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Utilization of carbon dioxide from industrial waste streams offers significant reductions in global carbon dioxide emissions. Solid oxide electrolysis is a highly efficient, high temperature approach that reduces polarization losses and best utilizes process heat; however, the technology is relatively unrefined for currently carbon dioxide electrolysis. In most electrochemical systems, the interface between active components are usually of great importance in determining the performance and lifetime of any energy materials application. Here we report a generic approach of interface engineering to achieve active interfaces at nanoscale by a synergistic control of materials functions and interface architectures. We show that the redox-manipulated interfaces facilitate the atomic oxygen transfer from adsorbed carbon dioxide molecules to the cathode lattice that determines carbon dioxide electrolysis at elevated temperatures. The composite cathodes with in situ grown interfaces demonstrate significantly enhanced carbon dioxide electrolysis and improved durability. While solid oxide electrolysis presents an approach to remove CO 2 from high-temperature emission streams, it is challenging to engineer stable yet active interfaces. Here, authors show in situ exsolution of nanoscale metal-metal oxide interfaces that improve cathode activities and durabilities.

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells have been regarded as the most promising candidate for fuel cell vehicles and tools. Their broader adaption, however, has been impeded by cost and lifetime. By integrating a thin layer of tungsten oxide within the anode, which serves as a rapid-response hydrogen reservoir, oxygen scavenger, sensor for power demand, and regulator for hydrogen-disassociation reaction, we herein report proton exchange membrane fuel cells with significantly enhanced power performance for transient operation and low humidified conditions, as well as improved durability against adverse operating conditions. Meanwhile, the enhanced power performance minimizes the use of auxiliary energy-storage systems and reduces costs. Scale fabrication of such devices can be readily achieved based on the current fabrication techniques with negligible extra expense. This work provides proton exchange membrane fuel cells with enhanced power performance, improved durability, prolonged lifetime, and reduced cost for automotive and other applications. Proton exchange membrane fuel cells often suffer from low lifetimes and high cost. Here, the authors enhance the transient power performance and durability of these fuel cells by integrating a thin layer of tungsten oxide within the anode, which acts as a hydrogen reservoir, oxygen scavenger, and a regulator for the hydrogen-disassociation reaction.

Combine energy generation and storage to ensure that networks remain robust as more renewable technologies are adopted, urge John P. Lemmon.

Investments in solar photovoltaics and wind turbines are soaring as costs fall and governments and companies seek to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions. But fluctuating power from the wind and sun threatens to destabilize electricity grids. As more intermittent sources are connected, the power surges and crashes. This increases variability in voltage, in power and in the frequency of alternating current.

Commercial sodium–sulphur or sodium–metal halide batteries typically need an operating temperature of 300–350 °C, and one of the reasons is poor wettability of liquid sodium on the surface of beta alumina. Here we report an alloying strategy that can markedly improve the wetting, which allows the batteries to be operated at much lower temperatures. Our combined experimental and computational studies suggest that addition of caesium to sodium can markedly enhance the wettability. Single cells with Na–Cs alloy anodes exhibit great improvement in cycling life over those with pure sodium anodes at 175 and 150 °C. The cells show good performance even at as low as 95 °C. These results demonstrate that sodium–beta alumina batteries can be operated at much lower temperatures with successfully solving the wetting issue. This work also suggests a strategy to use liquid metals in advanced batteries that can avoid the intrinsic safety issues associated with dendrite formation. Sodium–beta alumina batteries often need high operating temperatures, and one of the reasons is poor wettability of liquid sodium on the surface of beta alumina. Here, Lu et al . report an alloying strategy that improves the wettability, allowing the batteries to be operated at much lower temperatures.

This paper provides a review of materials and designs for sodium-beta alumina battery technology and discusses the challenges ahead for further technology improvement. Sodium-beta alumina batteries have been extensively developed in recent years and encouraging progress in performance and cycle life has been achieved. The battery is composed of an anode, typically molten sodium, and a cathode that can be molten sulfur (Na-S battery) or a transition metal halide incorporated with a liquid phase secondary electrolyte (e.g., ZEBRA battery). In most cases the electrolyte is a dense solid β″-Al 2 O 3 sodium ion-conducting membrane. The issues prohibiting widespread commercialization of sodium-beta alumina technology are related to the materials and methods of manufacturing that impact cost, safety, and performance characteristics.