@article{21001,
abstract = {Copper chalcogenides offer high charge mobility and low lattice thermal conductivity but suffer from structural instability due to dynamic Cu+ migration. Here, we report a colloidal hot-injection synthesis of ternary cesium copper selenide (CsCu5Se3) nanocrystals (NCs), achieving precise control over phase, size, and morphology through tailored precursor-ligand modulation. This strategy enabled systematic exploration of stable and metastable Cs–Cu–Se phases and mechanistic investigation of nucleation and growth, providing insight into phase modulation and dimensional control at the nanoscale. CsCu5Se3 NCs exhibit low lattice thermal conductivity (∼0.5 Wm–1K–1) and an experimental zT of 0.27 at 718 K. Complementary first-principles calculations, consistent with experimental electronic and optical responses, predict a zT of 1.05 at 1000 K. These findings elucidate the formation dynamics of CsCu5Se3 and establish ABZ (A = alkali, B = metal, Z = chalcogen) NCs as tunable platforms for advanced functional applications.},
author = {Patil, Niraj Nitish and Wu, Ruiqi and Fiedler, Christine and Kapuria, Nilotpal and Nan, Bingfei and Navita, Navita and Cabot, Andreu and Ibáñez, Maria and Ryan, Kevin M. and Ganose, Alex M. and Singh, Shalini},
issn = {2380-8195},
journal = {ACS Energy Letters},
number = {1},
pages = {481--488},
publisher = {American Chemical Society},
title = {{Layered alkali-copper selenides: Deciphering thermoelectric properties and reaction pathways for nanostructuring β-CsCu5Se3}},
doi = {10.1021/acsenergylett.5c02909},
volume = {11},
year = {2026},
}
@article{21750,
abstract = {Liquid-like superionic conductors, with highly mobile ions in a rigid framework, offer intrinsically low lattice thermal conductivity without compromising electronic transport. Argyrodite-type Ag8SnSe6 exhibits a melt-like Ag sublattice that drives lattice thermal conductivity (κL) below 0.2 watts per meter per kelvin, yet its low carrier concentration limits the power factor. Here, interstitial Ag atoms raise the Fermi level into the conduction band, substantially increasing the electron concentration. Simultaneously, the formation of a secondary Ag2Se phase generates lattice distortions that enhance phonon scattering. A pronounced mismatch between electronic (~200 nanometers) and phononic (~0.22 nanometers) mean free paths decouples charge and heat transport, enabling concurrent suppression of κL and retention of high electrical conductivity. This coupled electronic-phononic modulation yields a record ZT of 0.72 at ambient temperature and a peak ZT of 1.1 at 735 kelvins, with an average ZTavg of 0.72 over 320 to 735 kelvins. A unicouple device achieves 6.3% efficiency under a 357-kelvin gradient, highlighting a practical strategy for high-performance midtemperature thermoelectrics.},
author = {Li, Mengyao and Zhao, Xueke and Zhang, Yu and Yu, Jing and Liu, Xuyang and Jia, Mochen and Song, Hongzhang and Wang, Dongyang and Arbiol, Jordi and Ibáñez, Maria and Shan, Chongxin and Cabot, Andreu and Wang, Ziyu},
issn = {2375-2548},
journal = {Science Advances},
number = {15},
publisher = {AAAS},
title = {{Electronic-phononic decoupling and Fermi-level tuning enable high thermoelectric performance in Ag8SnSe6}},
doi = {10.1126/sciadv.aec9073},
volume = {12},
year = {2026},
}
@article{21896,
abstract = {Redox-mediated flow batteries boost energy density by utilizing dissolved redox species as charge carriers for solid charge-storage materials. This strategy strongly depends on the thermodynamics and kinetics between the solid booster and dissolved redox species. Conventional electrochemical methods often convolute intrinsic reactivity with mass transport effects, introducing complexity in determining limiting steps. We propose a strategy that confines solid boosters within recessed microelectrodes and employs scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) to estimate reaction kinetics between booster and dissolved active redox species. Confining the solid booster in the recessed microelectrode overcomes mass transport limitations of dissolved redox species and enables controlled polarization of the booster material, allowing deconvolution of key rate-determining factors. As an initial model system, Prussian blue-ferricyanide/ferrocyanide [Fe(CN)6]3−/4− was used as solid booster and dissolved redox active species, respectively. The methodology was further explored for copper hexacyanoferrate with N,N,N-2,2,6,6-heptamethylpiperidinyl oxy-4-ammonium chloride and nickel hydroxide with [Fe(CN)6]3−/4− and extended to Mn-based Prussian blue analogues in combination with organic redox species. Our results demonstrate that SECM coupled with the proposed recessed microelectrode strategy provides a powerful platform to disentangle interfacial kinetics and guide the rational design of solid booster-dissolved redox species and electrolytes for high-performance redox-mediated flow batteries.},
