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Both large spontaneous polarization and high breakdown strength are necessary to achieve high recoverable energy density in capacitors. Unfortunately, there is a trade-off between them within the homogeneous medium. Therefore, a sandwich structure with a high polarization layer was designed in the Aurivillius phase lead-free film to address this issue. This strategy can effectively enhance the polarization capability by introducing a highly spontaneous polarization layer and also improve the breakdown strength by reducing the leakage current caused by interfacial barriers and grain refinement. Benefiting from the synergistic effects, a high energy density of 50.4 J / cm 3 with a high efficiency of 76.6% in the sandwich-structure thin film capacitors were achieved. In addition, the energy storage performance exhibits good wide frequency range and high-temperature stability. This approach is generally applicable to the design of other ferroelectrics and dielectrics promises high-performance energy storage capacitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium–sulfur batteries hold great promise as energy storage systems, but the shuttle effect of lithium polysulfides (LiPS) and large volume variation limit their capacity and cycle life. We have developed CoFe alloy wrapped in N-doped porous carbon spheres (e-CF@NC) with a core–shell structure through simple copolymerization and pyrolysis. The nitrogen-doped porous carbon shell provides electron and ion transport channels and more active sites for electrolyte ion adsorption. The high chemically stable carbon can limit the segregation of polysulfides, further improving the battery cycling stability. Besides, the inside CoFe alloy particles catalyze the conversion between LiPS and Li2S, speeding up reaction kinetics and reducing solvation of active sites. Consequently, lithium–sulfur batteries with e-CF@NC-2 as the cathode display a high initial specific capacity of 1146 mA h g−1 at 0.1 C, excellent rate performance (891 mA h g−1 at 1 C, 741 mA h g−1 at 2 C), and satisfied cycle stability (average capacity decay rate of 0.033% per cycle at 1 C for 300 cycles), demonstrating significant application potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modeling solvation dynamics and properties is crucial for developing electrolytes for electrochemical energy storage and conversion devices. This work reports an on-the-fly multi-objective Bayesian optimization (OTF-MOBO) method to parameterize force fields for modeling ionic solvation structures, thermodynamics, and transport properties using molecular dynamics simulations. By leveraging solvation-free energy and solvation radii as training data, we employ the data-driven OTF-MOBO algorithm to actively optimize the force field parameters. The modeling accuracy was evaluated in molecular dynamics simulations until the Pareto front in the parameter space was reached through minimized prediction errors in both solvation-free energy and solvation radii. Using transition metal redox ions (Fe3+/Fe2+, Cr3+/Cr2+, and Cu2+/Cu+) in aqueous solution as examples, we demonstrate that simple force fields combining the Lenard–Jones potential and Coulombic potential can achieve relative error below 2% in both solvation free energy and solvation radii. The optimized force fields can be further extrapolated to predict solvation entropy and diffusivities with relative error below 10% compared with experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With increasing environmental concerns and energy crisis, a variety of renewable energy sources (RES) are being increasingly utilised worldwide. However, the integration of RES such as wind power and photovoltaics in large-scale can lead to increased load fluctuations, which can undermine the overall environmental benefits and pose risks to the secure and stable operation of the power system. To mitigate this challenge, a two-stage electricity production scheduling is developed incorporating energy storage system (ESS) and dynamic emission modelling (DEM). In the first stage, a multi-objective mixed integer programming model schedules the production of RES, increasing penetration rate and system stability. In the second stage, a data-driven dynamic emission model is developed to optimise the load allocation of thermal power unit to reduce the carbon emissions. Furthermore, a flexible operating reserve strategy is proposed to handle the uncertainty resulting from the intermittent character of RES. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method effectively schedules the production of RES thereby alleviating the contradiction between high RES utilisation and stable system operation. Compared to the benchmark model, the proposed method can reduce the carbon emissions and total cost of the system by 20.34% and 10.65%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the pursuit of reliable energy storage solutions, the significance of engineering electrodes cannot be overstated. Previous research has explored the use of surface modifiers (SMs), such as single-side fluorinated graphene, to enhance the thermodynamic stability of ion intercalation when applied atop few-layer graphene (FLG). As we seek alternatives to lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), earth-abundant elements like sodium and potassium have emerged as promising candidates. However, a comprehensive investigation into staging intercalation has been lacking thus far. By delving into staging assemblies, we have uncovered a previously unknown intercalation site that offers the most energetically favorable binding. Here, we study the first three elements in both alkali (Li, Na, K) and alkaline (Be, Mg, Ca) earth metals. Furthermore, the precise mechanism underlying this intercalation system has remained elusive in prior studies. In our work, we employed density functional theory calculations with advanced hybrid functionals to determine the electrical properties at various stages of intercalation. This approach has been proven to yield more accurate and reliable electrical information. Through the analysis of projecting density of states and Mulliken population, we have gained valuable insights into the intricate interactions among the SM, ions, and FLG as the ions progressively insert into the structures. Notably, we expanded our investigation beyond lithium and explored the effectiveness of the SM on ions with varying radii and valence, encompassing six alkali and alkaline earth metals. Additionally, we discovered that the number of graphene layers significantly influences the binding energy. Our findings present groundbreaking concepts for material design, offering diverse and economically viable alternatives to LIBs. Furthermore, they serve as a valuable reference for fine-tuning electrical properties through staging intercalation and the application of SMs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although K0.5Na0.5NbO3 (KNN) possesses large maximum polarization and relatively high breakdown strength, the large remnant polarization constrains their practical applications as energy storage materials. In this work, through multi-element doping, (K0.5−0.5xNa0.5−0.5xBix)(Nb1−xSn0.2xZn0.6xTa0.2x)O3 relaxor ferroelectrics were prepared. As the superparaelectric states (SPE) were adjusted to room temperature, orthorhombic, tetragonal, and cubic phases coexisted, accompanied by the highly dynamic polar nanoregions (PNRs). In particular, a high recoverable energy storage density of 4.5 J/cm3 and an energy storage