RSC - Energy Environ. Sci. latest articles

In-Situ Formed Bionic Cell Wall Interphase Enables Reversible Zn Anode for High-Performance Aqueous Batteries

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, Accepted Manuscript
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE03332F, Paper

Open Access

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Zhenjing Jiang, Zijuan Du, Wei Zhang, Ruwei Chen, Yuhang Dai, Yanfei Zhang, Hang Yang, Jie Chen, Zhe Cui, Fuhan Cui, Guoju Zhang, Shuangying Lei, Haizheng Tao, Litao Sun, Kuibo Yin, Yuanzheng Yue, Guanjie He
Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) feature cost-effective and inherent safety, making them suitable for large-scale energy storage applications. However, acquiring a stable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) on the Zn anode is...
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Suppressing the interface electric field fluctuation through faceto-face electronic channel regulation for sustainable zinc batteries

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, Accepted Manuscript
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE02798A, Paper

Fusheng Luo, Song Yang, Qing Wu, Jinlong Zhang, Zeyu Yan, Xiude Liu, Jun Huang, Yiwang Chen
The poor electrode-electrolyte interface interaction, which originated from the limited interfacial contact and uneven charge aggregation, represent the primary constraints for the practical application of gel electrolytes in aqueous zinc...
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Algae-inspired hydrogel electrolytes with sulfate-group-mediated polyiodide repulsion for stable iodine chemistry

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, Accepted Manuscript
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE03238A, Paper

Ziying Lin, Hongyun Chen, Xincang Yu, Jiahao Li, Boyin Hu, Meng Xu, Yuhan Zou, Zixiang Meng, Peng Wen, Jing Li, Yongbiao Mu, Jingyu Sun
Aqueous zinc–iodine batteries are appealing for large-scale energy storage, yet their practical application is hindered by Zn dendrite growth, interfacial side reaction, and polyiodide shuttle. Inspired by the iodine-regulation capability...
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Chlorinated Polypropylene Enables Stress-Dissipative Networks and High Efficiency in Intrinsically Stretchable Organic Photovoltaics

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, Accepted Manuscript
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE02777F, Paper

Shuiwang Lv, Huizhen Ke, Yuting Wang, Dexia Han, Bei Li, Vakhobjon Kuvondikov, Wenchao Zhao, Menglan Lv, Long Ye
Intrinsically stretchable organic photovoltaics (IS-OPVs) demand both high power conversion efficiency (PCE) and robust mechanical deformability, yet these requirements are often difficult to reconcile in state-of-the-art donor:acceptor blends. Existing toughening...
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Energy efficient integrated H2O2 electrosynthesis via tailored bubble dynamics

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, Accepted Manuscript
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE02489K, Paper

Yun Do Kim, Sungjin Park, Jina Hwang, Jaehyuk Shim, Seungwook Baek, Hahyung Yu, Sihwa Lee, Dayoon Song, Sung Eun Chun, Dongsu Park, Heegeon Cho, Saehun Kim, Yeeun Kim, Geonhui Lee, Sunghak Park, Edward H Sargent, Byoung-Hoon Lee
Integrating H₂O₂ electrosynthesis with anodic upgrading provides a pathway to spontaneous (electricity-free) operation.Here we investigate interfacial kinetic bottlenecks, especially on the anode, and identify factors that hinder the achievement of...
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Inline quality grading of commercial lithium-ion battery manufacturing via data-efficient learning and transferable assessment

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE02209J, Paper

Open Access

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Chen Liang, Shengyu Tao, Chunqiu Xia, Xinghao Huang, Hang Hu, Rui Wang, Daoyi Dong, Ziyang Lyu, Guangmin Zhou, Huadong Mo
DELTA enables rapid inline quality grading of commercial lithium-ion batteries using early-cycle data and limited labels, reducing dependence on long-cycle testing while maintaining transferable assessment across materials and operating conditions.
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The critical role of water structure in anion transport

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE01258B, Paper

Open Access

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Keenan Smith, Arun Prakash Periasamy, Quentin Berrod, Jean-Marc Zanotti, Markus Appel, Victoria Garcia Sakai, Andrew Seel, Thomas F. Headen, Bettina Schwaighofer, Daniel J. L. Brett, Thomas S. Miller, Christian D. Lorenz, John R. Varcoe, Sandrine Lyonnard, Fabrizia Foglia
We combine neutron spectroscopy, total scattering, and MD simulation to expose the structure–transport relationships driving ionic mobility, proving conductivity under confinement emerges from collective ion–water–polymer dynamics.
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Hydrogen-free exsolution of Ir–Fe nanoalloys on the surface of solid oxide cell perovskite air electrodes

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE00100A, Communication

Open Access

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Jiyoon Shin, Myung-Jin Jung, Hao-Yang Li, Yujie Wu, Wanwisa Limphirat, Se-Hun Kwon, Pei-Chen Su
A new hydrogen-free exsolution route driven by Ir–Fe alloy affinity enables socketed nanoalloy formation on Fe-containing perovskite air electrodes.
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Machine learning driven design of polymer dielectrics for high temperature capacitive energy storage

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE01953F, Paper

Dongduan Liu, Ruojie Cheng, Qiao Li, Feng Wang, Yongqiu Li, Hongxiao Yang, Mingfeng Shen, Qian Zhou, Jinliang He, Qi Li, Chao Yuan
A machine learning-driven high-throughput screening framework for discovering high-performance high-temperature energy storage dielectric materials.
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Maximising the economic value of renewable and battery storage hybrids with revenue stacking

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE00776G, Paper

Open Access

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Mathis Landy, Oliver Schmidt, Nathan Johnson, Iain Staffell
Renewable-storage hybrids are increasingly attractive, but there is no universal best design. We optimise UK revenue-stacking and arbitrage in 30 countries, showing where and why co-location, full hybrids and stand-alone batteries create most value.
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Why more junctions do not yet deliver: interconnection challenges in perovskite multijunction solar cells

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE01631F, Perspective

Open Access

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Rik Hooijer, Sunwoo Kim, Doyun Im, Cong Chen, Dewei Zhao, Sangwook Lee, Erkan Aydin
Perovskite multijunction solar cells promise high efficiencies, yet progress beyond two-junctions is limited by the recombination junction. We benchmark RJ architectures and propose a framework to guide scalable multijunction development.
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Breaking the performance trade-offs in ammonia synthesis via spontaneous proton supply

