Nanoenergy Adv., Volume 5, Issue 4 (December 2025) – 12 articles

This work deals with the comparative analysis of fluoride coatings, i.e., 5 wt.% AlF₃ and LiF, applied as surface layer of Li-rich Li_1.2Ni_0.13Co_0.13Mn_0.54O₂ (LNCM) layered oxides synthesized via facile and cost-effective sol–gel route. The detailed structural and morphological characterizations demonstrate that AlF₃ and LiF deposits have a pivotal role in enhancing the electrochemical properties of LNCM. These electrochemical properties include galvanostatic charge–discharge (GCD), differential capacity (dQ/dV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and area-specific impedance (ASI). A much lower decay of the discharge capacity of 0.22 and 0.25 mAh g⁻¹ per cycle was obtained for AlF₃- and LiF-coated LMNC, respectively, after 100 charge/discharge cycles at 0.1 C compared with 0.42 mAh g⁻¹ per cycle for pristine LNCM. Results evidence the non-evolution of the charge transfer resistance, enhanced lithium-ion kinetics and stabilization of electrode/electrolyte interface during cycling. Full article

Tungsten oxide (WO₃) nanostructures have emerged as promising electroactive materials due to their high pseudocapacitance, structural versatility, and chemical stability, while reduced graphene oxide (rGO) provides excellent electrical conductivity and surface area. The strategic combination of these nanomaterials in hybrid electrodes has gained attention for enhancing the energy storage performance of supercapacitors. In this work, we report the fabrication and electrochemical performance of nanostructured multilayer films based on the electrostatic Layer-by-Layer (LbL) self-assembly of poly (amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers alternated with tungsten oxide (WO₃) nanofibers dispersed in reduced graphene oxide (rGO). The films were deposited onto indium tin oxide (ITO) substrates and subsequently subjected to electrochemical reduction. UV-Vis spectroscopy confirmed the linear growth of the multilayers, while atomic force microscopy (AFM) revealed homogeneous surface morphology and thickness control. Electrochemical characterization by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and galvanostatic charge–discharge (GCD) revealed a predominantly electrical double-layer capacitive (EDLC) behavior. From the GCD measurements (PAMAM/rGO-WO₃)₂₀ films achieved an areal capacitance of ≈2.20 mF·cm⁻², delivering an areal energy density of ≈0.17 µWh·cm⁻² and an areal power density of ≈2.10 µW·cm⁻², demonstrating efficient charge storage in an ultrathin electrode architecture. These results show that the synergistic integration of PAMAM dendrimers, reduced graphene oxide, and WO₃ nanofibers yields a promising strategy for designing high-performance electrode materials for next-generation supercapacitors. Full article

This study introduces a modified Laser Ablation Synthesis in Solution (LASiS), a surfactant-free and rapid synthesis approach that enables uniform MOF nucleation on graphene oxide (GO) and precise control over crystallinity, for fabricating graphene oxide (GO)-integrated cobalt-based ZIF-67 hybrid nanocomposites tailored for supercapacitor applications. By tuning LASiS parameters, we precisely controlled framework size, morphology, and crystallinity, enabling sustainable and scalable production. The incorporation of GO during synthesis markedly enhances the uniform dispersion of ZIF-67 frameworks, minimizing aggregation and establishing interconnected conductive pathways via strong $\pi$-$\pi$ stacking interactions. Following thermal reduction at 250 °C, the Co/ZIF-67–rGO composites exhibit outstanding electrochemical performance, achieving a specific capacitance of 1152 Fg⁻¹ at 1 Ag⁻¹ in a three-electrode configuration, driven by the synergistic combination of pseudocapacitive cobalt centers and double-layer capacitance from rGO. Structural analyses confirm the preservation of ZIF crystallinity and robust interfacial integration with the graphene sheets. Embedding these nanocomposites into fully 3D-printed supercapacitors yields a specific capacitance of 875 Fg⁻¹, demonstrating their suitability for additive manufacturing despite minor increases in interfacial resistance. The 3D-printed supercapacitor devices delivered an energy density of 77.7 Wh/kg at a power density of 399.6 W/kg. Collectively, these results highlight the potential of LASiS-engineered MOF-based nanocomposites as scalable, high-performance materials for next-generation energy storage devices. Full article

