Superior Energy Research Articles

Boosting Formate Production in Electrocatalytic CO2 Reduction on Bimetallic Catalysts Enriched with In-Zn Interfaces.

We present an effective strategy for developing the dispersing strong-binding metal In on the surface of weak-binding metal Zn, which modulates the binding energy of the reaction intermediates and further facilitates the efficient conversion of CO2 to formate. The In-Zn interface (In-Zn2) benefits from the formation of active sites through favorable orbital interactions, leading to a Faradaic efficiency of 82.7% and a formate partial current density of 12.39 mA cm-2, along with stable performance for over 15 h at -1.0 V versus the reversible hydrogen electrode. Both in situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations show that the In-Zn bimetallic catalyst can deliver superior binding energy to the *OCHO intermediate, thereby fundamentally accelerating the conversion of CO2 to formate. In addition, the exposed bimetallic interface promotes efficient capture and activation of CO2 molecules and the dynamics within the In-Zn catalyst significantly reduce the energy barrier associated with the generation of HCOO-, thus augmenting the selectivity and catalytic activity for formate generation.

Study on the Damping Performance of the Arrangement of Half-Bowl Spherical Structure Under Impact Velocity

During mine excavation, rock wall collapse can pose a safety risk to miners. Reasonably designed support equipment can prevent collapse and ensure a safe working environment. In this paper, a new half-bowl spherical rubber structure is introduced and modeled using Abaqus to study its damping ability under different impact energies. By comparing the support reaction forces and pressures of the A-S, R-S, and C-S structures, we find that the R-S structure, with a smaller number of half-bowl spheres, has superior energy absorption abilities and impact resistance. These findings support the designing and manufacturing of mining support equipment.

Short‐Time and High‐Performance Recovery of Critical Metal Elements From Spent Ternary Lithium‐Ion Batteries by Selective Synergic Coordination Effect

AbstractRecycling of spent ternary lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) is crucial for both resource recovery and environmental sustainability. Deep eutectic solvents (DESs), as an eco‐friendly leaching agent, offer a promising alternative to mineral acids for the metal recovery. However, current DES‐based systems primarily focus on binary LiCoO2 batteries and suffer from complex leaching conditions, including high operation temperature, long reaction time. Herein, a dual‐function green solution is synthesized using choline chloride and tartaric acid, enabling direct precipitation of nickel (Ni) and separation of cobalt (Co), manganese (Mn), and lithium (Li) within 50 min at 100 °C, without requiring additional reducing agents throughout the process. The recovery efficiency of Li, Ni, Co, and Mn reached 99.2%, 97.3%, 94.4%, and 94.1%, respectively, while the purity of Ni products approached 99.9%. The used system is suitable for recycling various types of ternary batteries. Additionally, both theoretical and experimental analyses reveal that Ni ions exhibit superior binding energy and coordination with DESs compared to other ions, attributed to the synergistic effect of strong interaction and stable chelation. This research offers a promising method for the replenishment of essential metal resources.

Tunable mechanical performance of nanoporous energy absorption composite material

Abstract Nanofluidic energy absorption materials (NEAs) represent smart and efficient energy absorption composite materials in the ever-growing application of advanced protective structures. In this paper, an integrated experimental and molecular dynamics simulation study is conducted on the NEAs (ZSM-5/water) to investigate the tunable strategy of mechanical performance and energy absorption by considering the microstructural, mechanical, and thermal factors. The results demonstrate that the NEAs is an efficient and tunable liquid spring-like volume memory material. The typical NEAs show superior energy absorption capacity, achieving a specific energy absorption of 5.17 J/cm³ and an energy absorption ratio of 1.14 J/cm³ per cycle. Compared with insensitivity of the loading rate, the solid-fluid mass ratio is confirmed to significantly affect energy absorption performance, with an optimal ratio of approximate 1. Temperature is validated as an effective in-situ tunable parameter for NEAs in terms of both infiltration and energy absorption properties, with only slight effect on exfiltration. The critical infiltration pressure and specific energy absorption decrease by 23% and 40% as temperature increase from 25°C to 80°C. The gas-fluid interaction based energy absorption mechanism under high temperatures is proposed according to the comparison between experimental results and molecular dynamics simulations. The findings in this work will provide novel materials solutions for the intelligent energy absorption protective structures.

