Ultrathin polymer membrane for improved hole extraction and ion blocking in perovskite solar cells.

Highly efficient perovskite solar cells (PSCs) in the n-i-p structure have demonstrated limited operational lifetimes, primarily due to the layer-to-layer ion diffusion in the perovskite/doped hole-transport layer (HTL) heterojunction, leading to conductivity drop in HTL and component loss in perovskite. Herein, we introduce an ultrathin (~7 nm) p-type polymeric interlayer (D18) with excellent ion-blocking ability between perovskite and HTL to address these issues. The ultrathin D18 interlayer effectively inhibits the layer-to-layer diffusion of lithium, methylammonium, formamidium, and iodide ions.

Iron-based theranostic nanoenzyme for combined tumor magneto-photo thermotherapy and starvation therapy.

To address the issue of high-dose treatment agents in magnetic hyperthermia-mediated multi-model tumor therapy, a unique iron-based theranostic nanoenzyme with excellent magnetothermal and catalytic properties was constructed. By using a high-temperature arc method, the iron carbon nanoparticles (MF1-3) with a particle size between 13.7 and 27.

Recent developments of artificial intelligence in MXene-based devices: from synthesis to applications.

Two-dimensional transition metal carbides, nitrides, or carbonitrides (MXenes) have garnered remarkable attention in various energy and environmental applications due to their high electrical conductivity, good thermal properties, large surface area, high mechanical strength, rapid charge transport mechanism, and tunable surface properties. Recently, artificial intelligence has been considered an emerging technology, and has been widely used in materials science, engineering, and biomedical applications due to its high efficiency and precision. In this review, we focus on the role of artificial intelligence-based technology in MXene-based devices and discuss the latest research directions of artificial intelligence in MXene-based devices, especially the use of artificial intelligence-based modeling tools for energy storage devices, sensors, and memristors.

Nanodiamonds: A Cutting-Edge Approach to Enhancing Biomedical Therapies and Diagnostics in Biosensing.

Nanodiamonds (NDs) have garnered attention in the field of nanomedicine due to their unique properties. This review offers a comprehensive overview of NDs synthesis methods, properties, and their uses in biomedical applications. Various synthesis techniques, such as detonation, high-pressure, high-temperature, and chemical vapor deposition, offer distinct advantages in tailoring NDs' size, shape, and surface properties.

A NiO-nanostructure-based electrochemical sensor functionalized with supramolecular structures for the ultra-sensitive detection of the endocrine disruptor bisphenol S in an aquatic environment.

Herein, NiO nanoparticles (NPs) functionalized with a -hexanitrocalix[6]arene derivative (-HNC6/NiO) were synthesized by using a facile method and applied as a selective electrochemical sensor for the determination of bisphenol S (BPS) in real samples. Moreover, the functional interactions, phase purities, surface morphologies and elemental compositions of the synthesized -HNC6/NiO NPs were investigated advanced analytical tools, such as Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Additionally, the synthesized -HNC6/NiO NPs were cast on the surface of a bare glassy carbon electrode (GCE) a drop casting method, which resulted in uniform deposition of -HNC6/NiO/GCE over the surface of the GCE.

A Highly Active Porous MoC-MoN Heterostructure on Carbon Nanowalls/Diamond for a High-Current Hydrogen Evolution Reaction.

Developing non-precious metal-based electrocatalysts operating in high-current densities is highly demanded for the industry-level electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Here, we report the facile preparation of binder-free MoC-MoN heterostructures on carbon nanowalls/diamond (CNWs/D) via ultrasonic soaking followed by an annealing treatment. The experimental investigations and density functional theory calculations reveal the downshift of the d-band center caused by the heterojunction between MoC/MoN triggering highly active interfacial sites with a nearly zero ∆ value.

Growth mechanism of carbon nanotubes from Co-W-C alloy catalyst revealed by atmospheric environmental transmission electron microscopy.

High-melting point alloy catalysts have been reported to be effective for the structure-controlled growth of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). However, some fundamental issues remain unclear because of the complex catalytic growth environment. Here, we directly investigated the active catalytic phase of Co-W-C alloy catalyst, the growth kinetics of CNTs, and their interfacial dynamics using closed-cell environmental transmission electron microscopy at atmospheric pressure.