author = {Santana Santos, Carla and Jiyane, Nomnotho and Quast, Thomas and Ibáñez, Maria and Rubio‐Presa, Rubén and Peljo, Pekka and Schuhmann, Wolfgang},
issn = {2566-6223},
journal = {Batteries & Supercaps},
number = {5},
publisher = {Wiley},
title = {{Evaluating reaction kinetics between solid booster and dissolved active species in redox‐mediated flow batteries using scanning electrochemical microscopy}},
doi = {10.1002/batt.70303},
volume = {9},
year = {2026},
}
@article{20851,
abstract = {High-voltage disordered spinel LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 is a promising cathode material for high power density in lithium-ion batteries. However, it suffers from poor cycle life associated with the rock-salt phase transformation. This study presents a straightforward synthesis approach to enhance the electrochemical performance of LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 through a synergistic solid-state modification with LiF and AlF3. This dual modification promotes rapid Li⁺ diffusion, enables near-complete delithiation/lithiation, approaching the theoretical capacity of disordered LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4, and, more importantly, effectively mitigates the formation of the rock-salt phase, thereby enhancing structural stability, as confirmed by operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and synchrotron X-ray diffraction (SXRD). As a result, the optimized LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 (10 mg AlF3 + 30 mg LiF) delivers high reversible capacities of 142.1, 139.1, 129.2, 121.6, 110.3, 93.5, and 76.1 mAh∙g−1 at 0.2C, 0.5C, 1.0C, 2.0C, 3.0C, 4.0C, and 5.0C, respectively. Full cells using graphite as the anode and a high-loading cathode exhibit excellent cycling performance. They retain 80% of their capacity after 200 cycles at 0.5C within a voltage window of 3.5–4.9 V with cathode loading of 11 mg∙cm−2. The findings of this study will significantly advance high-power LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 materials, offering improved battery life and thereby enhancing their potential for practical applications.},
author = {Chang, Xingqi and Escudero, Carlos and Black, Ashley P. and Horta, Sharona and Martínez, Elías and Lu, Xuan and Llorca, Jordi and Ibáñez, Maria and Biendicho, Jordi Jacas and Cabot, Andreu},
issn = {2198-3844},
journal = {Advanced Science},
keywords = {disordered spinel LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 (LNMO), generation 3b batteries, operando SXRD, operando XAS, rock-salt, solid-state synthesis},
number = {11},
publisher = {Wiley},
title = {{Mitigating the rock-salt phase transformation in disordered LNMO through synergetic solid-state AlF3/LiF modifications}},
doi = {10.1002/advs.202515962},
volume = {13},
year = {2026},
}
@article{20973,
abstract = {CuAgSe-based materials are attractive for low-temperature thermoelectric (TE) applications but are limited by bipolar conduction and relatively high thermal conductivity. Herein, we report a ligand-free aqueous synthesis of Te-doped CuAgSe (CuAgSe1-xTex), where structural and electronic modulation improve carrier transport and suppress phonon propagation. Ex-situ time-resolved X-ray diffraction reveals a spontaneous growth mechanism, while density functional theory calculations show that Te-5s and 5p orbitals hybridization generates localized states and an asymmetric density of states, thereby enhancing the Seebeck coefficient. Electron microscopy and strain analyses confirm that Te-doping introduces a high density of lattice dislocations and grain boundaries, leading to a reduced lattice thermal conductivity of 0.11 W m−1K−1 at 443 K. These synergistic effects translate into device-level performance—the first integrated CuAgSe thermoelectric modules, exhibit a maximum cooling temperature difference of 27.3 K, and power density of 0.34 W cm−2 with a conversion efficiency of 3.6% at a modest temperature gradient of 136 K. These results demonstrate that CuAgSe1-xTex enables efficient energy harvesting and localized cooling under small temperature gradient, underscoring the importance of structural and electronic design beyond conventional zT benchmarks.},