efficiency of 83% were achieved for the x = 0.125 ceramic, with the variations less than 11% and 4%, respectively, in the wide temperature range of 20–180 °C. These results demonstrate that the multiphase PNRs in the SPE state is an effective strategy for improving the energy storage performance of KNN-based ceramics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of lithium-ion battery technology has ensured that battery thermal management systems are an essential component of the battery pack for next-generation energy storage systems. Using dielectric immersion cooling, researchers have demonstrated the ability to attain high heat transfer rates due to the direct contact between cells and the coolant. However, feedback control has not been widely applied to immersion cooling schemes. Furthermore, current research has not considered battery pack plant design when optimizing feedback control. Uncertainties are inherent in the cooling equipment, resulting in temperature and flow rate fluctuations. Hence, it is crucial to systematically consider these uncertainties during cooling system design to improve the performance and reliability of the battery pack. To fill this gap, we established a reliability-based control co-design optimization framework using machine learning for immersion cooled battery packs. We first developed an experimental setup for 21700 battery immersion cooling, and the experiment data were used to build a high-fidelity multiphysics finite element model. The model can precisely represent the electrical and thermal profile of the battery. We then developed surrogate models based on the finite element simulations in order to reduce computational cost. The reliability-based control co-design optimization was employed to find the best plant and control design for the cooling system, in which an outer optimization loop minimized the cooling system cost while an inner loop ensured battery pack reliability. Finally, an optimal cooling system design was obtained and validated, which showed a 90% saving in cooling system energy consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antiferroelectric thin films have attracted blooming interest due to their potential application in energy storage areas. Pb(1−3x/2)LaxHfO3 (PLHO-x, x = 0–0.05) thin films were fabricated on Pt(111)/TiO2/SiO2/Si substrates via the chemical solution deposition method. The x-ray diffraction and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy results show that the doping of La3+, which has a smaller ion radius, leads to a slight decrease in the lattice constant and unit cell volume, which can induce the lattice distortion. In addition, the dielectric and polarization properties indicate that with an increase in the temperature or La3+ content, the antiferroelectric (AFE) I phase can transform into an AFE II phase, exhibiting a slimmer P–E loop with enhanced switching field and more pronounced polarization dispersion. Notably, PLHO-0.04 showcases excellent energy storage performance (55 J/cm3, at 2.8 MV/cm). This material also exhibits good thermal, frequency, and fatigue stability. These results suggest that the energy storage performance of PbHfO3-based films can be enhanced through the phase structure design, presenting a valuable approach to fulfill the growing demand for advanced energy storage devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For photoelectrochemical water splitting, tungsten trioxide (WO3) films with a monoclinic structure were synthesized on fluorine-doped tin oxide coated glass substrates with a vacuum evaporation method. To control the WO3 film thickness from 0.42 to 5.6 μm, the crystal orientation was intergraded from the (200) crystal plane to the (002) one. In x-ray diffraction measurements, the intensity ratio of the (002) crystal plane to the (200) one was defined as rp. In the WO3 photoelectrode with higher (002)-preferred orientation, the photocurrent continued to flow even when the incident light against the photoelectrode was completely blocked after the irradiation for 60 s. This suggests that hydrogen continues to be produced owing to the electrons charged by the formation of a hydrogen tungsten bronze (HxWO3) phase. After 72 s, the photocurrent density of the WO3 photoelectrode with rp = 42 became one-tenth of the value before the incident light was blocked. This charge release time was remarkably long compared to those of the WO3 photoelectrodes with (200)-preferred orientation and non-orientation. Therefore, it was considered that the hydrogen ion diffusion through the defects in the WO3 crystals tends to occur in the [002] crystal direction. However, the improvement in the (002)-preferred orientation can facilitate the structural change from the WO3 phase to the HxWO3 one for the entire film. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrochemical interfaces are central to the function and performance of energy storage devices. Thus, the development of new methods to characterize these interfaces, in conjunction with electrochemical performance, is essential for bridging the existing knowledge gaps and accelerating the development of energy storage technologies. Of particular need is the ability to characterize surfaces or interfaces in a non-destructive way with adequate resolution to discern individual structural and chemical building blocks. To this end, sub-diffraction-limit low-energy infrared optical probes that exploit near-field interactions within atomic force microscopy platforms, such as pseudoheterodyne nanoimaging, photothermal nanoimaging and nanospectroscopy, and nanoscale Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, are all powerful emerging techniques. These are capable of non-destructive surface probing and imaging at nanometer resolution. This review outlines recent efforts to characterize ex situ,in situ,andoperando electrode materials and electrochemical interfaces in rechargeable batteries with these advanced infrared near-field probes.

Polymer dielectrics with excellent capacitive performance are urgently needed in advanced electrical and electronic systems. However, due to the dramatic increase in the conduction loss, the energy density and efficiency of polymers degrade severely at elevated temperatures, limiting their application in harsh environments up to 150 °C. Herein, an all-organic polyurea (PU)/polyetherimide (PEI) blend film is designed to prepare high-temperature polymer dielectric. It is found that carrier traps can be introduced by blending, and the hydrogen bond between PU and PEI increases the trap depth, leading to suppressed leakage current and enhanced breakdown strength, thus improving the energy storage performance. PU/30%PEI exhibits a high discharged energy density of ∼3.74 J/cm3 with an efficiency higher than 90% at 150 °C, which is 78% and 70% higher than pristine PU and PEI, respectively. This work provides a facile strategy to improve the energy storage performance of polymer dielectrics by introducing deep traps through blending. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the pursuit of sustainable energy solutions, the development of materials with efficient hydrogen and methane storage capacities is imperative, particularly for advancing hydrogen-powered vehicles. Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as promising candidates to meet the stringent targets set by the Department of Energy for both hydrogen and methane storage. This study employs Grand Canonical Monte Carlo simulations to investigate the usable hydrogen and methane gravimetric and volumetric storage capacities of the recently synthesized SIGSUA. A comparative analysis encompasses the selected MOFs with similar metal compositions, those with comparable density and average pore radius, and classical benchmarks, such as IRMOF-15 and IRMOF-20, all evaluated at room temperature and moderate pressures ranging from 25 to 35 MPa. The results reveal that SIGSUA demonstrates noteworthy gravimetric and volumetric storage capacities for both hydrogen and methane, rivaling or surpassing those of the selected MOFs for analysis. These findings underscore the potential of SIGSUA in advancing clean energy storage technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AgNbO3 (AN)-based lead-free antiferroelectric ceramics are widely studied for their use as dielectric capacitor materials. In this study, Eu3+-doped AN ceramics were prepared and the results show that Eu3+ diffused into the AN lattice. The ceramics were formed by M1 and M2 phases coexisting at room temperature, as distinct from the M1 (M: monoclinic) phase of pure AN. Electrical properties and structural characterization showed that the antiferroelectric stability of the ceramics increases with the increase in Eu3+ levels. At room temperature, Ag0.94Eu0.02NbO3 ceramic exhibited a good energy storage density of 5.3 J/cm3 and a high efficiency of 71.9%. When the temperature rises from room temperature to 140 °C, the efficiency of the sample decreases from 80.4% to 67.1% and Wr decreases from 2.1 to 2.0 J/cm3, which indicates that the sample has good temperature stability. The time constant (t0.9) of this sample was less than 60 ns and the power density (PD) was 51.3 MW/cm3, indicating excellent charge–discharge capabilities. This novel ceramic is expected to be used as a new dielectric capacitor material for pulsed power supplies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global demand for high energy density batteries, mostly for application in electric vehicles, offering increased durability, safety, and sustainability is growing rapidly. In the past, this demand has been met primarily by the development and/or improvement of new/established battery materials and technologies. The high-entropy design concept—aiming at increasing chemical complexity/occupational disorder—has recently been introduced into the field of electrochemical energy storage. Various high-entropy battery materials that are seemingly capable of outperforming low-entropy counterparts by offering desirable properties have been reported. However, future studies are required to explore if the concept is broadly applicable and can be extended to all types of battery materials, especially those that are of industrial relevance. Herein, we provide a brief overview of the existing high-entropy anodes, cathodes, and solid/liquid electrolytes for use in rechargeable Li- or Na-ion batteries and discuss potential research directions and opportunities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dielectric capacitors prepared by antiferroelectric (AFE) materials have the advantages of large power density and fast discharge ability. It has been a focus on the improvement of the recoverable energy density (Wrec) and discharge energy–density (Wdis) in the AFE ceramics. To address the above issue, optimizing the proportion of components is proposed for enhancing ceramic antiferroelectricity, ultimately improving the breakdown strength (Eb) and Wrec. In this work, an ultrahigh Wrec (14.3 J/cm3) with an excellent energy efficiency (η) of 81.1% is obtained in (Pb0.96Sr0.02La0.02)(Hf0.9Sn0.1)O3 AFE ceramic at electric field of 490 kV/cm, which is the maximum value reported in lead-based AFE ceramics fabricated by the conventional solid-state reaction method so far. The multistage phase transition induced by the electric field is observed in the polarization–electric field (P–E) hysteresis loops. Furthermore, an outstanding power density (PD) of 335 MW/cm3 and an excellent Wdis of 8.97 J/cm3 with a rapid discharge speed (102 ns) are obtained at electric field of 390 kV/cm. In addition, (Pb0.96Sr0.02La0.02)(Hf0.9Sn0.1)O3 ceramics also possess an excellent thermal and frequency stability. These exceptional properties indicate that (Pb0.98−xSrxLa0.02)(Hf0.9Sn0.1)O3 ceramics are a potential candidate for pulsed power devices and power electronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MXene is investigated as an electrode material for different energy storage systems due to layered structures and metal-like electrical conductivity. Experimental results show MXenes possess excellent cycling performance as anode materials, especially at large current densities. However, the reversible capacity is relatively low, which is a significant barrier to meeting the demands of industrial applications. This work synthesizes N-doped graphene-like carbon (NGC) intercalated Ti3C2Tx (NGC-Ti3C2Tx) van der Waals heterostructure by an in situ method. The as-prepared NGC-Ti3C2Tx van der Waals heterostructure is employed as sodium-ion and lithium-ion battery electrodes. For sodium-ion batteries, a reversible specific capacity of 305 mAh g-1 is achieved at a specific current of 20 mA g-1, 2.3 times higher than that of Ti3C2Tx. For lithium-ion batteries, a reversible capacity of 400 mAh g-1 at a specific current of 20 mA g-1 is 1.5 times higher than that of Ti3C2Tx. Both sodium-ion and lithium-ion batteries made from NGC-Ti3C2Tx shows high cycling stability. The theoretical calculations also verify the remarkable improvement in battery capacity within the NGC-Ti3C2O2 system, attributed to the additional adsorption of working ions at the edge states of NGC. This work offers an innovative way to synthesize a new van der Waals heterostructure and provides a new route to improve the electrochemical performance significantly.

An increasingly decarbonized yet resilient power grid requires the corresponding build-out of dispatchable zero-emission resources to supply peak power. However, there is a recognized dearth of solutions which can serve multi-day peak demand events both cost-effectively and with near-term deployability. Here, we find that pairing low-cost automotive fuel cells with hydrogen storage in salt caverns can serve as a peaker plant at less than 500 US$/kW at present, a fraction of the cost of conventional fossil fuel-fired peakers. We demonstrate the peakers value for long duration storage by comparing it with pumped hydro and assessing its profitability within Texas energy-only market region. Although deployment of these peakers is constrained by the presence of salt caverns, we show that a number of sites in the United States and Europe are endowed with suitable salt formations, while utilizing hydrogen storage in pressurized containers could form a location-agnostic peak power solution.

Rechargeable multivalent-ion batteries are attractive alternatives to Li-ion batteries to mitigate their issues with metal resources and metal anodes. However, many challenges remain before they can be practically used due to the low solid-state mobility of multivalent ions. In this study, a promising material identified by high-throughput computational screening is investigated, ε-VOPO4, as a Mg cathode. The experimental and computational evaluation of ε-VOPO4 suggests that it may provide an energy density of >200 Wh kg-1 based on the average voltage of a complete cycle, significantly more than that of well-known Chevrel compounds. Furthermore, this study finds that Mg-ion diffusion can be enhanced by co-intercalation of Li or Na, pointing at interesting correlation dynamics of slow and fast ions.