The increasing accumulation of medical waste, especially discarded pharmaceutical blister packs, poses both environmental risks and missed opportunities for resource recovery. In this work, we demonstrate, for the first time, the direct upcycling of tablet blister waste into a potential frictional layer in triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs). The polymer structure of blister packs, combined with Silicone rubber as a counter frictional layer, enabled the fabrication of durable TENG devices (TS-TENGs). Systematic electrical testing revealed that the TS-TENG achieved an open-circuit voltage of approximately 300 V, a short-circuit current of about 40 μA, and a peak power density of 3.54 W/m² at an optimal load resistance of 4 MΩ. The devices maintained excellent stability over 10,000 mechanical cycles, confirming their durability. Practical demonstrations included powering 240 LEDs, four LED lamps, and portable electronic devices, such as calculators and hygrometers, through capacitor charging. This study shows that not only can tablet blister waste be used as a triboelectric material but it also presents a sustainable method to reduce pharmaceutical waste while advancing self-powered systems. The approach offers a scalable and low-cost means to integrate medical waste management with renewable energy technologies. Full article

Electrolysis and biological processes, such as fermentation and microbial electrolysis cells, offer efficient hydrogen production alongside wastewater treatment. This study presents a novel microbial electrolyzer (ME) comprising a titanium dioxide (TiO₂) anode, a nickel–iron–carbon (NiFeC) cathode, and a cellulose nanocrystal proton exchange membrane (CNC-PEM) designed to generate hydrogen from palm oil mill effluent (POME). The system is powered by a 12 V electric double-layer organic supercapacitor (EDLOSC) integrated with a ZnO/PVA-based solar thin film. Power delivery to the TiO₂-NiFeC-PEM electrolyzer is optimized using an Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS). Laboratory-scale pilot tests demonstrated effective degradation of POME’s organic content, achieving a hydrogen yield of approximately 60%. Additionally, the nano-structured ZnO/CuO–ZnO/PVA solar film facilitated stable power supply, enhancing in situ hydrogen production. These results highlight the potential of the EDLOSC-encased ZnO/PVA-powered electrolyzer as a sustainable solution for hydrogen generation and industrial wastewater treatment. Full article

In this paper, spherical-shaped catalytic materials with needle-like stacking structures were synthesized in situ on the foam nickel substrate using the hydrothermal method, resulting in the NiM (M = Co, Mn, W, Zn)-MOF series. Furthermore, the catalyst with the best performance was obtained by adjusting the ratio of metal elements. Electrochemical tests show that NiCo-MOF (Ni: Co = 1:2) has the best electrocatalytic performance. During the UOR process, NiCo-MOF exhibits the optimal performance in 1 M KOH and 0.5 M urea solution, with a potential of only 1.33 V at a current density of 10 mA/cm². The improvement in the activity of NiCo-MOF can be attributed to the synergistic effect between the Ni and Co bimetals, which leads to an increase in the electron transfer rate, the exposure of active sites, and an improvement in conductivity. Moreover, metal–organic framework materials are widely used as electrocatalysts due to their compositional diversity, rich pore structures, and high specific surface areas. Meanwhile, NiCo-MOF was used as a UOR and HER catalyst to assist the overall water decomposition with urea, and it showed relatively excellent performance. Only a voltage of 1.56 V was required to drive the current density of 10 mA/cm² of the UOR || HER system. Therefore, the synthesized NiCo-MOF catalyst plays an important role in improving the efficiency of hydrogen production from water electrolysis and has promising sustainable application prospects. Full article

The pursuit of advanced energy technologies has intensified the focus on innovative functional materials. Low-melting-point liquid metals (LMs), particularly Ga-based alloys, have emerged as a promising platform due to their unique combination of metallic conductivity, fluidity, and biocompatibility. Nanoscaling LMs to create nano-liquid metals (nano-LMs) further unlocks extraordinary properties, including electrical duality, enhanced surface reactivity, tunable plasmonics, and remarkable deformability, surpassing the limitations of their bulk counterparts. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the recent progress in nano-LM-based energy technology. We begin by delineating the fundamental properties of LMs and the novel characteristics imparted at the nanoscale. Subsequently, we critically analyze mainstream synthesis strategies, such as sonication, mechanical shearing, and microfluidics. The core of the review focuses on innovative applications in energy storage devices, energy harvesting system, and catalysis for energy conversion. Finally, we discuss persistent challenges in stability, scalable synthesis, and mechanistic understanding, while offering perspectives on future research directions aimed at realizing the full potential of nano-LMs in next-generation intelligent and sustainable energy systems. Full article