Nucleation of Single-Wall Carbon Nanotubes from Faceted Pt Catalyst Particles Revealed by Transmission Electron Microscopy.

Revealing the nucleation and growth mechanism of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) from faceted solid catalysts is crucial to the control of their structure and properties. However, due to the small size and complex growth environment, the early stages and dynamic process of SWCNT nucleation have rarely been directly revealed, especially under atmospheric conditions. Here, we report the atomic-resolved nucleation of SWCNTs from the faces of truncated octahedral Pt catalysts under atmospheric pressure using a transmission electron microscope equipped with a gas-cell.

Effect of Increased Powder-Binder Adhesion by Backbone Grafting on the Properties of Feedstocks for Ceramic Injection Molding.

The good interaction between the ceramic powder and the binder system is vital for ceramic injection molding and prevents the phase separation during processing. Due to the non-polar structure of polyolefins such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and the polar surface of ceramics such as zirconia, there is not appropriate adhesion between them. In this study, the effect of adding high-density polyethylene grafted with acrylic acid (AAHDPE), with high polarity and strong adhesion to the powder, on the rheological, thermal and chemical properties of polymer composites highly filled with zirconia and feedstocks was evaluated.

Colossal Room-Temperature Ferroelectric Polarizations in SrTiO/SrRuO Superlattices Induced by Oxygen Vacancies.

Artificial superlattices have demonstrated many unique phenomena not found in bulk materials. For this investigation, SrTiO/SrRuO paraelectric/metallic superlattices with various stacking periods were synthesized via pulsed laser deposition. A robust room-temperature ferroelectric polarization (∼46 μC/cm) was found in the superlattices with 2 unit cell (u.

Recent Development in Laminar Transition Metal Dichalcogenides-Based Membranes Towards Water Desalination: A Review.

Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs)-based laminar membranes have gained significant interest in energy storage, fuel cell, gas separation, wastewater treatment, and desalination applications due to single layer structure, good functionality, high mechanical strength, and chemical resistivity. Herein, we review the recent efforts and development on TMDCs-based laminar membranes, and focus is given on their fabrication strategies. Further, TMDCs-based laminar membranes for water purification and seawater desalination are discussed in detail.

Microstructure Evolution and Deformation Mechanisms of As-Cast Antibacterial Ti6Al4V-5Cu Alloy for Isothermal Forging Process.

The hot workability behavior of antibacterial Ti6Al4V-5Cu alloy was investigated using a hot compression experiment in the temperature range of 790-1040 °C and strain rate of 10-10 s with a strain of 0.4. The deformation behavior of the alloy was characterized by Gleeble 3800 compression experiment, and the relationship among deformed microstructures and deformation parameters was established.

Homogeneous and well-aligned GaN nanowire arrays a modified HVPE process and their cathodoluminescence properties.

In this work, we demonstrate the growth of homogeneous and well-aligned [0001]-oriented 1-D GaN nanoarrays a modified hydride vapor phase epitaxy (HVPE) process using GaCl and NH as precursors. The density and length of the grown nanowires can be easily controlled by the process parameters. It was found that the growth technique provides Cl-rich growth conditions, which lead to special morphology and optical properties of the GaN nanoarrays.

Catalyst-assisted heteroepitaxial strategy for highly ordered-GaOnanoarrays and their optical property investigation.

In this work, we demonstrate the growth of highly ordered-GaOnanoarrays with (001) preferred growth plane for the first time through a facile heteroepitaxial strategy using metal Ga and c-sapphire as Ga precursor and monocrystalline substrate. The (001) preferred growth plane means that the-GaOnanowires grow along the normal direction of the (001) plane. The-GaOnanoarrays along (001) preferential plane exhibit inclined six equivalent directions that correspond to the six crystallographic symmetry of (0001)-AlO.

NHF-Induced Morphology Control of CoP Nanostructures to Enhance the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction.

Developing non-noble metal catalysts with superior catalytic activity and excellent durability is critically essential to promote electrochemical water splitting for hydrogen production. Morphology control as a promising and effective strategy is widely implemented to change the surface atomic coordination and thus enhance the intrinsic catalytic performance of current electrocatalysts. Herein, a series of cobalt phosphide (CoP) electrocatalysts with tunable morphologies of nanosheets, nanowires, nanorods, and nanoblocks have been prepared for the enhanced hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) by only adjusting the amount of ammonium fluoride (NHF) in the hydrothermal process.

Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution Based on Cobalt-Organic Framework with High Water Vapor Adsorption.

Photocatalytic hydrogen evolution is desired to effectively alleviate the serious crisis of energy and the environment, and the utilization of low-cost photocatalysts, especially cobalt-based MOF catalysts, is meaningful, but rarely investigated. Herein, through a self-assembly strategy, we synthesized a Co clusters-based MOF () by the ligand ,'-bicyclo[2.2.

Precise Identification of the Active Phase of Cobalt Catalyst for Carbon Nanotube Growth by Transmission Electron Microscopy.

Revealing the active phase and structure of catalyst nanoparticles (NPs) is crucial for understanding the growth mechanism and realizing the controlled synthesis of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). However, due to the high temperature and complex environment during CNT growth, precise identification of the active catalytic phase remains a great challenge. We investigated the phase evolution of cobalt (Co) catalyst NPs during the incubation, nucleation, and growth stages of CNTs under near-atmospheric pressure using an close-cell environmental transmission electron microscope (ETEM).

Investigation of catalyst-assisted growth of nonpolar GaN nanowires via a modified HVPE process.

The growth of nonpolar GaN nanowires along the [101[combining macron]0] orientation has been demonstrated via a modified hydride vapor phase epitaxy (HVPE) process using GaCl3 and NH3 as precursors. The morphology and structure evolution as a dependence of the growth parameters was thoroughly studied to elucidate the nucleation and crystallization of nonpolar GaN nanowires. It has been found that the V/III ratio and temperature are critically important for the formation of high-quality nonpolar GaN nanowires.

Simultaneous detection of trace Ag(I) and Cu(II) ions using homoepitaxially grown GaN micropillar electrode.

Driven by the motivation to quantitively control and monitor trace metal ions in water, the development of environmental-friendly electrodes with superior detection sensitivity is extremely important. In this work, we report the design of a stable, ultrasensitive and biocompatible electrode for the detection of trace Ag and Cu ions by growing n-type GaN micropillars on conductive p-type GaN substrate. The electrochemical measurement based on cyclic voltammetry indicates that the GaN micropillars exhibit quasi-reversible and mass-controlled reaction in redox probe solution.

In Situ Passivation on Rear Perovskite Interface for Efficient and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells.

Despite the rocketing rise in power conversion efficiencies (PCEs), the performance of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) is still limited by the carrier transfer loss at the interface between perovskite (PVSK) absorbers and charge transporting layers. Here, we propose a novel in situ passivation strategy by using [6,6]-phenyl-C-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) to improve the charge dynamics at the rear PVSK/CTL interface in the n-i-p structure device. A pre-deposited PCBM-doped PbI layer is redissolved during PVSK deposition in our routine, establishing a bottom-up PCBM gradient that is facile for charge extraction.

Band-Gap Tunable 2D Hexagonal (GaN)(ZnO) Solid-Solution Nanosheets for Photocatalytic Water Splitting.

A (GaN)(ZnO) solid solution as a promising visible-light-driven photocatalyst for overall water splitting has attracted extensive attention. In this work, we proposed a template reactive strategy toward the synthesis of band-gap tunable 2D (GaN)(ZnO) nanosheets as thin as 14 nm to reduce the carrier transportation path and thus efficiently decrease the recombination of electrons and holes. It is demonstrated that the template strategy enables an ideal morphology and structure transformation from hexagonal 2D ZnGaO nanosheets to 2D (GaN)(ZnO) nanosheets in the nitridation process.

CuP-NiP Hybrid Hexagonal Nanosheet Arrays for Efficient Hydrogen Evolution Reaction in Alkaline Solution.

The development of efficient and low-cost hydrogen evolution reaction electrocatalysts has been regarded as a promising approach to produce sustainable and clean fuels to solve the energy crisis and environmental problems. Herein, 3D hybrid CuP-NiP hexagonal nanosheet arrays are successfully prepared on nickel foam (CuP-NiP/NF). Benefiting from synergistic effects and strong chemical coupling existing at the interface, the CuP-NiP/NF electrode exhibits a low overpotential of 103 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm, which is 47 and 100 mV less than that for NiP/NF and CuP/NF, respectively.