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At present, achieving the electrochemical trace detection (picomole per liter level) with high sensitivity of quercetin is rare. In this work, the nickel-doped zinc-based zeolite imidazole framework with a four-point star morphology (Ni-ZIF-8-S) was successfully prepared through simple stirring and pH adjusting at room temperature. The strategies of nickel doping and morphology control endow Ni-ZIF-8-S with a large specific surface area, a unique hierarchical pore structure comprising both micropores and mesopores, abundant active sites, and excellent electron transport ability. Therefore, under optimal conditions, the electrochemical sensor based on Ni-ZIF-8-S can detect quercetin with a very high sensitivity of 622.0 μA μM−1 and a limit of detection as low as 48 pM, enabling ultra-sensitive quantitative determination of quercetin in picomole per liter level. In addition, the proposed sensor also shows other excellent analytical performances, including good reproducibility, anti-interference, and stability. Importantly, the electrochemical sensor based on Ni-ZIF-8-S can also perform quantitative detection of quercetin in complex real samples, such as urine and honey, with acceptable results. The prepared sensor has the potential to be applied in monitoring and quality control of quercetin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nickel titanate (NiTiO3) nanostructured materials have gained extensive attention in the field of lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) due to their high theoretical capacity and low cost. However, NiTiO3 exhibits low conductivity and significant volume changes during cycling, resulting in capacity decay and poor cycling stability. Herein, we propose a feasible strategy to enhance the cycling performance of NiTiO3 nanostructures by adjusting their morphology. By manipulating the choice of solvent employed in the synthetic process, we obtain NiTiO3 microbars (NTO MBs) through self‐assembly of NiTiO3 nanoparticles (NTO NPs). When utilized as an anode material in LIBs, NTO MBs exhibit a capacity of 410 mAh g−1 after 200 cycles at 100 mA g−1, surpassing that of NTO NPs (212 mAh g−1). The improved performance of NTO MBs is attributed to their unique porous bar‐like structure, composed of numerous NPs, which provides a substantial storage space for Li+ ions owing to its larger specific surface area. Additionally, the porous structure accelerates the diffusion of Li+ ions and electron transfer. To gain a profound understanding of the enhanced performance through morphology adjustment, we conduct a comprehensive investigation on the growth mechanism of NTO MBs. This work provides valuable insights into the mechanism governing the morphology control of NTO MBs, facilitating the rational design and synthesis of tailored materials with enhanced performance for LIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The optimization of the gas diffusion path and surface coordination environment through morphology control can improve the intrinsic activity of the catalyst in NO oxidation reactions. Microporous nanosheets, nanowires, and spheres of carbon were constructed using resorcinol and formaldehyde as carbon sources, melamine as nitrogen source, and graphene oxide or carbon nanowires as structure‐directing agents to reveal the effects of morphology and nitrogen‐doping on NO oxidation activity at room temperature. With the increase of coating thickness, the ultramicroporous structure becomes pronounced and the nitrogen content increases, which contribute to the improvement of steady‐state NO conversion. The 2D microporous nanosheets (TDC‐200) with sheet structure shows prominent diffusion and adsorption capability than 1D nanowires and sphere, which shortens the gas diffusion path and enhances the efficient utilization of ultramicropores, thereby presenting the highest NO oxidation activity of 78.4% at room temperature. The results of DFT calculations further demonstrate that doping of nitrogen atoms could significantly reduce the (2NO + O2)ads energy barrier and accelerate the reaction. This study provides a deeper understanding of the NO oxidation on non‐metallic catalyst. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic solar cells (OSCs) are considered as a promising new generation of clean energy. Bulk heterojunction (BHJ) structure has been widely employed in the active layer of efficient OSCs. However, precise regulation of morphology in BHJ is still challenging due to the competitive coupling between crystallization and phase separation. Recently, a novel pseudo‐planar heterojunction (PPHJ) structure, prepared through solution sequential deposition, has attracted much attention. It is an easy‐to‐prepare structure in which the phase separation structures, interfaces, and molecular packing can be separately controlled. Employing PPHJ structure, the properties of OSCs, such as power conversion efficiency, stability, transparency, flexibility, and so on, are usually better than its BHJ counterpart. Hence, a comprehensive understanding of the film‐forming process, morphology control, and device performance of PPHJ structure should be considered. In terms of the representative works about PPHJ, this review first introduces the fabrication process of active layers based on PPHJ structure. Second, the widely applied morphology control methods in PPHJ structure are summarized. Then, the influences of PPHJ structure on device performance and other property are reviewed, which largely expand its application. Finally, a brief prospect and development tendency of PPHJ devices are discussed with the consideration of their challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Comprehensive Summary: The morphology of the active layer plays a crucial role in the performance of organic photovoltaics. Although volatile additives are commonly used to manipulate the morphology, their mechanism of action remains poorly understood. In this study, we conducted a systematic exploration of the mechanism of the traditional volatile additive 1‐CN in film formation kinetics of typical PM6:Y6 system. We found that 1‐CN induces a secondary aggregation effect, improving film morphology and promoting face‐on crystalline orientation. Through elucidating its impact on exciton dynamics, we established a link between morphology optimization and increased exciton diffusion length and accelerated charge separation. Our findings unveil the unique mechanism of action of volatile additive, providing a new perspective for improving the morphology and enhancing the performance of organic photovoltaic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Volatile solid additive is an effective and simple strategy for morphology control in organic solar cells (OSCs). The development of environmentally friendly new additives which can also be easily removed without high‐temperature thermal annealing treatment is currently a trend, and the working mechanism needs to be further studied. Herein, a highly volatile and non‐halogenated solid additive 1‐benzothiophene (BBT) is reported to regulate molecular aggregation and stacking of active layer components. According to the film‐forming kinetics process, a momentary intermediate phase is formed during spin‐coating, which slows down the film‐forming process and leads to more ordered molecular stacking in the solid film after introducing solid additive BBT. Subsequently, after solvent vapor annealing (SVA) further treatment, the resultant blend films exhibit a tighter and more ordered molecular stacking. Consequently, the synergistic effect of solid additive BBT and SVA treatment can effectively control morphology of active layer and improve carrier transport characteristics, thereby enhancing the performance of OSCs. Finally, in D18‐Cl:N3 system, an impressive power conversion efficiency of 19.53% is achieved. The work demonstrates that the combination of highly volatile solid additives and SVA treatment is an effective morphology control strategy, guiding the development of efficient OSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The preparation of so-called hybrid nanomaterials has been widely developed in terms of functional and morphological complexity. However, the specific control of the arrangement of organic and inorganic species, which