCo₁-based MEA enables exceptional CO-to-acetate selectivity of 72% and long-term stability at 600 mA cm⁻² for 500 h.

Humid atmosphere annealing enhances interdiffusion in sequentially evaporated perovskites, leading to improved crystallinity and reduced non-radiative recombination. This boosts PLQY and raises PCE to 21.0%, while enhancing stability under 85 °C and full-spectrum illumination.

The co-alloying of antimony and bismuth in a new CsMAFA-Sb:Bi perovskite-inspired material leads to enhanced microstructure, reduced ion migration, increased solar cell power conversion efficiency, and impressive operational stability.

The modulation of platinum valence states facilitates an industrially viable production of formate from methanol e-refinery, achieving a 50% reduction in CO₂ emissions.

Very simple Ah-level aqueous batteries are realized by employing an X electrolyte which can fundamentally inhibit the polyiodide shuttle effect and zinc dendrite growth.

Iron clusters coupled with single atom sites have been developed as bifunctional oxygen reaction electrocatalysts for constructing ultra-stable, flexible zinc–air batteries operable in a temperature range from +40 °C to −40 °C.

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) CO₂ reduction (CO₂R) directly on chalcogenide semiconductor surface in an aqueous environment.

Statistical temperature features from the first 10 cycles were used to develop machine learning models, showing competitive performance across various battery cathodes and operating conditions for early-cycle battery lifetime prognostics.

The stacking of SAM layers was regulated to form “face-on” orientation via incorporating the volatile solid additive TCB.

A schematic illustration of the NVFP-VO cathode with a two-phase intergrown heterostructure of NVFP and V₂O₃.

By varying the thickness of WBG perovskite films, we identified two distinct migration modes of halide ions under light irradiation, as well as their effects on device J_SC output, which provides the feasible research direction for stable WBG PSCs.

We report the mechanochemical pretreatment of precursors for lead-free tin-based perovskite solar cells and highlight the effect of grinding temperature and time.

Using high coordination dimethyl sulfide, the anti-solvent bathing technique enables efficient extraction of precursor solvents in the perovskite wet film. The resulting highly crystalline films achieve a photovoltaic performance of 20.6%.

A deep reconstructed amorphous FeMoOOH/NF catalyst was designed and characterized, exhibiting low overpotential and high stability in both alkaline aqueous solution and seawater.

All-inorganic perovskites, such as CsPbI₂Br, have emerged as promising compositions due to their enhanced thermal stability. However, they are very prone to degradation due to moisture.

The recessive solvent is activated by bridging structure, and further self-assemble into nano-capsule solvation, which promotes rapid Zn deposition and generates a uniform SEI, thus achieving a stable Zn anode at high depth of discharge.

A copolymer of triphenylamine and ethylenedioxythiophene affords stable perovskite solar cells with an average efficiency of 25.4%.

Polybromide molecular polarity regulation ensures the optimal performance of zinc–bromine flow batteries at room temperature and −20 °C.

An easily synthesised Li–Al–O–Cl glassy electrolyte based on molecular design exhibits high ion conductivity, viscoplasticity and a transference number ∼1, along with exceptional anodic stability in a solid-state cell with an NMC85 cathode.

Integrating hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) with anaerobic digestion (AD) and recycling a fraction of the resulting wastewater (AP) in the HTL allows for recovering 85% of the energy contained in the grease waste while reducing its COD to 700 mg L⁻¹.

Au-doped PtAgRhCu alloy wavy nanowire electrocatalysts deliver ultrahigh mass activity and selectivity for alcohol oxidation, enabling energy-saving hydrogen production and selective alcohol upgrading via alcohol-assisted water electrolysis.

A powerful detailed-balance model predicts optimal gains with many optically thin photo absorbers instead of one thick absorber. Selectivity and efficiency are controlled by redox species mass-transfer rates regardless of kinetic asymmetry.

Highly deformable crosslinked polymer particles enhance perovskite solar cell passivation and stability by binding and distributing throughout the film.

The difference in cationic potentials of the various elements in and between the transition metal layers is another essential factor to be taken into account to discriminate between the P/O types of layered materials.

Herein, we investigate the effect of mobile ions on steady-state perovskite solar cell performance and show that they can lead to significant increases in open circuit voltage and improve device tolerance to interfacial energetic misalignments.

An innovative acid–alkali asymmetric cell design to suppress the crossover of liquid products and facilitate glycerol oxidation reaction. It can also impede C–C bond cleavage to promote high-value C3 products generation and reduce carbon emission.

Cation lattice flexibility and covalent bond lengths serve as good physical descriptors of proton conduction in solid acids and enable the discovery of promising proton conductors beyond traditional chemistries.

Extended high-entropy alloy electrocatalysts as a platform to investigate electrocatalytic CO oxidation and surface structure–property relations.

By coupling oriented charge separation with a tri-phase interface, optimal reaction conditions for the two half-reactions of artificial photosynthesis are created. Thus, the efficiency of the two half-reactions is synergistically promoted.

Renewable-powered CO₂ electrolysis (CO₂E) is a promising strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by transforming CO₂ into valuable feedstocks.

This work illustrates the feasibility of using Lewis acid/base co-catalysts to change the established chemical reaction mechanism of an electrocatalyst to form a new, chemically predictable, more valuable product in high yield.

Electrolyte concentration is crucial for low-temperature aqueous batteries (LTABs) as it directly dictates electrolyte freezing point.

Integrated solar fuels devices for CO₂ reduction (CO₂R) are a promising technology class towards reducing CO₂ emissions.

Restructuring of aqueous electrolytes using a soft-acidic/hard-basic zwitterion enabled low-temperature anode-free Zn batteries, with a focus on enhancing anti-freezing phenomena and Zn²⁺ desolvation kinetics at electrolyte–electrode interfaces.

One step pore diffusion mechanism of lithium ion transport in the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer with discrete inorganic components enables the fast lithium conduction without slow solid state diffusion process.