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  • HIGHLIGHTS
    Wenzhong SHEN, Yixin ZHAO, Feng LIU
    Frontiers in Energy, 2024, 18(1): 8-15. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11708-024-0937-5
  • RESEARCH ARTICLE
    Tongbin ZHAO, Zhe REN, Kai YANG, Tao SUN, Lei SHI, Zhen HUANG, Dong HAN
    Frontiers in Energy, 2023, 17(5): 664-677. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11708-021-0787-3

    The combustion characteristics and emission behaviors of RP-3 jet fuel were studied and compared to commercial diesel fuel in a single-cylinder compression ignition (CI) engine. Engine operational parameters, including engine load (0.6, 0.7, and 0.8 MPa indicating the mean effective pressure (IMEP)), the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) rate (0%, 10%, 20%, and 30%), and the fuel injection timing (−20, −15, −10, and −5 ° crank angle (CA) after top dead center (ATDC)) were adjusted to evaluate the engine performances of RP-3 jet fuel under changed operation conditions. In comparison to diesel fuel, RP-3 jet fuel shows a retarded heat release and lagged combustion phase, which is more obvious under heavy EGR rate conditions. In addition, the higher premixed combustion fraction of RP-3 jet fuel leads to a higher first-stage heat release peak than diesel fuel under all testing conditions. As a result, RP-3 jet fuel features a longer ignition delay (ID) time, a shorter combustion duration (CD), and an earlier CA50 than diesel fuel. The experimental results manifest that RP-3 jet fuel has a slightly lower indicated thermal efficiency (ITE) compared to diesel fuel, but the ITE difference becomes less noticeable under large EGR rate conditions. Compared with diesel fuel, the nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions of RP-3 jet fuel are higher while its soot emissions are lower. The NOx emissions of RP-3 can be effectively reduced with the increased EGR rate and delayed injection timing.

  • RESEARCH ARTICLE
    Juntian NIU, Cunxin ZHANG, Haiyu LIU, Yan JIN, Riguang ZHANG
    Frontiers in Energy, 2023, 17(4): 545-554. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11708-023-0867-7

    The effect of oxygen vacancies on the adsorption and activation of CO2 on the surface of different phases of ZrO2 is investigated by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The calculations show that the oxygen vacancies contribute greatly to both the adsorption and activation of CO2. The adsorption energy of CO2 on the c-ZrO2, t-ZrO2 and, m-ZrO2 surfaces is enhanced to 5, 4, and 3 folds with the help of oxygen vacancies, respectively. Moreover, the energy barrier of CO2 dissociation on the defective surfaces of c-ZrO2, t-ZrO2, and m-ZrO2 is reduced to 1/2, 1/4, and 1/5 of the perfect surface with the assistance of oxygen vacancies. Furthermore, the activation of CO2 on the ZrO2 surface where oxygen vacancies are present, and changes from an endothermic reaction to an exothermic reaction. This finding demonstrates that the presence of oxygen vacancies promotes the activation of CO2 both kinetically and thermodynamically. These results could provide guidance for the high-efficient utilization of CO2 at an atomic scale.

  • COMMENTS
    Baowen ZHOU, Shuhui SUN
    Frontiers in Energy, 2024, 18(1): 122-124. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11708-023-0870-z
  • RESEARCH ARTICLE
    Mingkuan ZHANG, Xudong ZHANG, Luna GUO, Xuan LI, Wei RAO
    Frontiers in Energy, 2023, 17(6): 796-810. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11708-023-0877-5

    Liquid metal-based microchannel heat sinks (MCHSs) suffer from the low heat capacity of coolant, resulting in an excessive temperature rise of coolant and heat sink when dealing with high-power heat dissipation. In this paper, it was found that expanded space at the top of fins could distribute the heat inside microchannels, reducing the temperature rise of coolant and heat sink. The orthogonal experiments revealed that expanding the top space of channels yielded similar temperature reductions to changing the channel width. The flow and thermal modeling of expanded microchannel heat sink (E-MCHS) were analyzed by both using the 3-dimensional (3D) numerical simulation and the 1-dimensional (1D) thermal resistance model. The fin efficiency of E-MCHS was derived to improve the accuracy of the 1D thermal resistance model. The heat conduction of liquid metal in Z direction and the heat convection between the top surface of fins and the liquid metal could reduce the total thermal resistance (Rt). The above process was effective for microchannels with low channel aspect ratio, low mean velocity (Um) or long heat sink length. The maximum thermal resistance reduction in the example of this paper reached 36.0%. The expanded space endowed the heat sink with lower pressure, which might further reduce the pumping power (P). This rule was feasible both when fins were truncated (h2 < 0, h2 is the height of expanded channel for E-MCHS) and when over plate was raised (h2 > 0).

