Development of Advanced Energy-Harvesting Materials

Dear Colleagues,

Energy-harvesting materials are crucial for capturing and converting various forms of energy into usable electrical power. These materials encompass a wide range of technologies such as piezoelectric, triboelectric, thermoelectric, photovoltaic, and electromagnetic generators. They play a vital role in enabling the use of self-powered devices, renewable energy systems, and autonomous sensors. In recent years, significant advancements have been achieved in the development of materials specifically designed for efficient energy generation.

This Special Issue aims to explore the latest research and developments in energy-harvesting materials. We encourage submissions that focus on novel material compositions, advanced fabrication techniques, and improved energy conversion efficiency. Manuscripts presenting experimental studies, theoretical analyses, and modeling approaches are all welcome.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Advances in piezoelectric, thermoelectric, photovoltaic, and electromagnetic materials;
• Novel material designs for enhanced energy-harvesting performance;
• Flexible and wearable energy-harvesting technologies;
• Integration of energy-harvesting materials into practical applications.

With this Special Issue, we aim to contribute to the growing field of advanced energy-harvesting materials. Your expertise and research efforts will play a crucial role in unlocking new possibilities and advancing the practical applications of energy-harvesting materials. Together, let us pave the way towards a greener and more sustainable future.

Dr. Zhenjin Wang
Dr. Hiroki Kurita
Prof. Dr. Fumio Narita
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Materials is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• energy-harvesting materials
• piezoelectric nanogenerator (PENG)
• piezoelectric energy generator (PEG)
• triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG)
• thermoelectric generator (TEG)
• magnetostrictive energy generator
• electromagnetic generator

Title: Recent Progress on Metal Oxide Electron Transport Layer for High-Performance Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Ying-Han Liao; Yin-Hsuan Chang; Ting-Han Lin; Kun-Mu Lee; Ming-Chung Wu
Affiliation: Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan
Abstract: Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have attracted considerable interest owing to their low processing costs and high efficiency. A crucial component of these devices is the electron transport layer (ETL), playing a key role in extracting and transmitting light-induced electrons, modifying interfaces, and adjusting the surface energy levels. This minimizes charge recombination in PSCs, a key factor in their performance. This paper provides a comprehensive summary of the latest advancements in the research of electron transport materials, encompassing material selection and a discussion of electron transmission. It further compares advanced preparation methods, doping techniques, and surface modification technologies for the ETL. The impact of these parameters on the performance and passivation behavior of PSCs is also examined. Technological advancements in the ETL are currently a prominent research direction for high-efficiency PSCs. The article covering topics of the current state and future directions in ETL research for PSCs.