determines the properties of the final material, still remains a challenge. This article offers a review of the strategies that have been used for the preparation of polymer–inorganic hybrid nanoparticles and nanocapsules via processes involving miniemulsions. Different polymer–inorganic nanostructures are classified into four main groups according to the sequential order followed between the synthesis of the polymer and the inorganic species, and the presence or not of their counterpart precursors. The minimization of the energy of the system governs the self-assembly of the different material components and can be addressed by the miniemulsion formulation to reduce the interfacial tensions between the phases involved. The state of the art in the preparation of hybrid nanoparticles is reviewed, offering insight into the structural possibilities allowed by miniemulsion as a versatile synthetic technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cuprous oxide (Cu2O) is a highly promising photocatalyst that facilitates efficient water splitting and hydrogen production under light conditions. In this study, Cu2O thin film photocathodes were prepared through electro-deposition, with the inclusion of NO 3 - ions resulting in the formation of a flower-like microstructure. The size, distribution and roughness of these clusters were found to be greatly influenced by the concentration of the NO 3 - ions as confirmed by SEM and AFM characterizations. When 0.4 M NO 3 - ions were used, a flat and compact structure with the smallest 'flower bud' was obtained. This structure achieved a maximum photocurrent density of − 2.90 mA/cm2 @0 V vs. RHE, which is 2.2 times greater than that of bare Cu2O. UV–Vis absorption, steady-state fluorescence spectroscopy and EIS measurements suggest that the compact microstructure facilitates enhanced ultraviolet absorption and separation of photogenerated holes and electrons. This results in a lower charge transfer resistance and a significant increase in photocurrent density. Additionally, a growth mechanism for the flower-like Cu2O was proposed. The XPS and EDS analyses indicate that the addition of NO 3 - during Cu2O formation results in the adsorption of NO 3 - onto the surface of the initial Cu2O grain. This, in turn, catalyses the electrocatalytic reduction of NO 3 - on the surface of Cu2O, leading to the formation of NH + 4 ions as evidenced by XPS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, a straightforward vacuum‐assisted method is introduced to enhance the stability of nonfullerene organic solar cells (OSCs). The method, termed "prevacuum" involves subjecting the active layer (D18:Y6) to a low‐pressure vacuum (−1 bar) before thermal annealing at 100 °C. Compared to untreated devices, prevacuum‐treated OSCs exhibit a notable increase in power conversion efficiency from 13.71% to 14.90%. This enhancement is attributed to improved light absorption and charge extraction, as evidenced by external quantum efficiency measurements. Moreover, prevacuum treatment significantly improves device stability under operational conditions, with a 30% power loss occurring after 8.25 h compared to 4.5 h for untreated devices. This improvement is attributed to the removal of volatile components and impurities during the vacuum process, leading to a more hydrophobic and stable active layer. The study demonstrates the efficacy of prevacuum treatment as a simple and accessible method for enhancing the performance and longevity of OSCs, paving the way for their broader application in sustainable energy technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the continuous advancements in electronics towards downsizing and integration, efficient thermal dissipation from chips has emerged as a critical factor affecting their lifespan and operational efficiency. The fan-less chip cooling system has two critical interfaces for thermal transport, which are the contact interface between the base and the chip dominated by thermal conduction, and the surface of the fins dominated by thermal radiation. The different thermal transfer modes of these two critical interfaces pose different requirements for thermal management materials. In the study, a novel approach was proposed by developing graphene thermal transport functional material whose morphology could be intentionally designed via reformed plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) methods to meet the diverse requirements of heat transfer properties. Specifically, graphene with multilevel branching structure of vertical graphene (BVG) was fabricated through the hydrogen-assisted PECVD (H2-PECVD) strategy, which contributed a high emissivity of ∼ 0.98. BVG was deposited on the fins' surface and functioned as the radiation enhanced layer to facilitate the rapid radiation of heat from the heat sinks into the surrounding air. Meanwhile, the well-oriented vertical graphene (OVG) was successfully prepared through the vertical electric field-assisted PECVD process (EF-PECVD), which showed a high directional thermal conductivity of ∼ 53.5 W·m−1·K−1. OVG was deposited on the contact interface and functioned as the thermal conduction enhanced layer, allowing for the quick transmission of heat from the chip to the heat sink. Utilizing this design concept, the two critical interfaces in the chip cooling system can be jointly enhanced, resulting in a remarkable cooling efficiency enhancement of ∼ 30.7%, demonstrating that this novel material possessed enormous potential for enhancing the performance of cooling systems. Therefore, this research not only provided new design concepts for the cooling system of electronic devices but also opened up new avenues for the application of graphene materials in thermal management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

M‐series molecules are one kind of promising acceptor‐donor‐acceptor (A‐D‐A)‐type acceptors for constructing high‐performance organic solar cells (OSCs). However, their power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) are lagging behind that of current state‐of‐the‐art OSCs, limited by the relatively low fill factor (FF) and photocurrent. Herein, combined strategies of layer‐by‐layer (LBL) deposition and interface engineering are conducted to systematically improve light utilization and thus PCEs for M36‐based OSCs. Through choosing a proper processing solvent, a PCE of 17.3% with an FF of 77.9% is achieved for the resulting LBL devices, much higher than those (15.9%/74.0%) from the blend‐casting devices. The improvement is assigned to the favorable morphological evolution that facilitates carrier generation and transport as well as reduces charge recombination. More importantly, light‐harvesting of the active layers can be enhanced upon employing a self‐assembled monolayer of (2‐(9H‐carbazol‐9‐yl)ethyl)phosphonic acid (2PACz) instead of the widely used PEDOT:PSS as the hole‐selecting layer, due to the decreased parasitic absorption of the former. Consequently, 2PACz‐based LBL devices exhibit significantly increased photocurrent, affording a PCE up to 18.2%, which is the highest among the reported A‐D‐A‐type acceptor‐based OSCs. These results deliver important strategies to enhance the performance of OSCs and thus highlight the great potential of M‐series acceptors for practical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Achieving efficient and large‐area organic solar modules via non‐halogenated solution processing is vital for the commercialization yet challenging. The primary hurdle is the conservation of the ideal film‐formation kinetics and bulk‐heterojunction (BHJ) morphology of large‐area organic solar cells (OSCs). A cutting‐edge non‐fullerene acceptor (NFA), Y6, shows efficient power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) when processed with toxic halogenated solvents, but exhibits poor solubility in non‐halogenated solvents, resulting in suboptimal morphology. Therefore, in this study, the impact of modifying the inner and outer side‐chains of Y6 on OSC performance is investigated. The study reveals that blending a polymer donor, PM6, with one of the modified NFAs, namely N‐HD, achieved an impressive PCE of 18.3% on a small‐area OSC. This modified NFA displays improved solubility in o‐xylene at room temperature, which facilitated the formation of a favorable BHJ morphology. A large‐area (55 cm2) sub‐module delivered an impressive PCE of 12.2% based on N‐HD using o‐xylene under ambient conditions. These findings underscore the significant impact of the modified Y6 derivatives on structural arrangements and film processing over a large‐area module at room temperature. Consequently, these results are poised to deepen the comprehension of the scaling challenges encountered in OSCs and may contribute to their commercialization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

