Journals
2026 EN
Zhu Wanting · Xia Shibin · Yang Hang
+2 more
ABSTRACT The co‐pyrolysis of biomass and plastic waste presents a promising route for sustainable hydrogen‐rich syngas and liquid fuel production, yet the development of low‐cost and stable catalysts remains a challenge. In this study, hematite‐rich mining tailings CT1 are employed as a catalyst in the co‐pyrolysis of wheat straw (WS) and polyethylene (PE) to investigate synergistic effects on product distribution and reaction mechanisms. Results show that CT1 significantly enhances H 2 purity, up to 96.76 vol% at 75% PE, and completely suppresses H 2 S and heavy hydrocarbons (C 6+ ). The catalyst also directs liquid product selectivity toward middle‐chain hydrocarbons, achieving over 60% selectivity at 50% PE, suitable for biodiesel and aviation fuel applications. Catalyst characterization reveals that Fe species dynamically evolve under different WS/PE ratios, influencing dehydrogenation, cracking, and deoxygenation pathways. A synergistic mechanism is proposed, wherein PE acts as a hydrogen donor, WS provides the carbon skeleton, and CT1 facilitates selective cracking and desulfurization. This work establishes a novel “waste‐to‐resource” strategy using iron tailings as a synergistic catalyst, enabling high‐value conversion of solid wastes into clean energy and chemicals.
Journals
2026 EN
Ravesio Elisa · Sumini Valentina · Genovese Laura
+2 more
ABSTRACT Lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) are essential for applications from portable devices to electric vehicles, where higher specific energy and energy density drive innovation. As cathode research moves toward cobalt‐free formulations, anode development focuses on incorporating silicon into graphite. Although silicon production is more energy‐intensive than synthetic graphite, its superior theoretical capacity (4200 vs. 372 mAh g −1 ) reduces the material demand for equivalent electrochemical performance. This study assessed the environmental impacts of producing and testing three anode types, graphite (benchmark, ∼350 mAh g −1 ), silicon composite (10% Si, ∼400 mAh g −1 ), and silicon‐dominant (80% Si, capacity limited at ∼1000 mAh g −1 ) using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) at laboratory scale. Results indicated that introducing silicon leads to lower impacts under the investigated conditions across most of the 18 midpoint categories of ReCiPe 2016 (H). Regarding the carbon footprint, CO 2 emissions decreased by about 40% (from 1.33 to 0.79 kg CO 2 ‐Eq) for the silicon composite and up to 97% (0.04 kg CO 2 ‐Eq) for the silicon‐dominant electrode. Sensitivity analysis highlighted the importance of supply‐chain conditions: adopting a European electricity mix and shorter transport distances led to additional reductions even at gram‐scale production. Overall, integrating silicon and optimizing regional supply chains promoted more sustainable LIB production.
Journals
2026 EN
Zhao Xiaojun · Bai Panqing · Wang Yan
+2 more
ABSTRACT Heteroatom doping has been extensively employed in carbon materials to tailor their performance for energy storage applications. However, simultaneously preparing multi‐heteroatom‐doped electrode materials and clarifying the synergistic effect between heteroatoms on electrochemical energy storage, remains a significant challenge. Herein, nitrogen, boron, and sulfur tri‐doped porous graphene (NBSG) is synthesized via the thermal pyrolysis of graphene oxide pre‐supported polyaniline in the presence of ammonium borate and L‐cysteine. Subsequently, the porous boron nitride@S converted by NBSG is fabricated into a sandwich‐type cathode (pBN@S@NBSG) for the first time, where pBN is synthesized through a NaCl template. Comprehensive structural characterizations coupled with kinetics analysis reveal that the tri‐doped heteroatoms, expanded G interlayers, and pBN synergistically induce sufficient structural defects, which in turn generate abundant adsorption and nucleation sites, thereby providing a promising platform for the fabrication of multifunctional electrodes. As anodes, the NBSG exhibits a high reversible capacity of 531 mAh g −1 at 2 A g −1 after 400 cycles and excellent rate capability. Furthermore, the pBN@S@NBSG cathode shows a high specific capacity of 769 mAh g −1 at 1.7 A g −1 after 800 cycles, which is mainly attributed to the tolerance of the volume expansion of sulfur and strong adsorption ability to polysulfides.