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE01570K, Paper

Qian Wu, Songzhu Luo, Pengfei Song, Chencheng Dai, Leonhard Tannesia, Longcheng Zhang, Kamal Elouarzaki, Shibo Xi, Zhichuan J. Xu
Anodic activation creates a specific CoFe-(oxy)hydroxide interface on spinel CoFe_0.25Cr_1.75O₄, enabling spontaneous lattice-proton supply for fast nitrate hydrogenation and broad-window ammonia electrosynthesis.
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Lewis acidic molecule-modulated synchronous anion immobilization and decomposition towards a robust solid electrolyte interphase with enhanced Zn2+ kinetics

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE02521H, Paper

Kai Liu, Hao Yang, Anquan Zhu, Jiapei Li, Haochen Huang, Jiaze Yuan, Tian Zhang, Yin Zhou, Chuhao Luan, Guoqiang Gan, Dewu Lin, Kunlun Liu, Dongyu Feng, Yicai Pan, Shuyu Bu, Tao Cheng, Guo Hong, Wenjun Zhang
The developed Lewis acidic molecular additive enables synchronous anion immobilization and decomposition, yielding a stable SEI layer, effective cation–anion decoupling, and accelerated Zn²⁺ transport kinetics.
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Entropy-regulated dielectric friction in a eutectic electrolyte unlocks 150 °C high-performance Li metal batteries

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE02417C, Paper

Yaodong Huo, Duanduan Li, Chunkun Song, Qiyue Zhao, Yongqi Wang, Yong Gao, Tuotuo Ma, Xiaojun Gu, Yuliang Gao
We propose an insight into dielectric friction regulation to rationally design a high-entropy eutectic electrolyte (HEEE) for the extreme-temperature operation of Li metal batteries.
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Conductive polymer-coated nanocellulose enables dual-gradient thick electrodes for redox-homogeneous ultrahigh-areal-capacity Li-ion batteries

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE01622G, Paper

Ningxin Chen, Sida Xie, Jie Deng, Zichan Yuan, Zihan Guo, Kunkun Guo, Yue Ma, Chaoji Chen, Wenshuai Chen, Zhaohui Wang
A conductive nanocellulose scaffold turns sedimentation from a processing defect into a structure-directing tool, enabling compact dual-gradient thick electrodes with high areal capacity and redox homogeneity.
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Lower critical solution temperature (LCST)-mediated direct air capture of carbon dioxide with high capacity and low regeneration energy

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE01563H, Paper

Open Access

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported Licence.

Jiaxin Ren, Peigong Liu, Yuji Qin, Xi Yuan, Xiang Cao, Teng Zhou, Jian Zeng
An LCST-mediated adsorbent enables efficient CO₂ capture from air (2.82 mmol g⁻¹ at 25 °C) with low regeneration temperature (<65 °C).
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Molecularly engineered dual-network eutectogel electrolytes for high-loading and stable zinc–iodine batteries

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE02664H, Paper

Ling Wang, Jinpeng Guan, Na Li, Jing Li, Zhaoyu Wang, Jin Yin, Yi-Lin Liu, Maolin Yu, Yongbiao Mu, Zetao Chen, Yuwei Li, Jianxiong Xu, Lin Zeng
A molecularly engineered dual-network eutectogel regulates Zn²⁺ transport, water activity, and polyiodide chemistry, enabling long-life, wide-temperature, and stable high-loading Zn–I₂ batteries.
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Built-In Electric Fields and Ir-Cl Motifs at Heterointerfaces Enable Selective and Durable Seawater Electrolysis

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, Accepted Manuscript
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE02150F, Paper

Yaohai Cai, Di Liu, Dong Liu, Haoqiang Ai, Kai Liu, Xiaotian Wei, Yingwei Qi, Hui Pan, Lei Wang, Zhenbo Wang
Alkaline seawater electrolysis is fundamentally constrained by intrinsic trade-offs among oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activity, selectivity, and durability, arising from sluggish OER kinetics, parasitic chloride oxidation, and catalyst degradation. Here,...
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Strong electron push–pull effect and low transition barrier boosting non-metallic COFs photoelectrode for ultrahigh-rate photo-assisted Li–air batteries

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE01403H, Paper

Yixin Zhou, Qinglong Jing, Xiaoru Zhang, Xuexia He, Jie Sun, Ruibin Jiang, Zhibin Lei, Fujun Li, Qi Li, Zong-Huai Liu
D–A type COFs with strong electron push–pull effect, low transition barrier, and robust built-in electric field were synthesized for photo-assisted Li–Air batteries, exhibiting superior round-trip efficiency, rate capability, and durability.
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Interfacial water mediated oxide path mechanism for efficient acidic water oxidation on Co3O4

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE02097F, Paper

Juan Zhu, Zhichang Liao, Shinuo Liu, Jingxiang Xia, Hongnan Jia, Wei Luo
This work provides a novel strategy for regulating the reaction pathway of Co₃O₄ towards the acidic OER from the AEM to OPM by engineering the interfacial H₂O reorientation into H-down configuration.
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Soft-chemistry routes to entropy-engineered nanomaterials: complexity-driven performance in redox electrocatalysis

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE00987E, Review Article

Linwei Jiang, Cuifang Wang, Huaiyuan Kang, Zhiwen Lu, Hsien-Yi Hsu, Zongyou Yin, Mark A. Buntine, Zongping Shao, Zhenhai Wen, Guohua Jia
Soft-chemistry routes enable the tailored synthesis of entropy-engineered nanomaterials with tunable size, morphology, and unconventional phases, unlocking multielement synergy for efficient redox electrocatalysis.
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Design Principles, Interfacial Regulation, and AI-Guided Opportunities of Hydrogel Electrolytes for Zinc Metal Batteries in Extreme Conditions

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, Accepted Manuscript
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE02337A, Review Article

Xuefang Xie, Chaoqiang Feng, Haiming Duan, Shasha Tao, Shuquan Liang, Ziqing Wang, Guozhao Fang
Hydrogel-based zinc metal batteries (ZMBs) represent a highly promising platform for safe, flexible, and wearable energy storage systems. Nevertheless, their real-world application is greatly hindered by insufficient stability under harsh...
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A high-adaptability ambient energy harvester enhanced by the canyon effect for smart agriculture

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE02135B, Paper

Weilin Liao, Xiaosen Su, Huikang Li, Zijian Huang, Bingcheng Li, Jinsong Cai, Fei Fang, Ke Zhang, Xudong Huang, Zhong Lin Wang
This work presents a non-intrusive, modular harvester that synergistically integrates wind, solar, and raindrop energy harvesting with sensing capabilities for smart agriculture, underpinned by a canyon-effect-enhanced bi‑concave flow amplifier.
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Hydrogel-based moisture electricity generators: materials, mechanisms, and sustainable device design

