Doping strategies for inorganic lead-free halide perovskite solar cells: progress and challenges.

In recent years, remarkable advancements have been achieved in the field of halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs). However, the commercialization of PSCs has been impeded by challenges such as Pb leakage and the instability of hybrid organic-inorganic perovskites (HOIPs). Hence, the future lies in the development of environmentally friendly inorganic lead-free halide perovskites (LFHPs) based on elements like Sn, Ge, Bi, Sb, and Cu, which show great promise for photovoltaic applications.

A simple strategy to obtain graphitic carbon nitride modified TiOlayer for efficient perovskite solar cells.

The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) can be improved through the concurrent strategies of enhancing charge transfer and passivating defects. Graphite carbon nitride (g-CN) has been demonstrated as a promising modifier for optimizing energy level alignment and reducing defect density in PSCs. However, its preparation process can be complicated.

Enhanced performance of BiI-incorporated CsPbBr solar cells.

CsPbBr all-inorganic perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have been extensively investigated due to their remarkable stability. However, their limited film quality and wide bandgap result in a low photoelectric conversion efficiency (PCE). In this study, BiI was incorporated into CsPbBr films to synergistically enhance light absorption and film quality.

One-Step Gas-Solid-Phase Diffusion-Induced Elemental Reaction for Bandgap-Tunable CuAgBiI/CuI Thin Film Solar Cells.

Lead-free inorganic copper-silver-bismuth-halide materials have attracted more and more attention due to their environmental friendliness, high element abundance, and low cost. Here, we developed a strategy of one-step gas-solid-phase diffusion-induced reaction to fabricate a series of bandgap-tunable CuAgBiI/CuI bilayer films due to the atomic diffusion effect for the first time. By designing and regulating the sputtered Cu/Ag/Bi metal film thickness, the bandgap of CuAgBiI could be reduced from 2.

Novel Ag-based thin film solar cells: concept, materials, and challenges.

Novel Ag-based thin film solar cells have attracted extensive attention in recent years in the photovoltaic (PV) field due to their outstanding properties like a high light absorption coefficient, low toxicity, abundance, and an appropriate band gap. The emerging Ag-based thin film materials such as AgS, AgBiS, AgCuS, AgInS, AgBiSe, AgZnSnS, Ag(In,Ga)Se, AgBiI, CsAgBiBr, and CuAgBiI are becoming ideal materials for light absorbing layers in the new generation of PV devices. Although the efficiency of ATFSCs has improved significantly in recent years, it is much lower than those of other PV devices.

Synthesis of highly crystalline imine-linked covalent organic frameworks controlling monomer feeding rates in an open system.

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have enormous potential in various applications because of their high crystallinity and superior surface area. However, it is still challenging to synthesize crystalline COFs using a convenient and effective synthetic strategy. Herein, we report a strategy to synthesize four highly crystalline imine COFs, namely, TATB-DATP-COF, PDA-TAPB-COF, OMePDA-TAPB-COF and COF-320, by polymerization with a dropwise monomer feeding method in an open system, without using additional templates or modulators.

Hydrogen Bond Activation by Pyridinic Nitrogen for the High Proton Conductivity of Covalent Triazine Framework Loaded with H PO.

Under high temperature anhydrous conditions, it is still a formidable challenge to improve the performance of proton-conducting materials based on H PO and elucidate its proton conduction mechanism. Herein, a highly stable covalent triazine frameworks (CTFs) based on H PO is reported. The more pyridinic nitrogen CTFs contain, the higher proton conductivity is.

Crystalline Covalent Triazine Frameworks with Fibrous Morphology via a Low-Temperature Polycondensation of Planar Monomer.

The morphology regulation of covalent triazine frameworks (CTFs) is a great challenge, which may be due to the difficulty in controlling its morphology by traditional synthesis methods. Herein, a general approach to fabricate morphology controllable CTFs by a mild polycondensation reaction in mixed solvents without any templating agents is reported. As a proof of concept, a type of crystalline CTFs with distinctive fibrous morphology (MS-F-CTF-1) (MS: Mixed Solvent; F: Fibrous Morphology) is developed by adjusting the ratio of mixed solvents to control the solubility of monomers, so that the nucleation, crystal growth, and subsequent self-assembly are controlled, which facilitates the formation of fibrous morphology.

The O/S heteroatom effects of covalent triazine frameworks for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution.

S/O heterocyclic covalent triazine frameworks (CTFs , CTF-7 and CTF-8) were synthesized using thiophene and furan as building blocks, respectively. The hydrogen evolution rate of CTF-7 is 7430 μmol g h, which is about 5.6 times that of CTF-8.

Environment-friendly Cu-based thin film solar cells: materials, devices and charge carrier dynamics.

Cu-based thin films are ideal absorbing layer materials for new-generation thin-film solar cells, which have many advantages, such as environment-friendly components, abundant raw materials, low cost, simple manufacturing process, strong anti-interference, radiation resistance, high light absorption coefficient and suitable band gap. Copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) thin-film solar cells, which have the highest photoelectric conversion efficiency (23.35%) among the various Cu-based materials, have been intensively investigated and exploited.

Palladium as a Superior Cocatalyst to Platinum for Hydrogen Evolution Using Covalent Triazine Frameworks as a Support.

Abundant pyridinic nitrogen in the triazine units of covalent triazine frameworks (CTFs) is very useful in various heterogeneous catalysis reactions. Herein, a tunable CTF platform with the same porous structure was designed and synthesized to study the interaction between palladium/platinum (Pd/Pt) and pyridinic nitrogen of CTFs. The smaller Pd nanoparticles were formed because of the stronger interaction between Pd and pyridinic nitrogen atoms of CTFs, which is more beneficial for the separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs.

Controlling Monomer Feeding Rate to Achieve Highly Crystalline Covalent Triazine Frameworks.

The synthesis of highly crystalline covalent triazine frameworks (CTFs) with ultrastrong covalent bonds (aromatic CN) from the triazine linkage presents a great challenge to synthetic chemists. Herein, the synthesis of highly crystalline CTFs via directly controlling the monomer feeding rate is reported. By tuning the feeding rate of monomers, the crystallization process can be readily governed in a controlled manner in an open system.

Crystalline Covalent Triazine Frameworks by In Situ Oxidation of Alcohols to Aldehyde Monomers.

Covalent triazine frameworks (CTFs) with aromatic triazine linkages have recently received increasing interest for various applications because of their rich nitrogen content and high chemical stability. Owing to the strong aromatic C=N bond and high chemical stability, only a few CTFs are crystalline, and most CTFs are amorphous. Herein we report a new general strategy to give highly crystalline CTFs by in situ formation of aldehyde monomers through the controlled oxidation of alcohols.