Catalysts Design and Atomistic Reaction Modulation by Atomic Layer Deposition for Energy Conversion and Storage Applications

Developing efficient multifunctional materials for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and supercapacitors has become essential for storing and converting energy. Taking advantage of the structural flexibility of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), bifunctional electrochemical nanomaterial LaFeCoOOH with high performance is successfully synthesized by doping rare earth La atoms in transition metals. La doping modifies the coordination environment of active sites and material morphology, modulates the energy structure, improves material conductivity, and optimizes the adsorption and desorption performance of oxygen intermediates. LaFeCoOOH demonstrates exceptional electrocatalytic activity for OER, achieving a remarkably low overpotential of 177 mV at 10 mA cm −2 current density in 1 m KOH alkaline electrolyte. The material exhibits outstanding operational stability, maintaining consistent performance for over 1000 h at an elevated current density of 100 mA cm −2 under identical alkaline conditions. Furthermore, LaFeCoOOH electrode displays superior electrochemical energy storage capabilities, demonstrating an impressive specific capacitance of 3508 mF cm −2 at 1 mA cm −2 current density. When configured as an asymmetric supercapacitor (LaFeCoOOH//Activated Carbon (AC)) using 6 m KOH electrolyte, the device achieves an exceptional energy density of 118.52 µWh cm −2 while delivering a power density of 1700 µW cm −2 , highlighting its dual functionality for both energy conversion and storage applications. Hence, this study provides a new perspective for the exploration of new multifunctional transition metal composites modified with rare earth elements for energy storage and conversion applications.

The performance of energy storage devices is highly related to the properties of electrode materials, such as components, morphology, configurations and so on. As a typical hierarchical carbon material, three-dimensional ordered porous carbon (3D-OPC) has unique characteristics of low cost, large specific surface area, highly ordered channels, and high electronic and ionic conductivity, which shows great potential in energy storage and conversion applications. In this mini review, we summarize various template-assisted preparation methods for 3D-OPC, including hard-, ice- and self-templated approaches, and their applications in electrocatalysis, batteries and supercapacitors. Additionally, the critical roles of vertical channels in 3D-OPC when used as electrodes are also discussed. Finally, the current challenges and future research outlook of 3D-OPC are proposed.

Carbon nanomaterials with sp2 or/and sp hybridization in energy conversion and storage applications: A review

A novel approach to environmental pollution management/remediation techniques using derived advanced materials

Boron nitride foam as a polymer alternative in packaging phase change materials: Synthesis, thermal properties and shape stability

Porous carbon materials (PCMs) have long played key roles in energy storage and conversion fields, known for their abundant raw materials, tunable pore structures, large surface area, and excellent conductivity. Despite significant progress, there remains a substantial gap between the precise design of PCMs and the full utilization of their unique properties for developing high‐performance electrode materials. Herein, this review systematically and comprehensively introduces PCMs from traditional synthesis, machine learning‐assisted design principles to their energy storage and conversion applications. Specifically, the preparation methods for microporous, mesoporous, macroporous, and hierarchically porous carbon materials are thoroughly summarized, with an emphasis on structural control rules and formation mechanisms. It also highlights the unique advantages of PCMs in alkali metal‐ion batteries, metal–sulfur batteries, supercapacitors, and electrocatalysis. Insights from in situ and operando characterizations provide a deep understanding of the correlation between structure and performance. Finally, current challenges and future directions are discussed, emphasizing the need for further advancements to meet evolving energy storage and conversion demands. This review offers valuable guidance for the rational design of high‐performance porous carbon electrode materials, and points out key research directions for future development.

Elucidating influence of the existence formation of anchored cobalt phthalocyanine on electrocatalytic CO2-to-CO conversion

Cerium dioxide (CeO2, ceria) has long been regarded as one of the key materials in modern catalysis, both as a support and as a catalyst itself. Apart from its well-established use (three-way catalysts and diesel engines), CeO2 has been widely used as a cocatalyst/catalyst in energy conversion and storage applications. The importance stems from the oxygen storage capacity of ceria, which allows it to release oxygen under reducing conditions and to store oxygen by filling oxygen vacancies under oxidizing conditions. However, the nature of the Ce active site remains not well understood because the degree of participation of f electrons in catalytic reactions is not clear in the case of the heavy dependence of catalysis theory on localized d orbitals at the Fermi energy E F . This review focuses on the catalytic applications in energy conversion and storage of CeO2-based nanostructures and discusses the mechanisms for several typical catalytic reactions from the perspectives of electronic properties of CeO2-based nanostructures. Defect engineering is also summarized to better understand the relationship between catalytic performance and electronic properties. Finally, the challenges and prospects of designing high efficiency CeO2-based catalysts in energy storage and conversion have been emphasized.

The efficient storage and application of sustainable solar energy has drawn significant attention from both academic and industrial points of view. However, most developed catalytic materials still suffer from insufficient mass diffusion and unsatisfactory durability due to the lack of interconnected and regulatable porosity. Developing catalytic architectures with engineered active sites and prominent stability through rational synthesis strategies has become one of the core projects in solar‐driven applications. The unique properties of mesoporous silicas render them among the most valuable functional materials for industrial applications, such as high specific surface area, regulatable porosity, adjustable surface properties, tunable particle sizes, and great thermal and mechanical stability. Mesoporous silicas serve as structural templates or catalytic supports to enhance light harvesting via the scattering effect and provide large surface areas for active site generation. These advantages have been widely utilized in solar applications, including hydrogen production, CO 2 conversion, photovoltaics, biomass utilization, and pollutant degradation. To achieve the specific functionalities and desired activity, various types of mesoporous silicas from different synthesis methods have been customized and synthesized. Moreover, morphology regulation and component modification strategies have also been performed to endow mesoporous silica‐based materials with unprecedented efficiency for solar energy storage and utilization. Nevertheless, reviews about synthesis, morphology regulation, and component modification strategies for mesoporous silica‐based catalyst design in solar‐driven applications are still limited. Herein, the latest progress concerning mesoporous silica‐based catalysis in solar‐driven applications is comprehensively reviewed. Synthesis principles, formation mechanisms, and rational functionalities of mesoporous silica are systematically summarized. Some typical catalysts with impressive activities in different solar‐driven applications are highlighted. Furthermore, challenges and future potential opportunities in this study field are also discussed and proposed. This present review guides the design of mesoporous silica catalysts for efficient solar energy management for solar energy storage and conversion applications.