Real-time monitoring of lubricants is crucial to the development of transport vehicles. Accidental and fatal failures of components in vehicles occur every day, which threaten the service life of equipment. Inspired by the work of solid–liquid triboelectric nanogenerators (S-L-TENG), we propose a method to retrofit a self-powered sensor for real-time monitoring of lubricating oil leakage. The previous work does not have a systematic study on the influence of various modification methods on the electrification signal of oil-solid contact. This study identifies an optimal modification method with the highest electrification performance by comparing the energizing signals of different modification methods, which provides a new approach for the real-time monitoring of lubricating oil leakage and the detection of lubricating oil impurities. Full article

Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) is widely used in solar cells and photocatalysts, given its excellent photoactivity, low cost, and high structural, electronic, and optical stability. Here, a novel TiO₂ composite was prepared by coating TiO₂ inverse opal (IO) with TiO₂ nanorods (NRs). With a porous three-dimensional network structure, the composite exhibited higher light absorption; enhanced the separation of the electron–hole pairs; deepened the infiltration of the electrolyte; better transported and collected charge carriers; and greatly improved the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the quantum-dot sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs) based on it, while also boosting its own photocatalytic hydrogen generation efficiency. A very high PCE of 12.24% was achieved by QDSSCs utilizing CdS/CdSe sensitizer. Furthermore, the TiO₂ composite exhibited high photocatalytic activity with a H₂ release rate of 1080.2 μ mol h⁻¹ g⁻¹, several times that of bare TiO₂ IO or TiO₂ NRs. Full article

The increasing demand for sustainable and high-performance energy storage underscores the limitations of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), notably in terms of finite resources, safety issues, and rising costs. Multivalent metal-ion batteries (MMIBs)—employing Zn²⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, and Al³⁺ ions—represent promising alternatives, as their multivalent charge carriers facilitate higher energy densities and greater electron transfer per ion. The widespread availability, lower cost, and favorable safety profiles of these metals further enhance MMIB suitability for large-scale deployment. However, MMIBs encounter significant obstacles, including slow ion diffusion, strong Coulombic interactions, electrolyte instability, and challenging interfacial compatibility. This review provides a systematic overview of recent advancements in MMIB research. Key developments are discussed for each system: electrode synthesis and flexible architectures for zinc-ion batteries; anode and cathode innovation alongside electrolyte optimization for magnesium-ion systems; improvements in anode engineering and solvation strategies for calcium-ion batteries; and progress in electrolyte formulation and cathode design for aluminum-ion batteries. The review concludes by identifying persistent challenges and future directions, with particular attention to material innovation, electrolyte chemistry, interfacial engineering, and the adoption of data-driven approaches, thereby informing the advancement of next-generation MMIB technologies. Full article

Intrinsically stretchable polymer ionic conductors (PICs) hold significant application prospects in fields such as flexible sensors, energy storage devices, and wearable electronic devices, serving as promising solutions to prevent mechanical failure in flexible electronics. However, the development of PICs is hindered by an inherent trade-off between mechanical robust and electrical properties. Cellulose, renowned for its high mechanical strength, tunable chemical groups, abundant resources, excellent biocompatibility, and remarkable recyclability and biodegradability, offers a powerful strategy to decouple and enhance mechanical and electrical properties. This review presents recent advances in cellulose-based polymer ionic conductors (CPICs), which exhibit exceptional design versatility for flexible electrodes and strain sensors. We systematically discuss optimization strategies to improve their mechanical properties, electrical conductivity, and environmental stability while analyzing the key factors such as sensitivity, gauge factor, strain range, response time, and cyclic stability, where strain sensing refers to a technique that converts tiny deformations (i.e., strain) of materials or structures under external forces into measurable physical signals (e.g., electrical signals) for real-time monitoring of their deformation degree or stress state. Full article