TiC has excellent physical and chemical properties which can be used as microwave absorbing materials in special conditions. However, it has disadvantages such as single absorbing mechanism and poor impedance matching performance, while the morphology of TiC has a significant effect on its microwave absorption performance. Microcrystalline graphite, carbon fiber and cornstarch were selected as carbon source to prepare film-like, rod-like and porous TiC in high-temperature molten salt. Microwave absorbing properties in the frequency range of 2-18 GHz were systematically studied. It is found that the TiC powders will all three morphologies have promising microwave absorption performance. Among them, the TiC made from cornstarch has higher absorption performance due to its porous structure, which is conducive to the formation of conductive networks. At a thickness of 2.30 mm, the lowest reflection loss is -62.71 dB. By adjusting the thickness to 2.10 mm, the effective absorption bandwidth can reach 4.24 GHz. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highly organised arrangements of vertically aligned nanostructures are crucial foundational elements in creating versatile devices. Vertically aligned ZnO nanorods (NRs) offer many remarkable applications in electronics, optoelectronics, and electromechanical nanodevices. This review examines recent advancements in synthesising arrays of ZnO nanorods. This manuscript explores the significance of vertically aligned ZnO nanorods in creating versatile devices. It discusses the properties of vertical ZnO nanorods, including their high aspect ratio, large surface area, tunable optical properties, piezoelectricity, chemical stability, and biocompatibility. Recent methods for synthesising vertically aligned ZnO nanorods are detailed, such as using colloidal lithography and a sol-gel-prepared ZnO seed layer. Various studies highlight the controlled growth of ZnO nanorods through top-down fabrication approaches like nanoimprint lithography, electron beam lithography, colloidal lithography, and laser interference lithography, followed by hydrothermal methods. It also includes nanostructure growth using a nanoporous polycarbonate template via electrodeposition. These nanofabrication techniques offer simplicity, uniformity across large wafer-scale areas, and the ability to precisely control the growth of vertical ZnO nanorods, which holds potential for the fabrication of high-performance devices. The last chapter highlights various potential applications of vertically aligned ZnO nanorods, including energy conversion, optoelectronics, sensors, bio-medics, and environmental remediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of Fe3O4/POMs composites have been successfully synthesized by the combination of Fe3O4 nanoparticles with various polyoxometalates (referred as "POMs" for short; POMs = α-PMo12, α-PW12, α-PW9, and α-SiW9). Detailed control experiments demonstrate that the morphology and size of the composites could be controlled by the type and amount of POMs, and all of these Fe3O4/PMo12 microflowers, Fe3O4/PW12 nanospheres, Fe3O4/PW9 microrods, and Fe3O4/SiW9 nanospheres show uniform morphology. Magnetic studies indicate that the Fe3+ ions in these composites display antiferromagnetic interactions. Furthermore, photocatalytic experiments indicate that Fe3O4/POMs composites exhibits catalytic activity for the photodegradation of RhB solution. Hence, these results not only enrich the diversity of POM-based materials, but also provide a new strategy to develop magnetic POMs catalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Morphology plays a crucial role in defining the optical, electronic, and mechanical properties of halide perovskite microcrystals. Therefore, developing strategies that offer precise control over crystal morphology during the growth process is highly desirable. This work presents a simple scheme to simultaneously grow distinct geometries of cesium lead bromide (CsPbBr3) microcrystals, including microrods (MR), microplates (MP), and microspheres (MS), in a single chemical vapor deposition (CVD) experiment. By strategically adjusting precursor evaporation temperatures, flux density, and the substrate temperature, we surpass previous techniques by achieving simultaneous yet selective growth of multiple CsPbBr3 geometries at distinct positions on the same substrate. This fine growth control is attributed to the synergistic variation in fluid flow dynamics, precursor substrate distance, and temperature across the substrate, offering regions suitable for the growth of different morphologies. Pertinently, perovskite MR are grown at the top, while MP and MS are observed at the center and bottom regions of the substrate, respectively. Structural analysis reveals high crystallinity and an orthorhombic phase of the as-grown perovskite microcrystals, while persistent photonic lasing manifests their nonlinear optical characteristics, underpinning their potential application for next-generation photonic and optoelectronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights : A unique approach is proposed: constructing a polymer fiber rigid network with high glass transition temperature. Frozen bulk heterojunction morphology impeded deterioration of exciton quenching, charge transport, and charge extraction properties during thermal aging. The strategy is universal and can be further optimized for enhanced thermal stability and improved mechanical resilience. Organic photovoltaics (OPVs) need to overcome limitations such as insufficient thermal stability to be commercialized. The reported approaches to improve stability either rely on the development of new materials or on tailoring the donor/acceptor morphology, however, exhibiting limited applicability. Therefore, it is timely to develop an easy method to enhance thermal stability without having to develop new donor/acceptor materials or donor–acceptor compatibilizers, or by introducing another third component. Herein, a unique approach is presented, based on constructing a polymer fiber rigid network with a high glass transition temperature (Tg) to impede the movement of acceptor and donor molecules, to immobilize the active layer morphology, and thereby to improve thermal stability. A high-Tg one-dimensional aramid nanofiber (ANF) is utilized for network construction. Inverted OPVs with ANF network yield superior thermal stability compared to the ANF-free counterpart. The ANF network-incorporated active layer demonstrates significantly more stable morphology than the ANF-free counterpart, thereby leaving fundamental processes such as charge separation, transport, and collection, determining the device efficiency, largely unaltered. This strategy is also successfully applied to other photovoltaic systems. The strategy of incorporating a polymer fiber rigid network with high Tg offers a distinct perspective addressing the challenge of thermal instability with simplicity and universality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The layer-by-layer (LBL) fabrication method allows for controlled microstructure morphology and vertical component distribution, and also offers a reproducible and efficient technique for fabricating large-scale organic solar cells (OSCs). In this study, the polymers D18 and PYIT-OD are employed to fabricate all-polymer solar cells (all-PSCs) using the LBL method. Morphological studies reveal that the use of additives optimizes the microstructure of the active layer, enhancing the cells' crystallinity and charge transport capability. The optimized device with 2% CN additive significantly reduces bimolecular recombination and trap-assisted recombination. All-PSCs fabricated by the LBL method based on D18/PYIT-OD deliver a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 15.07%. Our study demonstrates the great potential of additive