Bio-catalyzed oxidation self-charging zinc-polymer batteries.

Oxidation self-charging batteries have emerged with the demand for powering electronic devices around the clock. The low efficiency of self-charging has been the key challenge at present. Here, a more efficient autoxidation self-charging mechanism is realized by introducing hemoglobin (Hb) as a positive electrode additive in the polyaniline (PANI)-zinc battery system. The heme acts as a catalyst that reduces the energy barrier of the autoxidation reaction by regulating the charge and spin state of O2. To realize self-charging, the adsorbed O2 molecules capture electrons of the reduced (discharged state) PANI, leading to the desorption of zinc ions and the oxidation of PANI to complete self-charging. The battery can discharge for 12 min (0.5 C) after 50 self-charging/discharge cycles, while there is nearly no discharge capacity in the absence of Hb. This biology-inspired electronic regulation strategy may inspire new ideas to boost the performance of self-charging batteries.

Very Stable and Efficient Tandem Quantum-Dot Light-Emitting Diodes Enabled by IZO-Based Interconnecting Layers.

Theoretically, tandem quantum-dot light-emitting diodes (QLEDs) hold great promise for achieving both high efficiency and high stability in display applications. However, in practice, their operational stability remains considerably inferior to that of state-of-the-art devices. In this study, we developed a new tandem structure with optimal electrical and optical performance to simultaneously improve the efficiency and stability of tandem QLEDs. Electrically, upon development of a barrier-free interconnecting layer enabled by an indium-zinc oxide bridging layer and a conductive ZnMgO layer, the driving voltage of the tandem QLEDs is remarkably reduced. Optically, upon development of a top-emitting structure and optimization of the cavity length guided by a theoretical simulation, a maximum light extraction efficiency is achieved. As a result, the red tandem QLEDs exhibit a maximum external quantum efficiency of 49.01% and a T95 lifetime at 1000 cd/m2 of >50 000 h, making them one of the most efficient and stable QLEDs ever reported.

Efficient Inverted Perovskite Photovoltaics Through Surface State Manipulation.

Inverted perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are considered as the most promising avenue for the commercialization of PSCs due to their potential inherent stability. However, suboptimal interface contacts between electron transport layer (ETL) (such as C60 ) and the perovskite absorbing layer within inverted PSCs always result in reduced efficiency and poor stability. Herein, a surface state manipulation strategy has been developed by employing a highly electronegative 4-fluorophenethylamine hydrochloride (p-F-PEACl) to effectively address the issue of poor interface contacts in the inverted PSCs. The p-F-PEACl demonstrates a robust interaction with perovskite film through bonding of amino group and Cl- with I- and Pb2+ ions in the perovskite, respectively. As such, the surface defects of perovskite film can be significantly reduced, leading to suppressed non-radiative recombination. Moreover, p-F-PEACl also plays a dual role in enhancing the surface potential and improving energy-level alignment at the interfaces between the perovskite and C60 carrier transport layer, which directly contributes to efficient charge extraction. Finally, the open-circuit voltage (Voc ) of devices increases from 1.104 V to 1.157 V, leading to an overall efficiency improvement from 22.34% to 24.78%. Furthermore, the p-F-PEACl-treated PSCs also display excellent stability.

Multifunctional Wearable Electronic Based on Fabric Modified by PPy/NiCoAl-LDH for Energy Storage, Electromagnetic Interference Shielding, and Photothermal Conversion.

With the rapid advancement of electronic technology, traditional textiles are challenged to keep up with the demands of wearable electronics. It is anticipated that multifunctional textile-based electronics incorporating energy storage, electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding, and photothermal conversion are expected to alleviate this problem. Herein, a multifunctional cotton fabric with hierarchical array structure (PPy/NiCoAl-LDH/Cotton) is fabricated by the introduction of NiCoAl-layered double hydroxide (NiCoAl-LDH) nanosheet arrays on cotton fibers, followed by polymerization and growth of continuous dense polypyrrole (PPy) conductive layers. The multifunctional cotton fabric shows a high specific areal capacitance of 754.72 mF cm-2 at 5 mA cm-2 and maintains a long cycling life (80.95% retention after 1000 cycles). The symmetrical supercapacitor assembled with this fabric achieves an energy density of 20.83 Wh cm-2 and a power density of 0.23 mWcm-2. Moreover, the excellent electromagnetic interference shielding (38.83 dB), photothermal conversion (70.2 °C at 1000 mW cm-2), flexibility and durability are also possess by the multifunctional cotton fabric. Such a multifunctional cotton fabric has great potential for using in new energy, smart electronics, and thermal management applications.

