Layered Fe–N–C catalysts with axially coordinated single-atom sites induced by molten salts for oxygen reduction reaction
Available online 13 May 2026
Iron and nitrogen co-doped carbon (Fe–N–C) catalysts with atomically dispersed Fe-Nx sites have shown great potential to replace Pt-based catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction. In this work, a...
Lithium–air battery performance boosted by in situ formed Sn(II)-(TEGDME, I−)-superoxo complexes
Available online 12 May 2026
Lithium–air batteries (LABs) offer exceptional theoretical energy density, and substantial efforts have been devoted to understanding their mechanisms and designing effective catalysts. However, LAB...
Challenges of two-terminal perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells operating under globally varying spectral conditions
Available online 9 May 2026
Two-terminal (2T) perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells demonstrate significantly higher power conversion efficiencies compared to single-junction perovskite or silicon solar cells. However, their narrower...
Insights into the role of lithiophilic Sb dopant in porous Cu-Sb current collectors for stabilizing Li plating in Li-metal batteries
Available online 9 May 2026
Porous Cu current collector is promising for Li-metal batteries (LMBs) due to its ability to accommodate volume expansion and homogenize current distribution. However, its intrinsic lithiophobicity...
Multicomponent electrocatalytic coupling of CO2 with small molecules: From active-site coordination to reactor-level integration
Available online 24 April 2026
Multicomponent electrocatalytic coupling between small molecule conversion and CO2 reduction has emerged as a promising route for the sustainable synthesis of value-added chemicals, offering improved...
Bioinspired hierarchical dual-gate ion regulation across electrolyte transport regimes for lithium–sulfur batteries
Available online 20 April 2026
Lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries promise high theoretical energy density but are still hindered by slow polysulfide conversion, shuttle effects, and unstable solid electrolyte interphases (SEIs), issues...
Three-phase interface engineering for enhanced acidic CO2 electroreduction
Available online 13 April 2026
The electrocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO2RR) provides a promising and feasible approach for utilizing CO2 as a resource and transforming the energy structure of the chemical industry....
Transformative discovery of rare-earth functional materials for energy and electronics via machine learning
Available online 10 April 2026
Rare-earth elements, with their unique 4 f electronic configurations, impart exceptional optical, magnetic, catalytic, and hydrogen storage properties to functional materials, making them indispensable...
Self-constructed functional anode for sulfide all-solid-state lithium batteries with ultrahigh critical current density
Available online 9 April 2026
This work develops a self-constructed functional alloy anode for high-performance all-solid-state lithium batteries (ASSLBs). We designed a (200)-oriented single-phase Li/Na alloy using a controlled...
Trilogy design of cross-linked polyether electrolytes for high-voltage and wide-temperature lithium metal batteries
March 2026
In situ fabricated polyether electrolytes have been considered to be particularly promising for (quasi) solid-state Li-metal batteries (LMBs) owing to their excellent interfacial contact and fully compatible...
Photo-enhanced reaction engineering for advanced lithium–sulfur batteries: From mechanisms and materials to system design
March 2026
Lithium–sulfur batteries (LSBs), renowned for their high theoretical energy density, are plagued by the notorious polysulfide shuttle effect and sluggish sulfur redox kinetics. Recently, extensive research...
Hydrogen bond-anchored interfacial engineering for stable and high-performance aqueous zinc-ion batteries
March 2026
Rechargeable aqueous Zn-ion batteries (AZIBs) are regarded as a sustainable energy storage for stationary energy storage applications, but they suffer from serious side reactions and uncontrolled Zn...
Solar-driven interfacial evaporation technologies: Materials, optimization strategies, applications, and research progress
March 2026
The rapid intensification of human activities in recent years has led to a substantial increase in global water consumption, exacerbating the pressure on limited freshwater resources. In response, the...
Fluorinated nitrile-based electrolytes with micelle-like solvation structure for high energy density lithium metal batteries
March 2026
Lithium metal batteries (LMBs) coupled with high-voltage Ni-rich cathodes hold significant promise in meeting the increasing demand for high energy density. However, a prevalent issue faced by state-of-the-art...
Interfacial catalysis in a single-phase magnesium–cerium intermetallic anode enables high-power magnesium–air and seawater batteries
March 2026
Magnesium (Mg)–air batteries are promising for military backup power, marine monitoring, and remote microgrids due to their high energy density, inherent safety, and long shelf life. However, their...
Breaking the trade-off between hydroxide ion conductivity and gas-blocking capability in porous composite membranes to boost advanced alkaline water electrolysis
March 2026
The trade-off between hydroxide ion conductivity (i.e., area resistance) and gas-blocking capability (i.e., bubble point pressure) in the organic–inorganic porous composite membranes critically hinders...
Interdigitated MXene-based electrodes for zinc-ion micro-capacitors
March 2026
With the rapid development of wearable and portable electronics, flexible micro-energy storage devices are urgently required. Notably, flexible interdigitated zinc-ion micro-capacitors (ZIMCs) have...
Polymer electrodes in solid-state metal-ion batteries: An in-depth review on recent advances, challenges, and future prospects
March 2026
The pursuit of next-generation rechargeable batteries that are lightweight, intrinsically safe, sustainable, and mechanically flexible has accelerated interest in all organic solid-state battery concepts...
Rechargeable Mg–CO2 battery: A new system for sustainable energy and carbon management
March 2026
Mg–CO2 batteries are emerging electrochemical systems that couple magnesium metal chemistry with CO2 cathodic reactions, offering a distinctive platform for simultaneous energy storage and carbon utilization....
Suppression–promotion crystallization of wide-bandgap perovskite for efficient and stable perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells
March 2026
The development of high-quality wide-bandgap perovskites is essential for efficient perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells, yet rapid crystallization induced by bromine incorporation often leads to defective...
Advances in rare earth nanomaterials for hydrogen production via small molecule oxidation
March 2026
Rare earth elements exhibit exceptional electrocatalytic properties due to their unique 4 f electronic structure, rich energy levels, and tunable coordination environments, making them highly attractive...
Toward sustainable lithium batteries: From high-fluorine to fluorine-free electrolyte design
March 2026
Lithium-based batteries, including lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and lithium metal batteries (LMBs), underpin modern energy-storage technologies for electric vehicles and portable electronics. Fluorinated...
Cation–anion cooperative additives in aqueous zinc-ion batteries: Mechanistic insights and performance regulation
March 2026
Electrolyte additives are essential for suppressing zinc dendrites and parasitic reactions, stabilizing cathodes, enhancing capacity, and expanding the temperature tolerances of aqueous zinc-ion batteries...
Machine learning-assisted electronegativity-driven electronic modulation of high-entropy Prussian blue analogues for boosting performances of Li–CO2 batteries
March 2026
High-entropy materials have emerged as promising catalysts for next-generation energy storage systems owing to their unique structural stability and tunable electronic environments. However, vast compositional...
From challenge to utilization: Exploiting the Jahn–Teller effect in manganese-based layer-structured oxides for sodium batteries
March 2026
The rapid development of sodium ion batteries (SIBs) drives the in-depth research on the design, synthesis and mechanism of high-energy, long-life cathode materials. Layer-structured oxides, as cathode...