author = {Meng, Weite and Li, Mingquan and Wang, Qingyue and Song, Pingan and Yang, Xuan and Wang, Wen Jun and Hong, Min and Ibáñez, Maria and Cabot, Andreu and Zhang, Yu and Liu, Yu and Lim, Khak Ho},
issn = {1613-6829},
journal = {Small},
number = {25},
publisher = {Wiley},
title = {{Efficient near room temperature thermoelectric cooling and power generation with CuAgSe}},
doi = {10.1002/smll.202513035},
volume = {22},
year = {2026},
}
@article{20191,
abstract = {High-entropy alloys (HEAs) show great potential for catalyzing complex multi-step reactions, but optimizing their parameters, i.e., composition, but also their crystallinity and morphology, remains a significant challenge. In this study, FeCoNiMoW HEAs are synthesized into either amorphous nanosheets (HEANS) or crystalline nanoparticles (HEANP), which are then used to catalyze the lithium–sulfur (Li–S) reaction of Li–S batteries (LSBs). Evaluations in symmetric cells, coin cells, and pouch cells reveal that HEANS significantly enhance LSB performance, achieving initial discharge capacities up to 1632 mAh g−1. The batteries also exhibit excellent cycling stability over 1000 cycles at 3Cand maintain high-rate performance up to 10C with a capacity of 614 mAh g−1. Comprehensive in situ analyses and density functional theory calculations demonstrate that amorphous HEANS provide more active sites, better ionic conductivity and stronger chemical interactions with lithium polysulfides (LiPS). These properties effectively suppress the shuttle effect, promote the complete S8 → Li2S conversion by reducing the impedance of the solid-electrolyte interphase, and accelerate the Li2S4 → Li2S2 step by lowering the nucleation energy barrier. Overall, this study highlights the superior catalytic properties of amorphous 2D HEAs in LSBs and offers new insights into the mechanisms of LiPS conversion.},
author = {He, Ren and Lee, Seungho and Ding, Yang and Huang, Chen and Lu, Xuan and Zheng, Lirong and Yu, Ao and Zhang, Chaoyue and Li, Canhuang and Bi, Xiaoyu and Li, Yaqiang and Liao, Yaqi and Li, Junshan and Ostovari Moghaddam, Ahmad and Yernar, Salimov and Xu, Ying and Ibáñez, Maria and Zhang, Chaoqi and Yang, Linlin and Zhou, Yingtang and Cabot, Andreu},
issn = {1616-3028},
journal = {Advanced Functional Materials},
keywords = {amorphous, high entropy alloy, in situ electrochemical impedance spec-troscopy, in situ Raman, Li–S batteries},
number = {5},
publisher = {Wiley},
title = {{Amorphous high entropy alloy nanosheets enabling robust Li–S batteries}},
doi = {10.1002/adfm.202513859},
volume = {36},
year = {2026},
}
@article{21037,
abstract = {The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) remains a critical bottleneck in fuel cells and metal-air batteries due to the lack of highly efficient electrocatalysts. Here, we report a simple strategy for synthesizing a palladium-based heterostructured electrocatalyst supported on a carbon nitride matrix (PdH-Pd@CN), which exhibits remarkable ORR activity with a half-wave potential of 0.91 V and excellent durability in 0.1 M KOH. Within the heterostructure, hydrogen intercalation expands the Pd lattice, while interstitial hydrogen doping facilitates charge transfer from Pd to H owing to their electronegativity difference. These synergistic effects modulate the electronic structure, thereby enhancing both activity and stability. When employed in Zn-air batteries, PdH-Pd@CN delivers a maximum power density of 176 mW cm− (Liu et al., 2025) and capacity of 805 mAh g− (Sun et al., 2021) Zn. These findings demonstrate the strong potential of PdH-Pd@CN as an efficient ORR electrocatalyst for next-generation metal-air batteries and related energy technologies.},
author = {Shi, Changwei and Horta, Sharona and Ibáñez, Maria and Kallio, Tanja and Martínez-Alanis, Paulina R. and Wang, Xiang and Cabot, Andreu},
issn = {0009-2509},
journal = {Chemical Engineering Science},
publisher = {Elsevier},
title = {{Hydrogen induced palladium-based heterojunction electrocatalysts to enhance the oxygen reduction reaction performance}},
doi = {10.1016/j.ces.2026.123348},
volume = {324},
year = {2026},
}
@article{22645,
