Articles

Conventional slurry electrodes limit high-energy lithium batteries. This work shows that dry-processed electrodes with molecularly coupled carbon–binder networks enable high mass and active material loading, supporting stable high-voltage operation and enhancing battery energy density.

Electroreduction of CO is an emerging route to produce multicarbon molecules, but achieving this efficiently in solid-state devices is challenging. Here the authors develop a cation-functionalized layer using polyacrylate in a solid-state electrolyser that produces ethylene stably and efficiently from syngas.

Salinity gradients can be converted into electrical energy via charge-selective membranes. Here the authors report a nanofluidic system based on stalactite nanopore membranes functionalized with charged lipid bilayers for osmotic energy harvesting with enhanced ion transport and charge separation efficiency.

Alloy anodes can boost the energy density of Na-ion batteries but suffer from instability, and current strategies trade off performance and scalability. Here the authors develop a high-loading Sn anode reinforced with single-walled carbon nanotube networks, achieving high capacity and long-term cycling performance.

Electrified CO₂ capture from air could lead to net-negative emissions, yet current methods face high energy costs and sensitivity to oxygen. Here the authors introduce an electrochemical approach using MnO₂ as a stable, redox-active sorbent, achieving CO₂ capture with promising energy consumption and minimal oxygen sensitivity.

Two-dimensional perovskite phases at the bottom interfaces of solar cells improve performance, but their formation is challenging. To address this, Zhao et al. graft the 2D perovskite-phase precursor onto a functionalized SnO₂ electrode substrate.

Self-assembled monolayers are efficient hole-selective contacts but suffer from aggregation and adhesion issues. To address these, Wang et al. introduce a dimeric molecular design that forms a hydrogen-bond network, enabling 28.4% certified efficiency in all-perovskite tandem solar cells.

Silicon anodes promise much higher battery capacity but are limited by poor storage life. This work identifies key ageing mechanisms and suggests ways to improve long-term stability.

Splitting water using sunlight is a promising route to green hydrogen, yet inefficient charge carrier utilization in photocatalysts limits their solar-to-hydrogen efficiency. Here the authors introduce excitonic quantum superlattices to prolong exciton lifetimes and optimize charge steering, achieving a solar-to-hydrogen efficiency of 3% under ambient conditions.

The efficiency of perovskite/Cu(In,Ga)Se₂ tandem solar cells is limited by halide segregation in the perovskite layer. Zhang et al. use 2-pyrrolidinone to slow the crystallization of halide intermediates, ensuring a homogeneous distribution and achieving a power conversion efficiency of 27.3%.

Eutectic aqueous–organic electrolytes enable highly reversible zinc–manganese batteries without acid addition. By regulating the water-bonding network, beneficial manganese oxide phases are deposited and stripped while gas formation is suppressed, achieving ultraextended cycling.

Sluggish interfacial charge transfer in Li-metal batteries limits ultrafast charging and causes side reactions. The authors design solvent molecules to enhance Li⁺ coordination, improving the charge-transfer kinetics and enabling stable high-rate cycling of Li-metal cells.

Smart thermostats and programmed temperature settings support more efficient heating and cooling. New research finds that renters, low-income and Black households are less likely to have this technology in the USA.

Controlling the hydrothermal reaction kinetics during the fabrication of Sb₂(S,Se)₃ solar cells is challenging. Chen Qian et al. show that sodium sulfide buffers the pH and allows a controlled release of Se, enabling a certified efficiency of 10.7%.

Decarbonizing road transport is critical, but the costs and emissions of low-carbon vehicles in Africa remain uncertain. The authors show that battery electric vehicles with solar off-grid systems can cost effectively reduce life-cycle emissions well before 2040.

The efficiency of selenium photovoltaics is hindered by the poor crystallization of the Se film. Wen, Li, Lu and colleagues use light to initiate Se crystallization, suppressing dewetting and enabling the formation of a continuous film, which achieves a certified efficiency of 10.3%.

The mechanical reliability and scalability of flexible perovskite solar cells remain challenging. Mingzhu He et al. design β-cyclodextrin derivatives to reinforce grain boundaries, enhancing both the efficiency and stability of cells and modules.

Single-crystalline layered oxides can reduce capacity decay in nickel-rich cathodes, but controlling both the particle size and cation disorder is challenging. This work reports cation-disorder-free ~10-μm single-crystalline cathodes that deliver high volumetric capacity and cycle stability as well as improved safety.

Two-dimensional perovskites enable high efficiency in perovskite photovoltaics but compromise operational stability. Yaghoobi Nia et al. form two-dimensional perovskite co-crystals with neutral templating molecules, improving the stability of perovskite solar modules.

Zinc-bromine flow batteries face challenges from corrosive Br₂, which limits their lifespan and environmental safety. Here, the authors introduce sodium sulfamate as a Br₂ scavenger, enabling a more durable and higher-energy-density Zn/Br flow battery suitable for large-scale operation.