Highly accurate simplification of physics-based electrochemical model of all-solid-state battery for online state of charge estimation

Abstract All-solid-state lithium batteries offer superior energy density and safety features, making them highly attractive for electric vehicles and wearable devices. Original physics-based electrochemical model can effectively simulate the internal electrochemical reactions, but they are difficult to be applied to embedded battery management systems. To facilitate the development of real-time applications based on physical models, this paper proposes a SOC prediction method based on a simplified electrochemical model (SEM). First, the transcendental transfer function is converted to third-order transfer functions using the Padé approximation. The electric field in the mass transfer overpotential is then solved for using average numerical integration method. Then, the proposed SEM method under variable load conditions is verified by comparing to the results from original partial differential equations. The results show that the developed SEM strikes a balance between high fidelity and computational efficiency. By taking into account the concentration of Li+ ions in the solid electrolyte, the estimation accuracy of SOC in the range of 0.1 to 0.3 is significantly improved, compared with prior studies. Strong support is provided for the advanced control design of smart management systems of ASSBs.

Superior Capacitive Energy Storage at High Temperature of All-Organic Aromatic Polymer via Enhancing Conjugate Angle between Benzene Rings.

High-temperature polymer capacitors with superior energy storage density are considerable and desirable components in advanced power pulse, electrical, and energy conversion systems. However, due to the π-π conjugated benzene ring structure, carriers migrate through polyimide (PI) chains, reducing discharge energy density (Ue) and charge-discharge efficiency (η) at high temperature. Here, the ether (-O-) and isopropylidene (-C(CH3)2-) groups are purposefully introduced into the position between the benzene rings to increase the conjugate angle in PI chains, and spatial folded chains are designed to impede charge transport at high temperature. The experimental results show both surface charge dissipation rate and leakage current decrease at 150 °C when (-C(CH3)2-) groups increase, indicating that deep traps that hinder charge transport are introduced in the chains. Hence, the breakdown strength of the designed polymer (BAPP+BPADA) significantly increases, and its Ue and η reach 3.87 J/cm3 and 90% at 150 °C, 2.74-times the energy density of the pristine PI film. Simultaneously, the BAPP+BPADA film exhibits excellent discharge response and cycling charge-discharge stability, which have the potential to be applied in functional devices under extreme conditions. The work performs a superior energy storage all-organic film and offers a strategy that regulates the chains' spatial topological structure for future aromatic polymers for high-temperature energy storage.

Piezoelectric-Augmented Thermoelectric Ionogels for Self-Powered Multimodal Medical Sensors.

A paradigm ionogel consisting of ionic liquid (IL) and PVDF-HFP composites is made, which inherently possesses dual-function ionic thermoelectric (iTE) and piezoelectric (PE) attributes. This study investigates an innovative "PE-enhanced iTEs" effect, wherein the ionic thermopower exhibits a 58% enhancement while the ionic conductivity arises more than 2× within a PE-induced internal electric field. By harnessing these multifaceted features, fully self-powered, multimodal sensors demonstrate their superior energy conversion capabilities, which possessed minimum sensitivities of 0.13mVkPa-1 and 0.96mVK-1 in pressure and temperature alterations, respectively. The PE augmentation of iTEs is maximized by ≈3× under rising water pressure. Their swift and sophisticated responses to various in vivo vital signs simultaneously in a hemorrhagic shock scenario, indicative of good prospects in the clinical medicine field are showcased.

The influence of water absorption on the mechanical performance of 3D‐printed sandwich composite structures made from PLA‐based materials under quasi‐static loading conditions

Abstract3D printing technology has transformed the production of complex sandwich composite structures and offers exceptional control over material selection. PLA‐based composites are favored for load‐bearing applications due to their renewability and durable mechanical properties. However, their interaction with water poses a major challenge as moisture can severely affect their performance. This study investigates the effects of water absorption on the mechanical properties, energy absorption, and failure modes of 3D‐printed sandwich composite structures made of PLA‐based materials (PLA, PLA–Carbon, and PLA–Wood) under quasi‐static loads such as flatwise, in‐plane, and flexural tests. The results show that PLA–Wood has the highest water absorption among the composites due to its hydrophilicity, resulting in a significant reduction in compressive strength and Young's modulus by 19 and 9%, respectively, in flatwise tests, due to severe degradation. In contrast, PLA–Carbon shows superior energy absorption with values of 277.91, 10.74, and 1.73 J in flatwise, in‐plane and flexural tests, respectively, compared to 163.83, 2.47, and 1.17 J for PLA–Wood. This difference results from the ability of PLA–Carbon to deform in a controlled deformation, whereas PLA–Wood is susceptible to severe structural deformation. These results emphasize the durability of PLA‐based composites for load‐bearing applications, especially in moisture‐prone environments.Highlights Quasi‐static response on 3D‐printed PLA composites under water exposure. PLA–Wood has a higher water absorption because of its hydrophilic nature. The hydrophobicity of PLA–Carbon leads to remarkable strength and stiffness. PLA–Carbon has great energy absorption, which enhances its retained ductility. The failure modes are dependent on the PLA composite materials against water.