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE01584K, Review Article

Chengyuan Zhang, Zhihua Yu, Zhibin Sun, Chengjing Ding, Qing Xu, Bingnan Xuan, Dong Liu, Jiangang Qu, He Shan, Mohammad Alamgir Hossain, Mingzheng Ge, Zhijie Liang, Jianying Huang, Yuekun Lai, Hui Liu
Mechanism-guided design of hydrogel-based moisture electricity generators.
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Monitoring of electro-chemo-mechanics in Li metal electrodes by optical fibre sensors

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, 19,4028-4039
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE01805J, Paper

Yanpeng Li, Dengwei Lian, Yi Qin, Hongfei Lu, Xiaohong Sun, Yuhang Song, Xin Jiang, Hong Li, Yang Jin
Optical fibre sensor enables monitoring of electro-chemo-mechanics in Li metal electrodes.
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Correction: Precursor-driven Jahn–Teller distortion as a hidden origin of surface instability in Mn-stabilized Ni-rich cathodes

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, 19,4040-4040
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE90051H, Correction

Open Access

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licence.

JinHa Shim, Young Geol Yu, Yu Bin Choi, Jin Ho Bang
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Crystal facet engineering empowers zinc materials with diverse facet orientations: preparation strategies, performance advantages, and application challenges

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, 19,3756-3790
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE00867D, Review Article

Guoqiang Ma, Mengke Peng, Juan Du, Youan Ji, Chao Ma, Aibing Chen
This review clarifies structure–performance relationships of typical Zn facets. It assesses scalable fabrication routes and builds a framework linking facet structure, processing, electrochemistry and cell performance for dendrite-free Zn anodes.
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Tailoring an iron-based metal–organic framework for a Zn-ORR/CER battery

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, 19,4016-4027
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE00064A, Paper

Open Access

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported Licence.

Sukhjot Kaur, Safa Gaber, Kalpana Garg, Abdul Khayum Mohammed, Ankur Bordoloi, Harpriya Minhas, Biswarup Pathak, Dinesh Shetty, Tharamani C. Nagaiah
A tailored bifunctional cathode catalyst, Fe-Tp-10% G, was utilized for the conversion of HCl to industrially valuable Cl₂ while storing energy in a Zn-ORR/CER battery.
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An ecosystem of carbon dioxide removal reviews – part 2: CO2 removal via blue carbon ecosystems

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, 19,3719-3755
DOI: 10.1039/D5EE04922A, Review Article

Open Access

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licence.

Christian Rischer, Ignacio Saldivia Gonzatti, Daniel A. Friess, Patricia Grasse, David Keller, Johannes R. Krause, Sarah Lück, Carisa MacPherson, Jennifer McHenry, Christine Merk, Tiffany Troxler, Rudi Voss, Wilfried Rickels
BCEs sequester ~270 MtC yr⁻¹ and could deliver substantial additional CDR by 2050 despite cost and feasibility uncertainties. Integrating BCEs into climate policy and accounting is key to unlocking sequestration potential and co-benefits.
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Synergistic boosting of electrical output of moisture-electric generator based on CCNF-LiCl-PAM hydrogel

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, 19,3983-3993
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE00528D, Paper

Xinpeng Zhang, Jiaxuan Liu, Xinyuan Qu, Ao Shen, Xin Wang
Synergistic enhancement by sustained moisture gradient, efficient ion transport and continuous ion supply endows the CLP-MEG with excellent electrical outputs, in particular, the voltage output remains at 1.34 V after 90 days.
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Composition-invariant strain engineering of metal sulfides for efficient hydrogen evolution

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, 19,3934-3943
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE01630H, Paper

Hongfang Du, Ke Wang, Song He, Boxin Li, Wei Ai
A molten-salt-mediated quenching strategy is reported for composition-invariant tuning of lattice strain in transition-metal sulfides. RuS₂ catalysts with tunable tensile strain are synthesized to investigate the strain and HER activity relationship.
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Hydrogen-driven thermoelectric trigeneration for sustainable homes: electricity, water, and heat

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, 19,3823-3833
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE02588A, Paper

Guo-neng Li, Xiao-Lei Shi, Hong-kun Lv, Hong-yi Tang, Ya Wang, Wen-wen Guo, Shao-jun Liu, Dan Zhao, Zhi-Gang Chen
We report a hydrogen-powered thermoelectric trigeneration system that simultaneously delivers electricity, freshwater, and high-grade heat with record performance: 61.8 W power output, 94.6% CHP efficiency, and efficient flue-gas water recovery.
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Tannic acid as a multifunctional bridge driving structural ordering and surface passivation of ZnO for over 20% efficiency inverted solar cells with improved stability

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, 19,3834-3844
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE01017B, Paper

Yurong He, Wentao Miao, Jianhua Han, Wenyang Luo, Zhuang Li, Jin Chen, Liangliang Chen, Xunchang Wang, Renqiang Yang
Tannic acid, a natural polyphenol, reduces structural disorder and passivates surface defects in ZnO transport layers, leading to a record efficiency of 20.1% in inverted organic solar cells and extending the device lifetime from 93 to 2808 hours.
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Low-temperature all-vacuum-deposited interfacial layers for high-performance and reproducible flexible inverted organic solar cells and modules

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, 19,3968-3982
DOI: 10.1039/D5EE07833D, Paper

Cheng Shen, Ze Jin, Jiaqiang Zhang, Ran Su, Yongqi Bai, Quan Liu, Ziyi Ge
Low-temperature, all-vacuum-deposited interlayers enable precise thickness and uniformity over large areas, achieving rigid and flexible module efficiencies of 17.6% and 15.2% with high reproducibility, advancing flexible OPV commercialization.
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Environmental and geographic constraints shape global pumped hydroelectric storage for long-duration energy storage

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, 19,3804-3822
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE01331G, Paper

Open Access

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported Licence.

Rongrong Xu, Zhenzhong Zeng, Alan D. Ziegler, Lee E. Brown, Joseph Holden, Dominick V. Spracklen, Deliang Chen, Yuntian Chen, Tianyun Dong, Yaling Zeng, Peirong Lin, Yuan Yang, Ming Pan, Dongxiao Zhang
A global bottom-up assessment identifies 18.82 ± 2.66 PWh of viable pumped hydroelectric storage, showing that PHS remains cost-effective for discharge durations longer than four hours under future energy storage technology cost scenarios.
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Efficient and stable electrochemical carbon capture via integrated CO2 absorption and regeneration

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, 19,3956-3967
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE01132B, Paper

Open Access

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported Licence.