abstract = {Nanocrystal superlattices are commonly formed by changing concentration, solvent conditions, or particle surface chemistry. Although effective, these approaches alter multiple contributions to the interparticle potential simultaneously, making it difficult to isolate the interactions responsible for ordering or to control assembly in chemically complex environments. Here, we show that oligomeric species present in a nanocrystal reaction medium drive superlattice formation through a depletion mechanism. Using PbTe nanocrystals as a model system, we identify Pb–oleate oligomers in the crude reaction mixture, characterize their solution structure, and quantify their contribution to the interparticle potential, establishing depletion as the dominant short-range interaction governing spontaneous body-centered cubic superlattice formation. We then confirm the depletion origin of ordering by showing that varying depletant concentration predictably shifts the order–disorder boundary and produces a thermally reversible transition between dispersed and ordered states ─ behavior that is inconsistent with van der Waals or ligand-mediated mechanisms but is a direct consequence of depletion control. Having established and validated the mechanism, we demonstrate that the same depletion framework can be deliberately activated in purified dispersions and transferred across nanocrystal systems of different composition and shape, including anisotropic and binary assemblies. These results establish precursor-derived depletion as a general and chemically grounded mechanism for nanocrystal superlattice formation, and show that collective ordering can be programmed through the surrounding medium rather than through particle surface modification.},
author = {Lee, Seungho and Balazs, Daniel and Rayaroth Puthiyaveettil, Aiswarya and Horta, Sharona and Goodrich, Carl Peter and Engel, Michael and Cherniukh, Ihor and Ibáñez, Maria},
issn = {1520-5126},
journal = {Journal of the AmericanChemical Society},
number = {29},
pages = {31245--31252},
publisher = {American Chemical Society},
title = {{Reaction medium asan architect of nanocrystal superlattices}},
doi = {10.1021/jacs.6c07859},
volume = {148},
year = {2026},
}
@article{22734,
abstract = {Silver selenide (Ag2Se) is a promising near-room-temperature thermoelectric material, but its narrow stoichiometric window and β–α phase transition complicate reproducible microstructure control. Here, we present a mismatch-assisted microstructure engineering strategy in which Ag2Se particles are treated with polyanionic ZnSe complexes and consolidated through the β–α transition to introduce ZnSe nanoprecipitates, Ag2Se/ZnSe interfaces, and local strain fields. The crystallographic mismatch between ZnSe and Ag2Se, together with the Zn2+/Ag+ size difference, amplifies phase-transition-induced deformation and promotes high-density dislocations with periodic strain modulations. This defect architecture suppresses grain coarsening, removes excess Ag, limits Ag-interstitial formation, and reduces lattice thermal conductivity through lattice softening and multiscale phonon scattering. Ag2Se–4%ZnSe nanocomposites achieve a peak zTmax of 1.13 at 369 K and a zTavg of 1.08 from 300 to 380 K, demonstrating mismatch-driven defect engineering through the β–α phase transition as a route for optimizing Ag2Se-based thermoelectrics.},
author = {Liu, Yu and Kleinhanns, Tobias and Spadaro, Maria Chiara and Genç, Aziz and Horta, Sharona and Navita, Navita and Costanzo, Tommaso and Dutkiewicz, Ewelina and Arbiol, Jordi and Hong, Min and Ibáñez, Maria},
issn = {2380-8195},
journal = {ACS Energy Letters},
number = {8},
pages = {5752--5762},
publisher = {American Chemical Society},
title = {{Exploiting mismatch strain and the β–α phase transition for microstructural engineering in thermoelectric Ag2Se}},
doi = {10.1021/acsenergylett.6c01499},
volume = {11},
year = {2026},
}
@article{22965,