engineering via the LBL fabrication method in regulating the microstructure of active layers, suppressing charge recombination, and enhancing the photovoltaic performance of devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrospinning is a cost-effective and flexible technology for producing nanofibers with large specific surface areas, functionalized surfaces, and stable structures. In recent years, electrospun nanofibers have attracted more and more attention in electrochemical biosensors due to their excellent morphological and structural properties. This review outlines the principle of electrospinning technology. The strategies of producing nanofibers with different diameters, morphologies, and structures are discussed to understand the regulation rules of nanofiber morphology and structure. The application of electrospun nanofibers in electrochemical biosensors is reviewed in detail. In addition, we look towards the future prospects of electrospinning technology and the challenge of scale production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic solar cells (OSCs) are one of the most promising photovoltaic technologies due to their affordability and adaptability. However, upscaling is a critical issue that hinders the commercialization of OSCs. A significant challenge is the lack of cost-effective and facile techniques to modulate the morphology of the active layers. The slow solvent evaporation leads to an unfavorable phase separation, thus resulting in a low power conversion efficiency (PCE) of organic solar modules. Here, a nitrogen-blowing assisted method is developed to fabricate a large-area organic solar module (active area = 12 cm2) utilizing high-boiling-point solvents, achieving a PCE of 15.6%. The device fabricated with a high-boiling-point solvent produces a more uniform and smoother large-area film, and the assistance of nitrogen-blowing accelerates solvent evaporation, resulting in an optimized morphology with proper phase separation and finer aggregates. Moreover, the device fabricated by the nitrogen-blowing assisted method exhibits improved exciton dissociation, balanced carrier mobility, and reduced charge recombination. This work proposes a universal and cost-effective technique for the fabrication of high-efficiency organic solar modules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

S-scheme possesses superior redox capabilities compared with the II-scheme, providing an effective method to solve the innate defects of g-C3N4 (CN). In this study, S-doped g-C3N4/g-C3N4 (SCN-tm/CN) S-scheme homojunction was constructed by rationally integrating morphology control with interfacial engineering to enhance the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution performance. In-situ Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) confirms the transport of photo-generated electrons from CN to SCN. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that the generation of a built-in electric field between SCN and CN enables the carrier separation to be more efficient and effective. Femtosecond transient absorption spectrum (fs-TAS) indicates prolonged lifetimes of SCN-tm/CN3 (τ1: 9.7, τ2: 110, and τ3: 1343.5 ps) in comparison to those of CN (τ1: 4.86, τ2: 55.2, and τ3: 927 ps), signifying that the construction of homojunction promotes the separation and transport of electron hole pairs, thus favoring the photocatalytic process. Under visible light irradiation, the optimized SCN-tm/CN3 exhibits excellent photocatalytic activity with the hydrogen evolution rate of 5407.3 µmol·g−1·h−1, which is 20.4 times higher than that of CN (265.7 µmol·g−1·h−1). Moreover, the homojunction also displays an apparent quantum efficiency of 26.8% at 435 nm as well as ultra-long and ultra-stable cycle ability. This work offers a new strategy to construct highly efficient photocatalysts based on the metal-free conjugated polymeric CN for realizing solar energy conversion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite their numerous excellent properties, metal sulfides are not particularly efficient at converting energy and purifying the environment, which limits their further applications. Fortunately, the energy conversion and environmental purification efficiencies of these materials have experienced notable advancements in recent years, accompanied by an improved understanding of their underlying mechanisms. Herein, progress in experimental researches in recent years on the engineering of single component metal sulfides by controlling morphology, construction of heterojunctions, and incorporating elements is reviewed. Methods to design and prepare metal sulfide‐based composites by building binary or ternary heterojunctions of metal sulfide/semiconductor/conductor are also discussed in detail. These materials are used in energy conversion and environmental purification systems, where they act as photocatalytic materials not only to split water, reduce carbon dioxide or nitrogen, but also to degrade pollutants (organic and inorganic) in water and gas. Finally, it is concluded by summarizing the research frontiers of metal sulfide nanomaterials in energy and environmental applications, as well as proposing potential challenges and future research directions. This work may contribute to a better understanding of metal sulfide nanocomposites and provide clues for the fabrication of more efficient metal sulfide‐based nanostructures for clean energy production and environmental remediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A double‐fibril network of the photoactive layer morphology is recognized as an ideal structure facilitating exciton diffusion and charge carrier transport for high‐performance organic solar cells (OSCs). However, in the layer‐by‐layer processed OSCs (LbL‐OSCs), polymer donors and small molecule acceptors (SMAs) are separately deposited, and it is challenging to realize a fibril network of pure SMAs with the absence of tight interchain entanglement as polymers. In this work, crystalline small molecule donors (SMDs), named TDZ‐3TR and SeDZ‐3TR, were designed and introduced into the L8‐BO acceptor solution, forcing the phase separation and molecular fibrilization. SeDZ‐3TR showed higher crystallinity and lower miscibility with L8‐BO acceptor than TDZ‐3TR, enabling more driving force to favor the phase separation and better molecular fibrilization of L8‐BO. On the other hand, two donor polymers of PM6 and D18 with different fibril widths and lengths were put together to optimize the fibril network of the donor layer. The simultaneously optimization of the acceptor and donor layers resulted in a more ideal double‐fibril network of the photoactive layer and an impressive power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 19.38 % in LbL‐OSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A double‐fibril network of the photoactive layer morphology is recognized as an ideal structure facilitating exciton diffusion and charge carrier transport for high‐performance organic solar cells (OSCs). However, in the layer‐by‐layer processed OSCs (LbL‐OSCs), polymer donors and small molecule acceptors (SMAs) are separately deposited, and it is challenging to realize a fibril network of pure SMAs with the absence of tight interchain entanglement as polymers. In this work, crystalline small molecule donors (SMDs), named TDZ‐3TR and SeDZ‐3TR, were designed and introduced into the L8‐BO acceptor solution, forcing the phase separation and molecular fibrilization. SeDZ‐3TR showed higher crystallinity and lower miscibility with L8‐BO acceptor than TDZ‐3TR, enabling more driving force to favor the phase separation and better molecular fibrilization of L8‐BO. On the other hand, two donor polymers of PM6 and D18 with different fibril widths and lengths were put together to optimize the fibril network of the donor layer. The simultaneously optimization of the acceptor and donor layers resulted in a more ideal double‐fibril network of the photoactive layer and an impressive power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 19.38 % in LbL‐OSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The derivatization of pillar[n]arenes is a prerequisite for endowing them with functions, as well as enriching the application of pillar[n]arene materials in advanced material science. Herein, we report the self‐assembly of