Journals
2026 EN
Ma Zhaoyu · Fan Jiaming · Xie Yuxi
+6 more
ABSTRACT Artificial photosynthesis systems that convert solar energy into storable energy have aroused great interest. However, it is generally challenging for a single‐component material to meet the requirements for a highly efficient photocatalyst, such as broadband light absorption and effective charge‐carrier separation. Heterostructures, which integrate the advantages of multiple materials, offer a promising strategy to overcome the limitations of individual components. Accordingly, designing heterostructures with broadband absorption has emerged as an effective approach to enhancing photocatalytic performance. This review comprehensively overviews heterostructures fabricated by incorporating light absorbers, including narrow‐bandgap semiconductors, localized surface plasmon, and upconversion systems. We compare the underlying mechanisms through which these heterostructures broaden the absorption range and promote charge‐carrier separation, with particular emphasis on the critical role of interface design. Furthermore, we discuss material selection and modification strategies for various photocatalytic applications. This review aims to offer valuable insights for the rational design of highly active, broadband‐responsive heterostructures to achieve efficient solar energy conversion and environmental remediation.
Journals
2026 EN
Cai Shiyang · Lai Cui · Li Ling
+2 more
ABSTRACT H 2 O 2 's utility derives from its strong oxidizing properties and eco‐friendliness, rendering it widely used. The conventional anthraquinone process is the primary industrial production method, but plagued by drawbacks: complex by‐products, high energy consumption, and substantial transportation logistics costs. New alternatives are imperative, with electrocatalytic H 2 O 2 synthesis‐a promising option‐involving O 2 reduction to H 2 O 2 via 2e − ORR and H 2 O oxidation to H 2 O 2 via 2e − WOR. Currently, there have been varying degrees of research progress on the two pathways. This review comprehensively summarizes the latest progress of two different pathways used for electrocatalytic synthesis of H 2 O 2 . First, the reaction mechanisms of ORR and WOR were introduced, and the factors affecting production efficiency were analyzed from the perspective of thermodynamics. Next, different types of catalysts used in electrocatalysis were discussed, and strategies for improving their activity and H 2 O 2 selectivity were outlined. Subsequently, the applications of the two electrochemical pathways for H 2 O 2 production in reactors were introduced, focusing particularly on the breakthrough achieved by coupling 2e − ORR and 2e − WOR in a single system. This review concluded with an analysis of the hurdles in efficient H 2 O 2 electrosynthesis, in addition to the promising opportunity of achieving full production through a dual‐electrode approach.
Journals
2026 EN
Yang Kai · Liu Lin · Zhu Guocheng
+3 more
ABSTRACT Phase change materials (PCMs) embedded in fibrous materials offer significant benefits of thermal management for various applications. However, the complex structure and lifecycle of phase change fibrous material (PCFM) exacerbate PCM‐based microplastic generation. As regulations targeting microplastics from textiles emerge globally (e.g., EU initiatives) and consumer demand for sustainable products surges, reconciling the functional advantages of PCFM with environmental footprint is paramount. The perspective not only re‐examines the PCM‐based microplastic generation from PCFM but also offers solutions for PCFM development in the context of microplastic reduction. Especially, a sandwich fibrous phase change material encapsulation (SFPCME) is notable to avoid PCM leakage under various situation, presenting a significant potential to avoid PCM‐based microplastic generation.
Journals
2026 EN
He Guangzheng · Li Feifei · Yang Luyu
+7 more
ABSTRACT Metal doping and the construction of porous structures are widely recognized as the key to construct high‐performance hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalysts. Herein, a simple and rapid preparation strategy for a NiZn electrode with a hierarchical porous structure is reported. A convenient one‐step electrodeposition method utilizes bubble templates to construct a macro‐scale gully‐like structure while introducing Zn dopant. Subsequently, alkali etching of Zn builds a mesoporous microstructure. This hierarchical porous structure not only significantly increases the active surface area of the electrode, which provides abundant active sites, but also facilitates the escape process of the product. Furthermore, Zn doping regulates the electronic structure of Ni, which optimizes the synergistic interaction between Ni(OH) 2 and Ni, while inducing strong interfacial electronic interactions to accelerate the charge transfer process during water splitting. Consequently, the obtained NiZn 0.4 electrode just requires a low overpotential of 138 mV at a current density of 100 mA cm −2 . When integrated into an alkaline water electrolyzer (ALK), it achieves a current density of 0.5 A cm −2 at a cell voltage of 1.85 V and displays robust stability at 100 mA cm −2 over 200 h, which underscores its potential for practical applications.