Latent solvent-induced inorganic-rich interfacial chemistry to achieve stable potassium-ion batteries in low-concentration electrolyte.

Low-concentration electrolytes (LCEs) have attracted great attention due to their cost effectiveness and low viscosity, but suffer undesired organic-rich interfacial chemistry and poor oxidative stability. Herein, a unique latent solvent, 1,2-dibutoxyethane (DBE), is proposed to manipulate the anion-reinforced solvation sheath and construct a robust inorganic-rich interface in a 0.5 M electrolyte. This unique solvation structure reduces the desolvation energy, facilitating rapid interfacial kinetics and K+ intercalation in graphite. Additionally, enhanced anion-cation interactions promote the formation of a thin and robust interfacial layer with excellent cycling performance of potassium-ion batteries (PIBs). Graphite||perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic dianhydride full cell exhibits a good capacity retention of 80.3% after 300 cycles, and delivers a high discharge capacity of 131.3 mAh g-1 even at 500 mA g-1. This study demonstrates the feasibility of latent solvent-optimized electrolyte engineering, providing a pathway of superior electrochemical energy storage in PIBs.

Energy management in smart distribution networks: Synergizing network reconfiguration, energy storage, and electric vehicles with disjunctive convex hull relaxation

Efficient energy management is critical for modern distribution networks integrating renewable energy, storage systems, and electric vehicles. This paper introduces a novel approach combining network reconfiguration with disjunctive convex hull relaxation to optimize power flow, minimize energy losses, and enhance grid stability. Case studies on 33-node and 84-node networks showcase the model’s effectiveness, reducing energy losses to 0.939 MWh and 7.214 MWh, respectively, outperforming Big-M and McCormick methods. Additionally, the approach achieved a 78 % efficiency improvement, enhanced emissions control, and improved voltage regulation, demonstrating superior renewable energy integration. These results highlight the model's potential to provide a more efficient and sustainable energy management solution, addressing the challenges of modern power grids.

Bio‐Inspired Graded and Uniform Cylindrical Lattices Fabricated by Material Extrusion 3D Printing: An Experimental and Numerical Investigation

ABSTRACTThe main requirements of the biomedical and aerospace industries are new and innovative lightweight materials. Bio‐inspired structures, which are inspired by various biological designs, have demonstrated notable advancements over traditional lightweight structures. In this study, bioinspired uniform and graded cylindrical triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) and strut‐based lattice structures were studied for their mechanical qualities and energy absorption capacities fabricated by material extrusion 3D printing using PLA material. It was found that the cylindrical TPMS diamond lattice achieved maximum stress of 78.5 MPa and absorbed 19.14 MJ/m3 of energy, outperforming strut‐based designs with a 48% higher energy absorption than cylindrical BCC lattice structure. Graded designs further improve energy absorption through a better stress distribution. The findings validated the Gibson–Ashby model, highlighting the enhanced load distribution and stress transfer in the strut‐based and TPMS diamond structures. The finite element (FE) model results closely matched the experimental data, confirming its predictive reliability with a maximum error of energy absorption of 7.7%, elastic modulus of 6.9%, and plateau stress of 4.7%. These insights underscore the superior energy absorption and mechanical stability of cylindrical TPMS diamond lattices, indicating their potential for satisfying stringent industrial and technical performance requirements. The novelty of these designs lies in their bioinspired structures and significant enhancements in mechanical performance and energy absorption. Future research should build on these results to design efficient materials tailored to specific needs using FE models to optimize development processes before experimental testing.

An experimental study on flow induced motion and energy harvesting of cylinders with different cross sections

It has been known that the cross-sectional shape of a column oscillator significantly influences its vibrational characteristics and energy conversion capacity, and can alter the nature of flow-excited vibration (FIV). Whether the addition of appendages to oscillators with different cross-sectional shapes enhances energy conversion capacity remains uncertain. In this study, the vibration characteristics and energy capture capabilities of an elastically supported oscillator with a semicircular appendage, suitable for low-speed seafloor current environments, are investigated. Experiments were conducted at zero degrees incidence for Reynolds numbers ranging from 5.041 × 10³ to 7.562 × 104, resulting in turbulent wake conditions. The hydrodynamic properties of the oscillators were evaluated through statistical analysis, Proper Orthogonal Decomposition (POD), and vortex core identification of Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) fields. The energy capture capability of the oscillator was assessed through statistical analysis of its vibration displacement, frequency, and amplitude. The study's results indicate that an oscillator with symmetric sharp attachments and without vortex reattachment is favorable for galloping with self-excitation. Under equivalent conditions, the Circular-T-shaped oscillator demonstrates superior energy conversion capacity compared to existing models, with the galloping branch being the most efficient for energy conversion; the peak efficiency is 24.5% (Ur = 14.5). This study provides some baseline data and optimization solutions for flow-induced motion power generation.