Zhiwei Fang, Junwei Zhang, Peng Zhu, Zhou Yu, Ahmad Elgazzar, Juan Wang, Wei Ping Lam, Haotian Wang
Integrated electrochemical CO₂ capture combining absorption and in situ regeneration enables bicarbonate-dominated operation, reduced pH overpotentials, low-energy, and >1000 h stable carbon capture from dilute gas streams.
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Breaking the cascade dissolution loop through the self-inhibition mechanism for zinc–vanadium oxide batteries

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, 19,3994-4005
DOI: 10.1039/D5EE07525D, Paper

Weina Xu, Zimin Li, Kangjie Li, Huitong Lin, Shaobing Zhang, Ruohan Yu, Haoqing Ma, Liheng Zheng, Zijie Tang, Guobin Zhang, Jialun Guo, Fujia Zuo, Lei Zhang, Kangning Zhao
A self-inhibition mechanism for cathode dissolution in zinc–vanadium oxide batteries is proposed through pre-intercalation of Ca²⁺ to break the cascade dissolution loop.
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Low-carbon circular recycling of spent lithium-ion battery cathodes via direct regeneration and high-value upcycling

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, 19,3691-3718
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE02149B, Review Article

Hongguan Wang, Jinshuo Zou, Peng Chao, Jianfeng Mao, Gemeng Liang
The direct regeneration and high-value upcycling of spent battery cathodes demonstrate significant advantages in environmental sustainability and economic feasibility, providing an emerging technological pathway for a low-carbon circular economy.
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Precursor-driven Jahn–Teller distortion as a hidden origin of surface instability in Mn-stabilized Ni-rich cathodes

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, 19,3845-3864
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE00713A, Paper

JinHa Shim, Young Geol Yu, Yu Bin Choi, Jin Ho Bang
Interfacial destabilization caused by a chemically unstable Jahn–Teller distorted Mn^4−x–O coordination environment was observed for the first time in high-Ni cathodes due to surface Mn oxidation in the precursor stage.
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Large-pore mesoporous covalent organic frameworks as fast ion sieves via kinetics-mediated micelle assembly for aqueous batteries

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, 19,3944-3955
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE01393G, Paper

Ying Wan, Lei Huang, Fanxing Bu, Zhihao Sun, Siyuan Zhang, Zaiwang Zhao, Laiquan Li, Dongliang Chao, Dongyuan Zhao, Wei Luo
A versatile kinetics-mediated micelle assembly strategy is developed for the controllable synthesis of large-pore mesoporous covalent organic frameworks, enabling the construction of a fast ion sieve coating for stable aqueous Zn–I₂ batteries.
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Direct upcycling of mixed plastic waste into liquid alkanes

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, 19,3910-3923
DOI: 10.1039/D5EE07522J, Paper

Hongshun Ran, Run-Jie Shen, Wenyi Ni, Mengying Zheng, Xinyang Sun, Shuo Zhang, Zhi-Qiang Wang, Shourong Zheng, Xiaolei Qu, Yaxuan Jing
The direct hydrogenolysis of mixed plastics comprising polyolefins and oxygenated polymers into liquid alkanes over Ru/CeO₂ + Re/CeO₂ blended catalysts under solvent-free conditions is achieved.
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Chemically driven conformational rearrangement of PVDF-based polymer electrolyte to improve ionic conductivity for long-cycling lithium metal batteries

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, 19,3791-3803
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE00044D, Paper

Xiongbin Yang, Xinhong Qi, Yihang Li, Shichen Zhang, Yanlin Qin, Gaohong He
Chemically driven approach induced highly polar β-PVDF to promote LiTFSI dissociation to release more Li⁺, which is transported along an interchain pathway with a low energy barrier. Ionic conductivity and interfacial stability are improved.
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Modulation of d–d orbital hybridization via creating asymmetrical paired iron sites for the oxygen reduction reaction

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, 19,3891-3909
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE01866A, Paper

Zhijun Li, Hongxue Liu, Yunlu Chen, Siqi Ji, Xue Lu, Wenkai Yang, Yu Wang, J. Hugh Horton, Yu-Jia Tang, Xinlong Tian
A coordination manipulation strategy creates paired Fe sites bonded with P heteroatoms, inducing electron spin-state modulation and electronic delocalization to boost ORR activity and stability in both alkaline and acidic media.
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Breaking the kinetic pH effect in the hydrogen evolution reaction via strain-induced interfacial water reorganization

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, 19,3865-3877
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE01390B, Paper

Haihua Luo, Yurui Han, Lisheng Qian, Zhaoran Yuan, Jilong Xu, Zuohuan Chen, Jiaxiang Lu, Jun Qi, Jiawei Ge, Peiyu Ma, Wenhua Zhang, Qiang Fu, Zheng Jiang, Yifan Ye
Grain boundary induced tensile strain tunes catalyst oxophilicity, thereby reorganizing interfacial water and accelerating proton and water transfer to break the kinetic pH effect in HER.
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Highly stable Mn–Sn flow batteries towards low-temperature energy storage

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, 19,3924-3933
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE01772J, Paper

Yu Shu, Yexuan Yu, Hongjie Xiao, Ziyi Xiang, Liping Wan, Guodong Li, Yao Liu, Jianhang Huang, Yonggang Wang
An acidic Mn–Sn flow battery was developed to overcome low-temperature limitations, enabling operation at an unprecedented temperature of −45 °C, which exhibits a high energy efficiency of up to 85% and energy density of 48 Wh L⁻¹.
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Bridging redox asymmetry in hot and cold cells for boosted power density in thermally regenerative flow batteries

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, 19,3878-3890
DOI: 10.1039/D5EE07558K, Paper

Huan Gao, Yuhao Cai, Wei Xiao, Mingming Yin, Minjie Liu, Tianshou Zhao, Haoran Jiang
Thermally regenerative flow batteries (TRFBs) offer a promising route for harvesting low-grade waste heat; however, their power output is limited by the mismatch in redox reaction kinetics during the reverse reactions between the cold and hot cells.
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In situ polymerized zwitterionic elastomers for efficient and stable perovskite solar cells

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, 19,4006-4015
DOI: 10.1039/D5EE07792C, Paper

Wanli Li, Yuheng Li, Arnauld Robert Tapa, Minqiang Liu, Tie Liu, Haibing Xie, Yang Bai, Xiong Li, Zhongqin Xiao, Tao Yu, Zaiwei Wang, Chunxiong Bao, Zhigang Zou
A multifunctional zwitterionic additive regulates crystallization, passivates defects, suppresses ion migration and relaxes residual stress in inverted perovskite solar cells, achieving 26.69% certified efficiency and excellent stability.
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Synergistically Facilitate Charge Dynamics and Suppress Energetic Disorder via Tailoring Solid Additive Substituents for Efficient Organic Solar Cells Over 21%