Increasingly, society requires high power, high energy storage devices for applications ranging from electric vehicles to buffers on the electric grid. Supercapacitors are a promising contribution to meeting these demands, though there still remain unsolved practical problems. Molecular dynamics simulations can shed light on the relevant molecular level processes in electric double layer capacitors, but these simulations are computationally very demanding. Our focus here is on the algorithmic complexity of the constant potential method (CPM), which uses dedicated electrostatics solvers to maintain a fixed potential difference between two conducting electrodes. We show how any standard electrostatics solver—capable of calculating the energies and forces on all atoms—can be used to implement CPM with a minimum of coding. As an example, we compare our generalized implementation of CPM, based on invocations of the particle–particle–particle–mesh routine of the Large-scale Atomic/Molecular Massively Parallel Simulator, with a traditional implementation based on a dedicated re-implementation of Ewald summation. Both methods yield comparable results on four test systems, with the former achieving a substantial gain in speed and improved scalability. The step from dedicated electrostatic solvers to generic routines is made possible by noting that CPM's traditional narrow Gaussian point-spread of atomic charges on the electrodes effectively endows point-like atoms with chemical hardness, i.e., an intra-atomic energy quadratic in the charge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

VO2 polymorphs present a unique opportunity to unravel diverse electronic properties possessed by their metastable phases. A highly reproducible, single-phase, and inexpensive synthesis method is challenging for obtaining VO2 polymorphs. Recent years have witnessed some exciting success in the growth and application of a wide range of VO2 polymorphs. This comprehensive review article delves into different polymorphs, including VO2(x) (x = A, B, M, R, C, P, and D), and investigates their distinct physical attributes. The primary focus of this article centers on providing a thorough overview of the recent progress made in stabilizing VO2(A) and VO2(B) polymorphs, emphasizing the significance of the coexistence of nanodomains at the film–substrate interface in stabilizing specific metastable phases. Additionally, the review article delves into advancements in understanding the phase transition mechanism, adjusting the order parameter in resistivity, and modifying the metal–insulator transition (MIT) temperature through doping. It also summarizes the structural, optical, electronic, and interface properties of these polymorphs and highlights their potential applications in next-generation electronic devices, particularly in the fields of sensing and energy storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intrinsically low electrical conductivity and poor structural fragility of MnO2 have significantly hampered the zinc storage performance. In this work, Ba2+-implanted δ-MnO2 nanosheets have been hydrothermally grown on a carbon cloth (Ba–MnO2@CC) as an extremely stable and efficient cathode material of aqueous zinc-ion batteries. The three-dimensionally porous architecture composed of interwoven thin MnO2 nanosheets effectively shortens the electron/ion transport distances, enlarges the electrode/electrolyte contact area, and increases the active sites for the electrochemical reaction. Meanwhile, Ba2+ could function as an interlayer pillar to stabilize the crystal structure of MnO2. Consequently, the as-optimized Ba–MnO2@CC exhibits remarkable Zn2+ storage capabilities, such as a high capacity (305 mAh g−1 at 0.2 A g−1), prolonged lifespan (95% retention after a 200-cycling test), and superb rate capability. The binder-free cathode is also applicable for flexible energy storage devices with attractive properties. The present investigation provides important insights into designing advanced cathode materials toward wearable electronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of the electrical parameters, including storage capacitance, additional inductance, charging voltage, and electrode gap, on the shock wave induced by spark discharge in gas were experimentally investigated. The results showed that the shock waves induced by spark discharge conform to the attenuation law for weak spherical shock waves outside the spark core. The shock wave amplitude is approximately proportional to the electrode gap and storage energy and decreases with increasing inductance. The effect of the charging voltage on the shock wave amplitude can be almost ignored if the storage energy is the same. The average power in the first quarter cycle of spark discharge was found to be closely related to the shock wave amplitude. An empirical equation was given between the shock wave amplitude and the average discharge power, which provides convenient access to set appropriate electrical parameters to generate shock waves of specified amplitude induced by spark discharge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aqueous Zn-ion hybrid supercapacitors (AZHSCs) combining the advantages of high‐energy batteries and high‐power supercapacitors see a bright future, but they still suffer from the poor capacity of carbonic cathodes. Herein, a functionalized porous carbon cloth (denoted as FPCC) electrode is demonstrated based on commercial carbon cloth (denoted as CC) tuning by structural and surface engineering. The constructed exfoliated porous carbon layer and the negatively charged functionalized interface not only increase the electrical double layer capacitance but also favor the chemical adsorption of Zn2+ to obtain additional pseudocapacitance. Consequently, the FPCC electrode delivers a high capacity of 0.16 mAh cm−2 at 4 mA cm−2, which is 923.8 times higher than CC, and a long cycle life (85.0% capacity retention after 30 000 cycles). More importantly, the Zn//FPCC AZHSC possesses an impressive energy density (3.3 mWh cm−3) and power density (240 mW cm−3), superior to many advanced batteries and supercapacitors. The quasi-solid-state device is also assembled as a demo. This modification strategy may provide new opportunities for high-performance AZHSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pursuit of advanced materials to meet the escalating demands of energy storage system has led to the emergence of vertical graphene (VG) as a highly promising candidate. With its remarkable strength, stability, and conductivity, VG has gained significant attention for its potential to revolutionize energy storage technologies. This comprehensive review delves deeply into the synthesis methods, structural modifications, and multifaceted applications of VG in the context of lithium–ion batteries, silicon-based lithium batteries, lithium–sulfur batteries, sodium–ion batteries, potassium–ion batteries, aqueous zinc batteries, and supercapacitors. The review elucidates the intricate growth process of VG and underscores the paramount importance of optimizing process parameters to tailor VG for specific applications. Subsequently, the pivotal role of VG in enhancing the performance of various energy storage and conversion systems is exhaustively discussed. Moreover, it delves into structural improvement, performance tuning, and mechanism analysis of VG composite materials in diverse energy storage systems. In summary, this review provides a comprehensive look at VG synthesis, modification, and its wide range of applications in energy storage. It emphasizes the potential of VG in addressing critical challenges and advancing sustainable, high-performance energy storage devices, providing valuable guidance for the development of future technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rechargeable batteries exhibit poor performance at low temperatures due to sluggish ion transport through the electrolytic phase. Ion transport is governed by three transport parameters—conductivity, diffusion coefficient, and the cation transference number with respect to the solvent velocity—and the thermodynamic factor. Understanding how these parameters change with temperature is necessary for designing improved electrolytes. In this work, we combine electrochemical techniques with electrophoretic NMR to determine the temperature dependence of these parameters for a liquid electrolyte, LiTFSI salt dissolved in tetraglyme between −20 and 45 °C. At colder temperatures, all species in the electrolyte tend to move more slowly due to increasing viscosity, which translates to a monotonic decrease in conductivity and diffusion coefficient with decreasing temperature. Surprisingly, we find that the field-induced velocity of solvent molecules at a particular salt concentration is a nonmonotonic function of temperature. The cation transference number with respect to the solvent velocity thus exhibits a complex dependence on temperature and salt concentration. The measured thermodynamic and transport properties are used to predict concentration gradients that will form in a lithium-lithium symmetric cell under a constant applied potential as a function of temperature using concentrated solution theory. The calculated steady current at −20 °C is lower than that at 45 °C by roughly two orders of magnitude.

Non-aqueous redox flow batteries have shown promise for applications in grid energy storage. Increasing the efficiency of these batteries by developing the electrolyte chemistries is needed. Herein, we investigate the correlation between solvent properties and the electrochemical parameters of vanadium acetylacetonate V(acac)3. Using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and rotating disk electrode experiments (RDE), we show that trends in the performance of the V(acac)3 kinetics are directly related to solvent properties. We found strong relationships between the solvents polarity, viscosity, and donor number with the electrochemical behavior of V(acac)3 in terms of the electrochemical working widow, electron kinetics and stability towards cycling. Based on these finding, we also demonstrate how solvent selection can be improved with limited a priori knowledge.

