The emergence of metamaterials and their continued prosperity have built a powerful working platform for accurately manipulating the behavior of electromagnetic waves, providing sufficient possibility for the realization of metamaterial absorbers with outstanding performance. However, metamaterial absorbers composed of metallic materials typically possess many unfavorable factors, such as non‐adjustable absorption, easy oxidation, low‐melting, and expensive preparation costs. The selection of dielectric materials provides excellent alternatives due to their remarkable properties, thus dielectric‐based metamaterial absorbers (DBMAs) have attracted much attention. To promote breakthroughs in DBMAs and guide their future development, this work systematically and deeply reviews the recent research progress of DBMAs from four different but progressive aspects, including physical principles; classifications, material selections and tunable properties; preparation technologies; and functional applications. Five different types of theories and related physical mechanisms, such as Mie resonance, guided‐mode resonance, and Anapole resonance, are briefly outlined to explain DBMAs having near‐perfect absorption performance. Mainstream material selections, structure designs, and different types of tunable DBMAs are highlighted. Several widely utilized preparation methods for customizing DBMAs are given. Various practical applications of DBMAs in sensing, stealth technology, solar energy absorption, and electromagnetic interference suppression are reviewed. Finally, some key challenges and feasible solutions for DBMAs’ future development are provided.

Dielectric‐Based Metamaterials for Near‐Perfect Light Absorption

Renewable energy sources offer greater reliability and resilience compared to traditional sources. Biodiesel, derived from renewable resources that absorb carbon dioxide during growth and production, boasts a significantly lower carbon footprint than petroleum-based diesel fuel. Heterojunction photocatalysts have emerged as a promising solution for environmental challenges. This study focused on efficient biodiesel production using visible light-irradiated Si/MgO heterojunctions. The XPS analysis confirmed the crucial role of surface functionality in achieving high photocatalytic efficiency. Transesterification occurs through SiH and SiOH bond formation on the catalyst. Finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) predicts the structure–activity relationship, showing stronger plasmonic nearfields in Si/MgO due to distinct dielectric constants. The Si/MgO photocatalyst exhibited superior photocatalytic activity under visible light, consistent with FDTD results. Biodiesel production was attained to 96% yield using 2 wt% catalysts, a 12:1 M ratio of methanol to Jatropha curcas oil, and a 3.5 hrs reaction time. Therefore, the work provided valuable insights into the mechanism of efficient plasmonic photocatalysis, paving the way for future advancements in novel high-performance photocatalysts. 

Boosting biodiesel production over silicon heterojunction with visible light irradiation

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) are gaining popularity for their cost-effectiveness, safety, and utilization of abundant resources. MXenes, which possess outstanding conductivity, controllable surface chemistry, and structural adaptability, are widely recognized as a highly versatile platform for AZIBs. MXenes offer a unique set of functions for AZIBs, yet their significance has not been systematically recognized and summarized. This review article provides an up-to-date overview of MXenes-based electrode materials for AZIBs, with a focus on the unique functions of MXenes in these materials. The discussion starts with MXenes and their derivatives on the cathode side, where they serve as a 2D conductive substrate, 3D framework, flexible support, and coating layer. MXenes can act as both the active material and a precursor to the active material in the cathode. On the anode side, the functions of MXenes include active material host, zinc metal surface protection, electrolyte additive, and separator modification. The review also highlights technical challenges and key hurdles that MXenes currently face in AZIBs.

Versatile MXenes for Aqueous Zinc Batteries.

Hydrogen is being included in several decarbonization strategies as a potential contributor in some hard-to-abate applications. Among other challenges, hydrogen storage represents a critical aspect to be addressed, either for stationary storage or for transporting hydrogen over long distances. Ammonia is being proposed as a potential solution for hydrogen storage, as it allows storing hydrogen as a liquid chemical component at mild conditions. Nevertheless, the use of ammonia instead of pure hydrogen faces some challenges, including the health and environmental issues of handling ammonia and the competition with other markets, such as the fertilizer market. In addition, the technical and economic efficiency of single steps, such as ammonia production by means of the Haber–Bosch process, ammonia distribution and storage, and possibly the ammonia cracking process to hydrogen, affects the overall supply chain. The main purpose of this review paper is to shed light on the main aspects related to the use of ammonia as a hydrogen energy carrier, discussing technical, economic and environmental perspectives, with the aim of supporting the international debate on the potential role of ammonia in supporting the development of hydrogen pathways. The analysis also compares ammonia with alternative solutions for the long-distance transport of hydrogen, including liquefied hydrogen and other liquid organic carriers such as methanol. 