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, Accepted Manuscript
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE01222A, Paper

Xiaoyu Mou, Jvfang Liang, Keli Shi, Sangjin Yang, Jeewon Park, Shucheng Qin, Qianqian Zhao, Jianping Chen, Xingchen Hu, Jintong Sun, Jia Yao, Can Zhu, Lian Zhong, Jing Guo, JINYUAN ZHANG, Erjun Zhou, Zhi-Guo Zhang, Changduk Yang, Beibei Qiu, Yongfang Li
Simultaneously minimizing energy loss and optimizing charge dynamics remains a central challenge for further boosting the photovoltaic performance of organic solar cells (OSCs). As a key parameter controlling charge generation,...
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Synergizing phase engineering and site-selective substitution through the rational design of a high-entropy layered oxide cathode enables air-stable and long-life sodium-ion batteries

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/D5EE07341C, Paper

Nazir Ahmad, Shao Wang, Lina Yang, Mingyu Cheng, Guo Qingling, Ye Shanshan, Shahid Ali, Jing Xia, Wenxiu He, Genqiang Zhang
The P2/O3-Na8M cathode demonstrated exceptional stability and performance: 93.3% capacity retention after 100 cycles at 0.1C, high air/water resistance (35 days), and 281.2 Wh kg⁻¹ in full cells, promising for advanced energy storage.
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Stability of inverted perovskite solar cells: a focus on interface phenomena

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/D5EE07642K, Review Article

Open Access

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Hui Li, Yang Zhou, Annamaria Petrozza
The review offers a perspective on degradation in inverted PSCs, tracing the progression from intrinsic instabilities of interfacial materials to interface-amplified degradation in the perovskite absorber.
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CVD-grown tunable carbon films for high-performance sodium storage

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE01852A, Communication

Open Access

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Enis Oğuzhan Eren, Evgeny Senokos, Tim Horner, Leonardo Cancellara, Ernesto Scoppola, Jiyong Kim, Morten Johansen, Kangkang Ge, Barbara Daffos, Pierre-Louis Taberna, Patrice Simon, Paolo Giusto
A thin tunable carbon film grown by CVD confines porous carbons, enabling diffusion-controlled Na-ion storage with ultrahigh plateau capacity for sustainable sodium-ion batteries.
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Stabilizing the buried interface via inorganic–organic hybrid layers for high-performance perovskite photovoltaics

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE01195K, Paper

Yulin Xie, Ziwei Zheng, Huazhong Liu, Lin Li, Kai Gao, Xiong Li
Inverted PSCs offer durability & silicon tandem compatibility, but suffer from aggregation, poor wetting & fragility. We developed a hybrid contact using silica nanoparticles to achieve 27.35% efficiency and >1000 h stability at 65 °C, enabling scalable, robust commercialization.
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Inhibition of shuttle effect in organic cathode and in situ mechanistic exploration

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, Accepted Manuscript
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE00605A, Paper

Yanxiang Gong, Yiran Jia, Jie Yang, Jun Zhang, Meng Xia, Xi-Yang Wang, Yunsheng Wang, Ying Tao, Manman Fang, Quan-Hong Yang, Ben Zhong Tang, Zhen Li
Organic p-type cathode materials are promising for sustainable energy storage due to their abundance, environmental compatibility, and high operating voltages exceeding 3.5 V. However, their application is constrained by high...
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Defect-directed regeneration of LiCoO2 cathodes via gradient cobalt reprogramming

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE02083F, Paper

Siyu Zhang, Yangyang Liu, Gen Chen, Yuping Fan, Hamdy Khamees Thabet, Yu Yao, Zhuoxi Wu, Bingan Lu, Junwei Han, Jiang Zhou
Defect-directed regeneration reprograms spent LiCoO₂ cathodes into a gradient cobalt architecture, enabling high-voltage stability and performance beyond the pristine material.
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Electron-Withdrawing Chemistry Drives Ultrafast-Charging Interphases for Sodium-ion Batteries

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, Accepted Manuscript
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE01449F, Paper

Fu-Qiang Li, Zhichao Li, Dongfang Dong, Cheng Yang, Yu Liu, Yanfeng Gao
Fast charging and long-term cyclability in sodium-ion batteries are fundamentally limited by unstable, ion-transport-limited solid electrolyte interphases (SEI) arising from solvent-dominated Na⁺ solvation structures in conventional carbonate electrolytes. These intrinsic...
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Modulating interfacial ion flux via electrode coatings enables efficient acidic CO2 electrolysis

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE01796G, Paper

Xiaotong Li, Xinhui Guo, Qian Liu, Yunxia He, Youwen Rong, Zijian Tan, Yiyuan Jiang, Zhou Chen, Dunfeng Gao, Guoxiong Wang, Xinhe Bao
Coupling a cation-exchange ionomer with a proton-blocking oxide constructs a K⁺-enriched alkaline microenvironment for efficient acidic CO₂ electrolysis.
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Solar-complemented moisture electric generator for synergistic energy harvesting in all regions

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE01476C, Paper

Gangli Zhao, Daozhi Shen, Shuaiqi Han, Dingyun Zhang, Linglan Guo, Qiaolin Gu, Feng Zhan, Limin Zhu
This solar-complemented moisture electric generator synergistically harvests ambient humidity and sunlight, delivering stable power output across diverse climates for self-powered wearable and IoT systems.
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Outstanding Reviewers for Energy & Environmental Science in 2025

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE90045C, Editorial

We would like to take this opportunity to highlight the Outstanding Reviewers for Energy & Environmental Science in 2025, as selected by the editorial team for their significant contribution to the journal.
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Molecular orchestration enables mutually reinforcing electrolyte chemistry for lithium metal batteries exceeding 500 Wh kg−1

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE02570F, Paper

Yiming Zhang, Jiaxiang Zhao, Bosi Huang, Runhua Gao, Wenqiang Fang, Xinyu Luo, Kang Ma, Ming Yang, Jie Sun, Guangmin Zhou
Molecular orchestration based on complementary charge engineering enables mutually reinforcing electrolyte chemistry, modulating solvation structure and synchronously stabilizing dual interphases for lithium metal batteries exceeding 500 Wh kg⁻¹.
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Discharge-triggered electronic delocalization via asymmetric motifs suppresses Jahn–Teller distortion in Mn-based layered oxides