abstract = {Manganese-based aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) have emerged as promising candidates for large-scale energy storage owing to their low cost, intrinsic safety, and the abundance of constituent elements. However, their practical deployment is still restricted by severe capacity fading caused by Jahn–Teller-induced structural instability and sluggish Zn2+ transport in the cathode. Although surface coating, heteroatom doping, and structural regulation have been widely explored to improve Mn-based cathodes, these approaches may suffer from increased interfacial resistance, compositional complexity, or limited control over the intrinsic electronic structure. In this context, oxygen-vacancy engineering offers a more direct route to modulate local coordination environments and accelerate Zn2+/H+ storage kinetics. Herein, lattice-level defect engineering of a dense Mn2O3 host is achieved through a metal–organic framework-derived synthesis followed by mild secondary annealing. The introduced oxygen vacancies regulate the local electronic structure and coordination environment, thereby facilitating Zn2+ diffusion, accelerating charge-transfer kinetics, and improving electrochemical reversibility. Combined experimental and theoretical investigations further show that oxygen-vacancy engineering enhances electronic conductivity, reduces the Zn2+ migration barrier, and enables a reversible dual-ion storage mechanism involving both H+ and Zn2+. Benefiting from these effects, the Zn‖Vo-Mn2O3 battery delivers a high specific capacity of 359 mAh g−1 at 0.3 A g−1, maintains 210 mAh g−1 at 6 A g−1, and retains 74.3% of its capacity after 10 000 cycles at 12 A g−1 after only 150 s of initial preconditioning. This work highlights oxygen-vacancy engineering as an effective route to enhancing the kinetic and structural stability of Mn-based cathodes for advanced AZIBs.},
author = {Yu, Ao and Chang, Xingqi and Lu, Xuan and He, Ren and Yang, Linlin and Chai, Jiali and Bi, Xiaoyu and Chacón-Borrero, Jesús and Mejia-Centeno, Karol V. and Llorca, Jordi and Villalobos-Portillo, Eduardo and Liu, Qirong and Shang, Jian and Cabot, Andreu},
issn = {2050-7496},
journal = {Journal of Materials Chemistry A},
publisher = {Royal Society of Chemistry},
title = {{Lattice-level defect engineering of dense Mn2O3 hosts unlocks fast H+/Zn2+ storage and long-life aqueous zinc-ion batteries}},
doi = {10.1039/d6ta05844b},
year = {2026},
}
@article{22967,
abstract = {Alkali salts are widely used in solution processing, yet the corresponding cations are often assumed to remain in the liquid phase. Here, we show that alkali ions introduced during the solution synthesis of SnSe are retained through particle isolation and continue to influence the material during subsequent thermal processing, where they shape the evolution of the final polycrystalline material. Different SnSe powders were prepared using Li+, Na+, and K+ precursors, as well as tetramethylammonium (TMA+) precursors as a nonalkali reference for comparison, and all samples were consolidated under identical conditions. Although all three alkali ions were found in the matrix, at grain boundaries, and in segregated nanoscale regions, they partitioned differently and resulted in distinct grain sizes, defect distributions, and therefore transport properties. Li induced the strongest grain size heterogeneity and the lowest energy barriers, Na the best overall balance between carrier concentration and mobility, and K the broadest alkali-rich grain boundary regions along with the strongest interfacial penalty to charge carrier transport. These results show that residual alkali ions are not just remnants of solution synthesis but active determinants of microstructure and thermoelectric performance in SnSe.},
author = {Fiedler, Christine and Horta, Sharona and Navita, Navita and Maji, Krishnendu and Kleinhanns, Tobias and Llorca, Jordi and Wang, Qi and Ramon, Maria Garcia and Das, Sambit and Gavini, Vikram and Liu, Yu and Ibáñez, Maria},
issn = {1520-5002},
journal = {Chemistry of Materials},
number = {18},
pages = {9323–9332},
publisher = {American Chemical Society},
title = {{Alkali ions retained from synthesis govern microstructure and transport in solution-processed SnSe}},
doi = {10.1021/acs.chemmater.6c01284},
volume = {38},
year = {2026},
}
@article{22966,
abstract = {Solid-state polymer electrolytes (SPEs) are promising for high-safety, high-energy-density lithium metal batteries, but their adoption is limited by low room-temperature ionic conductivity and insufficient mechanical robustness. This study reports an improved SPE architecture consisting of a three-dimensional (3D) polyacrylonitrile (PAN)–Li6.4La3Zr1.4Ta0.6O12 (LLZTO) fibrous skeleton infused with a polymer electrolyte ionic liquid (PIL), which promotes lithium-salt dissociation, accelerates Li+ transport, and enhances mechanical strength. The resulting SPE achieves an ionic conductivity of up to 0.51 mS cm−1. Li|Li symmetric cells using a 40-µm-thick SPE cycle stably for 2500 h at 0.2 mA cm−2 with a low overpotential of 30 mV. In Li|LiFePO4 (LFP) full cells, the electrolyte enables 86.8% capacity retention after 1000 cycles at 0.5 C and maintains stable operation at 130 °C. Flexible pouch-cell tests further confirm improved safety and durability under harsh conditions, highlighting the potential of this SPE design for high-voltage lithium metal batteries.},
