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Micromachines
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Energy Conversion Materials/Devices and Their Applications
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Energy Conversion Materials/Devices and Their Applications

A special issue of Micromachines (ISSN 2072-666X). This special issue belongs to the section "C：Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2025 | Viewed by 10517

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Bin Liu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Energy and Power Engineering, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, China
Interests: clusteroluminescence materials; carbonized polymer dots; luminescent solar concentrators
Dr. Yaling Wang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Energy and Power Engineering, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, China
Interests: carbon dots; organic solar cells; light-emitting diodes
Dr. Lei Liu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Energy and Power Engineering, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, China
Interests: electrochromic materials and devices; supercapacitors; Li/Zn-ions battery; electrolytes

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue, titled "Energy Conversion Materials/Devices and Their Applications", focuses on the research and development of advanced materials and devices for energy conversion applications. The primary goal is to address growing global energy demands and environmental concerns by exploring innovative solutions for more efficient energy conversion and storage. The Special Issue will feature high-quality original research articles and review articles written by leading experts in the field. The articles will spotlight the latest advancements in energy conversion materials, including novel materials synthesis methods, structural characterization, and property evaluation. Additionally, the Special Issue will cover the development of innovative devices, such as high-performance solar cells, fuel cells, and batteries, as well as their integration into energy systems for sustainable energy generation and storage. This Special Issue aims to inspire further research and innovations in the field, ultimately accelerating the transition towards a sustainable energy future.

Dr. Bin Liu
Dr. Yaling Wang
Dr. Lei Liu
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Micromachines is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2100 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • photovoltaics
  • fuel cells
  • supercapacitors
  • batteries
  • luminescent solar concentrators
  • light-emitting diodes
  • optoelectronic materials
  • thermoelectric materials
  • luminescent materials
  • hydrogen energy materials
  • photocatalytic materials
  • photothermal materials
  • electrochromic materials and devices

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Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