  • NEWS & HIGHLIGHTS
    Xavier MOYA, Neil D. MATHUR
    Frontiers in Energy, 2023, 17(4): 447-449. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11708-022-0854-4

    The widespread need to pump heat necessitates improvements that will increase energy efficiency and, more generally, reduce environmental impact. As discussed at the recent Calorics 2022 Conference, heat-pump devices based on caloric materials offer an intriguing alternative to gas combustion and vapor compression.

  • REVIEW ARTICLE
    Zhang WEN, Liangzhong YAO, Fan CHENG, Jian XU, Beilin MAO, Rusi CHEN
    Frontiers in Energy, 2023, 17(5): 611-634. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11708-023-0876-6

    Wind power (WP) is considered as one of the main renewable energy sources (RESs) for future low-carbon and high-cost-efficient power system. However, its low inertia characteristic may threaten the system frequency stability of the power system with a high penetration of WP generation. Thus, the capability of WP participating in the system frequency regulation has become a research hotspot. In this paper, the impact of WP on power system frequency stability is initially presented. In addition, various existing control strategies of WP participating in frequency regulation are reviewed from the wind turbine (WT) level to the wind farm (WF) level, and their performances are compared in terms of operating principles and practical applications. The pros and cons of each control strategy are also discussed. Moreover, the WP combing with energy storage system (ESS) for system frequency regulation is explored. Furthermore, the prospects, future challenges, and solutions of WP participating in power system frequency regulation are summarized.

  • RESEARCH ARTICLE
    Haoqing WU, Yaoyuan ZHANG, Shijie MI, Wenbin ZHAO, Zhuoyao HE, Yong QIAN, Xingcai LU
    Frontiers in Energy, 2023, 17(5): 678-691. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11708-022-0859-z

    Gasoline compression ignition (GCI) combustion faces problems such as high maximum pressure rise rate (MPRR) and combustion deterioration at high loads. This paper aims to improve the engine performance of the GCI mode by regulating concentration stratification and promoting fuel-gas mixing by utilizing the double main-injection (DMI) strategy. Two direct injectors simultaneously injected gasoline with an octane number of 82.7 to investigate the energy ratio between the two main-injection and exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) on combustion and emissions. High-load experiments were conducted using the DMI strategy and compared with the single main-injection (SMI) strategy and conventional diesel combustion. The results indicate that the DMI strategy have a great potential to reduce the MPRR and improve the fuel economy of the GCI mode. At a 10 bar indicated mean effective pressure, increasing the main-injection-2 ratio (Rm-2) shortens the injection duration and increases the mean mixing time. Optimized Rm-2 could moderate the trade-off between the MPRR and the indicated specific fuel consumption with both reductions. An appropriate EGR should be adopted considering combustion and emissions. The DMI strategy achieves a highly efficient and stable combustion at high loads, with an indicated thermal efficiency (ITE) greater than 48%, CO and THC emissions at low levels, and MPRR within a reasonable range. Compared with the SMI strategy, the maximum improvement of the ITE is 1.5%, and the maximum reduction of MPRR is 1.5 bar/°CA.

  • REVIEW ARTICLE
    Yuan LIN, Jiazheng HAO, Kaiming QIAO, Yihong GAO, Fengxia HU, Jing WANG, Tongyun ZHAO, Baogen SHEN
    Frontiers in Energy, 2023, 17(4): 463-477. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11708-023-0860-1

    Solid state refrigeration based on caloric effect is regarded as a potential candidate for replacing vapor-compression refrigeration. Numerous methods have been proposed to optimize the refrigeration properties of caloric materials, of which single field tuning as a relatively simple way has been systemically studied. However, single field tuning with few tunable parameters usually obtains an excellent performance in one specific aspect at the cost of worsening the performance in other aspects, like attaining a large caloric effect with narrowing the transition temperature range and introducing hysteresis. Because of the shortcomings of the caloric effect driven by a single field, multifield tuning on multicaloric materials that have a coupling between different ferro-orders came into view. This review mainly focuses on recent studies that apply this method to improve the cooling performance of materials, consisting of enlarging caloric effects, reducing hysteresis losses, adjusting transition temperatures, and widening transition temperature spans, which indicate that further progress can be made in the application of this method. Furthermore, research on the sign of lattice and spin contributions to the magnetocaloric effect found new phonon evolution mechanisms, calling for more attention on multicaloric effects. Other progress including improving cyclability of FeRh alloys by introducing second phases and realizing a large reversible barocaloric effect by hybridizing carbon chains and inorganic groups is described in brief.

