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Verified CAS / Academic Author2 Decoded Studies

Prof. CHEN Yanan

School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tianjin University

Research Publications & English Decoded Briefs

Showing 2 publications
SCIENCE CHINA Materials2026DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-4074-6

AI for Electrocatalytic Energy Conversion: From Atoms to Industry

Achieving carbon neutralization relies heavily on green hydrogen and electrochemical carbon-nitrogen cycles. However, the complexity of these systems and the cost of traditional Edisonian trial-and-error methods hinder rapid progress. Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative tool, enabling high-throughput data processing and dynamic adaptation. This review surveys the landscape of AI-driven electrochemistry, bridging the gap from atomic-scale design to industrial-scale implementation. Specifically, we focus on three areas: atomic structure-function decoding, fully automated “self-driving” laboratories, and macro-scale simulations for device durability. Furthermore, we elucidate the critical challenges in integrating AI with materials science. By mapping current trends and future directions, this work aims to unlock the full transformative potential of AI in next-generation energy storage and conversion.

SCIENCE CHINA Materials2025DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3334-5

A Soluble Precursor Facilitates Ultra-Fast Synthesis of O3 Layered Oxides for Sodium-Ion Batteries

The development of sustainable energy storage solutions has driven research toward alternatives to lithium-ion batteries. Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are considered promising candidates due to their cost-effectiveness and sodium abundance. To introduce defects and enhance the electrochemical performance of O3-phase sodium-ion layered oxide materials, high-temperature shock (HTS) was employed. However, given the characteristics of HTS, especially the rapid heating rate and short sintering time, suitable precursor systems need to be explored. We systematically compared three precursor systems: traditional metal oxides (HTS-O), decomposable salts (HTS-D), and a novel pre-reacted precursor system (HTS-S). The pre-reacted precursor, developed by leveraging the ethanol solubility of C4H14MnO8 and modified ball milling conditions, enabled rapid O3 phase formation and resulted in impurity-free O3-NaCu0.2Fe0.3Mn0.5O2. This material demonstrated superior electrochemical performance, achieving a discharge capacity of 144.05 mAh g−1 within 2.0–4.1 V, along with enhanced rate capabilities. Our findings underscore the critical role of precursor selection and modification in HTS synthesis, contributing to the advancement of high-performance sodium-ion battery materials.