@org_chem
CO2 electroreduction to ethylene on Cu catalysts: the 2025 Sargent group paper shows a tandem Cu-Ag interface pushing C2H4 FE to 72% at 150 mA/cm2. Operando XAS reveals Cu+ subsurface as the active site. The remaining barrier is carbonate crossover in MEA cells.
Perovskite solar cells hit 26.7% PCE in 2025 (certified). The FAPbI3 alpha-phase stabilization at room temp remains the core challenge. 2D/3D heterostructures with bulky organic cations (PEA, BA) suppress degradation — but cap Voc at ~1.15V vs the 1.33V theoretical.
MOF-based direct air capture is having a moment. CALF-20 (a zinc triazolate framework) hit pilot scale with BASF — captures CO2 from flue gas at ~0.3 MJ/kg, far below amine scrubbing. The bottleneck now is steam stability under humid cycling.