author = {Zhang, Shengnan and Zeng, Guifang and Yu, Jing and Horta, Sharona and Lu, Xuan and Sun, Qing and Ren, Yuchuan and Ibáñez, Maria and Llorca, Jordi and Biendicho, Jordi Jacas and Arbiol, Jordi and Ci, Lijie and Cabot, Andreu},
issn = {2524-793X},
journal = {Advanced Fiber Materials},
publisher = {Springer},
title = {{Reinforced poly(ionic liquid)-in-salt electrolytes for highly stable solid-state Lithium metal batteries}},
doi = {10.1007/s42765-026-00775-2},
year = {2026},
}
@article{23004,
abstract = {Lattice strain engineering can regulate the electronic structure of electrocatalysts, but stabilizing distorted metastable phases remains challenging. Here, we report an N,N-dimethylformamide-assisted strategy for synthesizing metastable hexagonal close-packed (HCP) Ni nanoparticles with local lattice-spacing deviations reaching approximately 5.2%. Structural and spectroscopic analyses support a dilute interstitial-carbon-stabilized HCP Ni framework dominated by expanded metallic Ni─Ni coordination rather than ordered Ni3C. Carbon-associated perturbations inhibit structural relaxation and retain the distorted HCP framework. Operando x-ray absorption and infrared spectroscopies indicate the formation of a NiOOH-like working surface coupled to an HCP-derived subsurface framework, accompanied by potential-dependent changes in the interfacial hydrogen-bonding environment and urea-derived species. Calculations using idealized metallic models show that HCP lattice strain induces a Ni d-band upshift, anisotropic Ni─Ni bonding, and localized charge redistribution, modifying adsorption-energy trends for the urea oxidation reaction. The optimized HCP-Ni delivers an apparent steady-state Tafel slope of 26.95 mV dec−1, over twice the electrochemically active surface area-normalized activity of the face-centered cubic-containing controls, and approximately 98% apparent urea conversion after 22 h. It sustains current for over 120 h in three-electrode testing and enables over 400 h of urea-assisted zinc–air battery cycling. This work demonstrates dilute interstitial-carbon stabilization as a route to strained metastable electrocatalysts.},
author = {Xue, Qian and Yu, Jing and Dai, Juguo and Yang, Linlin and Bi, Xiaoyu and Ren, Yuchuan and Zhang, Jia and Qi, Xuede and Wang, Yudi and Xu, Ying and Arbiol, Jordi and He, Ren and Qi, Xueqiang and Cabot, Andreu},
issn = {1521-3773},
journal = {Angewandte Chemie International Edition},
keywords = {electrocatalysis, HCP nickel, interstitial carbon, kinetic trapping, lattice strain engineering, urea oxidation reaction},
publisher = {Wiley},
title = {{Dilute interstitial carbon stabilization of highly strained metastable HCP Nickel for enhanced electrocatalysis}},
doi = {10.1002/anie.2874510},
year = {2026},
}
@phdthesis{22626,
author = {Fiedler, Christine},
isbn = {978-3-99078-086-2},
issn = {2663-337X},
pages = {141},
publisher = {Institute of Science and Technology Austria},
title = {{Mechanistic insight into solution-processed p-type tin chalcogenides as a basis for designing their n-type analogs}},
doi = {10.15479/AT-ISTA-22626},
year = {2026},
}
@phdthesis{22017,
author = {Kleinhanns, Tobias},
isbn = {978-3-99078-081-7},
issn = {2663-337X},
pages = {59},
publisher = {Institute of Science and Technology Austria},
title = {{Unraveling the origin and evolution of defects to enable advanced thermoelectric performance}},
doi = {10.15479/AT-ISTA-22017},
year = {2026},
}
@article{21321,