Jump to: Review

13 pages, 3502 KiB  
Article
Preparation and Performance Study of MXene-Regulated Ethylene Glycol-Induced WO3 Film
by Yuqi Wang, Yong Liu, Minmin Wang, Wenjun Wu, Maofei Tian and Tao Zhu
Micromachines 2024, 15(12), 1486; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi15121486 - 11 Dec 2024
Viewed by 739
Abstract
This study introduces the development of a W-M1.0 electrochromic film, characterized by a “coral”-like TiO2@WO3 heterostructure, synthesized via a hydrothermal process leveraging the inherent instability of MXene. The film showcases exceptional electrochromic performance, with a coloring response time of [...] Read more.
This study introduces the development of a W-M1.0 electrochromic film, characterized by a “coral”-like TiO2@WO3 heterostructure, synthesized via a hydrothermal process leveraging the inherent instability of MXene. The film showcases exceptional electrochromic performance, with a coloring response time of 2.8 s, a bleaching response time of 4.6 s, and a high coloring efficiency of 137.02 cm2C−1. It also demonstrates a superior light modulation ability of 73.83% at 1033 nm. Notably, the W-M1.0 film exhibits remarkable cyclic stability, retaining over 90% of its initial light modulation capacity after 4000 cycles, outperforming many existing electrochromic materials. The film’s enhanced performance is credited to its coral-like structure, which boosts the specific surface area and promotes ion transport, and the TiO2@WO3 heterojunctions, which enhance charge transfer and stabilize the material. Devices fabricated with the W-M1.0 film as the cathode and a PB film as the anode exhibit a seamless transition from dark blue to colorless, underscoring their potential for smart window and dynamic glass applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Conversion Materials/Devices and Their Applications)
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16 pages, 3962 KiB  
Article
Full Spectrum Electrochromic WO3 Mechanism and Optical Modulation via Ex Situ Spectroscopic Ellipsometry: Effect of Li+ Surface Permeation
by Buyue Zhang, Jintao Wang, Shuhui Jiang, Meng Yuan and Xinyu Chen
Micromachines 2024, 15(12), 1473; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi15121473 - 5 Dec 2024
Viewed by 853
Abstract
Tungsten oxide (WO3) electrochromic devices are obtaining increasing interest due to their color change and thermal regulation. However, most previous work focuses on the absorption or transmission spectra of materials, rather than the optical parameters evolution in full spectrum in the [...] Read more.
Tungsten oxide (WO3) electrochromic devices are obtaining increasing interest due to their color change and thermal regulation. However, most previous work focuses on the absorption or transmission spectra of materials, rather than the optical parameters evolution in full spectrum in the electrochromic processes. Herein, we developed a systematic protocol of ex situ methods to clarify the evolutions of subtle structure changes, Raman vibration modes, and optical parameters of WO3 thin films in electrochromic processes as stimulated by dosage-dependent Li+ insertion. We obtained the below information by ex situ spectroscopic ellipsometry. (1) Layer-by-layer Li+ embedding mechanism demonstrated by individual film thickness analysis. (2) The details of its optical leap in the Brillouin zone in the full spectral. (3) The optical constants varied with the Li+ insertion in the ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared bands, demonstrating the potential for applications in chip fabrication, deep-sea exploration, and optical measurements. (4) Simulated angular modulation laws of WO3 films for full spectra in different Li+ insertion states. This ex situ method to study the optical properties of electrochromic devices are important for monitoring phase transition kinetics, the analysis of optical leaps, and the study of ion diffusion mechanisms and the stoichiometry-dependent changes in optical constants over the full spectral. This work shows that electrochromic films in Li+ surface permeation can be applied in the field of zoom lenses, optical phase modulators, and other precision optical components. Our work provides a new solution for the development of zoom lenses and a new application scenario for the application of electrochromic devices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Conversion Materials/Devices and Their Applications)
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9 pages, 2688 KiB  
Article
Broadband Near-Infrared Emission from Bi/Cr Co-Doped Aluminosilicate Glasses
by Shiwen Song and Min Zhang
Micromachines 2024, 15(9), 1093; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi15091093 - 29 Aug 2024
Viewed by 824
Abstract
Bismuth-doped aluminosilicate glass has garnered significant attention due to its unique ultra-wide luminescence properties in the near-infrared (NIR) band. Enhancing the NIR luminescence of Bi-doped glass remains challenging. To achieve Bi-doped glass with more excellent luminescent properties, a series of Bi/Cr co-doped glasses [...] Read more.