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE03005J, Paper

Jiayuan Zhang, Yucheng Fu, Xingyu Lu, Longxiang Liu, Tianwei Cui, Hong Zhu, Yongzhu Fu, Xiang Li
Discharge-induced electronic delocalization via asymmetric Ru–O–Mn motifs actively suppresses Mn³⁺ formation and Jahn–Teller distortion, achieving near-zero lattice strain and excellent cycling stability for high-energy sodium-ion battery cathodes.
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Dual-mechanism synergy of adsorbate evolution and lattice oxygen in high-entropy oxides for enhanced water oxidation

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE00598E, Paper

Zhen Xin Hui, Zeliang Ju, Jia Zhao Li, Hui Li, Xu Liu, Huai Bi Hu, Zi Wen, Zhi Wen Chen, Chun Cheng Yang, Qing Jiang
A spinel-type FeCoNiCrRu high-entropy oxide is synthesized via an ultrafast thermal shock method. This catalyst overcomes the activity–stability trade-off in OER catalysis through the synergistic AEM–LOM dual-pathway mechanism.
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Nonplanar tertiary-N extended nitrobenzene enables insoluble and low-energy-barrier organic small-molecule cathodes for high-performance aqueous batteries

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE02250B, Paper

Open Access

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported Licence.

Ziyang Song, Qi Huang, Yaokang Lv, Lihua Gan, Mingxian Liu
A nonplanar tertiary-N extended nitrobenzene enables an insoluble and low-energy-barrier nitroarene small molecule cathode, achieving a state-of-the-art cycling life of 180 000 cycles in aqueous batteries.
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Hydrogen-bond-engineered polymer dielectrics for 250 °C operation enabled by deep-learning-based virtual screening

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE01214K, Paper

Jinfeng Li, Tao Lu, Ruize Wang, Shiqi Wang, Wei Jiang, Binhan Lv, Yan Gao, Tian Zhang
Deep learning-guided virtual screening identifies a hydrogen-bonding polymer additive (O-PU) that induces a low-entropy nanocrystalline network in polyimide, delivering a record discharged energy density of 5.99 J cm⁻³ with >90% efficiency at 250 °C.
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Suppressing dendrites via lateral lithium flux in Li metal solid-state batteries

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE02327D, Paper

Open Access

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Huanyu Zhang, Faruk Okur, Matthias Klimpel, Julian F. Baumgärtner, Jaka Šivavec, André Müller, Ihor Neporozhnii, Orhan Kibrisli, Oleksandr Voznyy, Yaroslav E. Romanyuk, Maksym V. Kovalenko, Kostiantyn V. Kravchyk
Lithium dendrite growth at the lithium–solid-state electrolyte (SSE) interface, driven by void formation, remains a major barrier to the deployment of Li metal solid-state batteries.
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Multiscale microenvironment engineering at the gas–liquid–solid triple-phase interface for electrochemical hydrogen evolution

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE02182D, Review Article

Mengqi Li, Xiaolin Feng, Menghui Qi, Yingjie Zhou, Ziyin Xu, Haiyan Wang, Zhengquan Li, Yong Wang
This review highlights multiscale microenvironment engineering for the hydrogen evolution reaction, covering atomic/molecular, mesoscopic and macroscopic scales, which offers insights for next-generation hydrogen production systems.
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Spider dragline silk-inspired 3D printed sustainable zinc ion batteries with ultrahigh stability

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE02022D, Paper

Open Access

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Hongyu Lu, Jisong Hu, Botao Jiang, Kaiqi Zhang, Zhengyu Ju, Gehong Su, Yuanyuan Gao, Zhaodan Fu, Jingxin Zhao, Bingang Xu, Guihua Yu
Inspired by spider dragline silk architecture, we developed a green and recyclable double-network zinc metal anode via multi-band UV 3D printing, enabling scalable fabrication of highly stable and recyclable zinc-ion batteries.
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Integrating atomic scale catalyst design with transport engineering for stable and efficient CO2 electrolysis to CO in a membrane electrode assembly

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE00129G, Paper

Open Access

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Zahra Teimouri, Mahtab Masouminia, Ashkan Irannezhad, Reza Eslami, Joseph Deering, Navid Noor, Shunquan Tan, Amirhossein Foroozan Ebrahimy, Shayan Angizi, Sung-Fu Hung, Drew Higgins
We identify three factors governing NiNC performance in MEA CO₂ electrolysis: nitrogen precursor impregnation, chelating-agent-assisted synthesis, and carbon support morphology, which collectively determine catalyst-layer structure and performance.
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Disentangling the activity–charge coupling in cocatalyst–semiconductor heterojunctions for optimized oxygen evolution

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE00362A, Paper

Ying Liu, Min Zhou, Guanhua Ren, Peijun Hu, Haifeng Wang
Decoupling cocatalyst effects in photocatalysis, often intertwined between enhancing photocarrier accumulation and boosting intrinsic catalytic activity (ICA), is essential yet challenging for the rational design of photocatalysts.
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Supramolecular hosts for high-performance and sustainable perovskite optoelectronics

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE02642G, Review Article

Guo Yang, Ying Tan, Yuxuan Fang, Wenhuai Feng, Kaiying Chen, Gengling Liu, Xueqing Chang, Wu-Qiang Wu
This review outlines the integration of diverse supramolecular hosts into perovskites, achieving control over structure, defects and ion dynamics, advancing next-generation optoelectronics with superior performance, longevity and sustainability.
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A kinetic descriptor of solvent polarization for rational electrolyte design in lithium–metal batteries

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE01727D, Paper

Xilin Liang, Lingyan Duan, Qing Liu, Qi An, Hanlin Tang, Mou Yang, Hongjia Liu, Ou Ka, Yongxin Yang, Guiquan Zhao, Yongjiang Sun, Xiaomin Yang, Hong Guo
A kinetic descriptor of solvent polarization unifies bulk transport and interfacial stability, enabling rational electrolyte design.
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Membrane-free osmotic power generators with high-performance energy conversion

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE01945E, Paper

Shengyang Zhou, Dehua Huang, Guangpeng Ma, Xuanyi Tong, Yang Liu, Linsen Yang, Tianchi Liu, Xiang-Yu Kong, Liping Wen
Membrane-free osmotic power generators based on polyelectrolyte-based aqueous two-phase systems are proposed to achieve record power densities at a macroscopical scale.
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Direct electrode-to-electrode regeneration of end-of-life batteries via electrode–electrolyte interphase dissolution

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE01118G, Paper

Open Access

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported Licence.