Metallic wood-based phase change material with superior anisotropic thermal conductivity and energy storage capacity

In this study, metallic wood-based phase change material (MWM) with high performance anisotropic thermal conductivity and energy storage capacity was developed by impregnating wood with myristic acid, and subsequent introducing low melting point alloy (LMA) into the wood through a facile alternating high and low temperature heat treatment. The heat-driven LMA was rapidly squeezed into the cell lumens of the wood so as to effectively inhibit the leakage of the internal myristic acid during melting. Benefited with the well-aligned and hierarchical porous structure, the filled LMA formed a continuous heat transfer network along the highly oriented transport tissue of wood, which could greatly reduce the interfacial thermal resistance and promote heat transfer. Compared with untreated wood, the thermal conductivity of MWM in longitudinal and radial directions were improved by more than 67 % and 75 %, respectively. In addition, it exhibited superior energy storage capability, with the latent heat of 90.23 J/g and 86.42 J/g during melting and solidification. The thermal stability and anti-leakage performance were satisfied. The phase change temperatures, enthalpies and chemical structure of MWM remained unchanged after 100 thermal cycles, demonstrating outstanding cycling reliability. With excellent energy storage performance and favourable thermal conductivity, the prepared MWM shows a promising application in energy saving buildings and solid wood floors.

Impact of hafnium dioxide morphology on catalytic transfer hydrogenation of methyl levulinate to γ-valerolactone: A comparative study

BackgroundThe catalytic transfer hydrogenation (CTH) of methyl levulinate (ML) to γ-valerolactone (GVL) is a promising method for producing renewable fuels and chemicals. The efficiency of this process depends heavily on the choice of catalysts, with morphology playing a critical role in their performance. MethodsThis study synthesized and characterized rice-like (r-HfO₂) and ball-like (b-HfO₂) hafnium oxide nanostructures. r-HfO₂ was prepared using a microwave system, while b-HfO₂ was synthesized via a solvothermal method. The catalysts were characterized using SEM, TEM, XRD, TPD-NH₃ analysis, and nitrogen sorption isotherms to determine their morphological, structural, and acidic properties. The catalytic performance of these nanostructures was tested under optimal conditions of 160 °C and 2 h in a batch-type solvothermal reactor. Significant FindingsThe results showed that b-HfO₂ exhibited a conversion efficiency of 90 % and a GVL yield of 90 %, outperforming r-HfO₂, which achieved 94.8 % conversion and 75.2 % yield. Recyclability tests confirmed the durability of both catalysts, with b-HfO₂ maintaining better activity. Detailed analyses revealed that b-HfO₂ exhibits superior catalytic activity and energy efficiency, achieving higher GVL yield and better energy efficiency. The conversion rates reached up to 100 % for both catalysts at 200 °C, with b-HfO₂ achieving a higher GVL yield and better energy efficiency. These findings demonstrate the potential of HfO₂-based catalysts, especially b-HfO₂, in efficiently converting biomass-derived feedstocks to valuable chemicals.

Tailoring La doping concentration for superior ferroelectric and energy storage performance in Bi2WO6 thin films

Tailoring La doping concentration for superior ferroelectric and energy storage performance in Bi2WO6 thin films

Graphene origami with enhanced impact resistance and energy absorption performance

The ancient art of origami has recently shown its potential in engineering intricate three-dimensional graphene structures with unique properties. This study employs molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the dynamic mechanical behavior of graphene origami structures (GOS) under hypervelocity ballistic impact. The analysis of residual velocity, kinetic energy loss, and specific penetration energy shows that GOS exhibit superior impact resistance and energy absorption performance compared with pristine graphene. One reason for the enhancements is that highly flexible GOS can unfold to produce a conical impact zone with larger out-of-plane deformation. Another reason is that three-dimensional folded regions possess more mass, enabling them to dissipate more kinetic energy from the projectile. The impact behavior of GOS is further analyzed concerning projectile size, impact position, and surface roughness. It is found that the impact resistance and energy absorption capacity of GOS can be adjusted by altering the surface roughness, specifically the folding degree and pattern geometry. This GOS holds promise for diverse applications in impact protection, such as combat armor and spacecraft shields.