Bismuth-doped aluminosilicate glass has garnered significant attention due to its unique ultra-wide luminescence properties in the near-infrared (NIR) band. Enhancing the NIR luminescence of Bi-doped glass remains challenging. To achieve Bi-doped glass with more excellent luminescent properties, a series of Bi/Cr co-doped glasses were prepared, and the optical and structural properties of the samples were observed. The results indicate that low-concentration Cr doping broadens the luminescence range of Bi/Cr co-doped glass samples. The luminescence peak of Bi in the samples is at 1230 nm, while the peak of Cr is around 804 nm. The addition of an appropriate amount of Bi2O3 can enhance the NIR luminescence of Bi and Cr in the sample, realizing the energy conversion between Bi and Cr. Bi/Cr co-doped is a novel approach for achieving broadband NIR luminescence in glass materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Conversion Materials/Devices and Their Applications)
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11 pages, 3049 KiB  
Article
Advancing Lithium-Ion Batteries’ Electrochemical Performance: Ultrathin Alumina Coating on Li(Ni0.8Co0.1Mn0.1)O2 Cathode Materials
by Mehdi Ahangari, Fan Xia, Benedek Szalai, Meng Zhou and Hongmei Luo
Micromachines 2024, 15(7), 894; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi15070894 - 9 Jul 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1757
Abstract
Ni-rich Li(NixCoyMnz)O2 (x ≥ 0.8)-layered oxide materials are highly promising as cathode materials for high-energy-density lithium-ion batteries in electric and hybrid vehicles. However, their tendency to undergo side reactions with electrolytes and their structural instability during [...] Read more.
Ni-rich Li(NixCoyMnz)O2 (x ≥ 0.8)-layered oxide materials are highly promising as cathode materials for high-energy-density lithium-ion batteries in electric and hybrid vehicles. However, their tendency to undergo side reactions with electrolytes and their structural instability during cyclic lithiation/delithiation impairs their electrochemical cycling performance, posing challenges for large-scale applications. This paper explores the application of an Al2O3 coating using an atomic layer deposition (ALD) system on Ni-enriched Li(Ni0.8Co0.1Mn0.1)O2 (NCM811) cathode material. Characterization techniques, including X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy, were used to assess the impact of alumina coating on the morphology and crystal structure of NCM811. The results confirmed that an ultrathin Al2O3 coating was achieved without altering the microstructure and lattice structure of NCM811. The alumina-coated NCM811 exhibited improved cycling stability and capacity retention in the voltage range of 2.8–4.5 V at a 1 C rate. Specifically, the capacity retention of the modified NCM811 was 5%, 9.11%, and 11.28% higher than the pristine material at operating voltages of 4.3, 4.4, and 4.5 V, respectively. This enhanced performance is attributed to reduced electrode–electrolyte interaction, leading to fewer side reactions and improved structural stability. Thus, NCM811@Al2O3 with this coating process emerges as a highly attractive candidate for high-capacity lithium-ion battery cathode materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Conversion Materials/Devices and Their Applications)
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11 pages, 2329 KiB  
Article
ZnMn2O4/V2CTx Composites Prepared as an Anode Material via High-Temperature Calcination Method for Optimized Li-Ion Batteries
by Ji Li, Yu Wang, Xinyuan Pei, Chunhe Zhou, Qing Zhao, Ming Lu, Wenjuan Han and Li Wang
Micromachines 2024, 15(7), 828; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi15070828 - 27 Jun 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 746
Abstract
The ZnMn2O4/V2CTx composites with a lamellar rod-like bond structure were successfully synthesized through high-temperature calcination at 300 °C, aiming to enhance the Li storage properties of spinel-type ZnMn2O4 anode materials for lithium-ion batteries. [...] Read more.
The ZnMn2O4/V2CTx composites with a lamellar rod-like bond structure were successfully synthesized through high-temperature calcination at 300 °C, aiming to enhance the Li storage properties of spinel-type ZnMn2O4 anode materials for lithium-ion batteries. Moreover, even though the electrode of the composites obtained at 300 °C had a nominal specific capacity of 100 mAh g−1, it exhibited an impressive specific discharge capacity of 163 mAh g−1 after undergoing 100 cycles. This represents an approximate increase of 64% compared to that observed in the pure ZnMn2O4 electrode (99.5 mAh g−1). The remarkable performance of the composite can be credited to the collaborative impact between ZnMn2O4 and V2CTx, leading to a substantial improvement in its lithium ion storage capacity. Therefore, this study offers valuable insights into developing cost-effective, safe, and easily prepared anode materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Conversion Materials/Devices and Their Applications)
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Review

