Microfluidic Biosensor Decorated with an Indium Phosphate Nanointerface for Attomolar Dopamine Detection.

Developing functional materials that directly integrate into miniaturized devices for sensing applications is essential for constructing the next-generation point-of-care system. Although crystalline structure materials such as metal organic frameworks are attractive materials exhibiting promising potential for biosensing, their integration into miniaturized devices is limited. Dopamine (DA) is a major neurotransmitter released by dopaminergic neurons and has huge implications in neurodegenerative diseases. Integrated microfluidic biosensors capable of sensitive monitoring of DA from mass-limited samples is thus of significant importance. In this study, we developed and systematically characterized a microfluidic biosensor functionalized with the hybrid material composed of indium phosphate and polyaniline nanointerfaces for DA detection. Under the flowing operation, this biosensor displays a linear dynamic sensing range going from 10-18 to 10-11 M and a limit of detection (LOD) value of 1.83 × 10-19 M. In addition to the high sensitivity, this microfluidic sensor showed good selectivity toward DA and high stability (>1000 cycles). Further, the reliability and practical utility of the microfluidic biosensor were demonstrated using the neuro-2A cells treated with the activator, promoter, and inhibiter. These promising results underscore the importance and potential of microfluidic biosensors integrated with hybrid materials as advanced biosensors systems.

Surficial grafting of organoimido moieties enhances the capacity performance of oxometallic clusters.

Molybdenum trioxide (MoO3) with a theoretical specific capacity of 1117 mA h g-1 is widely considered a promising anode material for lithium-ion batteries. However, the irreversible conversion reactions, low electrical conductivity, and detrimental volume expansion upon Li intercalation between the one-dimensional layered structures of MoO3 hinder its practical implementation. Herein, we report a facile synthetic protocol that allows surficial modification by replacing the terminal and bridging oxo groups of molybdenum oxide clusters. Successful organoimido functionalization resulted in a large cathodic shift in Mo(VI/V) reduction by 0.6 V, pronounced electronic communication between the organic moiety and the metal-oxide unit, and significant increase in electrical conductivity (80-100 Ω interfacial charge-transfer resistance). Combined with the enlarged active surface area due to the structural hindrance induced by the organic functionality, the steady specific capacity of the organoimido-modified molybdenum oxide clusters was greater than 1200 mA h g-1 at 900 mA g-1 at the end of 360 cycles, where the best value of 1653 mA h g-1 was achieved for the nitroaniline-substituted species. The steady capacity of 480 mA h g-1 was achieved in the fast charge-discharge process (3000 mA g-1) over 1400 cycles. The results indicate that the surficial modification of metal oxides with organo moieties using our facile synthetic method has broad application potential for metal oxides to be used as high-capacity electrode materials in the future.

Toward Large-Area and Fully Solution-Sheared Perovskite Solar Cells.

The solution shearing technique was used to prepare the various layers involved in perovskite solar cells (PSCs), with a device structure of FTO/c-TiO2/mp-TiO2/CH3NH3PbI3/Spiro-OMeTAD/Ag, in an area as large as 6 × 10 cm2. The film morphology and thickness of each layer were optimized by varying respective shearing parameters. The fully solution-sheared PSCs exhibited a champion power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 15.89%. In comparison, the PSCs with only perovskite layer solution-sheared and other layers spin-coated showed a high PCE of 17.27%. These results demonstrate the potential of a simple, rapid, cost-effective, and scalable solution shearing process to fabricate large-area PSCs and modules.

Structural Engineering of Organic D-A-π-A Dyes Incorporated with a Dibutyl-Fluorene Moiety for High-Performance Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells.

Structural engineering of the light-harvesting dyes employed in DSSCs (dye-sensitized solar cells) with a systematic choice of the electron-donating and -accepting groups as well as the π-bridge allows the (photo)physical properties of dyes to match the criteria needed for improving the DSSC efficiency. Herein, we report an effective approach of molecular engineering of DSSC sensitizers, aiming to gain insights on the configurational impact of the fluorenyl unit on the optoelectronic properties and photovoltaic performance of DSSCs. Five new organic dyes (GZ116, GZ126, GZ129, MA1116, and MA1118) with a D-A-π-A framework integrated with a fluorenyl moiety were designed and synthesized for DSSCs. The fluorenyl unit is configured as part of the π-spacer for the GZ series, whereas it connected on the electron-deficient quinoxaline motif for the MA series. The devices fabricated from the MA1116 sensitizer produced the best performance under standard AM 1.5 G solar conditions as well as dim-light (300-6000 lx) illumination. The devices fabricated from MA1116 displayed a PCE of 8.68% (Jsc = 15.00 mA cm-2, Voc = 0.82 V, and FF = 0.71) under 1 sun and 26.81% (Jsc = 0.93 mA cm-2, Voc = 0.68 V, and FF = 0.76) under 6000 lx illumination. The device efficiency based on dye MA1116 under 1 sun outperformed that based on the standard N719 dye, whereas a comparable performance between devices based on MA1116 and N719 was achieved under dim-light conditions. A combination of enhancing the charge separation, suppressing dye aggregation, and providing better insulation that prevents the oxidized redox mediator from approaching the TiO2 surface all contribute to the superior performance of DSSCs fabricated based on these light-harvesting dyes. The judicious integration of the fluorenyl unit in a D-A-π-A-based DSSC would be a promising strategy to boost the device performance.