amphiphilic rim‐differentiated pillar[5]arene (H1). One side of the pillar[5]arene is composed of hydrophilic poly(ethylene oxide) chains, benzene and azobenzene groups connected with ether bonds, and the other side is composed of ethoxy groups. In CHCl3 solvent, the amphiphile H1 self‐assembled into spherical micelles, while in H2O/THF mixed solvent H1 self‐assembled into nanorod‐like assemblies. Interestingly, addition of a guest molecule composed of tetraphenylethene and hexanenitrile groups (G1) to the CHCl3 solution of H1 produces large sheet aggregates via the strong π–π stacking of rod segments. The reversible transformation between the nanosheet assemblies of host–guest complexes and nanoparticles is achieved by addition of the guest molecule 1,4‐butylamine (G2) and pillar[5]arene with ethoxy groups as competitive molecules. Notably, worm‐like and nanorod micelles of H1 were constructed in H2O/THF solution triggered by light irradiation, which assemblies can be used as photosensitive erasable writing materials. © 2023 Society of Industrial Chemistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The vulcanization process is widely used in industry for tire manufacturing. Therefore, zinc oxide is commonly utilized as an activator material, but unreacted zinc oxide remains in the final products and can be released into the environment with a significant impact. To reduce the amount of required zinc and to prevent leaching from tire material, zinc single site‐containing silica fillers are interesting candidates. In these materials, zinc sites are anchored on the surface of silica nanoparticles through their complexation with functionalized aminosilanes. Based on these, a novel powder sample is prepared via spray‐drying. The obtained supraparticles allow for a homogeneous distribution of the filler nanoparticles in the rubber matrix via their disintegration during the incorporation process. All synthesis steps are carried out in ethanol and water, respectively, at very mild temperatures to account for sustainability demands. As core of this study, the role of zinc ions and their amino‐complexation in nanoparticle dispersion stability and in supraparticle formation during spray‐drying is elucidated. Additionally, the superior performance of supraparticles as activator in rubber vulcanization is demonstrated. These show a higher curing efficiency, leading to lower curing time (−70%), higher torque values (+15%), and improved dynamic mechanical properties compared to the conventional ZnO activator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rational morphology control of inorganic microarchitectures is important in diverse fields, requiring precise regulation of nucleation and growth processes. While wet chemical methods have achieved success regarding the shape‐controlled synthesis of micro/nanostructures, accurately controlling the growth behavior in real time remains challenging. Comparatively, the electrodeposition technique can immediately control the growth behavior by tuning the overpotential, whereas it is rarely used to design complex microarchitectures. Here, the electrochemical design of complex Cu2O microarchitectures step‐by‐step by precisely controlling the growth behavior is demonstrated. The growth modes can be switched between the thermodynamic and kinetic modes by varying the overpotential. Cl− ions preferably adhered to {100} facets to modulate growth rates of these facets is proved. The discovered growth modes to prepare Cu2O microarchitectures composed of multiple building units inaccessible with existing methods are employed. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) additives can guarantee all pre‐electrodeposits simultaneously evolve into uniform microarchitectures, instead of forming undesired microstructures on bare electrode surfaces in following electrodeposition processes is discovered. The designed Cu2O microarchitectures can be converted into noble metal microstructures with shapes unchanged, which can be used as surface‐enhanced Raman scattering substrates. An electrochemical avenue toward rational design of complex inorganic microarchitectures is opened up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dimerized small-molecule acceptors (SMAs) built by the conventional connection of terminal groups of monomers have contributed to exciting long-term stabilities of organic solar cells (OSCs). However, device efficiencies, especially fill factors (FFs), still need to be improved. This probably originates from unsymmetrical molecular structure/conformation-determined less compact/ordered molecular stackings, such as ineffective stackings of constraint terminals. Herein, an exotic dimerized SMA of BC-Th is established by bridging the branched groups (BC-type, branch coupling) of two monomers rather than conventional terminal units (TC-type, terminal coupling). Benefiting from the three-dimensional conformation and more uncurbed terminals, BC-Th exhibits multiple molecular orientations along with a larger dielectric constant and electron mobility compared with TC-Th. Finally, an efficiency of 17.43% is achieved by BC-Th-based OSCs, along with the highest FF of 79.13% among all dimerized SMAs-based OSCs to date. When introducing L8-BO as the third component, overall enhanced efficiency of 18.05% and FF of 80.11% are further afforded. Contrarily, TC-Th-based OSCs exhibit much inferior PCE of 16.29% and FF of 74.81%, demonstrating the great advantages of "branch coupling" over "terminal coupling" when building dimerized SMAs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple chemical structure and simplified synthesis process of active layer materials are critical for advancing the practical application of organic solar cells. Herin, two completely non‐fused ring electron acceptors BTZT‐2Cl and BTZT‐4Cl are developed. BTZT‐4Cl exhibits an enhanced absorption band, increases electrostatic potential differences with D18, and improves crystallinity and molecular packing properties. Consequently, the binary device based on BTZT‐4Cl displays a markedly improved efficiency of 14.12%, compared to the BTZT‐2Cl‐based device, which only achieves a moderate efficiency of 11.25%. More importantly, an alloy‐like structure can be formed by incorporating a small amount of high miscibility and compatibility BTZT‐2Cl. The ternary blend exhibits more compact molecular packing, efficient exciton dissociation, and an extended charge carrier lifetime due to the formation of an alloy‐like structure. The ternary device achieves a decent efficiency of 15.41% with superior thermal stability and a high T80 lifetime over 1600 h after being aged at 65 °C. These results establish it as the most efficient among devices based on completely non‐fused ring acceptors with both high efficiency and voltage. This study demonstrates a simple material design strategy and high‐performance device optimization techniques, which are critical for advancing practical applications in the OSC field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been extensively studied over the past few decades, so developing strategies to enhance the T2 contrast is of significant importance. Herein, we synthesized a series of cubic zinc-doped iron oxide nanoparticles (CZINs) with different dopant ratios by the thermal decomposition method. CZINs with a dopant ratio of 1:5 show the best magnetic performance and T2 relaxivity among all CZINs. More importantly, we demonstrate that differentiated surface modifications lead to diverse in vivo behavior of CZINs, resulting in the distinct contrast efficiency for different types of tumor. Compared to sodium citrate (SC)-modified CZINs, polyethylene glycol (PEG)-modified CZINs show lower protein absorption, longer blood circulation time, and lower uptake amount in liver. These behavior differences lead PEG-modified CZINs to be potential candidates for assisting precise subcutaneous tumor diagnosis, while SC-modified CZINs are more suitable for achieving accurate liver metastases imaging. This research holds significant promise to develop potential T2 contrast agents, which can be translated into clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tuning the morphology through processing additives represents one of the most promising strategies to boost the performance of organic solar cells (OSCs). However, it remains unclear how