Photo-enhanced rechargeable high-energy-density metal batteries for solar energy conversion and storage

Abstract

Solar energy is considered the most promising renewable energy source. Solar cells can harvest and convert solar energy into electrical energy, which needs to be stored as chemical energy, thereby realizing a balanced supply and demand for energy. As energy storage devices for this purpose, newly developed photo-enhanced rechargeable metal batteries, through the internal integration of photovoltaic technology and high-energy-density metal batteries in a single device, can simplify device configuration, lower costs, and reduce external energy loss. This review focuses on recent progress regarding the working principles, device architectures, and performances of various closed-type and open-type photo-enhanced rechargeable devices based on metal batteries, including Li/Zn-ion, Li-S, and Li/Zn-I 2 , and Li/Zn-O 2 /air, Li-CO 2 , and Na-O 2 batteries. In addition to provide a fundamental understanding of photo-enhanced rechargeable devices, key challenges and possible strategies are also discussed. Finally, some perspectives are provided for further enhancing the overall performance of the proposed devices.

Direct Z-Scheme Photocatalytic System: Insights into the Formative Factors of Photogenerated Carriers Transfer Channel from Ultrafast Dynamics

“…Photocatalysis technology has been considered as an attractive approach to overcome serious energy and environmental crises by utilizing inexhaustible solar energy to drive various chemical reactions, such as overall water splitting, carbon dioxide reduction, and various contaminations degradation. − Compared with single-component photocatalysts, the conventional type II heterojunction photocatalysts, consisting of two different semiconductors with the staggered band structure alignment, can efficiently improve the spatial separation of photogenerated electrons and holes (PEHs) to suppress the recombination of photogenerated carriers. − Unfortunately, the efficient separation of PEHs is at the expense of the redox ability of the photogenerated carriers. − Inspired by the natural photosynthesis of plants, the artificial Z-scheme heterojunction system not only boosts the separation of PEHs, but also preserves their strong redox properties, which can obviously enhance the photocatalytic performance. − …”

A review on ZnS-based photocatalysts for CO2 reduction in all-inorganic aqueous medium

“…(v) The efficiency of CO 2 reduction could also be fundamentally boosted through rational design of photoelectric energy conversion and storage devices. 64,65 In addition to optimizing the design of photocatalytic systems, it is of great interest to investigate the CO 2 activation mechanism with theoretical studies and in situ characterization techniques.…”

Fluid Field Modulation in Mass Transfer for Efficient Photocatalysis

“…[ 1–15 ] In this context, more and more focuses were allocated to viable and robust technologies for generating green energy and thus substituting traditional fossil fuels. [ 16–32 ] For example, piezoelectric/triboelectric/pyroelectric nanogenerators, especially the recently invented magnetoelastic generators, [ 22,24–26 ] can scavenge surrounding renewable energy (such as human walking and running, heart beating, natural water flow, wind, environmental temperature variation, and so forth) to produce electricity for power supply or healthca, [ 33–52 ] electrocatalytic technology can undergo oxygen reduction and oxygen/hydrogen evolution reactions under bias voltage to yield clean energy, [ 53–60 ] and environment‐friendly batteries are developed and applied in electrochemical energy storage and conversions. [ 61–65 ] Notably, among these viable technologies, photocatalytic technology can convert inexhaustible solar energy into chemical energy, e.g., splitting water into green fuel hydrogen, reducing carbon dioxide into carbon oxide or methane, fixing nitrogen, degrading organic pollutions and antibiotics, and disinfecting bacteria and viruses, which shows greater potential in alleviating the global energy and environmental issues.…”

“…[ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 ] In this context, more and more focuses were allocated to viable and robust technologies for generating green energy and thus substituting traditional fossil fuels. [ 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 ] For example, piezoelectric/triboelectric/pyroelectric nanogenerators, especially the recently invented magnetoelastic generators, [ 22 , 24 , 25 , 26 ] can scavenge surrounding renewable energy (such as human walking and running, heart beating, natural water flow, wind, environmental temperature variation, and so forth) to produce electricity for power supply or healthca, [ 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , ...…”