Kiwon Kim, Chenlu Yang, Sabine M. Gallagher, Shuwen Yue, Vibha Kalra
Selective electrode–electrolyte interphase layer (EEI) dissolution enables direct electrode-to-electrode regeneration of spent Li-ion battery electrodes with up to 95% capacity recovery.
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Size-dependent dynamic surface states of Ru clusters: modulating interfacial water structure for enhanced alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE01604A, Paper

Jiwon Kim, Jinuk Moon, Kyuri Cho, Junhyeong Kim, Man Ho Han, Seongbeen Kim, Jimin Han, Daeeun Choi, Hyunwoo Jun, Jong Hyun Jang, Hyung-Suk Oh, Sung Ki Cho, Wooyul Kim, Jeong Woo Han, Jinwoo Lee
Dynamically stable oxidized surface states of sub-nanometer Ru clusters enhance interfacial hydrogen-bond connectivity, thereby enabling highly efficient alkaline water electrolysis.
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High-performance LiFePO4 regeneration through Na-induced lattice activation and conductivity rewiring

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE02323A, Paper

Jiale Zhang, Shaofeng Li, Yan Yan, Jiexiang Li, Zeyu Dong, Peng Ge, Yue Yang, Jie Zeng
The recycling of spent LiFePO₄ (LFP) is crucial for the sustainable development of Li-ion batteries.
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Electronic-structure descriptor-guided design of high-entropy perovskites for efficient CO2 electrolysis

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE02221A, Paper

Nan Zhang, Caijin Xiao, Baixi Xia, Beibei He, Xunxun Deng, Ling Zhao, Yida Deng
A descriptor-driven, interpretable machine learning framework enables rational design of high-entropy perovskite cathodes for efficient CO₂ electrolysis.
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An expandable cement-induced pseudo-supercapacitor brick for self-energy-storage buildings

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, 19,3524-3535
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE00784H, Paper

Jiarui Xing, Lan Wang, Yifan Guo, Weihuan Li, Yulin Wang, Wenmiao Zhao, Yuping Wu, Wei Wang, Jiarui He, Yang Zhou
A full-cement energy storage device with cement-induced pseudocapacitive electrodes and magnesia-cement electrolytes is developed for self-energy-storage buildings, enabling energy storage, semi-structural function, and photovoltaic utilization.
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A synergistic dual additive strategy for constructing gradient hydrophobic interfaces toward ultrastable aqueous zinc metal anodes

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, 19,3564-3574
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE01319H, Paper

Zongpu Xia, Jingyi Ding, Sicheng Yang, Qiaoli Zhang, Yiwei Yuan, Chengyuan Peng, Junrong Luo, Junhao Du, Fei Ye, Yanzhi Ai, Yue Wang, Xinxiang Zhang, Wen Liu, Jitao Chen
A dual additive strategy decouples the functions of interfacial hydrophobicity and solvation coordination, enabling the in situ construction of an advanced multifunctional gradient hydrophobic interface that provides excellent cycling performance.
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Concentration–structure dual-gradient architecture in high-Ni/low-Co single-crystal NCM cathodes

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, 19,3612-3628
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE00273K, Paper

Jun Bum Park, Minje Ryu, Eui-Yeon Jeong, Young Gyun Choi, Sung Hyun Cho, Seok Yun Kim, Byungwook Kang, Kisuk Kang, Seong-Min Bak, Jong Hyeok Park
Co₃O₄ dry coating and post-annealing introduces a concentration–structure dual-gradient in high-Ni/low-Co single-crystal NCM. This architecture accelerates electron transport and stabilizes the surface, improving rate capability and durability.
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Dual characteristics of Mn2+ dissolution from manganese oxide cathode materials in aqueous zinc batteries: trade-offs between active material loss and double capacity contribution

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, 19,3475-3486
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE00712K, Perspective

Yaozhi Liu, Lu Lin, Shuqi He, Hong Wu, Daihuo Liu, Dongliang Chao, Xiaoqi Sun
This perspective systematically evaluates Mn²⁺ dissolution behavior in aqueous Zn–MnO₂ batteries to understand its dual characteristics of active material loss vs. double capacity contribution, aiming to advance energetic aqueous batteries.
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Navigating interfaces in solid-state sodium batteries: challenges, solutions, and future directions

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, 19,3401-3445
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE01558A, Review Article

Daxian Zuo, Xin Yu, Jing-Chang Li, Yu Sun, Hangyu Zheng, Bo Peng, Yiwen Liu, Jie Yang, Haoshen Zhou, Shaohua Guo
This review identifies the key interfacial challenges in solid-state sodium batteries and highlights materials design, interface engineering, characterization, and modeling strategies to enable stable, high-performance, and commercially viable SSSBs.
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High-entropy-cooperated single-atom catalysis: an emerging paradigm bridging configurational complexity and atomic precision for catalytic applications

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, 19,3446-3474
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE00138F, Review Article

Tao Xu, Jian Zhang, Wei Chen, Yuepeng Yao, Wen-Gang Cui, Xinqiang Wang, Wenxian Liu, Hongge Pan, Dingsheng Wang, Ge Meng
The design strategies and structural advantages of high-entropy-cooperated single-atom catalysts were comprehensively reviewed, which bridged the configurational complexity and atomic precision for critical catalytic systems.
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Ion-directed polymer/inorganic interphase with enriched charge for stable and high-rate Zn anodes

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, 19,3629-3639
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE01602B, Paper

Meihua Zhu, Sitian Ku, Qing Ran, Houhou Huang, Ningzhi Cao, Fu-Quan Bai, Xing-You Lang, Danming Chao, Ming Feng
A polymer/inorganic interphase provides enriched charge and directed Zn²⁺ deposition, endowing Zn anodes with high-rate performance and excellent stability.
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Strain-mediated grain-boundary reconstruction unlocks high near-room-temperature thermoelectric performance in Mg3Sb2-based alloys

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, 19,3500-3511
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE01515H, Paper

Open Access

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported Licence.

