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There is an intensive effort to develop Li-ion batteries that rely on sustainable materials. Here the authors employ a complex doping approach to synthesize low-Ni, Co-free cathode materials that display promising electrochemical performances.
Zhu et al. develop a low-cost donor–acceptor-type hole-selective layer that minimizes interfacial non-radiative charge recombination losses in single-junction and tandem solar cells based on metal halide perovskites with different bandgaps.
High-energy-density lithium metal batteries suffer from limited cycle life. Here the authors develop a homogeneous and mechanically stable solid–electrolyte interphase by using a trioxane-modulated electrolyte, thereby expanding battery cyclability.
Prelithiation can be used to address the issue of active lithium loss during lithium-ion battery operation, but its cost effectiveness needs to be improved. Here the researchers develop a roll-to-roll electrodeposition and transfer-printing system for the production of prelithiated battery anodes with high electrochemical performances.
The way catalysts are arranged and interfaced to form fuel cell electrodes is just as important as the catalysts themselves. Here Lee et al. report an up to 50% increase in performance and superior durability using grooved, rather than conventional flat, electrodes for hydrogen fuel cells.
Understanding how oil supply-side policies affect extraction, emissions and communities is important for the design of decarbonization pathways. Here the authors take a modelling approach to characterizing 2020–2045 decarbonization scenarios from various policies applied to California’s oil extraction.
Photoelectrochemical CO2 reduction to multi-carbon alcohols in standalone devices driven only by sunlight is challenging. Now Rahaman et al. integrate a copper–palladium catalyst in a perovskite–BiVO4 tandem device for solar-driven multi-carbon alcohol production.
Plugging and abandoning oil and gas wells is a growing priority. Here the authors estimate the associated costs for all oil and gas wells in US Gulf Coast offshore waters, coastal inland water and wetlands.
Improvements in the power conversion efficiency of silicon heterojunction solar cells would consolidate their potential for commercialization. Now, Lin et al. demonstrate 26.81% efficiency devices using a p-doped nanocrystalline silicon and low-sheet-resistance transparent conductive oxide contact layer.
Curbed natural gas supply from Russia to Europe has exacerbated an energy crisis on the continent. Here the authors employ a multiple regression model to estimate the response of small consumers, industry and power stations to this crisis.
Connecting the different layers in thermoelectric modules is challenging. Yin et al. develop a low-temperature-sintered silver nanoparticle interlayer for high-temperature operation of devices based on a variety of thermoelectric materials.
The reversibility of lithium metal batteries is strongly influenced by the chemistry of the solid electrode interphase. Here the authors report a salt-philic and solvent-phobic interfacial design that leads to the formation of a robust interphase, considerably improving the cycle life of batteries.
The performance of perovskite bifacial modules is still relatively poor. Now Gu et al. optimize the design of minimodules and achieve a power density of 23 mW cm−2 at an albedo of 0.2 and operational stability of 6,000 h.
Interface engineering in perovskite solar cells is key to high performance. Now, You et al. design an interlayer that both passivates defects and improves the energy level alignment between the perovskite and hole transport material.
Energy-level mismatches and defects at the inorganic perovskite/fullerene interface limit the performance of solar cells. Now Li et al. address these issues with a dipolar molecule, enabling the use of wide-bandgap inorganic perovskites in all-perovskite tandem cells.
Secondary phases or multi-step phase formation lead to poorly crystallized and defective kesterite films. Now Zhou et al. convert precursors into kesterite in a single step, using low partial pressure of selenium, and achieve solar cells with 13.8% certified efficiency.
Multiple exciton generation can potentially improve the efficiency of solar-driven devices, but its demonstration for solar fuel production is rare. Here the authors show that quantum efficiencies above 100% are achievable in a water splitting photocatalyst, implying the presence of multiple exciton generation effects.
How a nuclear power phase-out may affect air pollution, climate and health in the future is up for debate. Here the authors assess impacts of a nuclear phase-out in the United States on ground-level ozone and fine particulate matter (PM2.5).
Understanding the impact of future climate variations and urban densification is key to planning renewable energy integration. By developing a multi-scale spatio-temporal modelling framework, Perera et al. reveal changes in wind speed and temperature across European cities.
Solar hydrogen production devices have demonstrated promising performance at the lab scale, but there are few large-scale on-sun demonstrations. Here the authors present a thermally integrated kilowatt-scale pilot plant, tested under real-world conditions, for the co-generation of hydrogen and heat.