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Photocatalytic split water attracts tremendous research interest because of its outstanding advantages in generating clean energy. Therefore, this work reports the synthesis of Pt/TiO2@CdS/Co3O4 hollow core–shell nanocomposites using a hard template method. The resulting material was then used for photo-induced spontaneous water splitting. The rationally designed hollow core–shell structure of this material not only enhanced the light collection capacity but also improved the separation efficiency of photogenerated carriers owing to its TiO2/CdS heterojunction. The presence of the Pt and Co3O4 catalysts in our novel material resulted in 63.2 and 29.7 μmol/g of H2 and O2 yields, respectively. Our work provides insights into conversion efficiency improvements during visible light-assisted catalytic water splitting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Fullerenes have been widely used as the electron transport layers (ETL) for planar-heterojunction perovskite solar cells (PSCs), due to their superior abilities in electron transporting, hysteresis suppression and low-temperature processing. Here, we demonstrate a novel inverted PSC with evaporated C 60 as ETL and dopant-free copper phthalocyanine (CuPc) as hole transport layer (HTL). The C 60 ETL can not only transport photogenerated electrons, but also passivate grain boundaries and surfaces of perovskite films effectively. By optimizing the thickness of the C 60 ETL, a champion power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 16.72% is obtained with almost no hysteresis and less than 10% decay in efficiency is observed during a two-week stability test. To the best of our knowledge, this is the highest efficiency of the inverted PSCs employing CuPc as HTL. For comparison, the devices using PCBM as ETL are also prepared and only achieve a highest efficiency of 15.74%. Various characterizations and analyses attest the enhanced charge transport and extraction as well as suppressed charge recombination and hysteresis for the C 60 -based devices. Since all the processes are accomplished under a low temperature, this enable us to fabricate flexible PSCs on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrates with a highest PCE of 12.96%. Our work provides a new strategy for fabricating cost-effective, highly efficient and hysteresis-free flexible PSCs in mass production. Graphical abstract Novel efficient C 60 -based inverted perovskite solar cells with negligible hysteresis are demonstrated. A champion power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 16.72% and 12.96% is obtained for the devices prepared on rigid and flexible substrates, respectively. Image 1 Highlights • Novel inverted perovskite solar cells (PSCs) with Cu-phthalocyanine and C 60 as HTL and ETL, respectively. • 16.72% efficiency is obtained, which is the highest efficiency of the inverted PSCs employing CuPc as HTL. • 12.96% efficiency is obtained for the flexible device. • Almost no hysteresis is observed. • Cost-effective, easy to prepare and highly stable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electron transport layer (ETL), functioning as the electron transportation and extraction layer as well as hole-blocking layer, plays an important role in planar perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Majority of the state-of-the-art PSCs contain a TiO 2 ETL always requiring a high temperature (500 °C) treatment, which is both energy-consuming and incompatible with flexible substrates, thus hindering large-scale application in flexible devices. Here, we demonstrated a low-temperature (70 °C) solution-processed Mg-doped rutile TiO 2 as ETL in planar PSCs, while the thermal-evaporated copper phthalocyanine (CuPc) and doctor-bladed carbon were introduced as the hole transport layer (HTL) and counter electrode, respectively. The as-prepared PSC obtains a 15.73% power conversion efficiency (PCE), which is quite an excellent efficiency among carbon-based planar PSCs, getting an increase by 16% compared to the 13.56% PCE of the pristine TiO 2 -based device. The prominent increment is mainly attributed to the faster charge extraction, better electrical conductivity and suppressed charge recombination of Mg-doped TiO 2 . Besides, using highly stable CuPc and commercial carbon makes the as-prepared PSCs highly durable over 30 days when exposed to the ambient air with a relative humidity of 50%. Since all the processes are conducted under 100 °C, our work paves a way for developing cost-effective and highly stable PSCs compatible with flexible substrates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Solution-processable functionalized graphene (SPFGraphene) and functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes(f-MWCNTs) are introduced for heterojunction solar cell. The performance of the device has improved by the incorporation of both SPFGraphene and f-MWCNTs. The open-circuit voltage (V oc), short-circuit current density (J sc), fill factor (FF) and power conversion efficiency (η) were 0.67V, 4.7mA/cm2, 32%, and 1.05%, respectively. Here, we expect that SPFGraphene acts as exciton dissociation and provide percolation paths for electron transfer, whereas f-MWCNTs provide efficient hole transportation. SPFGraphene and f-MWCNTs incorporation yields better carrier mobility, easy exciton splitting, and suppression of charge recombination, thereby improving photovoltaic action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

All-inorganic CsPbBr 3 perovskite has triggered great interests in photovoltaic field owing to its superior stability. However, the uncontrollable CsPbBr 3 film growth in solution always leads to a poor film quality with low phase-purity as well as many surface and bulk defects. Herein, we demonstrate an environmentally friendly non-solution route to fabricate high-quality CsPbBr 3 films for carbon-based planar perovskite solar cells. By precisely tuning the thickness ratio of the evaporated CsBr to PbBr 2 precursors (r), the dominant phase conversion of the cesium lead bromide perovskites from PbBr 2 -rich CsPb 2 Br 5 (r ≤ 12:7) to CsPbBr 3 (r = 12:8), and further to CsBr-rich Cs 4 PbBr 6 (r ≥ 12:9) are achieved. The optimized CsPbBr 3 perovskites are highly phase-pure and crystallized with ultra-high light absorption ability. The as-prepared CsPbBr 3 films also exhibit a dense and uniform morphology with large grain sizes and monolayer-vertical aligned grains. The corresponding devices deliver a champion PCE of 7.58%, which is an excellent efficiency among carbon-based CsPbBr 3 cells with evaporated CsPbBr 3 light absorbers. The large-area (1 cm2) devices also achieve an efficiency of 6.21%. Moreover, the unencapsulated CsPbBr 3 devices present superior moisture and thermal stabilities. Our work provides a facile approach to fabricate high-quality and large-area CsPbBr 3 films for highly efficient solar cells, light-emitting diodes and photodetectors. Image 1 • A sequential evaporation method is devised to prepare high-quality CsPbBr 3 films. • An excellent PCE of 7.58% is achieved for carbon-based CsPbBr 3 PSCs. • A PCE of 6.21% is obtained for large-area devices with an active area of 1 cm2. • Superior moisture and thermal stabilities are obtained for the devices. • The whole production costs of the devices are very low. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Herein we report a study of the doping of the poly(2-methoxy-5-(30,70-dimethyloctyloxy)-1,4- phenylenevinylene) (MDMO-PPV), poly (3-oc tylthiophene) (P3OT), to the organic photovoltaic devices based on poly (3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and graphene derivative bulk heterojunction structure (BHJ). The addition of the donor polymers to P3HT:Graphene BJT solar cells resulted in a more broad absorption range. The interrelationships between UV–vis absorption, fill factor (FF), energy conversion efficiency (ECE) and current density have been simulated. Dependency of the open-circuit voltage (Voc) was based on different doped donors, which is due to the band structure of BHJ where the energy level difference between the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) of the co-donors and the lowest occupied molecular orbital (LUMO) of the solution-processable functionalized graphene oxide (SPFGO) as acceptor was increased. The investigation indicated that the ECE of the co-donors:SPFGO BHJ solar devices with moderate doped donor amount can be influenced by the change of molecular packing structure, which can be interpreted in terms of incorporating doped donor. The XRD investigation of the complex donors/graphene BHJ solar device showed a well-organized intraplane structure with lamellae oriented normal to the substrate. In addition, The SEM investigation indicated the surface roughness morphology of the hybrid active layer film. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]