Review Articles

The operational stability of perovskite solar modules under real-world conditions remains a critical challenge. In this Review, Luigi A. Castriotta et al. analyse the degradation pathways and discuss how accelerated tests can predict outdoor performance.

Cations play a crucial role in electrocatalytic reduction of CO₂ and CO to fuels and chemicals, influencing activity and selectivity. This Review explores their effects as indirect mediators, energetic modulators and electron-transfer participants, highlighting key mechanistic insights and knowledge gaps.

Metal halide perovskites exhibit anharmonic lattice vibrations, which lead to high rates of thermal expansion in solar cells. In this Review, Julian A. Steele links the atomistic origins of these effects to the macroscopic thermo-mechanical properties of the materials and devices.

Photovoltaics based on kesterite materials have now achieved 15% efficiency after remaining at lower levels for years. In this Review, Jimenez-Arguijo et al. explore the critical roles of precursor chemistry and the formation pathway in enabling performance improvements in these complex multinary semiconductors.

The decarbonization of industrial sectors requires the development of environmentally friendly high-temperature heat-pump technologies. This Review evaluates the potential of various solid-state and gas-cycle approaches and the challenges involved and outlines a roadmap for future development.

All-perovskite tandem solar cells are a promising emerging photovoltaic technology. In this Review, Tan and colleagues discuss recent developments and pathways to improve their technical maturity.

The instability of lithium metal hinders the commercialization of lithium-metal batteries. This Review explores polymer coatings as a promising solution, summarizing key design principles, effective coatings and future interface strategies.

Magnetic fields have been shown to improve water oxidation performance, but the nature of the underlying promotional mechanisms remains unclear. In this Review the authors examine the possible phenomena at play and provide guidance on how to determine whether key enhancements derive from spin-related effects or not.

Achieving industrial-scale production of high-energy-density batteries will require cost and efficiency challenges to be addressed. The authors explore the upscaling of high-areal-capacity electrodes, evaluating manufacturing techniques, electrode design and materials chemistry.

The cathode–electrolyte interphase (CEI) is vital for battery cell capacity and stability but receives less attention than the solid–electrolyte interphase. The authors review CEI properties, emphasize using model cathode materials and coin cell protocols, and address challenges and opportunities in characterizing and simulating CEI for real-world applications.

Ammonium salts are used to passivate defects in perovskite solar cells, yet they can either assemble as molecular layers or induce the formation of low-dimensional perovskites. Teale et al. review and discuss the formation and properties of these two different structures and their impact on devices.

Recycling spent batteries is crucial for a circular battery economy, yet knowledge of solid-state battery (SSB) recycling lags behind that of lithium-ion batteries. This study evaluates SSB recycling techniques, emphasizing the need for specific, energy-efficient methods tailored to distinct electrolytes.

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are porous materials that may find application in numerous energy settings, such as carbon capture and hydrogen-storage technologies. Here, the authors review predictive computational design and discovery of MOFs for separation and storage of energy-relevant gases.

Capacity expansion modelling (CEM) approaches need to account for the value of energy storage in energy-system decarbonization. A new Review considers the representation of energy storage in the CEM literature and identifies approaches to overcome the challenges such approaches face when it comes to better informing policy and investment decisions.

Substantial gaps exist between laboratory innovations and practical applications of Si-based batteries. Here the authors survey critical factors that hinder the development of practical Si-based anodes and propose testing protocols to evaluate laboratory innovations.

Wind power faces numerous challenges as its role in energy systems expands, yet these are often largely seen as purely technical. This Review examines social science research connected to previously identified grand challenges in wind power and explores how a socio-technical lens can lead to improved outcomes for future wind projects.

There are strong bidirectional links between access to energy services and women’s empowerment, but they are often overlooked in the literature. This Review examines these connections as they are discussed in theoretical and empirical work, identifying gaps in knowledge and approaches to the relationships between gender and energy.

Laboratory innovations in energy research do not necessarily transfer into commercial success due to scale-up and other related issues. Here the authors review scientific challenges in realizing large-scale battery active materials manufacturing and cell processing, trying to address the important gap from battery basic research.

Solid-state batteries are widely regarded as one of the next promising energy storage technologies. Here, Wolfgang Zeier and Juergen Janek review recent research directions and advances in the development of solid-state batteries and discuss ways to tackle the remaining challenges for commercialization.

Energy-development projects typically adopt a Western perspective, which can create tensions and difficulties among Indigenous communities. In this Review the authors examine sustainable energy interventions in Indigenous territories and call for a more pluralistic approach that is focused on learning from Indigenous narratives.