Abstract Polybenzimidazole (PBI)-based membranes are promising for flow batteries (FB) due to their excellent ion selectivity, thermal stability, and tunable ion conductivity. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in PBI-based membranes for various flow battery systems, categorized by fabrication method and membrane type. First, the effects of solvent evaporation-induced phase inversion (EIPS), water-induced phase inversion (NIPS), vapor-induced phase inversion (VIPS), and mixed-phase inversion on membrane structure and performance are summarized. Second, based on membrane type, the ion conduction mechanisms and performance differences of dense membranes, porous membranes, and blend membranes are discussed separately.Third, applications and challenges of PBI-based membranes in vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFB), zinc-based flow batteries (ZRFB) and iron-based flow batteries (IRFB) are discussed. Finally, structure-property relationships are summarized, and design strategies for high-performance PBI membranes are proposed. Nevertheless, PBI based membranes still face critical bottlenecks for real world RFB applications. Their ionic conductivity strongly relies on acid base doping, and irreversible dopant loss during continuous electrolyte circulation would induce progressive performance decay over cycling. This review provides a systematic reference for the rational design and application of PBI-based membranes in flow batteries.
Abstract Battery-electric passenger boat studies usually treat range, charging and capital cost as binding constraints, assume near-zero-carbon grids, and ignore the speed passengers already receive. We developed a bi-objective mixed-integer linear program that jointly sizes the vessel fleet, charging infrastructure, pier photovoltaics, battery storage and discrete service speed for seven scheduled routes across four Thai island clusters, minimising discounted cost and maximising emission reduction against a scope-matched diesel baseline. Electrified journey time may not exceed the fastest incumbent's beyond a scanned tolerance. Inputs combine published pier coordinates, operator timetables, the national vessel registry, Marine Department passenger statistics and Coriolis fuel-meter measurements on twelve vessels; carbon credit potential is computed ex ante but not optimised. Journey time, not battery range, determines feasibility: it excludes every displacement hull, and two of seven services cannot be served by any commercially available vessel. Eligible electric vessels carry 10–30 passengers against incumbents of 8–350, so optimal fleets reach 24–968 vessels and USD 35.2–693.9 million of investment. Sixteen of twenty configurations cut emissions by up to 41.0% of the baseline; the other four increase them by up to 5.5% under a grid emission factor of 0.4857 kg CO2 kWh−1. No configuration is economically viable: break-even carbon prices of USD 8,296–16,070 per tCO2e lie close to three orders of magnitude above traded prices. Only pier photovoltaics with storage is marginally viable (net present value USD 0.22 million), supplying 45%–50% of charging energy. Electrifying non-speed-competitive services is justified now; speed-competitive services await larger high-speed electric vessels.
Abstract Pulsed electrolysis has emerged as a promising strategy for overcoming the limitations of conventional potentiostatic electrocatalysis and regulating dynamic electrochemical reactions. By dynamically varying the applied potential, pulsed operation introduces additional degrees of freedom for precisely manipulating reaction pathways, catalyst states, and interfacial environments. However, the mechanistic basis of pulsed electrolysis remains insufficiently understood, and the selection of pulse parameters is still largely guided by empirical optimization, with limited mechanistic correlations to the underlying electrochemical processes. Here, we establish a classification framework based on electrochemical modification of catalytic activity, which categorizes the regulatory mechanisms of pulsed electrolysis into two fundamental pathways: Faradaic and non-Faradaic electrochemical modification of catalytic activity. Non-Faradaic modification of catalytic activity does not rely on direct electron transfer but instead regulates the adsorption and desorption of reaction intermediates, catalyst surface states, and interfacial microenvironments, thereby altering surface coverage, catalyst structure, and local reaction conditions. In contrast, Faradaic modification regulates the extent of sequential electron-transfer steps at different potentials, selectively promoting or suppressing specific reaction steps and thereby redirecting complex reaction networks. We systematically review recent advances in two electrochemical modifications of catalytic activity pathways, highlighting how pulsed operation can regulate reaction intermediates, catalyst states, and interfacial environments through distinct mechanisms, and has been applied across diverse electrocatalytic systems, including resource molecular conversion and organic electrosynthesis. Finally, we discuss key challenges and opportunities in this field, highlighting that establishing mechanistic correlations among pulse parameters, electrochemical processes, and reaction performance is expected to advance pulsed electrolysis from empirical parameter screening toward mechanism-guided rational design, enabling precise and predictable control over dynamic electrochemical reactions.
Abstract Wide-bandgap perovskites (1.6-1.8 eV) are promising top sub-cells for tandem and indoor photovoltaics, but high bromine content induces halide segregation and accelerated degradation. In this work, we systematically investigate three bulk modifiers: Ti3C2Tx (2D flakes), Methylammonium chloride (crystallization additive), and the self-assembled monolayer 4-(pyridin-4-yl)triphenylamine in CsFAPb(I-Br)3 (1.72 eV) p-i-n solar cells. Notably, Ti3C2Tx modified devices deliver a champion power conversion efficiency of 18.84 % for 1.72 eV wide-bandgap perovskites, maximizing efficiency through optimized energy-level alignment and reduced series resistance. To address operational stability, we identified two distinct ion-migration-driven degradation pathways. Local ion interactions at the hole-transport interface causes void formation and photocurrent loss, which is effectively suppressed by methylammonium chloride. In contrast, ion accumulation at extraction interfaces primarily degrades the fill factor. By immobilizing mobile ions, the 4-(pyridin-4-yl)triphenylamine self-assembling monolayer prevents void formation, improves fill factor thermal resilience, and achieves an 80 % operational lifetime of over 800 hours under continuous stress (ISOS-L-2, 65 °C). These findings demonstrate that managing ionic dynamics and passivating traps are complementary strategies for stabilizing wide-bandgap perovskite solar cells.