  • REVIEW ARTICLE
    Simiao SHA, Riyue GE, Ying LI, Julie M. CAIRNEY, Rongkun ZHENG, Sean LI, Bin LIU, Jiujun ZHANG, Wenxian LI
    Frontiers in Energy, 2024, 18(3): 265-290. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11708-023-0892-6

    High entropy materials (HEMs) have developed rapidly in the field of electrocatalytic water-electrolysis for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) due to their unique properties. In particular, HEM catalysts are composed of many elements. Therefore, they have rich active sites and enhanced entropy stability relative to single atoms. In this paper, the preparation strategies and applications of HEM catalysts in electrochemical water-electrolysis are reviewed to explore the stabilization of HEMs and their catalytic mechanisms as well as their application in support green hydrogen production. First, the concept and four characteristics of HEMs are introduced based on entropy and composition. Then, synthetic strategies of HEM catalysts are systematically reviewed in terms of the categories of bottom-up and top-down. The application of HEMs as catalysts for electrochemical water-electrolysis in recent years is emphatically discussed, and the mechanisms of improving the performance of electrocatalysis is expounded by combining theoretical calculation technology and ex-situ/in situ characterization experiments. Finally, the application prospect of HEMs is proposed to conquer the challenges in HEM catalyst fabrications and applications.

  • MINI REVIEW
    Yixin LI, Sharif Md. SADAF, Baowen ZHOU
    Frontiers in Energy, 2024, 18(1): 56-79. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11708-023-0881-9

    Sunlight-powered water splitting presents a promising strategy for converting intermittent and virtually unlimited solar energy into energy-dense and storable green hydrogen. Since the pioneering discovery by Honda and Fujishima, considerable efforts have been made in this research area. Among various materials developed, Ga(X)N/Si (X = In, Ge, Mg, etc.) nanoarchitecture has emerged as a disruptive semiconductor platform to split water toward hydrogen by sunlight. This paper introduces the characteristics, properties, and growth/synthesis/fabrication methods of Ga(X)N/Si nanoarchitecture, primarily focusing on explaining the suitability as an ideal platform for sunlight-powered water splitting toward green hydrogen fuel. In addition, it exclusively summarizes the recent progress and development of Ga(X)N/Si nanoarchitecture for photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical water splitting. Moreover, it describes the challenges and prospects of artificial photosynthesis integrated device and system using Ga(X)N/Si nanoarchitectures for solar water splitting toward hydrogen.

  • RESEARCH ARTICLE
    Kongkuai YING, Wang YIN, Yinong WU, Zhenhua JIANG, Jiantang SONG, Shaoshuai LIU, Haifeng ZHU
    Frontiers in Energy, 2023, 17(4): 516-526. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11708-022-0844-6

    A two-stage gas-coupled Stirling/pulse tube refrigerator (SPR), whose first and second stages respectively involve Stirling and pulse tube refrigeration cycles, is a very promising spaceborne refrigerator. The SPR has many advantages, such as a compact structure, high reliability, and high performance, and is expected to become an essential refrigerator for space applications. In research regarding gas-coupled regenerative refrigerator, the energy flow distribution between the two stages, and optimal phase difference between the pressure wave and volume flow, are two critical parameters that could widely influence refrigerator performance. The effects of displacer displacement on the pressure wave, phase difference, acoustic power distribution, and inter-stage cooling capacity shift of the SPR have been investigated experimentally. Notably, to obtain the maximum first-stage cooling capacity, an inflection point in displacement exists. When the displacer displacement is larger than the inflection point, the cooling capacity could be distributed between the first and second stages. In the present study, an SPR was designed and manufactured to work between the liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen temperatures, which can be used to cool small-scale zero boil-off systems and space detectors. Under appropriate displacer displacement, the SPR can reach a no-load cooling temperature of 15.4 K and obtain 2.6 W cooling capacity at 70 K plus 0.1 W cooling capacity at 20 K with 160 W compressor input electric power.

