Journals
2026 EN
Sharma Vidhika · Prasad Mohit · Patole Shashikant P.
+1 more
ABSTRACT Surface plasmon resonance in metal nanostructures is a promising method for enhancing solar water splitting and hydrogen production. Tunable plasmons offer a transformative approach for designing plasmonic semiconductor photoelectrodes with improved solar‐to‐chemical energy conversion efficiency. Materials such as metal oxides, chalcogenides, and non‐noble metals are particularly well‐suited for achieving tunable plasmonic properties. These materials are abundant, cost‐effective, and have a broad plasmonic response, making them ideal for large‐scale renewable energy applications. Localized surface plasmon resonance in these materials is often induced by doping, which increases free‐carrier concentrations and enhances their interaction with solar radiation. The electronic band structures and optical properties of these materials can be finely tuned through advanced synthetic methods and nanoscale structural engineering. Such modifications improve light absorption, charge carrier dynamics, and interfacial catalysis, collectively boosting solar energy capture and conversion into chemical energy. This review explores the fundamental mechanisms of hot‐carrier generation and evaluates the potential of tunable plasmon‐based photoelectrodes in solar water splitting. It provides a scientific foundation for the rational design of next‐generation plasmonic systems for efficient energy conversion. This interdisciplinary field combines insights from plasmonics, surface chemistry, and nanomaterials science, highlighting its importance in developing sustainable energy solutions.
Journals
2026 EN
Din Ghulam Mooin Ud · Ali Abid · Muqaddas Sheza
+6 more
ABSTRACT Energy storage and conversion technologies are crucial in the global shift toward renewable energy sources, addressing the intermittent nature of solar and wind energy and enhancing the stability and reliability of power grids. Polymer/carbon composites have emerged as pivotal materials in this realm, due to their unique ability to combine the electrical conductivity and mechanical strength of carbon materials with the versatility and chemical stability of conductive polymers. This review delves into how these methods affect conductivity, capacitance, and stability, thereby enhancing the efficiency and durability of devices such as supercapacitors and batteries. The discussion extends to the characterization of these materials using advanced techniques that elucidate their structural integrity and functional capabilities, providing insights into their performance enhancements. The applications of polymer/carbon composites in energy storage systems are highlighted by their use in supercapacitors and batteries, where they contribute to increased energy density, faster charge–discharge cycles, and improved longevity. As the demand for more efficient and sustainable energy storage solutions continues to grow, the insights provided by this review into the properties and applications of polymer/carbon composites pave the way for future innovations in energy technologies, ultimately guiding researchers and technologists in developing next‐generation materials for advanced energy systems.
Journals
2026 EN
Shi Wenhao · Feng Zhe · Zhu Xianjun
+1 more
ABSTRACT With the advancement of wearable devices, multimodal sensing has become increasingly pivotal for enhancing the functionality of advanced flexible sensors, while reliable energy supply remains a core challenge limiting sustainable operation. Compared to conventional strategies reliant on external power, fully self‐powered technology, an emerging approach enabling all modalities of multimodal sensors to operate without external batteries, has made breakthroughs in addressing both their sustainable use and the waste energy utilization. Therefore, it is urgent to systematically review the recent advances in fully self‐powered multimodal flexible sensors (FSMFSs). First, we comprehensively summarize mechanisms of various ambient energy harvesting technologies applied to FSMFSs, including thermoelectric, piezoelectric, and chemical electric conversion. Next, we present their collaborative application to achieve fully self‐powered operation in dual‐modal (temperature‐pressure, pressure‐light) and triple‐modal (pH‐Cl − ‐glucose) sensing. Through analyzing representative cases, we provide inspirational sights for the self‐powered technology, decoupling strategies, structural innovation, and material design of multimodal sensors. Finally, we highlight existing limitations and future development directions, aiming to promote large‐scale applications beyond laboratory innovations and offer profound guidance for FSMFS development.