Suppressed Droplet Splashing on Positively Skewed Surfaces for High-Efficiency Evaporation Cooling.

Two types of functional surfaces with the same roughness but completely different surface topographies are prepared, namely positively skewed surfaces filled with micropillar arrays (Sa ≈4.4 µm, Ssk >0) and negatively skewed surfaces filled with microcavity arrays (Sa ≈4.4 µm, Ssk <0), demonstrating promoting droplet splashing. Remarkably, the critical Weber number for generating satellite droplets on the negatively skewed surfaces is significantly lower than that on the positively skewed surfaces, indicating that the negatively skewed surface with microcavity arrays is more likely to promote droplet splashing. It is mainly attributed to the fact that air on the negatively skewed surface can make the liquid film take on a Cassie-Baxter state on the surface so that the stabilizing capillary force of the liquid film exceeds the destabilizing stress of the air film. Moreover, the surface topography promoting droplet spreading and the mechanical properties of three-phase moving contact lines are analyzed from the perspective of microscopic interface mechanics. Finally, it is demonstrated the designed positively skewed surfaces can be employed for large-area heat dissipation by means of high-efficiency evaporation.

Piezo-catalysis in BiFeO3@In2Se3 Heterojunction for High-Efficiency Uranium Removal.

Piezo-catalysis emerges as an efficient, safe, and affordable strategy for removing hazardous substances from aquatic environments. Here, the BiFeO3@In2Se3 heterojunction demonstrates remarkable prowess as a piezo-catalyst, enabling the high-efficiency removal of uranium (U) from U(VI)-containing water. A total U(VI) removal efficiency of 94.6% can be achieved under ultrasonic vibration without any sacrificial agents. During the entire catalytic process, piezo-induced electrons, hydroxyl radicals, and superoxide radicals play important roles in U(VI) removal, while the generated H2O2 is responsive to the transformation of soluble U(VI) into insoluble (UO2)O2•2H2O and UO3. Furthermore, auxiliary illumination can accelerate the increase of free charges, enabling the piezo-catalyst to retain more charges. This leads to an improved U(VI) removal efficiency of 98.8% and a significantly increased reaction rate constant. This study offers a comprehensive analysis of the fabrication of high-efficiency piezo-catalysts in the removal or extraction of U(VI) from U(VI)-containing water.

High-Index Faceted Cu2 O@CuO Mesocrystals Act as Efficient Catalyst for Si Hydrochlorination to Trichlorosilane.

Mesocrystals (MCs) with high-index facets may have superior catalytic properties to those with low-index facets and their nanocrystal counterparts. However, synthesizing such mesocrystal materials is still very challenging because of the metastability of MCs and energetic high-index crystal facets. This work reports a successful solvothermal method followed by calcination for synthesizing copper oxide-based MCs possessing a core-shell structure (denoted as Cu2 O@CuO HIMCs). Furthermore, these MCs are predominantly bounded by the high-index facets such as {311} or {312} with a high-density of stepped atoms. When used as catalysts in Si hydrochlorination to produce trichlorosilane (TCS, the primary feedstock of high-purity crystalline Si), Cu2 O@CuO HIMCs exhibit significantly enhanced Si conversion and TCS selectivity compared to those with flat surfaces and their nanostructured counterparts. Theoretical calculations reveal that both the core-shell structure and the high-index surface contribute to the increased electron density of Cu sites in Cu2 O@CuO HIMCs, promoting the adsorption and dissociation of HCl and stabilizing the dissociated Cl* intermediate. This work provides a simple method for synthesizing high-index faceted MCs and offers a feasible strategy to enhance the catalytic performance of MCs.

Monoammonium Modified Dion-Jacobson Quasi-2D Perovskite for High Efficiency Pure-Blue Light Emitting Diodes.