  • RESEARCH ARTICLE
    Jinlong WANG, Jin XIAO, Yingdong CHENG, Zhen HUANG
    Frontiers in Energy, 2023, 17(6): 811-821. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11708-022-0848-2

    Free-piston engine generators (FPEGs) can be applied as decarbonized range extenders for electric vehicles because of their high thermal efficiency, low friction loss, and ultimate fuel flexibility. In this paper, a parameter-decoupling approach is proposed to model the design of an FPEG. The parameter-decoupling approach first divides the FPEG into three parts: a two-stroke engine, an integrated scavenging pump, and a linear permanent magnet synchronous machine (LPMSM). Then, each of these is designed according to predefined specifications and performance targets. Using this decoupling approach, a numerical model of the FPEG, including the three aforementioned parts, was developed. Empirical equations were adopted to design the engine and scavenging pump, while special considerations were applied for the LPMSM. A finite element model with a multi-objective genetic algorithm was adopted for its design. The finite element model results were fed back to the numerical model to update the LPMSM with increased fidelity. The designed FPEG produced 10.2 kW of electric power with an overall system efficiency of 38.5% in a stable manner. The model provides a solid foundation for the manufacturing of related FPEG prototypes.

  • REVIEW ARTICLE
    Nan QI, Kang YAN, Yajuan YU, Rui LI, Rong HUANG, Lai CHEN, Yuefeng SU
    Frontiers in Energy, 2024, 18(2): 223-240. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11708-023-0891-7

    As the intersection of disciplines deepens, the field of battery modeling is increasingly employing various artificial intelligence (AI) approaches to improve the efficiency of battery management and enhance the stability and reliability of battery operation. This paper reviews the value of AI methods in lithium-ion battery health management and in particular analyses the application of machine learning (ML), one of the many branches of AI, to lithium-ion battery state of health (SOH), focusing on the advantages and strengths of neural network (NN) methods in ML for lithium-ion battery SOH simulation and prediction. NN is one of the important branches of ML, in which the application of NNs such as backpropagation NN, convolutional NN, and long short-term memory NN in SOH estimation of lithium-ion batteries has received wide attention. Reports so far have shown that the utilization of NN to model the SOH of lithium-ion batteries has the advantages of high efficiency, low energy consumption, high robustness, and scalable models. In the future, NN can make a greater contribution to lithium-ion battery management by, first, utilizing more field data to play a more practical role in health feature screening and model building, and second, by enhancing the intelligent screening and combination of battery parameters to characterize the actual lithium-ion battery SOH to a greater extent. The in-depth application of NN in lithium-ion battery SOH will certainly further enhance the science, reliability, stability, and robustness of lithium-ion battery management.

  • MINI REVIEW
    Min HONG, Zhiyong WANG, Zhangqin SHI, Zheng LIANG
    Frontiers in Energy, 2023, 17(5): 569-584. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11708-023-0875-7

    Lithium (Li) metal is believed to be the “Holy Grail” among all anode materials for next-generation Li-based batteries due to its high theoretical specific capacity (3860 mAh/g) and lowest redox potential (−3.04 V). Disappointingly, uncontrolled dendrite formation and “hostless” deposition impede its further development. It is well accepted that the construction of three-dimensional (3D) composite Li metal anode could tackle the above problems to some extent by reducing local current density and maintaining electrode volume during cycling. However, most strategies to build 3D composite Li metal anode require either electrodeposition or melt-infusion process. In spite of their effectiveness, these procedures bring multiple complex processing steps, high temperature, and harsh experimental conditions which cannot meet the actual production demand in consideration of cost and safety. Under this condition, a novel method to construct 3D composite anode via simple mechanical modification has been recently proposed which does not involve harsh conditions, fussy procedures, or fancy equipment. In this mini review, a systematic and in-depth investigation of this mechanical deformation technique to build 3D composite Li metal anode is provided. First, by summarizing a number of recent studies, different mechanical modification approaches are classified clearly according to their specific procedures. Then, the effect of each individual mechanical modification approach and its working mechanisms is reviewed. Afterwards, the merits and limits of different approaches are compared. Finally, a general summary and perspective on construction strategies for next-generation 3D composite Li anode are presented.

