Chemistry, Physical

Article Chemistry, Physical

Single-junction organic solar cells with over 19% efficiency enabled by a refined double-fibril network morphology

Lei Zhu, Ming Zhang, Jinqiu Xu, Chao Li, Jun Yan, Guanqing Zhou, Wenkai Zhong, Tianyu Hao, Jiali Song, Xiaonan Xue, Zichun Zhou, Rui Zeng, Haiming Zhu, Chun-Chao Chen, Roderick C. MacKenzie, Yecheng Zou, Jenny Nelson, Yongming Zhang, Yanming Sun, Feng Liu

Summary: Morphological control of donor and acceptor domains is crucial for efficient organic photovoltaics, and this study demonstrates a double-fibril network strategy to achieve a high power conversion efficiency of 19.3%.

NATURE MATERIALS (2022)

Review Chemistry, Multidisciplinary

Emerging S-Scheme Photocatalyst

Liuyang Zhang, Jianjun Zhang, Huogen Yu, Jiaguo Yu

Summary: This article presents the superiority and design criteria of the emerging S-scheme heterojunction in photocatalysis. By overcoming the challenges faced by single photocatalysts through the construction of heterojunctions, the S-scheme heterojunction has demonstrated its potential in improving photocatalysis. The critical understanding of the curved Fermi level in the S-scheme heterojunction interface and the current challenges and prospects of S-scheme heterojunction photocatalysts are also discussed.

ADVANCED MATERIALS (2022)

Article Chemistry, Physical

Tandem Organic Solar Cell with 20.2% Efficiency

Zhong Zheng, Jianqiu Wang, Pengqing Bi, Junzhen Ren, Yafei Wang, Yi Yang, Xiaoyu Liu, Shaoqing Zhang, Jianhui Hou

Summary: A advanced interconnecting layer for tandem organic solar cell is developed in this study. By controlling the O-2 flux during evaporation, efficient electron extraction and low Schottky barrier are obtained, enabling effective charge recombination between two subcells. The tandem cell with the interconnecting layer shows a high efficiency of 20.27%.
Article Chemistry, Physical

Green synthesis of DyBa2Fe3O7.988/DyFeO3 nanocomposites using almond extract with dual eco-friendly applications: Photocatalytic and antibacterial activities

Makarim A. Mahdi, Seyede Raheleh Yousefi, Layth S. Jasim, Masoud Salavati-Niasari

Summary: In this study, photocatalytical and antibacterial activities of DyBa2Fe3O7.988/DyFeO3 (Dy-Ba-Fe-O) nanocomposites were investigated as eco-friendly applications. The synthesis method chosen was ultrasound technique to ensure low energy consumption and achieve a pure product with good crystallinity. Natural almond core extract was used as a green reagent. The nanocomposite exhibited a band gap of 2.6 eV, enabling visible-light photocatalysis. Significant degradation of Rhodamin-B dye and strong antibacterial activity against Gram-negative pathogens were observed. The properties of the nanocomposite were characterized by various analyses.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY (2022)

Article Chemistry, Multidisciplinary

Realizing 19.05% Efficiency Polymer Solar Cells by Progressively Improving Charge Extraction and Suppressing Charge Recombination

Kaien Chong, Xiaopeng Xu, Huifeng Meng, Jingwei Xue, Liyang Yu, Wei Ma, Qiang Peng

Summary: This work demonstrates highly efficient polymer solar cells by improving charge extraction and suppressing charge recombination through side-chain engineering, adopting ternary blends, and introducing volatilizable solid additives. The optimized molecular structure and blend morphology lead to improved fill factor and power conversion efficiency.

ADVANCED MATERIALS (2022)

Review Chemistry, Physical

Design concept for electrocatalysts

Yao Wang, Xiaobo Zheng, Dingsheng Wang

Summary: Metal-based electrocatalysts with different sizes have shown different catalytic behaviors, and regulating the coordination environment of active sites is crucial for designing efficient electrocatalysts. This review summarizes the recent progress in heterogeneous supported single atoms, nanoclusters, and nanoparticles catalysts, proposing key factors for enhancing electrocatalytic performance and discussing current challenges and future opportunities in this field.

NANO RESEARCH (2022)

Article Chemistry, Multidisciplinary

Single-Junction Organic Solar Cells with 19.17% Efficiency Enabled by Introducing One Asymmetric Guest Acceptor

Rui Sun, Yao Wu, Xinrong Yang, Yuan Gao, Zeng Chen, Kai Li, Jiawei Qiao, Tao Wang, Jing Guo, Chao Liu, Xiaotao Hao, Haiming Zhu, Jie Min

Summary: The ternary strategy is an effective approach to achieve high-efficiency OSCs, but the nonradiative voltage loss limits further efficiency improvements. By incorporating an asymmetric guest acceptor BTP-2F2Cl, the OSCs show improved photoluminescence quantum yield, exciton diffusion length, and absorption spectrum, leading to enhanced power conversion efficiency.