Journals
2026 EN
Chen JingXian · Gao Mengyao · AshagrieTafere Dessie
+1 more
ABSTRACT The rapid expansion of lithium‐ion battery (LIB) applications in electric vehicles and electronics has led to growing volumes of spent cathodes, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable recycling and upcycling strategies. In this study, we develop a binder‐engineering approach to upcycle spent LiFePO 4 (LFP) cathodes into efficient electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in alkaline media. By incorporating fluorine‐rich Nafion as a functional binder and acetylene black (AB) as a conductive additive, the resulting catalyst‐M12 N‐AB(0.3)/NF‐exhibits significantly enhanced HER activity. It delivers a low overpotential of 205.3 mV at current density of 10 mA cm −2 and a Tafel slope of 102 mV dec −1 , outperforming gelatin‐based analogs (overpotential: 256.1 mV) and most reported waste‐derived HER catalysts. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy reveals reduced charge transfer resistance and improved ion‐electron transport. The catalyst demonstrates excellent durability over 96 h of continuous operation and 3000 cyclic voltammetry cycles, with performance even improving post‐cycling. Driven by the solar energy, substituting the values, the theoretical energy efficiency was determined to be ℎ with 80.7% which highlights the capability of the recycled LFP‐based electrode to enable sustainable approach for solar‐to‐hydrogen energy conversion from converting spent LIBs.
Journals
2026 EN
Ravindran Athulya · Madhusudanan Sreejith P. · Batabyal Sudip K.
ABSTRACT This study introduces a thin‐film‐based hydrovoltaic electricity generator under ambient conditions with low mass loading. A novel design based on the development of a low‐cost, high‐performance hydrovoltaic power generator utilizing a composite material based on bio‐derived activated carbon (AC) and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) has been proposed. The PVDF was incorporated to leverage its ability to enhance the electronegativity of the material upon interaction with solvents and acts as a binder, thereby inducing a hydrovoltaic effect despite its hydrophobicity. By optimizing the weight ratio of PVDF with AC, the resulting device successfully delivered a peak output of above 1 V and an average current of 50 µA and demonstrates a maximum power output of 14 µW/cm 2 . Simultaneously, the generated power can be maintained by dropping a single drop of water on top of the device after an optimized amount of time. The device exhibited the crucial capability to resume power output after 60 days of idleness under ambient humidity and temperature conditions, underscoring its potential for practical and real‐time applications. Furthermore, the integration of a supercapacitor in the same device is also tested for obtaining an increased current output.
Journals
2026 EN
Priya Surbhi · Bharti Lalit · Chandra Amreesh
ABSTRACT Designing wide‐temperature sodium‐ion full cells (SIFCs) remains a critical challenge due to sluggish ion transport at low‐temperature conditions and parasitic reactions at elevated temperatures. Herein, we report a sodium‐ion full cell constructed with a MoS 2 quantum dot (QD)–Ti 3 C 2 T x composite as anode, Na 3 V 2 (PO 4 ) 3 (NVP) as cathode and 1 M NaClO 4 as electrolyte, which achieves high performance and exceptional wide‐temperature tolerance. MoS 2 QDs minimize lattice strain and suppress pulverization, while the conductive Ti 3 C 2 T x framework ensures structural stability and fast charge transfer. As a result, the anode delivers a high initial capacity of 630 mAh g −1 at 0.1 A g −1 with 92% coulombic efficiency and retains 432 mAh g −1 after long‐term cycling, in half cell configuration. When integrated into a full cell, the device demonstrates remarkable durability with 87% capacity retention after 500 cycles. Temperature‐dependent measurements reveal stable operation across −30 °C to 60 °C, with enhanced capacity at elevated temperature due to improved Na‐ion diffusion and reliable performance even at −30 °C. These results highlight MoS 2 QD_ Ti 3 C 2 T x as a structurally resilient anode material enabling robust wide‐temperature sodium‐ion full cells, offering a practical route for grid‐scale and industrial energy storage applications.