Journals
2026 EN
Choubchilangroudi Aref · Tang Liyaning Maggie · Moghtaderi Behdad
ABSTRACT Atmospheric water harvesting (AWH) techniques are evolving technologies that extract water from ambient air. These techniques have been utilized because of their potential in various engineering fields, especially building envelopes. Despite their potential, integrating AWHs into building envelopes remains a novel area that requires further investigation for practical applications within buildings. The lack of visibility and precise classification of AWH applications within building envelopes motivated a review of articles published since 2010, focusing on integrated AWH techniques within building envelopes and discovering their prevalent applications used in buildings to provide a clear categorization of these applications for future envelope development. For this purpose, this research conducted a systematic literature review, employing the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) protocol, of the main AWH technologies implemented in building envelopes. It evaluates the practical applications of AWHs by identifying the reasons for incorporating such techniques within the envelopes. The findings indicate existing technologies have primarily been employed to provide dehumidification for various purposes, enhance the building's energy performance by regulating relative humidity, and use harvested water for surface evaporation. Additionally, AWH applications through envelopes have been expanded to serve as sustainable water supplies as a key area of focus.
Journals
2026 EN
Sharma Deepak · Tan Jabez Jie Ren · Le Ferrand Hortense
ABSTRACT Mycelium‐bound composites (MBCs) are low‐carbon materials, but their soft, foam‐like structure limits load‐bearing applications. Here, we engineer MBCs by growing mycelium on 3D‐printed gyroid stiff wood‐poly (lactic acid) (PLA) and wood‐poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) porous scaffolds, a model architected geometry widely used for lightweight materials. Microscale porosity facilitates hyphal adhesion, while centimetre‐scale porosity ensures air diffusion and uniform mycelium colonization. The fungus forms a multifunctional layer that initially improves the yield strength and thermal insulation of the 3D‐printed gyroid scaffold. To assess durability, we tracked biodegradation of living MBCs (LMBCs) for 180 days under three ambient sun‐rain exposures. Degradation proceeded in two stages: during stage 1 (0–90 days), the mass decreases by 21.99–43.06% across conditions, highest in outdoors, and the strength falls by 77.61% in wood‐PLA and 59.99% in wood‐PCL LMBCs. During stage 2 (90–180 days), enzymatic attack intensifies, perforating the scaffold walls and accelerating decay, with a final mass loss up to 90.31% in wood‐PLA LMBC and 57.77% in wood‐PCL LMBC. After 180 days of degradation under cyclic dry‐sun‐rain, the half‐life of wood‐PLA LMBC is calculated as 53.47 days, and 143.94 days for wood‐PCL LMBC. These results demonstrate that LMBCs provide biologically programmable lifetimes for architected porous building materials.
Journals
2026 EN
Hu Weijie · Pan Yanmi · Zhong Mingjian
+4 more
ABSTRACT This review critically examines the upcycling of petrochemical byproducts into advanced carbon electrodes for energy storage. It uniquely frames the discussion around the “Performance–Sustainability–Cost Trilemma,” providing a comprehensive analysis of green synthesis strategies, multiscale structure‐property relationships, and scale‐up challenges. The work offers actionable insights for bridging lab‐scale innovation with scalable manufacturing, thereby advancing circular economy principles and carbon neutrality goals.
Journals
2026 EN
R Deepak · Ch Vijay Kumar · M Navaneeth
+6 more
ABSTRACT The increasing demand for sustainable energy solutions has strengthened the search for new materials in triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) design to improve output and device performance. Although several materials have been studied, the triboelectric series remains limited to a few classes, including oxides, 2D materials, MOFs, and polymers. Developing efficient, low‐cost electron donors offers new hope for improving TENG performance. Most studies focus on polymers or inorganic compounds, with limited exploration of organic molecules with strong electron‐donating or acceptor properties. The present manuscript focuses on phenothiazine (PTZ) and its derivative, N‐ethyl‐phenothiazine (NEt‐PTZ), as a new class of triboelectric positive material for the TENGs. Utilizing their conjugated aromatic frameworks and the electron‐donating nature of nitrogen and sulfur heteroatoms to improve charge transfer. A one‐step synthesis process for NEt‐PTZ demonstrated superior triboelectric performance compared to PTZ, producing an output of 450 V and 80 µA, owing to its enhanced electron‐donating properties. The device successfully powered wristwatches, calculators, and up to 400 LEDs, and exhibited stable operation over 10 000 mechanical cycles. This research not only broadens the triboelectric material library but also introduces a new category of dye‐based electron‐donating materials, offering a scalable and straightforward method to improve energy harvesting and self‐powered device applications.