Quasi-2D perovskites exhibit impressive optoelectronic properties and hold significant promise for future light-emitting devices. However, the efficiency of perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs) is seriously limited by defect-induced nonradiative recombination and imbalanced charge injection. Here, the defect states are passivated and charge injection balance is effectively improved by introducing the additive cyclohexanemethylammonium (CHMA) to bromide-based Dion-Jacobson (D-J) structure quasi-2D perovskite emission layer. CHMA participates in the crystallization of perovskite, leading to high quality film composed of compact and well-contacted grains with enhanced hole transportation and less defects. As a result, the corresponding PeLEDs exhibit stable pure blue emission at 466 nm with a maximum external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 9.22%. According to current knowledge, this represents the highest EQE reported for pure-blue PeLEDs based on quasi-2D bromide perovskite thin films. These findings underscore the potential of quasi-2D perovskites for advanced light-emitting devices and pave the way for further advancements in PeLEDs.

Implementation of a Multi-Functional-Group Strategy for Enhanced Performance of Perovskite Solar Cells through the Incorporation of 3-Amino-4-Phenylbutyric Acid Hydrochloride.

Reducing the defect density of perovskite films during the crystallization process is critical in preparing high-performance perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Here, a multi-functional molecule, 3-phenyl-4-aminobutyric acid hydrochloride (APH), with three functional groups including a benzene ring, ─NH3 + and ─COOH, is added into the perovskite precursor solution to improve perovskite crystallization and device performance. The benzene ring increases the hydrophobicity of perovskites, while ─NH3 + and ─COOH passivate defects related to I- and Pb2+, respectively. Consequently, the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the optimal device increased to 24.65%. Additionally, an effective area of 1 cm2 with a PCE of 22.45% is also prepared using APH as an additive. Furthermore, PSCs prepared with APH exhibit excellent stability by 87% initial PCE without encapsulation after exposure at room temperature under 25% humidity for 5000 h and retaining 70% of initial PCE after aging at 85 °C in an N2 environment for 864 h.

High-Efficiency Effect-Directed Analysis Leveraging Five High Level Advancements: A Critical Review.

Organic contaminants are ubiquitous in the environment, with mounting evidence unequivocally connecting them to aquatic toxicity, illness, and increased mortality, underscoring their substantial impacts on ecological security and environmental health. The intricate composition of sample mixtures and uncertain physicochemical features of potential toxic substances pose challenges to identify key toxicants in environmental samples. Effect-directed analysis (EDA), establishing a connection between key toxicants found in environmental samples and associated hazards, enables the identification of toxicants that can streamline research efforts and inform management action. Nevertheless, the advancement of EDA is constrained by the following factors: inadequate extraction and fractionation of environmental samples, limited bioassay endpoints and unknown linkage to higher order impacts, limited coverage of chemical analysis (i.e., high-resolution mass spectrometry, HRMS), and lacking effective linkage between bioassays and chemical analysis. This review proposes five key advancements to enhance the efficiency of EDA in addressing these challenges: (1) multiple adsorbents for comprehensive coverage of chemical extraction, (2) high-resolution microfractionation and multidimensional fractionation for refined fractionation, (3) robust in vivo/vitro bioassays and omics, (4) high-performance configurations for HRMS analysis, and (5) chemical-, data-, and knowledge-driven approaches for streamlined toxicant identification and validation. We envision that future EDA will integrate big data and artificial intelligence based on the development of quantitative omics, cutting-edge multidimensional microfractionation, and ultraperformance MS to identify environmental hazard factors, serving for broader environmental governance.

4-Carboxyphenyl as efficient donor group in nano Zn-Porphyrin for dye sensitized solar cells.