oligothiophene‐based solid additives influence the molecular packing and performance of OSCs. Here, two additives namely 2T and 4T, are introduced into state‐of‐the‐art PM6:Y6‐based OSCs to understand how they influence the film formation process, nanoscale morphology, and the photovoltaic performance. It is found that the 2T additive can improve the molecular packing of both donor polymer and non‐fullerene acceptor, resulting in lower Urbach energy and reduced energy loss. Furthermore, the blend film with 2T treatment displays enhanced domain purity and a more favorable distribution of the acceptor and donor materials in the vertical direction, which can enhance charge extraction efficiency while simultaneously suppressing charge recombination. Consequently, OSCs processed with 2T additive realize a promising efficiency of 18.1% for PM6:Y6‐based devices. Furthermore, the general applicability of the additive is demonstrated, and an impressive efficiency of 18.6% for PM6:L8‐BO‐based OSCs is achieved. These findings highlight that the uncomplicated oligothiophenes have excellent potential in fine‐adjustment of the active layer morphology, which is crucial for the future development of OSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitric oxide radical (NO•) induced by UV irradiation would exacerbate cellular damage and apoptosis. Though fullerenes are known as excellent radical scavengers, severe aggregation and poor bioavailability often decrease their antioxidant capability in real bioapplications. Herein, a simple but effective method is introduced for the synthesis of a novel hollow fullerene nanostructure (fullerene nanoring, FNR). C60 aggregations produced in m-xylene/isopropyl alcohol (IPA) binary solvents by liquid–liquid interface precipitation strategy are chemically etched by the addition of ethylenediamine (EDA), while aminofullerenes subsequently nucleate at the interface of short-lived EDA-IPA droplets. Careful control of the nucleation kinetics via fine-tuning of the xylene/IPA ratio proved critical for the successful formation of ring-shaped FNR. Such hydrophilic and low-cytotoxic nanostructures possess surprisingly outstanding scavenging performance toward NO• (IC50 = 80 μg/mL). Prominent cytoprotection of FNR against UV-induced DNA oxidation and cellular injury is further confirmed by laser confocal microscopy and flow cytometry. Our results may benefit the upgradation of nanocarbon materials for bioapplications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Shaanxi University of Science & Technology is the property of Journal of Shaanxi University of Science & Technology Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Morphology control of conjugated microporous polymer networks (CMPs) has emerged as a promising strategy for enhancing catalytic efficiency and alleviating product contamination in photocatalytic organic transformations. In this contribution, we present the rational design and synthesis of hollow CMPs (hPorSTZ and hPorDTZ) featuring benzothiadiazoles linkages via Sonogashira‐Hagihara cross‐coupling reaction onto the surface of SiO2 microspheres, followed by the elimination of the SiO2 inner templates. By comparing the catalytic performance of hollow and nonhollow materials, we demonstrated the impact of substrate diffusion pathway on visible‐light‐driven oxidative coupling of amines to imines. With a larger specific surface area and variable surface catalytically active sites, the hollow CMPs exhibited efficient reusability, which reduced the consumption of precious resources and achieve faster conversion rates while maintaining reliable recyclability, competing with their nonhollow counterparts. This morphology‐controlled strategy outlines a promising route for diverse organic transformations utilizing stable, efficient, and recyclable metal‐free CMPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of CeO2/CdS photocatalysts were prepared by simple solvothermal and auxiliary calcination using cerium nitrate as the precursor. Two different forms of CeO2 (nanosheets (NF-CeO2) and nanorods (NR-CeO2)) were successfully prepared and used to degrade rhodamine B (RhB) to study the photocatalytic activity of the composites. On this basis, the effects of composite proportion and preparation technology on the photocatalytic activity of the composites were studied. The morphology, structure, photoelectric properties and chemical composition of the composites were analyzed. Compared with single photocatalysts (NR-CeO2 and CdS), the NF-CeO2/CdS and NR-CeO2/CdS composite catalyst have stronger photocatalytic performance. In addition, capture experiments and ESR showed that both ∙ O 2 - and h+ impacted on the RhB degradation. After four repeated cycles, NR-CeO2/CdS (1:6) showed stable RhB degradation activity. In the aspect of catalyst interface design, this work not only provides an effective method for the preparation of catalysts with high photodegradation rate and good reuse, but also provides a feasible idea for further research on the degradation of emerging pollutants by photocatalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Dalian Polytechnic University is the property of Journal of Dalian Polytechnic University Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

[Objiectibe] Ammonia (NH3), a sustainable energy carrier and a vital industrial feedstock, plays a pivotal role in the progression of human civilization. Currently, ammonia is typically synthesized in factories using the Haber--Bosch method, which involves nitrogen (N2) and hydrogen (H2). This process consumes large amounts of energy and mostly gray hydrogen from fossil fuels, indicating that the Haber--Bosch method exerts enormous pressure on carbon emissions. To mitigate the growing environmental and energy challenges, investigating new methods for ammonia synthesis that are environmentally sustainable and have low energy consumption is crucial. Photocatalysis is an emerging catalytic technology that uses solar energy as an energy source and has the advantages of environmental friendliness and low energy consumption. Therefore, ammonia synthesis through photocatalysis has attracted the interest of many researchers. Graphite-phase carbon nitride (g-C3N4) with a narrow band gap (2.4--2.9 eV) has been widely used in photocatalytic reactions. However, the shortcomings of g-C3N4, such as low light absorption efficiency, poor effective charge-carrier separation, and weak N2 adsorption capacity, limit its further application in photocatalytic ammonia synthesis. [Methods] To overcome the disadvantages of g-C3N4, 2D/3D MoS2/HTCN heterojunction photocatalysts were prepared, and the feasibility of their photocatalytic reactions for ammonia synthesis was investigated. First, hollow tubular g-C3N4 (HTCN) was prepared to improve the light-absorbing ability of g-C3N4. Second, molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) nanosheets were loaded onto the HTCN surface to produce heterojunctions, enhancing the ability of the catalyst for carrier separation. In addition, the MoS2 nanosheets are superiorat absorbing N2, which aids in improving the N2 adsorption capacity of the MoS2/HTCN composites. Various tests were conducted to thoroughly investigate the properties of the synthesized catalysts. The structural and morphological features of samples were characterized using X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The optical and electrical properties of the samples were assessed using ultraviolet--visible spectroscopy, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, photoluminescence, transient photocurrent, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Energy band data were determined using the Tauc curves and Mott--Schottky analysis. Performance evaluation involved designing photocatalytic ammonia synthesis experiments under simulated sunlight conditionsby employing controlled variables to validate the origin of the synthesized NH3 from the N2 reduction by the catalyst. In addition, catalyst stability was examined through cycling experiments. [Results] The following results were obtained through the various above mentioned tests: 1 2D MoS2 nanosheets were successfully loaded onto the surface of 3D HTCN and exhibited a uniform distribution. 