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48 pages, 12131 KiB  
Review
Review of Layered Transition Metal Oxide Materials for Cathodes in Sodium-Ion Batteries
by Mehdi Ahangari, Meng Zhou and Hongmei Luo
Micromachines 2025, 16(2), 137; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi16020137 - 24 Jan 2025
Viewed by 856
Abstract
The growing interest in sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) is driven by scarcity and the rising costs of lithium, coupled with the urgent need for scalable and sustainable energy storage solutions. Among various cathode materials, layered transition metal oxides have emerged as promising candidates due [...] Read more.
The growing interest in sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) is driven by scarcity and the rising costs of lithium, coupled with the urgent need for scalable and sustainable energy storage solutions. Among various cathode materials, layered transition metal oxides have emerged as promising candidates due to their structural similarity to lithium-ion battery (LIB) counterparts and their potential to deliver high energy density at reduced costs. However, significant challenges remain, including limited capacity at high charge/discharge rates and structural instability during extended cycling. Addressing these issues is critical for advancing SIB technology toward industrial applications, particularly for large-scale energy storage systems. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of layered sodium transition metal oxides, focusing on their structural properties, electrochemical performance, and degradation mechanisms. Special attention is given to the intrinsic and extrinsic factors contributing to their instability, such as structural phase transitions, and cationic/anionic redox behavior. Additionally, recent advancements in material design strategies, including doping, surface modifications, and composite formation, are discussed to highlight the progress toward enhancing the stability and performance of these materials. This work aims to bridge the knowledge gaps and inspire further innovations in the development of high-performance cathodes for sodium-ion batteries. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Conversion Materials/Devices and Their Applications)
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19 pages, 5130 KiB  
Review
Advances in Host-Free White Organic Light-Emitting Diodes Utilizing Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence: A Comprehensive Review
by Wenxin Zhang, Yaxin Li, Gang Zhang, Xiaotian Yang, Xi Chang, Guoliang Xing, He Dong, Jin Wang, Dandan Wang, Zhihong Mai and Xin Jiang
Micromachines 2024, 15(6), 703; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi15060703 - 26 May 2024
Viewed by 1511
Abstract
The ever-growing prominence and widespread acceptance of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), particularly those employing thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF), have firmly established them as formidable contenders in the field of lighting technology. TADF enables achieving a 100% utilization rate and efficient luminescence through [...] Read more.
The ever-growing prominence and widespread acceptance of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), particularly those employing thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF), have firmly established them as formidable contenders in the field of lighting technology. TADF enables achieving a 100% utilization rate and efficient luminescence through reverse intersystem crossing (RISC). However, the effectiveness of TADF-OLEDs is influenced by their high current density and limited device lifetime, which result in a significant reduction in efficiency. This comprehensive review introduces the TADF mechanism and provides a detailed overview of recent advancements in the development of host-free white OLEDs (WOLEDs) utilizing TADF. This review specifically scrutinizes advancements from three distinct perspectives: TADF fluorescence, TADF phosphorescence and all-TADF materials in host-free WOLEDs. By presenting the latest research findings, this review contributes to the understanding of the current state of host-free WOLEDs, employing TADF and underscoring promising avenues for future investigations. It aims to serve as a valuable resource for newcomers seeking an entry point into the field as well as for established members of the WOLEDs community, offering them insightful perspectives on imminent advancements. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Conversion Materials/Devices and Their Applications)
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16 pages, 10654 KiB  
Review
Strategies for Enhancing the Stability of Lithium Metal Anodes in Solid-State Electrolytes
by Hanbyeol Lee, Taeho Yoon and Oh B. Chae
Micromachines 2024, 15(4), 453; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi15040453 - 28 Mar 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2144
Abstract
The current commercially used anode material, graphite, has a theoretical capacity of only 372 mAh/g, leading to a relatively low energy density. Lithium (Li) metal is a promising candidate as an anode for enhancing energy density; however, challenges related to safety and performance [...] Read more.
The current commercially used anode material, graphite, has a theoretical capacity of only 372 mAh/g, leading to a relatively low energy density. Lithium (Li) metal is a promising candidate as an anode for enhancing energy density; however, challenges related to safety and performance arise due to Li’s dendritic growth, which needs to be addressed. Owing to these critical issues in Li metal batteries, all-solid-state lithium-ion batteries (ASSLIBs) have attracted considerable interest due to their superior energy density and enhanced safety features. Among the key components of ASSLIBs, solid-state electrolytes (SSEs) play a vital role in determining their overall performance. Various types of SSEs, including sulfides, oxides, and polymers, have been extensively investigated for Li metal anodes. Sulfide SSEs have demonstrated high ion conductivity; however, dendrite formation and a limited electrochemical window hinder the commercialization of ASSLIBs due to safety concerns. Conversely, oxide SSEs exhibit a wide electrochemical window, but compatibility issues with Li metal lead to interfacial resistance problems. Polymer SSEs have the advantage of flexibility; however their limited ion conductivity poses challenges for commercialization. This review aims to provide an overview of the distinctive characteristics and inherent challenges associated with each SSE type for Li metal anodes while also proposing potential pathways for future enhancements based on prior research findings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Conversion Materials/Devices and Their Applications)
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