Enhanced adsorption and sensing properties of Ptn(n=1,3)-doped SnS2 monolayers for warfare toxic gases: A DFT Study

Toxic gases have been extensively employed in warfare, spanning from the deployment of irritant tear gas to fatal nerve gas. These chemical armaments have caused significant damage and casualties in times of conflict. This study explores the adsorption properties and sensing mechanisms of three chemical warfare agents(chlorine Cl2, phosgene COCl2, chloropicrin CCl3NO2) on both pristine SnS2 and doped SnS2 using density functional theory (DFT). The results highlight the superior adsorption energy, charge transfer efficiency, and band structure of doped Ptn/SnS2 (n=1,3) compared to pristine SnS2. Pt/SnS2 exhibits exceptional adsorption capabilities for all three war gases. Under specific conditions, Pt3/SnS2(cluster) emerges as an ideal material for detecting Cl2 and CCl3NO2, while also serving as an effective adsorbent for COCl2 gas. This research serves as a valuable reference for sensor performance studies grounded in first-principles theory, showcasing the potential of doped Pt3/SnS2 as a viable sensor for warfare gases. The insights from this study contribute to the development of advanced poison gas sensors, facilitating improvements in poison gas detection and prevention capabilities.

Asymmetric supercapacitors assembled by hollow N, s co-doped carbon spheres decorated FeOOH and Co3S4 nanoparticles

Exploiting advanced anode and cathode materials with distinctive architectures and multi-component participation is of great significance to boosting the energy density of asymmetric supercapacitors. Herein, ultra-fine FeOOH nanoparticles are in situ grown on the hollow N, S co-doped carbon (HNSC) spheres using a facile solvothermal strategy and subsequent calcination process. Benefiting from the attractive hollow architecture and the synergistic effect between FeOOH and HNSC, the FeOOH/HNSC composite as anode for supercapacitors delivers an optimal capacity of 588.2C g−1 (1 A g−1) and remains 88.3 % of its initial value after 10,000 cycles at 15 A g−1 in 6 M KOH. Furthermore, the HNSC-supported Co3S4 nanoparticles are also prepared through a one-step solvothermal strategy. The obtained Co3S4/HNSC composite as cathode achieves a capacity of 420C g−1 (1 A g−1) and maintains a high retention of 95.3 % after 10,000 cycles at 15 A g−1. The constructed asymmetric supercapacitor using FeOOH/HNSC and Co3S4/HNSC as anode and cathode appears to possess a superior energy density of 82.3 Wh kg−1 at 821.6 W kg−1 with retention of 84.9 % after 10,000 cycles at 10 A g−1. These attainments demonstrate that constructing multi-component electrode materials with unique structures is an effective method to optimize the electrochemical characteristics of asymmetric supercapacitors.

Experimental and numerical investigations on the mechanical behavior of composite pre-tightened tooth connection under impact loading

The composite Pre-Tightened Tooth Connection (PTTC) is characterized by high connection efficiency and large bearing capacity, specifically designed for use in fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP)-metal protective structures that are inherently subjected to impact loads. In this study, impact tests were performed on single- and double-tooth specimens under high-velocity impact loads using the Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB) apparatus to investigate their impact behavior. Additionally, a progressive damage model was numerically developed and validated against the experimental results to examine the failure patterns and mechanisms of the PTTC. The effects of tooth depth, tooth length, number of teeth, and impact velocity on the impact behavior were also analyzed parametrically. The results indicated that the primary failure modes of the PTTC are ductile compression-shear failure and brittle shear failure. In cases of compression-shear failure, the bearing capacity is lower than that of shear failure; however, it exhibits superior energy absorption characteristics. Therefore, it is recommended that the PTTC be designed to facilitate compression-shear failure when subjected to high-velocity impact. The length, depth, and number of teeth significantly influence the failure mode, bearing capacity, and energy absorption of the PTTC. Adequate design attention should be given to these factors for applications involving impact loads.

Tension ring-functionalized bicyclic ammonium ionic liquids as hypergolic fuels with superior energy density

Hypergolic ionic liquids are a new type of liquid propellants, and the energy density is critical to propulsion performance. We propose to combine cage structures with tensile rings to design and synthesize new ionic liquid molecules. Cycloalkane-substituted 1-aza-bicyclo[2.2.2]octane and 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane-like ionic liquids were synthesized using dicyanamide root as an anion, and its structure and properties were determined. The obtained ionic liquids possess higher energy density up to 1.87 kJ·mL−1. The three-membered ring substituent can increase the energy density of ionic liquids by 79.8 % and reduce the ignition delay time by 52.5 % than that of straight-chain alkanes. This work provides an important basis for the design and synthesis of the new type of hypergolic ionic liquids.