Dye-sensitized solar cells, represent the alternate technology in solar research due to their cost effective, easy fabrication processes, higher efficiencies, and design flexibility. In this research, dual donor group modified zinc porphyrin dyes, have been synthesized for DSSCs. The complexes of zinc porphyrin functioned as acceptor or attaching groups within each mesophenyl ring and carboxylic acid. These complexes exhibited diverse alkyl substituents and sizable electron-donating substituents, contributing to their varied chemical structures and potential applications. The dual Donor-π bridge -Acceptor group sensitizers, Zn[5,15-diphenylcarbazole-10,20-(4-carboxyphenyl) Porphyrin] (KSR-1) and Zn [5,15-thiadiazole-10,20-(4-carboxyphenyl) Porphyrin] (KSR-2) have been synthesized and adopted for DSSCs implementation. The molar absorption coefficients (ε) of KSR-2 and KSR-1 Soret bands were 0.56 x 105 mol/L/cm and 0.47 x 105 mol/L/cm, respectively. The Q bands of the KSR-1 and KSR-2 dyes were 1.10 x 105 mol/L/cm and 1.0 x 105 mol/L/cm, respectively and the molar absorption coefficient of the KSR-1 dye was greater when compared to the KSR-2 dye. The molar absorption coefficient of 0.71 x 105 mol/L/cm was visible in the KSR -1 Q-band. DFT calculations and the electrochemical characteristics of the KSR-1 and KSR-2 dyes have been studied and discussed. The exploration involved in investigating the photophysical properties and photovoltaic performance which were affected by varying the length and number of the donor entities. The wall-plug efficiency of the KSR-1 based solar panel was Voc = 0.68 V, Jsc = 8.94 mA/m2, FF = 56 and Efficiency (µ) = 3.44%. The wall-plug efficiency of the KSR-2 based solar panel was Voc = 0.63 V, Jsc = 5.42 mA/m2, FF = 53 and Efficiency (µ) = 1.83%.

Effect of relative humidity on the desulfurization performance of calcium-based desulfurizer.

Low desulfurization efficiency impedes the wide application of dry desulfurization technology, which is a low-cost and simple process, and one significant solution is the development and manufacture of high-performance desulfurizers. In this study, firstly, a steam jet mill was used to digest quicklime; then, we utilized numerical simulation to study the flow field distribution and analyze the driving factors of quicklime digestion; and lastly, the desulfurization performance of the desulfurizer was evaluated under different relative humidities. The results show that the desulfurizer prepared via the steam jet mill had better apparent activity than traditional desulfurizers. Also, the entire jet flow field of the steam jet mill is in a supersonic and highly turbulent flow state, with high crushing intensity and good particle acceleration performance. Sufficient contact with the nascent surface maximizes the formation of slaked lime. The experiments demonstrated that the operating time with 100% desulfurization efficiency and the "break-through" time for the desulfurizer prepared via the steam jet mill is longer than that of traditional desulfurizers, and has significant advantages, especially at low flue gas relative humidity. Compared with traditional desulfurizers, the desulfurizer prepared via steam jet mill expands the range of acceptable flue gas temperature, and the failure temperature is 1.625 times that of traditional desulfurizers. This work breaks through the technical bottleneck of low dry desulfurization efficiency, which is an important step in pushing forward the application of dry desulfurization.

Ambient Phosphor with High Efficiency and Long Lifetime in Poly(Methyl Methacrylate) Through Charge-Transfer-Mediated Triplet Exciton Formation for Photolithography Applications.

Currently, purely organic compounds showing ambient phosphorescence with high efficiency (ΦP ) and ultra-long lifetime (τP ) are quite rare and often need to be achieved in hydrophilic poly(vinyl alcohol)-based hosts. This severely limits their applications. Here, we provide a solution to this issue by constructing an ortho-linked donor-acceptor (D-A) dyad whose D moiety has not only a long-lived T1 state to achieve a long τP , but also a Tn state that is close to the S1 state of the dyad to trigger effective spin-orbit charge transfer intersystem crossing (SOCT-ISC). The rationality of this strategy was validated by a new phosphor OF-BCz that is able to show a τP of 1.92 s and a ΦP of 30 % even in a less rigid matrix of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). Excitingly, OF-BCz exhibited its potential as both a photocuring initiator and an in situ quality indicator, allowing for the visual detection of defects in photolithographic patterning.

Dimerized Acceptors with Conjugate-Break Linker Enable Highly Efficient and Mechanically Robust Organic Solar Cells.