Journals
2026 EN
Silambarasan Krishnamoorthy · Anilkumar Gopinathan M · Aravindh Sasikala Devi Assa
+2 more
ABSTRACT Achieving acid‐like hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity in alkaline media using low‐cost, non‐precious metal catalysts is essential for energy conversion technologies. Here, we demonstrate the indispensable role of water within the catalyst layer in enhancing HOR/HER kinetics, mediated by hydrated and dehydrated oxophilic sites on nickel (Ni) catalysts coated with nickel hydroxide (Ni(OH) 2 ). Electrochemical measurements combined with density functional theory (DFT) calculations show that an acid‐like environment creates at the electrified interface through water molecules that bridge active hydrogen and oxygen species within the catalyst surface layer. This interfacial behavior differs from that described in conventional bulk and interface models. Our findings highlight the importance of interfacial hydrogen bonding network across the interface in hydrogen electrocatalysis and provide guidance for the design of efficient catalysts for alkaline fuel cell and electrolyzer applications.
Journals
2026 EN
Hossen Md Shahabul · Islam Tarikul · Hasan Md. Zahid
+3 more
ABSTRACT Activated carbon (AC) is a vital porous material with a longstanding history of utilization as an adsorbent. Typically manufactured from fossil precursors such as coal and petroleum coke, its production raises concerns about sustainability and carbon dioxide emissions. In response, biomass has become an appealing, readily accessible renewable resource for AC production, providing a means to support circular economy models by valorizing waste streams. This review provides a comprehensive and critical overview of the progression from biomass to multifunctional activated materials carbon. We carefully analyze integrated production methods, including carbonization and various activation techniques (chemical, physical, physicochemical, and microwave), assessing their advantages and disadvantages, as well as their effects on key parameters such as surface area, pore volume, and yield. Furthermore, we critically evaluate the impact of synthesis parameters like temperature, duration, and impregnation ratio on the final properties of carbons. Moving beyond traditional adsorption, this review highlights cutting‐edge applications of biomass‐derived activated carbon, particularly in sustainable energy storage (e.g., supercapacitors, sodium‐ion batteries, and lithium‐ion batteries) and environmental remediation (removing dyes, heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, and other pollutants from wastewater). This review synthesizes extensive information to guide the design of high‐performance, biomass‐derived AC for specific multifunctional uses.
Journals
2026 EN
Azmi Zarina · Mandal Arjun Prasad · Patra Shanti Gopal
+1 more
ABSTRACT Catalyst support materials play an important role in oxygen electrocatalysis by providing a stable platform to disperse and anchor electrocatalysts for their enhanced activity and durability. MXenes, a class of two‐dimensional van der Waals materials, have gained significant attention as support materials in oxygen electrocatalysis due to their exceptional conductivity, hydrophilicity, tailorable surface functionality, and mechanical stability. This review highlights the role of MXenes as the support for the whole spectrum of oxygen electrocatalysis, including the Oxygen Evolution Reaction (OER), Oxygen Reduction Reaction (ORR), and bifunctional activity. We begin by discussing the fundamental properties of MXenes that make them effective catalyst supports, followed by a mechanistic analysis of OER in both alkaline and acidic environments. Recent advancements in MXene‐supported catalysts for OER are reviewed, focusing on their impact on reaction kinetics and stability. Similarly, we examine ORR mechanisms in different media, detailing both the two‐electron and four‐electron pathways and the role of MXenes in optimizing selectivity and efficiency. Further, we discuss the bifunctional catalytic performance of MXene‐based systems, highlighting their potential applications in metal–air batteries. The review ends by outlining the major challenges that remain and offers perspectives on future research paths to further improve the performance of MXene‐based catalysts.