  • REVIEW ARTICLE
    Shams ANWAR, Xianguo LI
    Frontiers in Energy, 2023, 17(5): 585-610. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11708-023-0886-4

    Production of hydrogen, one of the most promising alternative clean fuels, through catalytic conversion from fossil fuel is the most technically and economically feasible technology. Catalytic conversion of natural gas into hydrogen and carbon is thermodynamically favorable under atmospheric conditions. However, using noble metals as a catalyst is costly for hydrogen production, thus mandating non-noble metal-based catalysts such as Ni, Co, and Cu-based alloys. This paper reviews the various hydrogen production methods from fossil fuels through pyrolysis, partial oxidation, autothermal, and steam reforming, emphasizing the catalytic production of hydrogen via steam reforming of methane. The multicomponent catalysts composed of several non-noble materials have been summarized. Of the Ni, Co, and Cu-based catalysts investigated in the literature, Ni/Al2O3 catalyst is the most economical and performs best because it suppresses the coke formation on the catalyst. To avoid carbon emission, this method of hydrogen production from methane should be integrated with carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS). Carbon capture can be accomplished by absorption, adsorption, and membrane separation processes. The remaining challenges, prospects, and future research and development directions are described.

  • REVIEW ARTICLE
    Cancan SHAO, A. A. AMIROV, Houbing HUANG
    Frontiers in Energy, 2023, 17(4): 478-503. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11708-023-0884-6

    The performance parameters for characterizing the electrocaloric effect are isothermal entropy change and the adiabatic temperature change, respectively. This paper reviews the electrocaloric effect of ferroelectric materials based on different theoretical models. First, it provides four different calculation scales (the first-principle-based effective Hamiltonian, the Landau-Devonshire thermodynamic theory, phase-field simulation, and finite element analysis) to explain the basic theory of calculating the electrocaloric effect. Then, it comprehensively reviews the recent progress of these methods in regulating the electrocaloric effect and the generation mechanism of the electrocaloric effect. Finally, it summarizes and anticipates the exploration of more novel electrocaloric materials based on the framework constructed by the different computational methods.

  • RESEARCH ARTICLE
    Ting DENG, Shuaiqiang JIA, Shitao HAN, Jianxin ZHAI, Jiapeng JIAO, Xiao CHEN, Cheng XUE, Xueqing XING, Wei XIA, Haihong WU, Mingyuan HE, Buxing HAN
    Frontiers in Energy, 2024, 18(1): 80-88. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11708-023-0898-0

    Electrocatalytic CO2 reduction (ECR) offers an attractive approach to realizing carbon neutrality and producing valuable chemicals and fuels using CO2 as the feedstock. However, the lack of cost-effective electrocatalysts with better performances has seriously hindered its application. Herein, a one-step co-electrodeposition method was used to introduce Zn, a metal with weak *CO binding energy, into Cu to form Cu/Zn intermetallic catalysts (Cu/Zn IMCs). It was shown that, using an H-cell, the high Faradaic efficiency of C2+ hydrocarbons/alcohols (FEC 2+) could be achieved in ECR by adjusting the surface metal components and the applied potential. In suitable conditions, FEC2+ and current density could be as high as 75% and 40 mA/cm2, respectively. Compared with the Cu catalyst, the Cu/Zn IMCs have a lower interfacial charge transfer resistance and a larger electrochemically active surface area (ECSA), which accelerate the reaction. Moreover, the *CO formed on Zn sites can move to Cu sites due to its weak binding with *CO, and thus enhance the C–C coupling on the Cu surface to form C2+ products.

  • REVIEW ARTICLE
    Yu CAI, Qiang LI, Feihong DU, Jiawang FENG, Donglin HAN, Shanyu ZHENG, Shihao YANG, Yingjing ZHANG, Binbin YU, Junye SHI, Xiaoshi QIAN
    Frontiers in Energy, 2023, 17(4): 450-462. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11708-022-0858-0

    Electrocaloric refrigeration represents an alternative solid-state cooling technology that has the potential to reach the ultimate goal of achieving zero-global-warming potential, highly efficient refrigeration, and heat pumps. To date, both polymeric and inorganic oxides have demonstrated giant electrocaloric effect as well as respective cooling devices. Although both polymeric and inorganic oxides have been identified as promising cooling methods that are distinguishable from the traditional ones, they still pose many challenges to more practical applications. From an electrocaloric material point of view, electrocaloric nanocomposites may provide a solution to combine the beneficial effects of both organic and inorganic electrocaloric materials. This article reviews the recent advancements in polymer-based electrocaloric composites and the state-of-the-art cooling devices operating these nanocomposites. From a device point of view, it discusses the existing challenges and potential opportunities of electrocaloric nanocomposites.

