Vanadium MXenes materials for next-generation energy storage devices.

Batteries and supercapacitors have emerged as promising candidates for next-generation energy storage technologies. The rapid development of new two-dimensional (2D) electrode materials indicates a new era in energy storage devices. MXenes are a new type of layered 2D transition metal carbides, nitrides, or carbonitrides that have drawn much attention because of their excellent electrical conductivity, electrochemical and hydrophilic properties, large surface area, and attractive topological structure.

Effect of Interface Modification on Mechanoluminescence-Inorganic Perovskite Impact Sensors.

It is becoming increasingly important to develop innovative self-powered, low-cost, and flexible sensors with the potential for structural health monitoring (SHM) applications. The mechanoluminescence (ML)-perovskite sensor is a potential candidate that combines the light-emitting principles of mechanoluminescence with the light-absorbing properties of perovskite materials. Continuous in-situ SHM with embedded sensors necessitates long-term stability.

Inorganic cesium lead mixed halide based perovskite solar materials modified with functional silver iodide.

Inorganic CsPbIBr perovskites have recently attracted enormous attention as a viable alternative material for optoelectronic applications due to their higher efficiency, thermal stability, suitable bandgap, and proper optical absorption. However, the CsPbIBr perovskite films fabricated using a one-step deposition technique is usually comprised of small grain size with a large number of grain boundaries and compositional defects. In this work, silver iodide (AgI) will be incorporated as an additive into the CsPbIBr perovskite precursor solution to prepare the unique perovskite CsI(PbBr)(AgI) The AgI additive in the precursor solution works as a nucleation promoter which will help the perovskite to grow and merge into a continuous film with reduced defects.

Synergistic Effect of Additive and Solvent Vapor Annealing on the Enhancement of MAPbI Perovskite Solar Cells Fabricated in Ambient Air.

To date, most high-performance perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are fabricated in an inert or vacuum condition to circumvent the moisture effect, which is one of the leading causes of sparse crystal nucleation and nonuniform morphology. Therefore, it is crucial to develop a simple approach to deposit a uniform and homogeneous perovskite on a planar substrate in ambient air for the mass production of PSCs. Herein, we investigated the synergistic effect of additive 1,8-diiodooctane (DIO) and solvent vapor annealing (SVA) treatments on the performance of PSCs fabricated in ambient air.

Synergistic effect of the anti-solvent bath method and improved annealing conditions for high-quality triple cation perovskite thin films.

One step solution processing together with anti-solvent engineering is a tested route in producing high-quality perovskite films due to its simplicity and low fabrication costs. Commercialization of perovskites will require replacing the anti-solvent drip process and lowering annealing temperatures to decrease the energy payback time. In this work, we successfully replace the anti-solvent drip with the anti-solvent bath (ASB) method through balancing the methylammonium (MA) and formamidinium (FA) cations to produce high-quality cesium (Cs)/FA/MA triple cation perovskite films.

Evaluation of the inter-particle interference of cellulose and lignin in lignocellulosic materials.

The inter-particle interference of lignocellulosic materials describes the order of the macromolecules at a larger size scale, which can give information about the pore structure, and interface of cellulose and lignin. The pore structure and interface influence the rate of enzymatic hydrolysis and thermal decomposition in cellulosic ethanol manufacturing. In this study, the inter-particle interference of cellulose and lignin of three major categories of lignocellulosic materials: wood-based (cedar and oak), energy crop (bamboo), and agricultural or forestry waste (palm) were evaluated.

Investigation of molecular and supramolecular assemblies of cellulose and lignin of lignocellulosic materials by spectroscopy and thermal analysis.

The study of lignocellulosic materials calls for understanding the structure, and function of different cellulosic materials from diverse sources to scale-up cellulosic ethanol production. For the first time, a systematic assessment of the molecular and supramolecular structure highlighting the similarities and dissimilarities of three major categories of lignocellulosic materials: wood-based (cedar and oak), energy crop (bamboo), and agricultural or forestry waste (palm) are reported. The cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin constituents were compared for their suitability in cellulosic ethanol production.

Effect of Morphology Control of Light Absorbing Layer on CH3NH3PbI3 Perovskite Solar Cells.

As one of the most significant components of perovskite solar cells, the perovskite light absorbing layer demands high quality to guarantee extraordinary power conversion efficiency (PCE). We have fabricated series of CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite solar cells by virtue of gas-flowing assisting (GFA), spin coating twice for the Pbl2 layer and dipping the semi-samples in a thermal CH3NH3I solution, by which some undesirable perovskite morphologies can be effectively avoided. The modified conductions have also dramatically improved the perovskite layer and elevated the coverage ratio from 53.