ADVANCED MATERIALS (2022)

Review Chemistry, Multidisciplinary

Dimensional Design and Core-Shell Engineering of Nanomaterials for Electromagnetic Wave Absorption

Zhengchen Wu, Han-Wen Cheng, Chen Jin, Bintong Yang, Chunyang Xu, Ke Pei, Huibin Zhang, Ziqi Yang, Renchao Che

Summary: Electromagnetic wave absorption materials with core-shell structures can enhance performance through interfacial polarization, conduction networks, magnetic coupling, and magnetic-dielectric synergy. This review outlines the recent advances in low-dimensional core-shell electromagnetic wave absorption materials and discusses notable examples. Key information regarding dimensional design, structural engineering, performance, and structure-function relationship is comprehensively summarized.

ADVANCED MATERIALS (2022)

Article Chemistry, Applied

A review on heterogeneous photocatalysis for environmental remediation: From semiconductors to modification strategies

Huijie Wang, Xin Li, Xiaoxue Zhao, Chunyan Li, Xianghai Song, Peng Zhang, Pengwei Huo, Xin Li

Summary: Heterogeneous photocatalysis has potential applications in environmental remediation, but faces challenges such as low efficiency and high costs. More research is needed to better understand and apply it in practical scenarios. This review provides reference directions for designing photocatalytic systems for environmental pollutants.

CHINESE JOURNAL OF CATALYSIS (2022)

Article Chemistry, Physical

Understanding the structure-performance relationship of active sites at atomic scale

Runze Li, Dingsheng Wang

Summary: This article discusses the key factors affecting the catalytic performance of metal-based atomically dispersed catalysts and their relationship with the active sites. It first introduces the effectiveness of active site design through coordination effects, then discusses the role of chemical bonds in the active sites and the influence of the spacing of active atoms in intermetallic compounds on catalytic behavior. Additionally, the importance of synergistic effects in catalyst design is emphasized, and the key parameters affecting catalytic performance at the atomic scale are summarized.

NANO RESEARCH (2022)

Article Chemistry, Multidisciplinary

pH/Glucose Dual Responsive Metformin Release Hydrogel Dressings with Adhesion and Self-Healing via Dual-Dynamic Bonding for Athletic Diabetic Foot Wound Healing

Yongping Liang, Meng Li, Yutong Yang, Lipeng Qiao, Huiru Xu, Baolin Guo

Summary: A dual-responsive hydrogel dressing was constructed for the treatment of type II diabetic foot ulcers and shown to promote wound healing in a rat model. The addition of metformin and graphene oxide further enhanced wound repair.

ACS NANO (2022)

Review Chemistry, Multidisciplinary

Heterointerface Engineering in Electromagnetic Absorbers: New Insights and Opportunities

Leilei Liang, Weihua Gu, Yue Wu, Baoshan Zhang, Gehuan Wang, Yi Yang, Guangbin Ji

Summary: Electromagnetic absorbers are playing increasingly essential role in the electronic information age and even towards the coming intelligent era. The advantages of heterointerface engineering and its EM characteristics inject vitality for designing high-efficiency EM absorbers, but there are still huge challenges in understanding and reinforcing these interface effects.

ADVANCED MATERIALS (2022)

Article Chemistry, Multidisciplinary

Binary Organic Solar Cells Breaking 19% via Manipulating the Vertical Component Distribution

Yanan Wei, Zhihao Chen, Guanyu Lu, Na Yu, Congqi Li, Jinhua Gao, Xiaobin Gu, Xiaotao Hao, Guanghao Lu, Zheng Tang, Jianqi Zhang, Zhixiang Wei, Xin Zhang, Hui Huang

Summary: The variation of the vertical component distribution has a significant impact on the photovoltaic performance of organic solar cells. This study demonstrates that sequential deposition of materials can improve the efficiency of solar cells.

ADVANCED MATERIALS (2022)

Article Chemistry, Physical

Janus (BNNS/ANF)-(AgNWs/ANF) thermal conductivity composite films with superior electromagnetic interference shielding and Joule heating performances

Yixin Han, Kunpeng Ruan, Junwei Gu

Summary: In this study, Janus (BNNS/ANF)-(AgNWs/ANF) composite films were successfully prepared, which exhibited one side insulating, one side conducting performance. The composite films showed high thermal conductivity, superior electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness, good mechanical properties, stable temperature-voltage response characteristics, and reliable electrical stability.