Designing new acceptors is critical for intrinsically stretchable organic solar cells (IS-OSCs) with high efficiency and mechanical robustness. However, nearly all stretchable polymer acceptors exhibit limited efficiency and high-performance small molecular acceptors are very brittle. In this regard, we select thienylene-alkane-thienylene (TAT) as the conjugate-break linker and synthesize four dimerized acceptors by the regulation of connecting sites and halogen substitutions. It is found that the connecting sites and halogen substitutions considerably impact the overall electronic structures, aggregation behaviors, and charge transport properties. Benefiting from the optimization of the molecular structure, the dimerized acceptor exhibits rational phase separation within the blend films, which significantly facilitates exciton dissociation while effectively suppressing charge recombination processes. Consequently, FDY-m-TAT-based rigid OSCs render the highest power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 18.07 % among reported acceptors containing conjugate-break linker. Most importantly, FDY-m-TAT-based IS-OSCs achieve high PCE (14.29 %) and remarkable stretchability (crack-onset strain [COS]=18.23 %), significantly surpassing Y6-based counterpart (PCE=12.80 % and COS=8.50 %). To sum up, these findings demonstrate that dimerized acceptors containing conjugate-break linkers have immense potential in developing highly efficient and mechanically robust OSCs.

Binary All-polymer Solar Cells with a Perhalogenated-Thiophene-Based Solid Additive Surpass 18 % Efficiency.

Morphological control of all-polymer blends is quintessential yet challenging in fabricating high-performance organic solar cells. Recently, solid additives (SAs) have been approved to be capable in tuning the morphology of polymer: small-molecule blends improving the performance and stability of devices. Herein, three perhalogenated thiophenes, which are 3,4-dibromo-2,5-diiodothiophene (SA-T1), 2,5-dibromo-3,4-diiodothiophene (SA-T2), and 2,3-dibromo-4,5-diiodothiophene (SA-T3), were adopted as SAs to optimize the performance of all-polymer organic solar cells (APSCs). For the blend of PM6 and PY-IT, benefitting from the intermolecular interactions between perhalogenated thiophenes and polymers, the molecular packing properties could be finely regulated after introducing these SAs. In situ UV/Vis measurement revealed that these SAs could assist morphological character evolution in the all-polymer blend, leading to their optimal morphologies. Compared to the as-cast device of PM6 : PY-IT, all SA-treated binary devices displayed enhanced power conversion efficiencies of 17.4-18.3 % with obviously elevated short-circuit current densities and fill factors. To our knowledge, the PCE of 18.3 % for SA-T1-treated binary ranks the highest among all binary APSCs to date. Meanwhile, the universality of SA-T1 in other all-polymer blends is demonstrated with unanimously improved device performance. This work provide a new pathway in realizing high-performance APSCs.

Designing A-D-A Type Fused-Ring Electron Acceptors with a Bulky 3D Substituent at the Central Donor Core to Minimize Non-Radiative Losses and Enhance Organic Solar Cell Efficiency.

Designing and synthesizing narrow band gap acceptors that exhibit high photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) and strong crystallinity is a highly effective, yet challenging, approach to reducing non-radiative energy losses (▵Enr) and boosting the performance of organic solar cells (OSCs). We have successfully designed and synthesized an A-D-A type fused-ring electron acceptor, named DM-F, which features a planar molecular backbone adorned with bulky three-dimensional camphane side groups at its central core. These bulky substituents effectively hinder the formation of H-aggregates of the acceptors, promoting the formation of more J-aggregates and notably elevating the PLQY of the acceptor in the film. As anticipated, DM-F showcases pronounced near-infrared absorption coupled with impressive crystallinity. Organic solar cells (OSCs) leveraging DM-F exhibit a high EQEEL value and remarkably low ▵Enr of 0.14 eV-currently the most minimal reported value for OSCs. Moreover, the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of binary and ternary OSCs utilizing DM-F has reached 16.16 % and 20.09 %, respectively, marking a new apex in reported efficiency within the OSCs field. In conclusion, our study reveals that designing narrow band gap acceptors with high PLQY is an effective way to reduce ▵Enr and improve the PCE of OSCs.

Managing Interface Defects via Mixed-Salt Passivation toward Efficient and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells.