2 3D-structured HTCN has stronger light absorption than the bulk g-C3N4, and the loading of 2D MoS2 nanosheets further enhanced the light absorption of 2D/3D MoS2/HTCN. 3 2D MoS2 nanosheets formed a heterojunction with 3D HTCN and the built-in electric field at its interface promoted the separation of photoelectrons and holes. 4 In the photocatalytic nitrogen fixation experiment, the best performance was exhibited by 45% MoS2/HTCN, which is 9.5 times that of g-C3N4, 4.3 times that of HTCN, and 4.8 times that of MoS2. After five cycles, 45% MoS2/HTCN could maintain a photocatalytic nitrogen fixation efficiency of 81.63%. A Z-type 2D/3D MoS2/HTCN photocatalyst was synthesized via morphology modulation and heterojunction composites. [Conclusions] The hollow tubular structure of the catalyst enhanced the light absorption efficiency of g-C3N4. The heterojunction composites facilitated the separation of photogenerated carriers through the built-in electric field. In addition, the N2 adsorption capacity of the MoS2/HTCN composite materials improved because of the loading of 2D MoS2 nanosheets. Because of the aforementioned favorable conditions, the Z-type 2D/3D MoS2/HTCN photocatalyst exhibited a notable efficiency in reducing N2 to NH3, demonstrating an excellent photocatalytic ammonia synthesis capability. Characterized by comprehensiveness and novelty, this experimental study covers multiple aspects of catalyst preparation and testing, enhancing not only students' abilities in catalyst synthesis and characterization but also their scientific thinking and overall scientific literacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photocatalysis has emerged as a highly promising, green, and efficient technology for degrading pollutants in wastewater. Among the various photocatalysts, Bismuth tungstate (Bi2WO6) has gained significant attention in the research community due to its potential in environmental remediation and photocatalytic energy conversion. However, the limited light absorption ability and rapid recombination of photogenerated carriers hinder the further improvement of Bi2WO6's photocatalytic performance. This review aims to present recent advancements in the development of Bi2WO6-based photocatalysts. It delves into the photocatalytic mechanism of Bi2WO6 and summarizes the achieved photocatalytic characteristics by controlling its morphology, employing metal and non-metal doping, constructing semiconductor heterojunctions, and implementing defective engineering. Additionally, this review explores the practical applications of these modified Bi2WO6 photocatalysts in wastewater purification. Furthermore, this review addresses existing challenges and suggests prospects for the development of efficient Bi2WO6 photocatalysts. It is hoped that this comprehensive review will serve as a valuable reference and guide for researchers seeking to advance the field of Bi2WO6 photocatalysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic photovoltaic (OPV) sub‐modules shall be feasible for production using halogen‐free solvents in air,high power conversion efficiencies (PCEs), and long‐term stability, which are challenging requirements. To achieve this goal, air‐processed OPVs are fabricated by employing a synthesized set of π‐conjugated polymers, NAP‐T‐SiBTZ (P1) and NAP‐TT‐SiBTZ (P2), with thiophene and thienothiophene π‐spacers, respectively. P1 and P2 incorporated ternary OPVs show excellent PCEs and are used to produce small‐area, sub‐module air‐processed devices using o‐xylene as the solvent. Interestingly, P2‐added ternary devices has remarkable PCEs of 17.62% (PM6:P2:Y7) and 17.96% (PM6:P2:L8‐BO), which is the highest reported for air‐processed OPVs.. Notably, P2‐associated ternary blends exhibit a nano‐morphology, increased charge carrier mobilities, exciton dissociation, and decreased non‐geminate recombination, which are deemed responsible for the enhanced PCEs observed. In addition, P2 demonstrates high efficiency for a thick‐film device (>300 nm), with a PCE of >16.50%. Notably, a 55 cm2 sub‐module produced by bar coating using o‐xylene in open air has a PCE of 13.88%. Additionally, P2‐containing devices demonstrate impressive thermal and photo‐stabilities. This study shows the potential of an OPV that may be used to produce low‐cost solar cell sub‐module at low cost with exceptional commercial value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The slot-die coating is recognized as the most compatible method for the roll-to-roll (R2R) processing of large-area flexible organic solar cells (OSCs). However, the photovoltaic performance of the large-area flexible all-polymer solar cells was significantly lagging behind that of polymer donors with small molecule non-fullerene acceptors devices. In this work, the 1 cm2 flexible device of an all-polymer system, PTQ10:PYF-T-o, fabricated by slot-die coating, achieves an excellent efficiency of 11.24% via controlling the coating temperatures. It is found that, compared with the donor, the crystallinity of PYF-T-o plays a crucial role in device performance. The all-polymer flexible devices show superior mechanical bending stability, maintaining an efficiency of over 95% of the initial value during a 1000-cycle bending test. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Migraine is now the sixth most common disease in the world and affects approximately 15% of the population. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, including ketoprofen, diclofenac sodium, and ibuprofen, are often used during migraine attacks. Unfortunately, their efficiency can be reduced due to poor water solubility and low cellular uptake. This requires the design of appropriate porous carriers, which enable drugs to reach the target site, increase their dissolution and stability, and contribute to a time-dependent specific release mode. In this research, the potential of the MIL-88A metal-organic frameworks with divergent morphologies as diclofenac sodium delivery platforms was demonstrated. Materials were synthesized under different conditions (temperature: 70 and 120 °C; solvent: distilled water or N,N-Dimethylformamide) and characterized using X-ray diffraction, low-temperature nitrogen adsorption/desorption, thermogravimetric analysis, infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. They showed spherical, rod- or diamond-like morphologies influenced by preparation factors. Depending on physicochemical properties, the MIL-88A samples exhibited various sorption capacities toward diclofenac sodium (833–2021 mg/g). Drug adsorption onto the surface of MIL-88A materials primarily relied on the formation of hydrogen bonds, metal coordination, and electrostatic interactions. An in vitro drug release experiment performed at pH 6.8 revealed that diclofenac sodium diffused to phosphate buffer in a controlled manner. The MIL-88A carriers provide a high percentage release of drug in the range of 58–97% after 24 h. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The design and fabrication of nanomaterials with controllable morphology and size is of critical importance to achieve excellent catalytic performance in heterogeneous catalysis. In this work, cobalt oxide (Co3O4) nanostructures with different morphologies (nanoplates, microflowers, nanorods and nanocubes) were successfully constructed in order to establish the morphology–property–performance relationship of the catalysts. The morphology and structure of the nanostructured Co3O4 were characterized by various techniques, and the catalytic performance of the as-prepared nanostructures was studied by monitoring the reduction of p-nitrophenol to p-aminophenol in the presence of excess NaBH4. The catalytic performance was found to be strongly dependent on their morphologies. The experimental results show that the pseudo-first-order reaction rate constants for Co3O4 nanostructures with various shapes are, respectively, 1.49 min−1 (nanoplates), 1.40 min−1 (microflowers), 0.78 min−1 (nanorods) and 0.23 min−1 (nanocubes). The Co3O4 nanoplates exhibited the highest catalytic activity among the four nanostructures, due to their largest specific surface area, relatively high total pore volume, best redox properties and abundance of defect sites. The established correlation between morphology, property and catalytic performance in this work will offer valuable insight into the design and application of nanostructured Co3O4 as a potential non-noble metal catalyst