abstract = {The development of cost-effective and high-performance thermoelectric (TE) materials faces significant challenges, particularly in improving the properties of promising copper-based TE materials such as Cu3SbSe4, which are limited by their poor electrical conductivity. This study presents a detailed comparative analysis of three strategies to promote the electrical transport properties of Cu3SbSe4 through Sn doping: conventional Sn atomic doping, surface treatment with SnSe molecular complexes, and blending with SnSe nanocrystals to form nanocomposites, all followed by annealing and hot pressing under identical conditions. Our results reveal that a surface treatment using SnSe molecular complexes significantly enhances TE performance over atomic doping and nanocomposite formation, achieving a power factor of 1.1 mW·m−1·K−2 and a maximum dimensionless figure of merit zT value of 0.80 at 640 K, representing an excellent performance among Cu3SbSe4-based materials produced via solution-processing methods. This work highlights the effectiveness of surface engineering in optimizing the transport properties of nanostructured materials, demonstrating the versatility and cost-efficiency of solution-based technologies in the development of advanced nanostructured materials for application in the field of TE among others.},
author = {Xiao, Shanshan and Zhao, Mingjun and Li, Mingquan and Wan, Shanhong and Genç, Aziz and Huang, Lulu and Chen, Lei and Zhang, Yu and Ibáñez, Maria and Lim, Khak Ho and Hong, Min and Liu, Yu and Cabot, Andreu},
issn = {1998-0000},
journal = {Nano Research},
number = {1},
publisher = {Tsinghua University Press},
title = {{Band and defect engineering in solution-processed nanocrystal building blocks to promote transport properties in nanomaterials: The case of thermoelectric Cu 3SbSe 4}},
doi = {10.26599/nr.2025.94907072},
volume = {18},
year = {2025},
}
@article{18853,
abstract = {Electrolyte additives are extensively validated effective in mitigating dendrite growth and parasitic reactions in aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs). Nonetheless, the mechanisms by which additives influence the formation and characteristics of the inorganic solid–electrolyte interphase (SEI) are not yet fully elucidated. Herein, we investigate how Zn(CF3COO)2 additives influence solvation structure and elucidate the mechanism by which these additives promote the dual reduction of anions. Through cryo-transmission electron microscopy analysis, we identified the SEI as a highly amorphous ZnS/ZnF2 phase. This amorphous hybrid SEI demonstrates exceptional stability, mechanical robustness, and high Zn2+ conductivity, effectively mitigating parasitic reactions and enhancing Zn plating/stripping reversibility. Even under elevated current densities, the Zn anode exhibits ultra-stable longevity and ultra-high reversibility. This study provides a comprehensive understanding of the intrinsic mechanisms governing solvation structure modulation that lead to the formation of amorphous hybrid SEI, underscoring their efficacy in enhancing the performance and durability of AZIBs.},
author = {Zeng, Guifang and Sun, Qing and Horta, Sharona and Martínez-Alanis, Paulina R. and Wu, Peng and Li, Jing and Wang, Shang and Ibáñez, Maria and Tian, Yanhong and Ci, Lijie and Cabot, Andreu},
issn = {1754-5706},
journal = {Energy and Environmental Science},
number = {4},
pages = {1683--1695},
publisher = {Royal Society of Chemistry},
title = {{Modulating the solvation structure to enhance amorphous solid electrolyte interface formation for ultra-stable aqueous zinc anode}},
doi = {10.1039/d4ee03750b},
volume = {18},
year = {2025},
}
@article{18878,
abstract = {Thermoelectric (TE) materials, with the ability to convert heat into electrical energy, can generate micro-electrical fields at electronic interfaces with biological systems, making them applicable in electric-catalyzing as nanozymes, and modulate the infected microenvironment of skin wounds. Thereby, by harnessing temperature differences in vitro or in vivo, TE nanomaterials can provide antimicrobial reactive oxygen species (ROS) by catalyzing redox reactions, thereby accelerating wound healing by suppressing infection. However, despite their promising potential, there is still a lack of comprehensive understanding of the antimicrobial mechanisms, biocompatibility, and practical applications of TE nanomaterials in wound healing, as this is a newly-emerged sub-area of energy-related biomedical applications. This review aims to address this gap by highlighting the emerging progress of TE materials in wound healing, clarifying their mechanism and advances, emphasizing their potential challenges for commercialization and clinical use, and proposing novel design strategies of TE nanomaterials for effective antibacterial performance.},
author = {Jia, Shiyu and Qi, Cai and Xu, Shengduo and Yang, Lei and Sun, Qiang},
issn = {1005-0302},
journal = {Journal of Materials Science and Technology},
number = {08},
pages = {212--226},
publisher = {Elsevier},