Iodine vacancies and uncoordinated Pb0 defects existing at the perovskite surface have been widely demonstrated to induce deep-level defects, which can greatly limit improvement of the efficiency and stability of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). In this work, a novel strategy is proposed for functionalizing perovskite surface by using trimethylsulfoxonium iodide (TMSI), which can enhance the defect formation energy and inhibit Pb0 defects. Meanwhile, TMSI modification also can fill the iodine vacancies of perovskite surface-terminating ends. Consequently, the optimized device shows the improved charge dynamics and the reduced energy losses, achieving a champion efficiency of up to 24.03% along with excellent air-storage and thermal stabilities. This work offers guidelines for more efficient and stable PSCs based on the management of interface defects.

Super-Fast Fog Collector Based on Self-Driven Jet of Mini Fog Droplets.

Freshwater scarcity crisis threatens human life and economic security. Collecting water from the fog seems to be an effective method to defuse this crisis. Nonetheless, the existing fog collection methods have the limitations of the low fog collection rate and efficiency because of their gravity-based droplet shedding. Here, the aforementioned limitations are resolved by proposing a new fog collection method based on the self-driven jet phenomenon of the mini fog droplets. A prototype fog collector (PFC) composed of a square container that is filled with water is first designed. Both sides of the PFC are superhydrophobic but covered with superhydrophilic pore array. The mini fog droplets touching the side wall are easily captured and spontaneously and rapidly penetrate into the pores to form jellyfish-like jets, which greatly increases the droplet shedding frequency, guaranteeing a higher fog collection rate and efficiency compared with the existing fog collection methods. Based on this, a more practical super-fast fog collector is finally successfully designed and fabricated which is assembled by several PFCs. This work is hoping to resolve the water crisis in some arid but foggy regions.

Stable and High-Efficiency Perovskite Solar Cells Using Effective Additive Ytterbium Fluoride.

With better light utilization, larger tolerance factor, and higher power conversion efficiency (PCE), the HC(NH2 )2 + (FA)-based perovskite is proven superior to the popular CH3 NH3 + (MA)- and Cs-based halide perovskites in solar cell applications. Unfortunately, limited by intrinsic defects within the FA-based perovskite films, the perovskite films can be easily transformed into a yellow δ-phase at room temperature in the fabrication process, a troublesome challenge for its further development. Here, ytterbium fluoride (YbF3 ) is introduced into the perovskite precursor for three objectives. First of all, the partial substitution of Yb3+ for Pb2+ in the perovskite lattice increases the tolerance factor of the perovskite lattice and facilitates the formation of the α phase. Second, YbF3 and DMSO in the solvent form a Lewis acid complex YbF3 ·DMSO, which can passivate the perovskite film, reduce defects, and improve device stability. Consequently, the YbF3 modified Perovskite solar cell exhibits a champion conversion efficiency of 24.53% and still maintains 90% of its initial efficiency after 60 days of air exposure under 30% relative humidity.

Synergistic Effect of Surface p-Doping and Passivation Improves the Efficiency, Stability, and Reduces Lead Leakage in All-Inorganic CsPbIBr2 -Based Perovskite Solar Cells.

Wide-bandgap inorganic cesium lead halide CsPbIBr2 is a popular optoelectronic material that researchers are interested in because of the character that balances the power conversion efficiency and stability of solar cells. It also has great potential in semitransparent solar cells, indoor photovoltaics, and as a subcell for tandem solar cells. Although CsPbIBr2 -based devices have achieved good performance, the open-circuit voltage (Voc ) of CsPbIBr2 -based perovskite solar cells (PSCs) is still lower, and it is critical to further reduce large energy losses (Eloss ). Herein, a strategy is proposed for achieving surface p-type doping for CsPbIBr2 -based perovskite for the first time, using 1,5-Diaminopentane dihydroiodide at the perovskite surface to improve hole extraction efficiency. Meanwhile, the adjusted energy levels reduce Eloss and improve Voc of the CsPbIBr2 PSCs. Furthermore, the Cs- and Br-vacancies at the interface are filled, reducing structural disorder and defect states and thus improving the quality of the perovskite film. As a result, the target device achieves a high efficiency of 11.02% with a Voc of 1.33 V, which is among the best values. In addition to the improved performance, the stability of the target device under various conditions is enhanced, and the lead leakage is effectively suppressed.