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Photothermoelectric (PTE) effect provides a platform for utilization both photon and thermal energy, giving rise to high-performance photodetector and radiation energy harvester. Carbon nanotube (CNT)/metal heterojunction has been demonstrated to be capable of boosting power generation based on PTE effect, and yet the responsivity and detectivity are inferior to those based on conventional optoelectronic effect. Herein, CNT films decorated by Ag nanoparticles (NPs) forming Ag/CNT heterojunctions have been investigated, showing both excellent photothermal and power conversion capability under infrared (IR) illumination. Ultrahigh Δ T of 196.4 K, maximum output voltage of 15.74 mV and power of 9.94 μW have been achieved under IR laser illumination at power density of 7.65 W/cm2, which are superior to reported photodetectors based on PTE effect. CNT@Ag NPs film possesses competitive photodetection performance as well, with responsivity and detectivity of 107 mV/W and 947.68 MHz1/2/W, respectively. Furthermore, when integrated with polydimethylsiloxane, an IR laser actuated movement function mimicking caterpillar has been realized. Our study thus expands the diverse functions of CNT-based films utilizing PTE effect toward applications in IR detection, radiation energy harvesting and soft actuation. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An iron-induced electron modulation strategy is demonstrated to optimize the electron structure of nickel sites, contributing to the strong electron coupling with OH* intermediate. Moreover, the ideal structural design supports favorable electron transfer and endows the active sites with even distribution and full exposure. The as-fabricated FeNi/CNT catalyst displays a low overpotential of 63 mV at 10 mA cm−2, outstripping most OER electrocatalysts. [Display omitted] • Iron-induced strategy is proposed to boost the OER activity of nickel hydroxide. • The electron structure can be tuned by the synergistic effect of iron and nickel sites. • 3D CNT conductive networks support favorable electron transfer. • The surface electron reconfiguration energetically promotes the adsorption of OH−. • FeNi/CNT shows a low overpotential of 63 mV at 10 mA cm−2. The practical potential of nickel hydroxide for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is hindered by its low electron transport efficiency and weak coupling between hydroxyl groups and active sites. Here, we introduce iron into the nickel hydroxide to effectively adjust the local coordination environment and electron structure. This conception is realized by a facile surface-redox-etching method to grow Fe-decorated nickel hydroxide nanoparticles on the three-dimensional (3D) carbon nanotube networks (Fe-Ni(OH) 2 /CNT). It is surprising that the Fe-Ni(OH) 2 /CNT catalyst displays extraordinary OER performance with a low overpotential of 63 mV and 228 mV at 10 mA cm−2 and 100 mA cm−2, respectively, outstripping most OER electrocatalysts. The superior OER performance is ascribed to the 3D CNT networks and synergistic interaction between Ni and Fe in the lattice, which not only accelerate electron transfer but also induce strong electron coupling with OH*, boosting the reaction kinetics of OER. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]