title = {{Advancements of thermoelectric nanomaterials in ROS-mediated broad-spectrum antibacterial therapies for wound healing}},
doi = {10.1016/j.jmst.2024.11.039},
volume = {225},
year = {2025},
}
@article{18881,
abstract = {The determination of the intrinsic properties of solid active material candidates is essential for their performance optimization. However, macroscopic electrodes and related analytical techniques show challenges concerning the number of additional influencing parameters. We explore recessed microelectrodes (rME) as a platform that allows for a binder-free investigation of Prussian Blue analogues (PBA), a family of promising battery materials. The enhanced diffusion using microelectrochemical tools is indispensable to assess the intrinsic material performance, overcoming the limitation of cation diffusion from the electrolyte to the solid interface during (dis)charging cycles and allowing the investigation of limiting steps in the coupled ion-electron transfer process. The intrinsic electrochemical performance of PBAs was studied in a three-electrode configuration by means of cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic (dis)charging in aqueous Na+-containing electrolyte. We extended the evaluation to the role of the electrolyte on the performance of cathodic and anodic processes of a Mn-based PBA. Ex-situ and operando chemical characterization were coupled to support the microelectrochemical results.},
author = {Jiyane, Nomnotho and Santana Santos, Carla and Echevarria Poza, Igor and Palacios Corella, Mario and Abdillah Mahbub, Muhammad Adib and Marin-Tajadura, Gimena and Quast, Thomas and Ibáñez, Maria and Ventosa, Edgar and Schuhmann, Wolfgang},
issn = {2566-6223},
journal = {Batteries & Supercaps},
number = {3},
publisher = {Wiley},
title = {{Recessed microelectrodes as a platform to investigate the intrinsic redox process of Prussian blue analogs for energy storage application}},
doi = {10.1002/batt.202400743},
volume = {8},
year = {2025},
}
@article{18882,
abstract = {Ternary liquid-like thermoelectric materials have garnered significant attention due to their ultra-low lattice thermal conductivity. Among these, Ag8SnSe6 stands out for its exceptionally low sound velocity and thermal conductivity. However, the inherent poor electrical conductivity and suboptimal thermoelectric properties of Ag8SnSe6 necessitate further improvement. Here, a novel approach is initiated to enhance the thermoelectric properties of Ag8SnSe6 by combining low-dimensionalization with intrinsic doping. For the first time, this work successfully synthesizes single-phase Ag8SnSe6 nanocrystals, ≈10 nm in size, with the correct phase and composition using a robust and reliable colloidal method. This approach represents a significant improvement over previous reports on this material. Reducing the crystal domains of Ag8SnSe6 to the nanoscale induces quantum confinement effects, increasing the density of states near the Fermi surface. It also introduces additional grain boundaries, which lower the lattice thermal conductivity and simplify structural design. Moreover, incorporating small amounts of Sn nanopowder into the Ag8SnSe6 nanocrystals before consolidation further enhances the thermoelectric performance. Sn acts as a donor dopant, increasing the electronic concentration while at the same time improving their mobility by reducing interface barriers, thus significantly improving the material transport properties. Additionally, the presence of Sn leads to the formation of point defects, dislocations, and secondary phases, which increase phonon scattering and further reduce the thermal conductivity. Through this synergistic optimization, the figure of merit shows a significant increase across a wide temperature range. Overall, a strategy is presented for the controlled preparation of Ag8SnSe6 nanocrystals, the decoupling of their electrical and thermal transport, and the practical application of this material to thermoelectric single-leg modules.},
author = {Zhao, Xueke and Li, Mengyao and Jia, Mochen and Fiedler, Christine and Nan, Bingfei and Yang, Dongwen and Li, Lei and Yuan, Zicheng and Song, Hongzhang and Liu, Yu and Ibáñez, Maria and Wang, Ziyu and Shan, Chongxin and Cabot, Andreu},
issn = {1616-3028},
journal = {Advanced Functional Materials},
number = {24},
publisher = {Wiley},
title = {{Low-dimensional structure modulation in Ag8SnSe6 for enhanced thermoelectric performance}},
doi = {10.1002/adfm.202421449},
volume = {35},
year = {2025},
}