  • PERSPECTIVES
    C. C. CHAN, Wei HAN, Hanlei TIAN, Yanbing LIU, Tianlu MA, C. Q. JIANG
    Frontiers in Energy, 2023, 17(6): 693-703. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11708-023-0890-8

    The automotive industry is in the midst of a groundbreaking revolution, driven by the imperative to achieve intelligent driving and carbon neutrality. A crucial aspect of this transformation is the transition to electric vehicles (EVs), which necessitates widespread changes throughout the entire automotive ecosystem. This paper examines the challenges and opportunities of this transition, including automotive electrification, intelligence-connected transportation system, and the potential for new technologies such as hydrogen fuel cells. Meanwhile, it discusses the key technologies and progress of the hydrogen energy industry chain in the upstream hydrogen production, midstream hydrogen storage and transportation, downstream hydrogen station construction and hydrogen fuel cells in turn. Finally, it proposes the directions for future layout, providing guidance for future development.

  • RESEARCH ARTICLE
    Shixian XIONG, Hongcheng KE, Lei CAO, Yu WANG, Qian ZHU, Liqin ZHONG, Lanlan FAN, Feng GU
    Frontiers in Energy, 2023, 17(4): 555-566. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11708-023-0882-8

    Exploring cathode materials that combine excellent cycling stability and high energy density poses a challenge to aqueous Zn-ion hybrid supercapacitors (ZHSCs). Herein, polyaniline (PANI) coated boron-carbon-nitrogen (BCN) nanoarray on carbon cloth surface is prepared as advanced cathode materials via simple high-temperature calcination and electrochemical deposition methods. Because of the excellent specific capacity and conductivity of PANI, the CC@BCN@PANI core-shell nanoarrays cathode shows an excellent ion storage capability. Moreover, the 3D nanoarray structure can provide enough space for the volume expansion and contraction of PANI in the charging/discharging cycles, which effectively avoids the collapse of the microstructure and greatly improves the electrochemical stability of PANI. Therefore, the CC@BCN@PANI-based ZHSCs exhibit superior electrochemical performances showing a specific capacity of 145.8 mAh/g, a high energy density of 116.78 Wh/kg, an excellent power density of 12 kW/kg, and a capacity retention rate of 86.2% after 8000 charge/discharge cycles at a current density of 2 A/g. In addition, the flexible ZHSCs (FZHSCs) also show a capacity retention rate of 87.7% at the current density of 2 A/g after 450 cycles.

  • NEWS & HIGHLIGHTS
    Lei ZHANG, Binwei ZHANG, Xiaoyi DOU, Wei YAN
    Frontiers in Energy, 2023, 17(5): 567-568. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11708-023-0887-3
  • RESEARCH ARTICLE
    Yibo GAO, Erjiang HU, Bo HUANG, Zuohua HUANG
    Frontiers in Energy, 2023, 17(6): 751-762. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11708-023-0895-3

    Dehydrogenation of formic acid (FA) is considered to be an effective solution for efficient storage and transport of hydrogen. For decades, highly effective catalysts for this purpose have been widely investigated, but numerous challenges remain. Herein, the PdxAu1−x (x = 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.8, 1) alloys over the whole composition range were successfully prepared and used to catalyze FA hydrogen production efficiently near room temperature. Small PdAu nanoparticles (5–10 nm) were well-dispersed and supported on the activated carbon to form PdAu solid solution alloys via the eco-friendly slow synthesis methodology. The physicochemical properties of the PdAu alloys were comprehensively studied by utilizing various measurement methods, such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), N2 adsorption–desorption, high angle annular dark field-scanning transmission electron microscope (HAADF-STEM), X-ray photoelectrons spectroscopy (XPS). Notably, owing to the strong metal-support interaction (SMSI) and electron transfer between active metal Au and Pd, the Pd0.5Au0.5 obtained exhibits a turnover frequency (TOF) value of up to 1648 h−1 (313 K, nPd+Au/nFA = 0.01, nHCOOH/nHCOONa = 1:3) with a high activity, selectivity, and reusability in the FA dehydrogenation.