Conductive forms of MoS2 are important emerging 2D materials due to their unique combination of properties such as high electrical conductivity, availability of active sites in edge and basal planes for catalytic activity and expanded interlayer distances. Consequently, there has been a drive to find synthetic routes toward conductive forms of MoS2. Naturally occurring or synthetically grown semiconducting 2H-MoS2 can either be converted into metallic 1T-MoS2, or various dopants may be introduced to modulate the electronic band gap of the 2H-MoS2 phase and increase its conductivity. Chemical and electrochemical intercalation methods, hydrothermal and solvothermal processes, and chemical vapor deposition have all been developed to synthesize conductive MoS2. Conductive MoS2 finds applications in energy storage devices, electrocatalytic reactions, and sensors. Here, we summarize a detailed understanding of the atomic structure and electronic properties of conductive MoS2 which is crucial for its applications. We also discuss various fabrication methods that have been previously reported along with their advantages and disadvantages. Finally, we will give an overview of current trends in different applications in energy storage and electrocatalytic reactions in order to help researchers to further explore the applications of conductive MoS2.

Graphene fibers are a kind of novel carbon fibers assembled by orderly aligned graphene sheets with high flexibility, good conductivity, high thermal conductivity, and low density, which make them possible to be widely used in high-performance and multifunctional compound materials as well as flexible electronic devices. In this review, we summarize the research progress in the synthesis of graphene fibers, and their applications in sensor, energy storage, and energy conversion. Furthermore, the current issues and some prospects for the future trend of graphene fibers are discussed.

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) simultaneously containing metal ions and organic ligands have recently shown great potential for application in energy storage and conversion fields due to their controllable conversion into carbon materials or various metal species, which often exhibit superior electrochemical performance as electrode materials for energy storage and conversion. Nevertheless, the electrochemical energy storage performance of MOF derivatives can still be further enhanced through building composites with other functional materials. It is of great significance in developing new strategies of fabricating MOF composites to achieve electrode materials with improved charge transfer and electrochemical redox reaction kinetics. In this review, the novel design and strategies of MOF composites with various functional components are focused on, including carbon‐based materials (carbon nanotubes, graphene, etc.), metal oxides, 3D conductive substrates, polymeric materials, and the second MOFs and metal salts, especially their derivatives for energy storage and conversion fields. The key factors for controllable synthesis of various MOF composites and electrochemical performance enhancement mechanisms are discussed in detail. It is expected that this review will provide new inspiration for the development of MOF derivatives for energy storage and conversion.

As a promising graphene analogue, two-dimensional (2D) polymer nanosheets with unique 2D features, diversified topological structures and as well as tunable electronic properties, have received extensive attention in recent years. Here in this review, we summarized the recent research progress in the preparation methods of 2D polymer nanosheets, mainly including interfacial polymerization and solution polymerization. We also discussed the recent research advancements of 2D polymer nanosheets in the fields of energy storage and conversion applications, such as batteries, supercapacitors, electrocatalysis and photocatalysis. Finally, on the basis of their current development, we put forward the existing challenges and some personal perspectives.

The existence of biomass materials as the only renewable carbon source is an extremely important resource in the realm of modern energy and materials science. Biomass-derived carbon composites (BDCCs), with their unique advantages and applications, such as wide sources, low cost, high carbon content and tunable structure, have promoted progress and innovation in several technological fields and played an indispensable part in mitigating environmental pollution and promoting sustainable development in energy storage and conversion applications. Phase change materials (PCMs), which possess latent heat storage and release properties, have been widely applied in the field of energy storage and utilization. Nonetheless, several obstacles limit the application of PCMs, including the occurrence of leakage during operation and the relatively low thermal conductivity. The porous structure of BDCCs enhances the thermal conductivity of PCMs and effectively prevents leakage. Consequently, there has been growing interest among researchers in BDCCs/PCMs. Nevertheless, there is a paucity of literature providing a comprehensive and detailed introduction to BDCCs and their applications in PCMs. On this basis, this review will provide an overview of the feedstock classes and synthesis methods based on recent research advances, followed by an investigation of the potential functional applications of BDCCs. Ultimately, this paper provides a targeted summary of the development advantages and challenging opportunities of BDCCs in functional applications based on the current state of research and emerging needs, providing constructive references for the future development and efficient utilization of BDCCs/PCMs.

This chapter explores the development, properties, and applications of high dielectric constant polymer-ceramic composites for energy storage applications. Capacitors are essential components in energy storage systems, and advancements in capacitor materials, particularly those with high dielectric constants, have the potential to significantly improve energy storage efficiency and performance. Polymer-ceramic composites offer a promising avenue due to their synergistic combination of high dielectric constants, low loss tangents, mechanical flexibility, and processing versatility. This chapter discusses the synthesis, characterization, properties, and applications of these composites, as well as future directions for research and development in this field.