Compact TiO2 films with sandwiched Ag nanoparticles as electron-collecting layer in planar type perovskite solar cells: improvement in efficiency and stability.

Fabrication of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) in a simple way with high efficiency and stability remains a challenge. In this study, silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) were sandwiched between two compact TiO2 layers through a facile process of spin-coating an ethanolic AgNO3 solution, followed by thermal annealing. The presence of Ag NPs in the electron-transporting layer of TiO2 improved the light input to the device, the morphology of the perovskite film prepared on top, and eliminated leakage current. Photoluminescence and electron mobility studies revealed that the incorporation of Ag NPs in the ETL of the planar PSC device facilitated the electron-hole separation and promoted charge extraction and transport from perovskite to ETL. Hysteresis-free devices with incorporated Ag NPs gave a high average short-circuit current density (J sc) of 22.91 ± 0.39 mA cm-2 and maximum power conversion efficiency of 17.25%. The devices also showed enhanced stability versus a control device without embedded Ag NPs. The possible reasons for the improvement are analyzed and discussed.

Effect of Different CH3NH3PbI3 Morphologies on Photovoltaic Properties of Perovskite Solar Cells.

In this study, the perovskite layers were prepared by two-step wet process with different CH3NH3I (MAI) concentrations. The cell structure was glass/FTO/TiO2-mesoporous/CH3NH3PbI3 (MAPbI3)/spiro-OMeTAD/Ag. The MAPbI3 perovskite films were prepared using high and low MAI concentrations in a two-step process. The perovskite films were optimized at different spin coating speed and different annealing temperatures to enhance the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of perovskite solar cells. The PCE of the resulting device based on the different perovskite morphologies was discussed. The PCE of the best cell was up to 17.42%, open circuit voltage of 0.97 V, short current density of 24.06 mA/cm2, and fill factor of 0.747.

Performance Characterization of Dye-Sensitized Photovoltaics under Indoor Lighting.

Indoor utilization of emerging photovoltaics is promising; however, efficiency characterization under room lighting is challenging. We report the first round-robin interlaboratory study of performance measurement for dye-sensitized photovoltaics (cells and mini-modules) and one silicon solar cell under a fluorescent dim light. Among 15 research groups, the relative deviation in power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the samples reaches an unprecedented 152%. On the basis of the comprehensive results, the gap between photometry and radiometry measurements and the response of devices to the dim illumination are identified as critical obstacles to the correct PCE. Therefore, we use an illuminometer as a prime standard with a spectroradiometer to quantify the intensity of indoor lighting and adopt the reverse-biased current-voltage (I-V) characteristics as an indicator to qualify the I-V sampling time for dye-sensitized photovoltaics. The recommendations can brighten the prospects of emerging photovoltaics for indoor applications.

Nano-structured CuO-Cu2O Complex Thin Film for Application in CH3NH3PbI3 Perovskite Solar Cells.

Nano-structured CuO-Cu2O complex thin film-based perovskite solar cells were fabricated on an indium tin oxide (ITO)-coated glass and studied. Copper (Cu) thin films with a purity of 99.995 % were deposited on an ITO-coated glass by magnetron reactive sputtering. To optimize the properties of the nano-structured CuO-Cu2O complex thin films, the deposited Cu thin films were thermally oxidized at various temperatures from 300 to 400 °C. A CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite absorber was fabricated on top of CuO-Cu2O complex thin film by a one-step spin-coating process with a toluene washing treatment. Following optimization, the maximum power conversion efficiency (PCE) exceeded 8.1 %. Therefore, the low-cost, solution-processed, stable nano-structured CuO-Cu2O complex thin film can be used as an alternative hole transport layer (HTL) in industrially produced perovskite solar cells.

Near-Infrared-Absorbing and Dopant-Free Heterocyclic Quinoid-Based Hole-Transporting Materials for Efficient Perovskite Solar Cells.

New heterocyclic quinoid-based hole transporting materials (HTMs) with a rigid quinoid core [3,6-di(2H-imidazol-2-ylidene)cyclohexa-1,4-diene] have been synthesized. The new HTMs have good hole mobility (>10-4  cm2 V-1 s-1 ) and very intense absorption in the near-infrared region extending to >800 nm. High performance perovskite solar cells can be fabricated using these HTMs without dopant. The best cell efficiency under simulated AM 1.5 G illumination reaches 12.22 %, which is comparable with that (12.58 %) using doped 2,2',7,7'-tetrakis-(N,N-di-4-methoxyphenylamino)-9,9'-spirobifluorene (spiro-OMeTAD) as the HTM.