The electric grid was designed to move large amounts of energy through space, but decarbonization goals will require it to also move energy through time--from days and seasons with a surplus of energy production to days and seasons with insufficient production. Long-duration energy storage technologies that can hold a large amount of electricity and distribute it over periods of many hours to days and even seasons will play a critical role in the clean energy transition. But creating an environment in which these nascent technologies can develop and thrive will require changes in how the grid is planned and built. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dielectric energy storage capacitors offer great potential in pulsed power devices due to the high power density and fast charging-discharging rate. Designing a host material with high field-induced polarization is of importance for developing dielectric energy storage materials via further composition modulation. In this paper, we compare the microstructure, dielectric, and ferroelectric properties as well as the energy storage performance of samples K1/2Bi1/2TiO3(KBT), 75KBT-25BiFeO3 (KBTF25), and 88KBT-12Bi0.85Nd0.15FeO3 (KBNTF12) in detail. It is found that, among three samples, sample KBNTF12 possesses the most complex local structure coexisting of a four-distortions with different polarities; meanwhile, sample KBNTF12 behaves as a strong relaxor, thus giving a high field-induced polarization. Besides, sample KBNTF12 realizes the highest electric breakdown strength Eb among three samples, which is resorted to the highest resistivity of grain boundary. Highest ΔP and Eb of sample KBNTF12 among three samples render it achieve ultrahigh stored energy density Ws of 6.94 J/cm3, high recoverable energy density Wr of 5.23 J/cm3, and high efficiency η of 75.4%. Our work suggests that 88KBT-12BNF binary composition be an optimal candidate for dielectric energy storage ceramics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodegradable energy storage devices are being developed for real-time monitoring of biometric data, medical diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic uses due to the rising need for energy storage devices in biomedical and information technologies. In this review, we have briefly discussed the environment-friendly and biodegradable electrode materials in supercapacitors, batteries, supercapattery, and skin-patchable devices. The charge storage mechanism, biocompatibility, and safety of electrode material are discussed in detail. The electrode material based on carbon, metal, and organic patchable composites is studied. Furthermore, the most essential and core part of this review is discussing the several synthesis methodologies of biological environments and how these biodegradable materials fit into the architecture of energy storage devices. Lastly, this review paper gives a deep understanding of (biodegradable and environment-friendly electrode materials) in the current energy storage systems, challenges, and research directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports an extensive investigation on the structural, dielectric, ferroelectric and pyroelectric properties of 0.7Ba 1-x Sr x TiO 3 – 0.3Bi 0.5 Na 0.5 TiO 3 (x = 0.0, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7) ceramics synthesized via conventional solid-state reaction (SSR) technique. X-ray diffraction data confirms the presence of pure perovskite phase. The variation of lattice parameters with strontium concentration in 0.7Ba 1-x Sr x TiO 3 – 0.3Bi 0.5 Na 0.5 TiO 3 ceramics were evaluated using the Rietveld refinement of the XRD data. The variation of dielectric permittivity with temperature (ε' ∼ T) shows the diffused phase transition and all the parameters related to the relaxor ferroelectrics (relaxation coefficient, activation energy and freezing temperature) were evaluated. The energy storage properties of the as-prepared ceramics were evaluated using the room temperature PE loop. Amongst the as-prepared ceramics, the composition with x = 0.5 possesses the highest energy storage density of 0.46 J/cm3 with an efficiency of 90 %. The temperature dependent P-E loops were used to study the electrocaloric effect (ECE). The ECE calculations were performed using in-direct method based on Maxwell's thermodynamic relations. A maximum adiabatic temperature change of 0.32 K is achieved at 268 K under a small applied electric field of 25 kV/cm for the ceramic with Sr content x = 0.5. Additionally, electrocaloric responsivity ξ max = 0.13 K mm/kV was also found for the studied ceramics. The above results show that the ceramic 0.7Ba 1-x Sr x TiO 3 – 0.3Bi 0.5 Na 0.5 TiO 3 with the composition x = 0.5 is a viable lead-free option for application in solid state refrigeration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic-inorganic hybrid nanocomposites are rapidly evolving as a new generation of materials with attractive properties for electrochemical energy storage. Unfortunately, their practical applications in sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) still require further research due to the unsatisfactory cycling stability and rate performance. This work explores using zinc antimony oxide/reduced graphene oxide (ZSO/rGO) hybrid nanocomposite as an anode material in SIBs. After 150 cycles at 0.05 A g−1, the ZSO/rGO electrode delivers a specific capacity of 357.21 mAh g−1 with a coulombic efficiency of 99.3 %, which is almost 2.5-fold higher than the specific capacity of the pristine ZSO electrode. An in-situ Raman spectroscopy study demonstrates that the sodiation/desodiation mechanism in the ZSO/rGO electrode involves the conversion and alloying reactions in the ZSO nanoparticles. Further electrochemistry analysis reveals that the nanocomposite anode shows synergistic effects by coupling diffusion and surface contribution, in which the latter plays an important role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bi 0.5 Na 0.5 TiO 3 -based ferroelectric ceramics have broad application prospects due to their excellent electrical properties and are considered to be one of the most promising functional materials to supersede lead-based materials. Here, 0.9Bi 0.5 Na 0.5 TiO 3 -0.1Bi 0.2 Sr 0.7 TiO 3 - x NaNbO 3 (BNT-BST- x NN) ternary lead-free ferroelectric ceramics were prepared, and the origin of their excellent dielectric properties was investigated in terms of phase boundary and domain structure. The introduction of NN led to a phase transition from the ferroelectric rhombohedral phase (R 3 c) to the relaxor tetragonal phase (P 4 bm), and the two phases coexisted in the BNT-BST- x NN ternary solid solution with x ranging from 0.06 to 0.2. Meanwhile, the macroscopic domain of BNT-BST was destroyed and replaced by highly active polar nano-regions (PNRs) of the P 4 bm phase, leading to an increase in local structural disorder and enhanced relaxor behavior. A dielectric constant (ε r) of ∼1765 (150 °C) with Δ ε / ε 150 °C less than 15 % over a broad range from 80 to 328 °C was achieved in the BNT-BST-0.15NN, and an excellent energy storage property (W rec = 3.3 J/cm3) was obtained under a low electric field (190 kV/cm). More specifically, the relationship among phase boundary, domain structure, and excellent electrical properties was achieved