  • RESEARCH ARTICLE
    Sibi LIU, Yijin WANG, Youzi ZHANG, Xu XIN, Peng GUO, Dongshan DENG, Jahan B. GHASEMI, Miao WANG, Ruiling WANG, Xuanhua LI
    Frontiers in Energy, 2023, 17(5): 654-663. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11708-023-0885-5

    Transition metal sulfides are commonly studied as photocatalysts for water splitting in solar-to-fuel conversion. However, the effectiveness of these photocatalysts is limited by the recombination and restricted light absorption capacity of carriers. In this paper, a broad spectrum responsive In2S3/Bi2S3 heterojunction is constructed by in-situ integrating Bi2S3 with the In2S3, derived from an In-MOF precursor, via the high-temperature sulfidation and solvothermal methods. Benefiting from the synergistic effect of wide-spectrum response, effective charge separation and transfer, and strong heterogeneous interfacial contacts, the In2S3/Bi2S3 heterojunction demonstrates a rate of 0.71 mmol/(g∙h), which is 2.2 and 1.7 times as much as those of In2S3 (0.32 mmol/(g∙h) and Bi2S3 (0.41 mmol/(g∙h)), respectively. This paper provides a novel idea for rationally designing innovative heterojunction photocatalysts of transition metal sulfides for photocatalytic hydrogen production.

  • RESEARCH ARTICLE
    Chen YANG, Xin-Yu MU
    Frontiers in Energy, 2023, 17(6): 822-832. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11708-023-0900-x

    Advancing portable electronics and electric vehicles is heavily dependent on the cutting-edge lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery technology, which is closely linked to the properties of cathode materials. Identifying trends and prospects of cathode materials based on patent analysis is considered a kernel to optimize and refine battery related markets. In this paper, a patent analysis is performed on 6 popular cathode materials by comprehensively considering performance comparison, development trend, annual installed capacity, technology life cycle, and distribution among regions and patent assignees. In the technology life cycle, the cathode materials majorly used in electric vehicle have entered maturity stage, while the lithium cobalt oxide (LCO) cathode that is widely used in portable electronics is still in the growth stage. In global patent distributions, China holds more than 50% of total patents. In the top 10 patent assignees of 6 cathode materials, 2 institutes are from China with the rest being Japan (6) and Republic of Korea (2), indicating that the technology of cathode materials in China is relatively scattered while cathode research is highly concentrated in Japan and Republic of Korea. Moreover, the patent distribution has to consider practical issues as well as the impacts of core patents. For example, the high cost discourages the intention of applying international patents. This paper is expected to stimulate battery research, understand technical layout of various countries, and probably forecast innovative technology breakthroughs.

  • REVIEW ARTICLE
    Hui LI, Changlan HOU, Yunbo ZHAI, Mengjiao TAN, Zhongliang HUANG, Zhiwei WANG, Lijian LENG, Peng LIU, Tingzhou LEI, Changzhu LI
    Frontiers in Energy, 2023, 17(5): 635-653. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11708-023-0878-4

    The reuse of biomass wastes is crucial toward today’s energy and environmental crisis, among which, biomass-based biochar as catalysts for biofuel and high value chemical production is one of the most clean and economical solutions. In this paper, the recent advances in biofuels and high chemicals for selective production based on biochar catalysts from different biomass wastes are critically summarized. The topics mainly include the modification of biochar catalysts, the preparation of energy products, and the mechanisms of other high-value products. Suitable biochar catalysts can enhance the yield of biofuels and higher-value chemicals. Especially, the feedstock and reaction conditions of biochar catalyst, which affect the efficiency of energy products, have been the focus of recent attentions. Mechanism studies based on biochar catalysts will be helpful to the controlled products. Therefore, the design and advancement of the biochar catalyst based on mechanism research will be beneficial to increase biofuels and the conversion efficiency of chemicals into biomass. The advanced design of biochar catalysts and optimization of operational conditions based on the biomass properties are vital for the selective production of high-value chemicals and biofuels. This paper identifies the latest preparation for energy products and other high-value chemicals based on biochar catalysts progresses and offers insights into improving the yield of high selectivity for products as well as the high recyclability and low toxicity to the environment in future applications.

