Simultaneous Modulation of Interface Reinforcement, Crystallization, Anti-Reflection, and Carrier Transport in Sb Gradient-Doped SnO /Sb S Heterostructure for Efficient Photoelectrochemical Cell.

In this study, an effective quadruple optimization integrated synergistic strategy is designed to fabricate quality Sb gradient-doped SnO /Sb S heterostructure for an efficient photoelectrochemical (PEC) cell. The experimental results and theoretical calculations reveal that i) optical absorption matching is realized by combining the anti-reflection of SnO and high light absorption ability of Sb S in the visible region; ii) interface reinforcement is carried out by coordinating gradient-distributed Sb in SnO with S in S-rich precursor of Sb S for improving the Sb S crystallization process and matching crystalline lattice of Sb:SnO and Sb S ; iii) ultrahigh electron mobility is achieved by making Sb gradient-doped SnO ; iv) carrier separation and transport are accelerated by constructing type-II heterojunction with appropriate energy level alignment and forming a high-speed electron transport channel. All of above-mentioned optimization effects are integrated into a synergistic strategy for constructing the Sb:SnO /Sb S photoanode, achieving a photocurrent density of 2.

A ZnO@CuO core-shell heterojunction photoanode modified with ZnFe-LDH for efficient and stable photoelectrochemical performance.

In this study, we have designed and synthesized a novel ZnO@CuO core-shell heterojunction photoanode modified with cocatalyst ZnFe-layered double hydroxides (ZnFe-LDH). As expected, the deposition of CuO enhances light harvesting and shortens the diffusion distance for charge transfer. The ZnO@CuO heterojunction also enhances charge separation and suppresses recombination.

Zinc ferrite-based p-n homojunction with multi-effect for efficient photoelectrochemical water splitting.

A novel one-dimensional core-shell zinc ferrite (ZnFeO) p-n homojunction is prepared by a facile two-step hydrothermal method. The core-shell homojunction is constructed by decorating p-type Ni-ZnFeO (shell) onto n-type ZnFeO (core). As expected, significant enhancement in the photocurrent density of the developed homojunction is realized compared to that of pristine ZnFeO (6.

BiTaO film: a promising photoelectrode for photoelectrochemical water splitting.

Most of the transition metal bismuth salts have excellent visible absorption range and carrier transport properties due to their unique structure capable of orbits and s-p bonds. As one of the transition metal bismuth salts, BiTaO is firstly directly prepared on fluorine-doped SnO transparent conductive glass (FTO) as a photoanode for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water oxidation via a simple hydrothermal method using a special precursor solution. The growth mechanism of the BiTaO film is investigated in detail.

Reversibility and repeatability of the tensile deformation response in holographic sensors.

Reversibility and repeatability of the tensile deformation response in holographic sensors formed by highly stretchable acrylamide polymers have been investigated. The diffraction spectrum of the volume grating was used to characterize the deformation. Two-way shifts of peak wavelengths, i.

Improvement of temperature-induced spectrum characterization in a holographic sensor based on N-isopropylacrylamide photopolymer hydrogel: publisher's note.

This publisher's note amends the funding section in Appl. Opt.56, 9006 (2017)APOPAI0003-693510.

Improvement of temperature-induced spectrum characterization in a holographic sensor based on N-isopropylacrylamide photopolymer hydrogel.

A novel thermo-sensitive N-isopropylacrylamide photopolymer was developed for improving the temperature and humidity responses of holographic sensors. Diffraction spectra of holographic volume gratings recorded in the materials were characterized to explore the sensing response capacity. A dependence of peak wavelength on the temperature was observed and provided a quantitative strategy for holographic sensing applications.

Temperature-induced spectrum response of a volume grating as an effective strategy for holographic sensing in an acrylamide polymer part II: physical mechanism.

The temperature response mechanism of a diffraction spectrum in a holographic grating is characterized. Two possible major factors, changes in the refractive index and thermal expansion, are measured and analyzed to identify the sensing physical mechanism. Average refractive indices at various temperatures and relative humidity values are independently measured.

Temperature-induced spectrum response of volume grating as an effective strategy for holographic sensing in acrylamide polymer part I: sensing.

Temperature-induced diffraction spectrum responses of holographic gratings are characterized for exploring the temperature-sensing capability of a holographic sensor. Linear blue shift of peak wavelength and linear diffraction reduction are observed. It provides quantitative expressions for sensing applications.

Local structure relaxation, quantum trap depression, and valence charge polarization induced by the shorter-and-stronger bonds between under-coordinated atoms in gold nanostructures.

Relativistic density functional theory calculations have been conducted to examine the effect of atomic under-coordination on the crystal structure, binding energy, and electron configuration of cuboctahedral and Marks decahedral gold clusters. Trend consistency between calculations and experimental observations confirmed the predictions made using BOLS correlation theory, suggesting that the shorter-and-stronger bonds between under-coordinated atoms induce local structure relaxation, potential well depression, and the associated local charge and energy densification, as well as the polarization of the otherwise conducting s-electrons (valence charge) by the densely- and tightly-trapped core electrons of which the binding energy shifts positively to deeper energies. Findings are in good agreement with scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy results from monomers, dimers, chain ends, and nanostructures of gold and other metals.

Sphere-forming diblock copolymers in slit confinement: A dynamic density functional theory study.

With mean-field dynamic density functional theory, we study the morphologies of sphere-forming diblock copolymers confined between two homogeneous surfaces. The effects of the film thickness and the surface field strength on the phase behavior of sphere-forming copolymer film are investigated. The morphologies deviating from the bulk sphere-forming structure are revealed, including cylinders oriented perpendicular to the surface, cylinders oriented parallel to the surface, perforated lamellae and lamellae by varying the film thickness, and surface field strength.