based on Rietveld refinements and the dielectric/ferroelectric characterizations. This work provides a deep insight into the phase evolution and its impact on the electrical properties of the BNT-based relaxor ferroelectrics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-performance dielectric energy-storage ceramics are indispensable core components in pulsed power systems. Despite progress in enhancing energy storage performance, there are still significant constraints among various macroscopic performance parameters, hindering their miniaturization and integration into devices. Herein, we propose a novel weakly coupled relaxor ferroelectric ceramic system that delays premature polarization saturation of BaTiO 3 -based ceramics to achieve the desirable energy storage characteristics. The ceramic exhibits a high energy storage density (W rec) of ∼4.58 J cm−3 and high energy efficiency (η) of ∼95.2 % under an electric field of 540 kV cm−1, along with good performance stability in the range of 40–160 °C and 1–120 Hz. Furthermore, the enhanced insulation properties and refined average grain size contribute to the high breakdown field strength (E b) of the system. These findings provide a viable framework for the design of dielectric ceramic capacitors with high energy-storage characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing high performance electrochromic materials with energy storage function is essential for next generation smart display devices. Here, a double-layer NiO film (NiO-dl) was prepared by compositing the defective NiO (d-NiO) with the crystalline NiO (c-NiO), with a unique prismatic nanosheet array structure. The synergistic effect as well as the large active area with defect sites and valence modulation brought about by the (111) crystal plane-oriented growth of the sputtering process can promote the intercalation and extraction of OH− and Li+, which greatly enhances the electrochemical properties. Specifically, the NiO-dl film achieves a prominent optical modulation covering visible region (89.5 % in KOH and 64.8 % in Li+ electrolyte at 550 nm) and near-infrared region (54.5 % in KOH and 37.2 % in Li+ electrolyte at 1000 nm), a high transparent bleached state (92.7 %), a superior coloring efficiency (44.7 cm2 C−1) and robust stability (95.1 % retention after 1000 cycles). A high area capacitance of 99.5 mF cm−2 at 0.14 mA cm−2 with the promising cycling performance exhibits the supercapacitor characteristics. The comprehensive evaluation of the NiO-dl film demonstrated its exploitative potential application in electrochromic energy storage fields. [Display omitted] • The approach focuses on designing multifunctional electrochromic energy storage materials. • A NiO-dl film with (111) crystal plane-oriented growth is prepared and the formation mechanism is studied. • The improved properties stem from Ni3+ ions, Ni vacancies and synergistic effect of crystalline and defective NiO. • The NiO-dl film exhibits prominent optical modulation and promising supercapacitance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Creating the porous Zinc-Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework (Zn-ZIF) using a solvothermal technique addresses the need for advanced materials with distinctive properties and cost-effectiveness in modern applications. The PXRD, SEM, UV-DRS, TEM, and TGA/DTG are used to characterize different concentrations of Zn-ZIF. Zn-ZIF's crystalline structure and phase purity have been verified by PXRD. Using diffuse reflectance spectra, the Kubelka-Monk function determined the band gaps of the Zn-ZIF samples, and scanning electron microscopy revealed a more porous structure. At 77 K and 1 bar, the Zn-ZIF solution with a 2:1 ratio had the highest hydrogen storage capacity (1.71 wt%). The electrochemical behavior of several Zn-ZIF electrodes in a 6 M KOH electrolyte was evaluated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) experiments. The Zn-ZIF electrode with a 2:1 ratio exhibits a low charge transfer resistance and a high proton diffusion coefficient (D) of 1.687 × 10−4 cm2 s−1. The characteristics of the 2:1 synthesized Zn-ZIF electrode as a supercapacitor were investigated. Our analysis of the generated Zn-ZIF material's specific capacitance values after 2000 cycles revealed an impressive retention rate of nearly 89 %, with values of 296.6 Fg-1. In addition, we examined the photocatalytic activities of the as-synthesized material by exposing it to ultraviolet light and seeing how it degraded organic dyes such as Cango-Red (CR) dye. With a photocatalytic efficacy of 95.06 % for CR dye, Zn-ZIF (2:1 ratio) is the most effective. These findings should provide new knowledge for researchers interested in developing novel Zn-ZIF materials for photocatalytic, energy storage, and hydrogen storage applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to develop advanced energy storage devices, it is necessary to manufacture supercapacitor electrode that have both long electrochemical cycle lifetimes and high energy densities. These properties can only be obtained by developing heterostructure pseudo-capacitive materials. The combination of MnO 2 nanorods and ZnCr 2 O 4 nanoparticles resulted in a synergistic effect, which increased the electroactive surface area for charge storage. This effect was not observed when each component utilized individually. The material ZnCr 2 O 4 nanoparticles facilitated the MnO 2 nanorods. In present study, ZnCr 2 O 4 , MnO 2 and their composite was fabricated by simple sonication process. These fabricated samples were tested by using different techniques which includes X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman analysis, Brunauer Emmett Teller (BET) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Electrochemical analysis of fabricated materials exhibited an exceptional specific capacitance (C sp = 1175.35 F g−1), energy density (E d = 15.95 Wh Kg−1) and power density (P d = 869.4 W kg−1). These materials are anticipated to act as the support for electrochemical energy storage devices that utilize an ideal electrode structure, meticulously select the appropriate transition metal oxide (TMO) and analyse electrochemical characteristics for supercapacitive performance. This study exhibits the remarkable efficiency of the nanostructured ZnCr 2 O 4 /MnO 2 electrode in supercapacitors with high energy density (E d). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SrTiO 3 paraelectric materials exhibit significant potential to be used as lead-free energy storage dielectrics due to their distinctive linear-like polarization behavior. Nonetheless, the application in advanced thin-film capacitors is challenging due to their low polarization strength and structural anomalies, which reduce the breakdown field strength and diminish the energy storage density. This study proposes a synergistic approach that integrates ion doping with the optimization of thermal treatment to enhance the energy storage capabilities of SrTiO 3 thin films. Initially, Mn2+ doping in SrTiO 3 films mitigates oxygen vacancies and forms Mn2+-V O •• defect dipoles, thereby refining the polarization behavior and reducing the leakage current density. Subsequently, the crystalline degree of SrTi 0.99 Mn 0.01 O 3 thin films can be regulated by adjusting the annealing temperature. The optimal breakdown field strength of the resultant SrTi 0.99 Mn 0.01 O 3 films reaches 4681 kV/cm with a 1 mol% Mn2+ doping level, enhancing the recoverable energy storage density (W rec) to 32.17 J/cm3. Furthermore, the recoverable energy storage density of SrTi 0.99 Mn 0.01 O 3 films escalates to 36.62 J/cm3 with an efficiency of 80.28 %, upon reducing the annealing temperature to 625 °C. Moreover, SrTi 0.99 Mn 0.01 O 3 films demonstrate superior thermal stability, frequency stability, and electrical fatigue resistance, underscoring their potential as efficacious materials for film capacitor applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we report the synthesis of MFe 2 O 4 @SiO 2 (M = Cu, Ni, Co) nanostructures by microwave-assisted sol-gel synthesis utilizing rice husk as a cost-effective silica precursor and polyethylene glycol (PEG) as a soft template. Structural and electrochemical properties were characterized using XRD, FTIR, FESEM, EDS, HRTEM, BET, and electrochemical techniques. The result revealed the formation of well-defined MFe 2 O 4 spherical nanoparticles decorated mesoporous silica spheres. Electrochemical studies indicate that the CoFe 2 O 4 @SiO 2 electrode performs better than the CuFe 2 O 4 @SiO 2 and NiFe 2 O 4 @SiO 2 electrodes in faradaic redox processes and supercapacitor performance, having a specific capacitance of 1263 F/g at 1 A. Asymmetric supercapacitor (ASC) with CoFe 2 O 4 @SiO 2 as positive electrode exhibits high specific capacitance of 135.66 F/g at 1 A/g with good cycle stability retention (70.83 % at 10 A/g), high energy density (50.4 Wh/kg) and power density (891.522 W/kg). CoFe 2 O 4 @SiO 2 performs better than CuFe 2 O 4 @SiO 2 and NiFe 2 O 4 @SiO 2 because cobalt ferrite (CoFe 2 O 4) has higher electrical conductivity, superior redox activity, and better electrochemical stability. This study offers cost-effective potential electrode materials for electrochemical energy storage, combining environmental sustainability with superior electrochemical performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supercapacitors, as promising energy storage devices, have gained significant attention due to their ability to deliver high power and efficient charge storage mechanisms. In this work, we report the synthesis and electrochemical characterization of pristine NiO and Ni 1-x Ce x O (x = 0.01, 0.02, 0.03) nanoparticles using a single-step auto ignition combustion method. Preliminary investigations indicate that Ni 1-x Ce x O (x = 0.02) nanoparticles (2 % Ce doping) exhibit superior specific capacitance compared to other compositions. Therefore, we focused on structural, morphological, and vibrational studies on pristine and 2 % Ce-doped NiO. XPS and BET techniques were explored to assess the electronic state and porosity of the samples. Subsequent electrochemical performance evaluations included Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) at various scan rates, Galvanostatic Charge-Discharge (GCD), and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopic (EIS) techniques. From CV at a scan rate of 5 mVs−1, specific capacitance values of 419 Fg-1 and 604 Fg-1 were obtained for pristine and 2 % Ce-doped NiO, respectively. GCD studies revealed a specific capacitance of 381 Fg-1 for 2 % Ce-doped NiO at a current density of 1 Ag-1 and demonstrated capacitance retention of 95.1 % over 3000 GCD cycles for a current density of 4 Ag-1. The symmetric two-electrode supercapacitor cell demonstrates exceptional electrochemical performance, exhibiting a high specific capacitance of 122 Fg-1, an impressive energy density of 8.17 WhKg−1, a power density of 700 WKg-1 at 1 Ag-1, and a remarkable 88 % capacitance retention after 5000 GCD cycles. DFT calculations suggest that Ce doping significantly alters pristine NiO's electronic and structural features due to lattice strain. Our work highlights the enhanced electrochemical performance of 2 % Ce-doped NiO and its potential as a good-quality supercapacitor material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sm3+ doped β-wollastonite (β-CaSiO 3) nanoparticles (β-CSO:Sm3+ NPs) are effectively synthesized through agricultural waste. Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), photoluminescence (PL), and electrochemical analyses are utilized to validate the synthesis, structural, luminescence, and supercapacitor characteristics of the NPs. The diffraction analysis unveiled a monoclinic crystal structure nested within a rhombohedral lattice system in the synthesized samples. The excitation spectrum of β-CSO doped with 7 mol % of Sm3+ ions exhibited a prominent peak at 404 nm, while the emission spectrum revealed four distinct peaks. The most intense emission peak, observed at 645 nm, corresponds to the radiative transition from 4G 5/2 to 6H 9/2 states of Sm3+ ions. Analysis of emission spectra across different doping concentrations identified 7 mol % as the optimal optical doping concentration. The phenomenon of concentration quenching is attributed to dipole-dipole interactions. Exploration into energy storage and biosensor technologies is crucial for addressing societal challenges, expanding scientific understanding, and promoting sustainable progress across various domains including energy and healthcare. In this investigation, we successfully synthesized pristine RGO@β-CSO:Sm3+ nanocomposites (NCs) using a hydrothermal approach. Through cyclic voltammetry (CV) analysis, it is observed that these NCs exhibited markedly higher specific capacitance (C sp) of 152.15 F/g at a scan rate of 2 mV/s. Moreover, they demonstrated a notable energy density of 35.77 Wh/kg, alongside enhanced capacity retention of 82.27 % and exceptional Coulombic efficiency of 95.77 % compared to undoped RGO@β-CSO. Subsequently, these NCs are utilized to fabricate modified carbon paste electrodes (MCPE) for electrochemical dopamine (DA) detection at an optimal pH of 7.4. The modified electrodes demonstrated favorable current responses for DA voltammetry, achieving low limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) values of 9.226 μM and 30.75 μM, respectively. Additionally, they showcased improved selectivity between dopamine and uric acid, with a deterioration rate of only 97.83 % over 20 cycles. These findings suggest that the developed electrode holds significant promise for applications in supercapacitors and dopamine detection, thereby contributing to advancements in energy storage technology and biosensor applications. [Display omitted] • Economically feasible, reduced graphene oxide based β-CaSiO 3 :Sm3+ nanocomposites are synthesized from agricultural and food waste materials. • Structural, morphological, luminescence and electrochemical studies are performed using XRD, FE-SEM, TEM, XPS, PL, I QE CH instruments. • Electrochemical studies of synthesized RGO@β-CaSiO 3 :Sm3+ nanocomposites were performed to evaluate parameters like specific capacitance, energy density, coulombic efficiency, capacity retention etc. • Biosensor studies of the synthesized materials, using dopamine and uric acid proves to be a boon for biomedical applications. • Reduced graphene oxide based β-CaSiO 3 :Sm3+ nanocomposite can be used for future technologies, particularly in wearable/integrated electronic devices, smart sensor opto-electronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