Gang Wu, Airan Li, Harish Subramania, Xinzhi Wu, Longquan Wang, Jiankang Li, Fei Frank Yun, Takao Mori
Strain-mediated grain-boundary spectrum reconstruction coupled with in situ Cu–Ga-rich precipitation provides a distinct route to simultaneously improve near-room-temperature and mid-temperature thermoelectric performance in Mg₃(Sb, Bi)₂.
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Localized anion-rich solvation structures in low-concentration electrolytes enabled by non-coordinating chaotropes for deep-cycling zinc metal batteries

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, 19,3653-3666
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE00197A, Paper

Licheng Miao, Guoqiang Ma, Kaiyue Qiu, Zhiyuan Zhao, Minglu Li, Tongqiang Bi, Kai Yang, Yuanyuan Hu, Yuanyuan Wang, Jing Xu, Lei Ma, Zhaoxi Shen, Ning Zhang
The as-designed localized high-concentration electrolyte by introducing a non-Zn²⁺-coordinating chaotropic in a non-concentrated aqueous electrolyte endows aqueous Zn batteries with excellent deep-cycling stability.
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Unravelling the anion-dominated interfacial structure of hybrid solid electrolytes via ssNMR

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, 19,3667-3677
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE00543H, Paper

Yuhang Li, Likun Chen, Shengnan Zhang, Yubin Li, Junwei Liang, Yuetao Ma, Ke Yang, Zhuo Han, Guanyou Xiao, Longxiang Yu, Chenjie Lou, Yan-Bing He, Feiyu Kang, Ming Liu
The TCM⁻ anion prevents the PS₄³⁻ to P₂S₇⁴⁻ phase transition via weak interactions with LPSC. This maintains the PS₄³⁻-based boundaries in HSE-LiTCM, ensuring rapid Li⁺ transport and high conductivity.
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Molecular engineering of conjugated polymer cathodes via the one-pot preparation of high-rate and ultra-stable aqueous/seawater Zn-ion batteries under harsh conditions

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, 19,3512-3523
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE00199H, Paper

Open Access

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported Licence.

Quanwei Ma, Cheng Ji, Zeyu Wang, Rui Wang, Longhai Zhang, Hongbao Li, Ying Xu, Qianyu Zhang, Dongliang Chao, Chaofeng Zhang
Featuring heterocyclic conjugated units, PMPZ exhibits enhanced electron affinity and π-delocalization, while its synergistic CO/CN sites enable multielectron redox for efficient charge storage and fast kinetics over a wide temperature range.
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Fluctuation-tolerant non-precious bifunctional Ni–Co–B monolithic electrodes for industrial-scale anion exchange membrane water electrolysis

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, 19,3598-3611
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE00982D, Paper

Xiangyun Tan, Juan Zhang, Chenyang Xu, Zexing Wang, Kaijian Huang, Zhiwei Ye, Yanhui Guo
To address the stability challenges of anion exchange membrane water electrolysis (AEM-WE) driven by intermittent renewable energy, a fluctuation-tolerant bifunctional nickel–cobalt–boron (a-NiCoB) monolithic electrode was developed.
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Orthogonal binary cation arrangement homogenizing interfacial coordination and improving electronic landscapes for high performance perovskite solar cells

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, 19,3575-3585
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE00174B, Paper

Yansheng Chen, Wenlei Lv, Yeyong Wu, Chaorong Guo, Zhijie Gao, Lingying Ren, Yu Wang, Qinrong Cheng, Peng Huang, Yaowen Li
Orthogonal binary cation passivation, via experimental and theoretical validation, homogenizes perovskite lattice and optoelectronic properties and improves interfacial electronic landscapes, thereby enhancing solar cell efficiency and stability.
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Dynamic localized domains of metallic glasses enable high-capacity SbBi anodes for potassium-ion batteries

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, 19,3586-3597
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE01770C, Paper

Xi Liu, Xinying Wang, Yang Liu, Ao Jia, Yi Peng, Wanjie Gao, Bingyan Song, Kunming Yang, Jiarui He, Yuping Wu
As the cycle progresses, the Cu₂Sb@SbBi₂ anode forms a metallic glasses (MG) interface at the heterojunction, which enables rapid ion transport. The MG at this interface undergoes dynamic, localized changes as the potential varies.
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Beyond electronic effects: hydrogen-bond engineering via N-mediated microenvironment control for accelerated oxygen electroreduction

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, 19,3551-3563
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE00569A, Paper

Wenhui Jiang, Bingyu Huang, Zhi Cai, Binbing Tang, Dirk Lützenkirchen-Hecht, Kai Yuan, Yiwang Chen
We constructed cobalt porphyrin frameworks with precise N gradation to unveil the dual role of N: withdrawing electrons from Co sites and forming ordered hydrogen-bond networks to facilitate proton transfer, thereby boosting ORR kinetics.
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Activating sp hybridization of zinc iodide via πsp–p bonding donation enables Ah-level seawater-based wearable zinc–iodine pouch cells

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, 19,3536-3550
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE00836D, Paper

Weina Guo, Cheng Gu, Jun Li, Liufeng Chen, Zhijie Li, Wuxuan Liu, Shuo Wang, Gengzhi Sun, Lin Wang, Linghai Zhang, Chenyang Zha, Kwun Nam Hui
Seawater is transformed from a corrosive and reactive medium into a stable electrolyte for Zn–I₂ batteries, enabling scalable blue energy storage. This strategy expands the potential for safe, decentralized power systems.
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Lattice reconstruction strategy for fast-charging plateau-type hard carbon anodes in ultra-long-life sodium-ion batteries

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, 19,3640-3652
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE00708B, Paper

Feng Wang, Lian Chen, Fan Li, Yongben Zheng, Jiaqi Wei, Caozheng Diao, Ihor Radchenko, Jie Shi, Linwei Li, Jingshu Wang, Zhengshuai Bai, Yanyan Zhang, Oleksandr I. Malyi, Xiaodong Chen, Yuxin Tang
By decoupling defect passivation and graphitization, lattice reconstruction of hard carbon yields large interlayer spacing, small crystallites, and an inorganic-rich SEI, enabling superior fast-charging in ultra-long-life sodium-ion batteries.
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20.46% efficient organic solar cells with concurrent voltage enhancement and thermal stability enabled by crystallization-kinetics-controlled morphology

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, 19,3487-3499
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE01250G, Paper

Anhai Liang, Chunliang Li, Bosen Zou, Sein Chung, Byeongjin Kim, Yongjoon Cho, Jiancheng Zhong, Jingjing Zhao, Lixing Tan, Guangquan Zhang, Xin Li, Wuning Wei, Kilwon Cho, He Yan, Zhipeng Kan
Incorporating BTP-FCIO extends the acceptor phase nucleation time from 132 ms to 199 ms and enhances the efficiency to 20.46%. This ternary strategy demonstrates consistent effectiveness across multiple representative Y-series acceptors.
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Engineering interfacial built-in electric fields for accelerated and stable sodium-ion storage

Energy Environ. Sci., 2026, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/D6EE02318E, Paper

Huachao Yang, Yong Zhao, Hongfei Zheng, Runyi Zhou, Xiaodong Li, Jianhua Yan, Kefa Cen, Jun Lu, Zheng Bo
An anion reconfiguration strategy is proposed to engineer interfacial built-in electric fields for accelerated and stable sodium-ion storage.
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