The Potential Role of Ammonia for Hydrogen Storage and Transport: A Critical Review of Challenges and Opportunities

Recently, there has been considerable interest in a new family of transition metal carbides, carbonitrides, and nitrides referred to as MXenes (Ti3C2T x ) due to the variety of their elemental compositions and surface terminations that exhibit many fascinating physical and chemical properties. As a result of their easy formability, MXenes may be combined with other materials, such as polymers, oxides, and carbon nanotubes, which can be used to tune their properties for various applications. As is widely known, MXenes and MXene-based composites have gained considerable prominence as electrode materials in the energy storage field. In addition to their high conductivity, reducibility, and biocompatibility, they have also demonstrated outstanding potential for applications related to the environment, including electro/photocatalytic water splitting, photocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction, water purification, and sensors. This review discusses MXene-based composite used in anode materials, while the electrochemical performance of MXene-based anodes for Li-based batteries (LiBs) is discussed in addition to key findings, operating processes, and factors influencing electrochemical performance.

Synthesis and applications of MXene-based composites: a review

Issues and challenges in hydrogen separation technologies

MXene, Silicene and Germanene: Preparation and Energy Storage Applications

In the present work, TiO2/g-C3N4 nanocomposites were synthesized by using highly crystalline TiO2 nanorods/rice (NRs) and various percentages of g-C3N4 via a facile, scalable, and inexpensive pyrolysis method. The synthesized nanocomposites were characterized by various techniques, e.g., X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), N2 adsorption and desorption analysis (BET), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and chronoamperometry (CA). It was found that biodiesel production by the esterification reaction can be remarkably enhanced by coupling TiO2 with g-C3N4; hereby, it was observed that with increasing percentage of g-C3N4 from 5 to 10 and 15% with respect to TiO2 NRs, the photocatalytic activity rose and the maximum photocatalytic activity with 97% conversion was observed for NC-3, i.e., 15% g-C3N4/TiO2. Moreover, the photoactivity of pristine TiO2 NR aggregates was contrasted with their nanoparticle morphology and was estimated to be slightly better. When applied for photocatalytic Congo red dye degradation, this sample showed a 91% degradation efficiency using only a very small amount of the catalyst. The high catalytic efficiency is attributed to the narrow band gap, exceptionally high surface area, and efficient charge separation properties of the prepared catalysts.

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdf/10.1021/acsomega.2c04841

TiO2/g-C3N4 Binary Composite as an Efficient Photocatalyst for Biodiesel Production from Jatropha Oil and Dye Degradation

Semiconductor-based photocatalysis is a probable approach to overcoming many pollution problems and eradicating toxic organic materials from wastewater. This research endeavor aimed to explore the synergistic potential of different semiconductor nanocomposites for photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants in contaminated water. A facile hydrothermal approach was employed to synthesize bismuth oxide and cobalt ferrite nanoparticles from their precursors—bismuth nitrate pentahydrate, ferric chloride hexahydrate and cobalt chloride hexahydrate—with various concentrations and conditions to optimize the product. Subsequently, nanocomposites of bismuth oxide and cobalt ferrite were prepared by solid-state mixing in varying concentrations followed by calcination. UV/visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and elemental dispersive X-ray spectroscopic techniques have corroborated the successful synthesis of nanocomposites. The energy gaps of bismuth oxide and cobalt ferrite nanocomposites were computed in the range of 1.58–1.62 eV by Tauc plots. These nanocomposite materials were ascertained for photocatalytic potential to degrade methyl orange organic dye in water. A nanocomposite with equiquantic proportions has shown the best photocatalytic degradation activity, which may be attributed to the type-II band configuration and a synergistic effect, because Bi2O3 acts as an electron sink. This synergism has reduced the cogent band gap, hindered electron hole recombination and increased electron hole availabilities for photodegradation reactions, thus ensuing an efficient photodegradation co-work of Bi2O3/CoFe2O4 nanocomposites.

A Facile Synthesis of Bi2O3/CoFe2O4 Nanocomposite with Improved Synergistic Photocatalytic Potential for Dye Degradation

In the present paper, simple hydrothermal and solid-state methods are reported for the synthesis of metal chalcogenide (ZnSe), metal oxide (Co3O4) and their nano-heterostructure (ZnSe/Co3O4 3:1, 1:1 and 1:3 ratios by weight), while their photocatalytic efficiencies are also investigated. The X-ray diffraction results corroborate the good crystallinity and purity of all synthesized products, i.e., ZnSe, Co3O4 and their nanocomposites. The scanning electron micro-images of ZnSe show a mixed morphology of nanoparticles (≈16 nm), including spherical and distorted cubes, while Co3O4 has a worm-like morphology (≈20 × 50 nm). The EDX results show that all the elements are present in accordance with their anticipated amounts in the products. The UV/visible absorption spectrum of ZnSe depicts a sharp absorption at around 480 nm, while Co3O4 demonstrates two prominent peaks, 510 nm and 684 nm. The prepared samples were employed for the photocatalytic degradation of Congo red dye and the nano-heterostructure (ZnSe/Co3O4 3:1) shows an exceptional photocatalytic degradation efficiency of 96%. This enhanced photocatalytic activity was due to the synergic effect of ZnSe and Co3O4 that reduced the electron/hole recombination and caused suitable bandgap alignment.

/pdf/facile-synthesis-of-znse-co3o4-heterostructure-2j9t14cx.pdf

Facile Synthesis of ZnSe/Co3O4 Heterostructure Nanocomposites for the Photocatalytic Degradation of Congo Red Dye

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