K 0.5 Na 0.5 NbO 3 (KNN)-based ceramics with large polarization (P max) and submicron grain size are considered as promising candidates for dielectric capacitors. However, the existence of significant remnant polarization (P r) imposes constraints on achieving high recoverable energy storage density (W rec) and efficiency (η). In this study, we developed and produced ceramic materials by utilizing the composition of (1- x)K 0.5 Na 0.5 NbO 3 - x Bi(Mg 0.5 Hf 0.5)O 3 ((1- x)KNN- x BMH, x = 0–0.22), employing a viscous polymer rolling technique. We utilized a combined strategy to improve the energy storage capabilities of these materials by manipulating their crystal structures, inducing relaxor behavior, and minimizing microdefects. As a result, we obtained an optimum W rec of 3.32 J/cm3 and η of 85.37 % at an electric field strength of 350 kV/cm in the x = 0.18 ceramic. Furthermore, excellent temperature stability was observed within the temperature range 20–120 °C, along with frequency stability across frequencies between 5 and 500 Hz. Moreover, at 200 kV/cm in the same composition (i.e., 0.82KNN-0.18BMH), we obtained a power density value as high as 103.13 MW/cm3, accompanied by a fast discharge speed reaching 30.6 ns. Overall, our results demonstrate that the comprehensive energy storage performances exhibited by the 0.82KNN-0.18BMH ceramic make it highly promising for applications in pulsed-power supply. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

NaNbO 3 (NN)-based lead-free dielectric ceramics exhibit great energy storage density and environmental friendliness, making them attractive options for use in pulse power capacitors. Herein, novel NN-based ceramics, namely, 0.7Na 1-3 x Sm x NbO 3 -0.3(Sr 0.7 Bi 0.2)(Ti 0.8 Zr 0.2)O 3 , were designed via composition modification in order to improve recyclable energy storage density (W rec), dielectric breakdown strength (E b), and charge-discharge rate. The phase composition, microstructure, dielectric performances and energy storage performances of the resultant ceramics were methodically studied. Ultimately, a large E b of 380 kV/cm and a great W rec of 3.2 J/cm3 were attained by the NN-SBTZ-0.01Sm ceramic. In addition, NN-SBTZ-0.01Sm ceramic exhibited outstanding temperature and frequency stabilities, which facilitated the application of dielectric capacitors. Meanwhile, high current density (C D = 268 A/cm2), and ultrafast discharge rate (t 0.9 = 35 ns) made NN-SBTZ-0.01Sm ceramic have potential applications in pulse power systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antiferroelectric (AFE) ceramic dielectrics are widely recognized for their high potential in high-power pulse equipment applications. Lead-free NaNbO 3 (NN) antiferroelectric ceramics have emerged as a prominent research topic in the field of energy storage due to their abundant phase structure, affordability, and moderate bandgap. The metastable ferroelectric Q phase results in a square hysteresis loop for NN at room temperature. However, 0.96NaNbO 3 -0.04 CaZrO 3 (NNCZ) exhibits a typical double hysteresis loop at room temperature with the main crystalline phase being the antiferroelectric P phase, which has poor energy storage performance. In this study, Bi 0.5 Na 0.5 TiO 3 (BNT) is used to optimize the energy storage performance and stabilize the P phase in NNCZ simultaneously. The dielectric constant and temperature-dependence XRD results that from −100 °C to 350 °C, x = 0.05 undergoes a phase transition from AFE P to AFE R and then to PE S. The solid solution of BNT decreased the sintering temperature of NN-based ceramics and decreased average grain size, thereby facilitating domain size reduction and improving the sample's energy storage efficiency from ∼30 % to ∼60 %, with an effective energy storage density reaching 1.51 J/cm3. The above results demonstrate that enhancing energy storage efficiency can be achieved through component design by reducing average grain size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Originality: A novel category of working fluids, consisting of two substantial components diffused in a conventional fluid, has been identified and investigated widely in recent years. These types of fluids are called hybrid nanofluids. Problem statement: A wide range of engineering and industrial structures, including heat-transferring components, energy production, extrusion procedures, engine cooling purposes, thermal structures, thermal exchangers, chemical procedures, manufacturing processes and hybrid power plants, have been proposed for use with nanomaterials with improved thermal properties. These nanomaterial-based applications hold the promise of improved performance and efficiency in a variety of technological and industrial processes. The heat transmission and magnetohydrodynamic stagnation significance flow of hybrid nanofluids Fe3O4–ZrO2 and Fe3O4/water, the form factor of a stretched cylinder under the influence of heat production, nonlinear thermal radiation and nanoparticle volume fractions have been investigated in this study. Methodology: Utilizing proper similarity transformations, the processes of partial differential equations are further transformed into nondimensional solutions of ordinary differential equations. The bvp4c approach is employed to achieve a numerical solution. The flow and temperature profiles are displayed as a function of the contained factors. Graphs show the effects of changing the physical characteristics involved. Tables emphasize the skin friction factor and Nusselt numbers. Results: The temperature profile of fluids diminished due to an increment in the values of the temperature relaxation parameter and Eckert number. When the porosity factor is increased the temperature of fluids is improved. The effects of streamlines for various components are discussed. The 3D surface, contour plots and residual plots for various factors have also been investigated. Applications: Hybrid nanofluids have the potential to improve heat transfer efficiency in a variety of technical applications, including cooling structures, heat exchangers and thermal energy storage systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-performance potassium-ion batteries have received great attention for electrochemical energy storage owing to their low redox potential, abundant natural resources and excellent safety. As an advanced negative material, CoSe 2 has been widely investigated for potassium-ion batteries. Unfortunately, the pure CoSe 2 anode suffers from the fast capacity decay and sluggish kinetics, preventing its practical application. Herein, we introduce a novel strategy to fabricate the CoSe 2 nanoparticles embedded in one-dimensional mesoporous carbon nanofibers (denoted as 1D-CoSe 2 @CNFs) with superior high-rate property and good cycle stability for the first time. In this designed material, the conductive carbon nanofibers are loaded with CoSe 2 particles. The obtained 1D-CoSe 2 @CNFs anode shows a specific capacity of 706.3 mAh/g at 0.1 A/g and presents a high capacity retention ratio of around 96.3 % at 5 A/g over 400 cycles. Therefore, this fabricated 1D-CoSe 2 @CNFs nanocomposite can be employed as a novel negative electrode for potassium-ion storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]