ZrO₂ spherical nanometer powders containing 3.5 mol% Y₂O₃ have been prepared via the coupling route of water/oil (W/O) emulsion with dimethyl oxalate homogenous precipitation. ZrO₂ powders and their precursor powders have been characterized by XRD, TEM and SEM. According to the XRD result, phase volume fractions of powders were calculated by comparing the peaks’ intensities of spectrum. Furthermore, phase crystal lattice constants were obtained using crystal interplanar spacing formula and Bragg equation. With these results, the theoretical density of powders was analyzed. Finally, powders’ spherical degree was revealed via the method of comparison between theoretical density and actual density.

Application of aqueous zinc metal batteries (AZMBs) in large‐scale new energy systems (NESs) is challenging owing to the growth of dendrites and frequent side reactions. Here, this study proposes the use of Panthenol (PB) as an electrolyte additive in AZMBs to achieve highly reversible zinc plating/stripping processes and suppressed side reactions. The PB structure is rich in polar groups, which led to the formation of a strong hydrogen bonding network of PB−H₂O, while the PB molecule also builds a multi‐coordination solvated structure, which inhibits water activity and reduces side reactions. Simultaneously, PB and OTF⁻ decomposition, in situ formation of SEI layer with stable organic‐inorganic hybrid ZnF₂‐ZnS interphase on Zn anode electrode, can inhibit water penetration into Zn and homogenize the Zn²⁺ plating. The effect of the thickness of the SEI layer on the deposition of Zn ions in the battery is also investigated. Hence, this comprehensive regulation strategy contributes to a long cycle life of 2300 h for Zn//Zn cells assembled with electrolytes containing PB additives. And the assembled Zn//NH₄V₄O₁₀ pouch cells with homemade modules exhibit stable cycling performance and high capacity retention. Therefore, the proposed electrolyte modification strategy provides new ideas for AZMBs and other metal batteries.

Although carbon mitigation in power industry is attracting more and more attention around the world, the large scale application of carbon capture technology is obstructed because of the enormous energy consumption and huge capital investment required. In this study, an integrated system with power generation, CO₂ capture and heat supply are proposed, which adopts three measures to reutilize the waste heat released from the CO₂ capture process, including extracted steam recirculation, a CO₂ Rankine cycle and a radiant floor heat subsystem. Amongst these measures, the radiant floor heat subsystem can efficiently reuse the relatively low temperature waste energy in the absorbent cooler. Through thermodynamic analysis, it is determined that the power output of the new integrated system is 19.48 MW higher compared with the decarbonization Natural Gas Combined Cycle (NGCC) power plant without system integration. On the other hand, 247.59 MW of heat can be recovered through the radiant floor heat subsystem, leading to an improved overall energy efficiency of 73.6%. In terms of the economic performance, the integration requires only 2.6% more capital investment than a decarbonization NGCC power plant without system integration and obtains extra revenue of 3.40 $/MWh from the simultaneous heat supply, which reduces the cost of CO₂ avoided by 22.3%. The results prove the economic and efficiency potential of a NGCC power plant integrated with carbon capture, which may promote the industrial demonstration of carbon capture theology.

To achieve the reinforcement of copper matrix composite by single‐walled carbon nanotubes, a three‐step‐refluxing purification of carbon nanotubes sample with HNO₃‐NaOH‐HCl was proposed and demonstrated. A previously reported purification process using an electromagnetic stirring with H₂O₂/HCl mixture was also repeated. Then, the purified carbon nanotubes were coated with copper by the same electroless plating process. At the end, the effects of the method on carbon nanotubes themselves and on copper coating were determined by transmission electron microscope spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope spectroscopy, X‐ray diffractometry, thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, and energy dispersive spectrometry. It was clearly confirmed that both of the two processes could remove most of iron catalyst particles and carbonaceous impurities without significant damage to carbon nanotubes. The thermal stability of the sample purified by H₂O₂/HCl treatment was slightly higher than that purified by HNO₃‐NaOH‐HCl treatment. Nevertheless, the purification by HNO₃‐NaOH‐HCl treatment was more effective for carboxyl functionalization on nanotubes than that by H₂O₂/HCl treatment. The Cu‐coating on carbon nanotubes purified by both purification processes was complete, homogenous, and continuous. However, the Cu‐coating on carbon nanotubes purified by H₂O₂/HCl was oxidized more seriously than those on carbon nanotubes purified by HNO₃‐NaOH‐HCl treatment.

In this study, we have investigated a hybrid thin film PV vacuum glazing called: ‘PV VG-4L’. The glazing involves an integration between a thin film PV glazing with a double vacuum glazing (both manufactured independently), and an additional layer of self-cleaning coated glass which totalling four layers of glass. The mathematical model of the PV VG-4L designs were developed and numerically solved in MATLAB. To evaluate the performance of the PV VG-4L, the prototype was manufactured and investigated at lab-scale and also under real conditions. Lab-scale experiments were conducted at steady state conditions using a TEC driven calibrated hot box at the Sustainable Energy Research Lab, University of Nottingham, UK. Meanwhile, outdoors, the prototype was tested at a research house at the University of Nottingham, UK. Under the influence of solar irradiance, the electrical performance of the PV-VG and the temperature difference between the surfaces of the glazing were analysed. However, the measurement of U-value under real conditions is not reliable due to the influence of solar irradiance on the heat flux sensor and also due to the absorbed solar irradiance by the thin film PV layer. Nevertheless, during low to zero solar irradiance, the U-value of the prototype can be estimated. The developed model was then validated against the experimental results by direct comparison to the trend of the experimental and theoretical curves obtained, and also by conducting error analysis using root mean squared percentage deviation (RMSPD) method. Testing using the calibrated hot box, adhering closely to ISO 12567 standards, resulted in an average measured total U-value of 0.6 W/m2K which is when compared to a single thin film PV glazing with a typical U-value of 5 W/m2K; the U-value is higher by almost 90%. From the analysis, the computed RMSPD value for the glazing surface temperature and the U-value are 4.02% and 0.92% respectively. Meanwhile, field testing under real conditions with a 0.4 m × 0.4 m PV VG-4L prototype found that 14 W/m2 power can be generated by the PV VG-4L at average solar irradiance of ~600 W/m2. RMSPD computed glazing surface temperatures, electrical power generated under real conditions and U-value are 2.90%, 8.70% and 2.89% respectively. The theoretical and experimental results are concluded to be in good agreement. This study has significant contributions to the knowledge of building integrated photovoltaic PV technology. The mathematical model that has been developed can be used for PV VG-4L design optimisation and also to simulate the performance of PV VG-4L under various conditions. At building efficiency level, the PV VG-4L not only can produce power, but it also has high insulating properties. The promising U-value implies its range of potential applications which can be improved depending on the energy needs and applications, such as for BIPV solar façade (PV curtain walling) in commercial buildings, greenhouses, skylight and conservatory.