NANO RESEARCH (2022)

Article Chemistry, Applied

Integration of 2D layered CdS/WO3 S-scheme heterojunctions and metallic Ti3C2 MXene-based Ohmic junctions for effective photocatalytic H2 generation

Junxian Bai, Rongchen Shen, Zhimin Jiang, Peng Zhang, Youji Li, Xin Li

Summary: A 2D/2D/2D layered heterojunction photocatalyst with cascaded 2D coupling interfaces was designed and constructed, which effectively promoted spatially directional charge separation and transport between CdS and WO3 nanosheets, resulting in an increased visible-light hydrogen evolution rate.

CHINESE JOURNAL OF CATALYSIS (2022)

Review Chemistry, Multidisciplinary

Advanced Flame-Retardant Methods for Polymeric Materials

Bo-Wen Liu, Hai-Bo Zhao, Yu-Zhong Wang

Summary: Most organic polymeric materials are highly flammable, causing significant damages to human life and property through the large amounts of smoke, toxic gases, heat, and melt drips produced during burning. Conventional flame-retardant methods are facing difficulties in meeting the increasing flame-retardant requirements. Advanced flame-retardant methods, such as all-in-one intumescence and nanotechnology, have been developed to provide potential solutions to these challenges.

ADVANCED MATERIALS (2022)

Article Chemistry, Multidisciplinary

Multifunctional Superelastic, Superhydrophilic, and Ultralight Nanocellulose-Based Composite Carbon Aerogels for Compressive Supercapacitor and Strain Sensor

Huayu Liu, Ting Xu, Chenyang Cai, Kun Liu, Wei Liu, Meng Zhang, Haishun Du, Chuanling Si, Kai Zhang

Summary: In this study, conductive carbon aerogels with ultralow density and superhydrophilicity were developed based on synergistic hydrogen bonding, electrostatic interaction, and pi-pi interaction within regularly arranged layered porous structures. These aerogels exhibit high compressibility, fatigue resistance, excellent capacitive performance, and can be used as strain sensors.

ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS (2022)

Review Chemistry, Multidisciplinary

Recent Advances in Design of Electrocatalysts for High-Current-Density Water Splitting

Yuting Luo, Zhiyuan Zhang, Manish Chhowalla, Bilu Liu

Summary: The electrochemical water splitting technology is crucial for achieving global carbon neutrality. High-performance electrocatalysts that can operate at high current densities are essential for the industrial implementation of this technology. Recent advancements in this field have led to the development of various catalysts designed specifically for high current densities (> 200 mA cm(-2)). This article discusses these recent advances and summarizes the key factors that influence the catalytic performance in high current density electrocatalysis, including catalyst dimensionality, surface chemistry, electron transport path, morphology, and catalyst-electrolyte interaction. It highlights the importance of a multiscale design strategy that considers these factors comprehensively for developing high current density electrocatalysts. The article also provides insights into the future directions of this emerging field.

ADVANCED MATERIALS (2022)

Article Chemistry, Multidisciplinary

MIL-96-Al for Li-S Batteries: Shape or Size?

Pengbiao Geng, Lei Wang, Meng Du, Yang Bai, Wenting Li, Yanfang Liu, Shuangqiang Chen, Pierre Braunstein, Qiang Xu, Huan Pang

Summary: Metal-organic frameworks with controllable shapes and sizes, specifically MIL-96-Al crystals in hexagonal platelet, hexagonal bipyramidal, and hexagonal prismatic bipyramidal shapes, were prepared successfully using cosolvent methods. The shape and particle size of the MOF crystals were found to influence the adsorption of lithium polysulfides, impacting the initial capacity in Li-S batteries. These findings suggest a new strategy for designing sulfur hosts in Li-S batteries.

ADVANCED MATERIALS (2022)

Article Chemistry, Applied

S-Scheme photocatalyst TaON/Bi2WO6 nanofibers with oxygen vacancies for efficient abatement of antibiotics and Cr(VI): Intermediate eco-toxicity analysis and mechanistic insights

Shijie Li, Mingjie Cai, Yanping Liu, Chunchun Wang, Kangle Lv, Xiaobo Chen

Summary: In this study, a novel TaON/Bi2WO6 S-scheme heterojunction nanofibers were developed, showing exceptional visible-light photocatalytic performance for pollutant degradation with satisfactory stability. The research provides guidance for designing high-performance photocatalysts with defects for environmental protection.

CHINESE JOURNAL OF CATALYSIS (2022)