  • RESEARCH ARTICLE
    Bin WANG, Bei AN, Xiaoqian LI, Shaohua SHEN
    Frontiers in Energy, 2024, 18(1): 101-109. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11708-023-0894-4

    It has been widely reported that, for faceted nanocrystals, the two adjacent facets with different band levels contribute to promoted charge separation, and provide active sites for photocatalytic reduction and oxidation reaction, respectively. In such cases, only one family of facets can be used for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. Herein, by using SrTiO3 nanocrystals enclosed by {023} and {001} facets as a model photocatalyst, this paper proposed a strategy to achieve the full-facets-utilization of the nanocrystals for photocatalytic hydrogen via chemically depositing Pt nanoparticles on all facets. The photo-deposition experiment of CdS provided direct evidence to demonstrate that the {023} facets which were responsible for photooxidation reaction can be function-reversed for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution after depositing Pt nanoparticles, together with the {001} facets. Thus, the full-facets-utilization led to a much-improved activity for photocatalytic hydrogen, in contrast to those SrTiO3 nanocrystals with only {001} facets deposited by Pt nanoparticles via a photo-deposition method.

  • RESEARCH ARTICLE
    Xilian YANG, Kanru CHENG, Qunfei ZHAO, Yuzhang WANG
    Frontiers in Energy, 2023, 17(4): 527-544. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11708-023-0880-x

    Intelligent power systems can improve operational efficiency by installing a large number of sensors. Data-based methods of supervised learning have gained popularity because of available Big Data and computing resources. However, the common paradigm of the loss function in supervised learning requires large amounts of labeled data and cannot process unlabeled data. The scarcity of fault data and a large amount of normal data in practical use pose great challenges to fault detection algorithms. Moreover, sensor data faults in power systems are dynamically changing and pose another challenge. Therefore, a fault detection method based on self-supervised feature learning was proposed to address the above two challenges. First, self-supervised learning was employed to extract features under various working conditions only using large amounts of normal data. The self-supervised representation learning uses a sequence-based Triplet Loss. The extracted features of large amounts of normal data are then fed into a unary classifier. The proposed method is validated on exhaust gas temperatures (EGTs) of a real-world 9F gas turbine with sudden, progressive, and hybrid faults. A comprehensive comparison study was also conducted with various feature extractors and unary classifiers. The results show that the proposed method can achieve a relatively high recall for all kinds of typical faults. The model can detect progressive faults very quickly and achieve improved results for comparison without feature extractors in terms of F1 score.

  • MINI REVIEW
    Junwen CAO, Yikun HU, Yun ZHENG, Wenqiang ZHANG, Bo YU
    Frontiers in Energy, 2024, 18(2): 128-140. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11708-023-0908-2

    The Haber-Bosch process is the most widely used synthetic ammonia technology at present. Since its invention, it has provided an important guarantee for global food security. However, the traditional Haber-Bosch ammonia synthesis process consumes a lot of energy and causes serious environmental pollution. Under the serious pressure of energy and environment, a green, clean, and sustainable ammonia synthesis route is urgently needed. Electrochemical synthesis of ammonia is a green and mild new method for preparing ammonia, which can directly convert nitrogen or nitrate into ammonia using electricity driven by solar, wind, or water energy, without greenhouse gas and toxic gas emissions. Herein, the basic mechanism of the nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) to ammonia and nitrate reduction reaction (NO3 RR) to ammonia were discussed. The representative approaches and major technologies, such as lithium mediated electrolysis and solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC) electrolysis for NRR, high activity catalyst and advanced electrochemical device fabrication for NO3 RR and electrochemical ammonia synthesis were summarized. Based on the above discussion and analysis, the main challenges and development directions for electrochemical ammonia synthesis were further proposed.

  • REVIEW ARTICLE
    Cheng YUAN, Shiming ZHANG, Jiujun ZHANG
    Frontiers in Energy, 2024, 18(2): 206-222. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11708-023-0907-3

    Platinum (Pt)-based materials are still the most efficient and practical catalysts to drive the sluggish kinetics of cathodic oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). However, their catalysis and stability performance still need to be further improved in terms of corrosion of both carbon support and Pt catalyst particles as well as Pt loading reduction. Based on the developed synthetic strategies of alloying/nanostructuring Pt particles and modifying/innovating supports in developing conventional Pt-based catalysts, Pt single-atom catalysts (Pt SACs) as the recently burgeoning hot materials with a potential to achieve the maximum utilization of Pt are comprehensively reviewed in this paper. The design thoughts and synthesis of various isolated, alloyed, and nanoparticle-contained Pt SACs are summarized. The single-atomic Pt coordinating with non-metals and alloying with metals as well as the metal-support interactions of Pt single-atoms with carbon/non-carbon supports are emphasized in terms of the ORR activity and stability of the catalysts. To advance further research and development of Pt SACs for viable implementation in PEMFCs, various technical challenges and several potential research directions are outlined.