for p-nitrophenol reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bimetallic sulfides offer high theoretical specific capacitance and good stability as electrode materials due to their diverse redox reactions, larger specific surface areas, and better conductivity. The morphology of the electrode material is an important influencing factor for the electrochemical properties. Herein, a series of ZnCoS electrode materials with different morphologies were prepared by varying the solvent in the solvothermal reaction, and the effects of different microstructures on the electrochemical properties of ZnCoS were investigated. The ratio of water and ethanol in the solvent was controlled to modulate the microstructure of the as-prepared ZnCoS materials. XRD and XPS revealed the physical and chemical structure of the ZnCoS materials. SEM and TEM observations showed that the microstructure of ZnCoS transformed from one-dimensional wires to two-dimensional sheets with increasing amounts of ethanol. The maximum specific capacitance of the as-prepared ZnCoS materials is 6.22 F cm−2 at a current density of 5 mA cm−2, which is superior to that of most previously reported bimetallic sulfides. The enhanced electrochemical performance could be ascribed to its sheet-assembled spherical structure, which not only shortens the path of ion diffusion but also increases the contact between surface active sites and the electrolyte. Moreover, the spherical structure provides numerous void spaces for buffering the volume expansion and penetration of the electrolyte, which would be favorable for electrochemical reactions. Furthermore, the ZnCoS electrodes were coupled with activated carbon (AC) electrodes to build asymmetric supercapacitors (ASCs). The ASC device exhibits a maximum energy density of 0.124 mWh cm−2 under a power density of 2.1 mW cm−2. Moreover, even under a high-power density of 21 mW cm−2, the energy density can still reach 0.055 mWh cm−2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Bulletin of the Chinese Ceramic Society is the property of Bulletin of the Chinese Ceramic Society Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Organic solar cells (OSCs) have been studied widely as renewable energy resources for a few decades owing to their technological advantages, including low cost, light weight, flexibility, and the potential of large area printing. To upgrade the active layers of OSCs into an optimized form, a simple and straightforward strategy is demonstrated by introducing two types of size‐controlled chevron (V)‐shaped blades to delicately control PM6:Y6‐based bulk heterojunction (BHJ) films under ambient conditions. A power conversion efficiency of 15.97% is achieved from the blade‐coating methods using a small‐sized V‐shaped blade (V1), compared with 14.31% using a conventional flat blade (F). Using blade coating based on V1 improves the phase separation and molecular crystallinity in the active layer, which lead to decreased trap‐assisted recombination and leakage current, finally increasing the short circuit current and fill factor. In addition, following these morphological changes in the optimal BHJ structure, the devices printed with V1 exhibit higher stability in the long‐term shelf‐life test (320 h storage in ambient conditions). Notably, strategy is a facile layer fabrication method that adopts V‐shaped blades to achieve high device performance and stability for the practical use of large‐area OSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two different shaped Ni‐based metal–organic framework (MOF) nanosheets are prepared from hexagonal nickel hydroxide monolayer nanosheets under the variable reaction conditions. The hexagonal shaped MOF with similar lateral size to Ni(OH)2 nanosheet is obtained on flat Si substrate but the thickness increased from 1 to 2 nm. Another rectangular MOF nanosheet is obtained when a similar reaction is carried out in a solution in which Ni(OH)2 is dispersed. The difference in the shape of the Ni‐MOF nanosheets is related to the degree of dissolution of the Ni(OH)2 nanosheets during the reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comprehensive Summary: Carbon nanodots (CDs) with high photothermal performance are ideal candidates for tumor photothermal therapy (PTT). Herein, we investigated the photothermal performance of CDs synthesized from urea and citric acid via solvothermal method in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) at different temperatures. Photothermal conversion efficiency (PCE) of up to 61.3% was obtained in the CDs synthesized at 150 °C (150‐CDs), which is much better than the CDs synthesized at 180 °C (180‐CDs). By analyzing the morphologies, chemical structures, and absorption spectra of these CDs, we found that the photothermal effect of the CDs was due to the lattice vibration of their carbonized cores, in which moderate carbonization with high content of surface carbonyl group (C=O) contributed for enhanced absorption band in deep red region with improved photothermal performance. Moreover, we also demonstrated that 150‐CDs with moderate carbonized cores exhibit much better tumor PTT performance in vivo than 180‐CDs with higher carbonized cores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dopamine (DA) plays a crucial role in the functioning of the human central nervous system, participating in both physiological and psychological processes. It is an important research topic in biomedical science. However, we need to constantly monitor the concentration of dopamine in the body, and the sensors required for this usually require good sensitivity in order to achieve fast and accurate measurements. In this research project, a CeO2 and CuCrO2 composite nanofiber was prepared for the electrochemical detection of dopamine. Coaxial electrospinning techniques were used to prepare CeO2–CuCrO2 composite nanofibers. The characterization techniques of X-ray diffractometer (XRD), Raman, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used to analyze the composite's crystal structure, vibrational bonds, and elemental composition, while SEM and TEM were used to analyze the composite's surface structure, morphology, and microstructure. The prepared nanofiber outer layer was found to have an average thickness of 70.96 nm, average fiber diameter of 192.49 nm, and an average grain size of about ~12.5 nm. The BET analysis was applied to obtain the specific surface area (25.03 m2/gm). The proposed nanofiber-decorated disposable screen-printed carbon electrode acted as a better electrochemical sensor for the detection of dopamine. Moreover, the electrocatalyst had a better limit of detection, 36 nM with a linear range of 10 to 100 μM, and its sensitivity was 6.731 μA μM−1 cm−2. In addition, the proposed electrocatalyst was successfully applied to real-time potential applications, namely, to the analysis of human urine samples in order to obtain better recovery results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microwave absorbing materials (MAMs) are playing an increasingly essential role in the development of wireless communications, high-power electronic devices, and advanced target detection technology. MAMs with a broad-bandwidth response are particularly important in the area of communication security, radiation prevention, electronic reliability, and military stealth. Although considerable progress has been made in the design and preparation of MAMs with a broad-bandwidth response, a number of challenges still remain, and the structure–function relationship of MAMs is still far from being completely understood. Herein, the advances in the design and research of MAMs with a broad-bandwidth response are outlined. The main strategies for expanding the effective absorption bandwidth of MAMs are comprehensively summarized considering three perspectives: the chemical combination strategy, morphological control strategy, and macrostructure control strategy. Several important results as well as design principles and absorption mechanisms are highlighted. A coherent explanation detailing the influence of the chemical composition and structure of various materials on the microwave absorption properties of MAMs is provided. The main challenges, new opportunities, and future perspectives in this promising field are also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]