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Electricity-driven oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is crucial for water dissociation because it allows for sustainable and clean energy production. However, the fast reaction should be improved for industrial applications. Therefore, numerous studies have focused on designing and synthesizing high-performance catalysts with low-cost facial processes for use in the OER. Metal-organic frameworks are hybrid materials that consist of inorganic and organic components, exemplified as ideal sacrificial templates for the fabrication of efficient anode materials to be used in water oxidation. In this account, various types of MOF-derived anode materials, including metals, metal oxides, metal phosphides, nitrides, carbides, and metal chalcogenides, are discussed. In addition, we have demonstrated the advantages of MOFs and provide studies with controverted mechanisms of the OER. Finally, the current problems and prospects for the use of MOFs in the electrochemical OER are discussed.

Halide perovskites, fascinating memristive materials owing to mixed ionic-electronic conductivity, have been attracting great attention as artificial synapses recently. However, polycrystalline nature in thin film form and instability under ambient air hamper them to be implemented in demonstrating reliable neuromorphic devices. Here, we successfully fabricated vertically aligned 2D halide perovskite films (V-HPs) for active layers of artificial synapses, showing moisture stability for several months. Unlike random-oriented HPs, which exhibit negligible current hysteresis, the V-HPs possess multilevel analog memristive characteristics, programmable potentiation and depression with distinguished multi-states, long-short-term plasticity, paired-pulse facilitation, and even spike-timing-dependent plasticity. Furthermore, high classification accuracy is obtained with implementation in deep neural networks. These remarkable improvements are attributed to the vertically well-aligned lead iodide octahedra acting as the ion transport channel, confirmed by first-principles calculations. This study paves the way for understanding HPs nanophysics and demonstrating their potential utility in neuromorphic computing systems.

It is important to consider the synergy of heterostructures to improve the slow kinetics of water dissociation in the alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Herein, we report a simple method to design a heterohierarchical CoMo catalyst. The CoMo catalyst was prepared by simple one-pot electrodeposition on carbon paper (CP). The CoMo/CP catalyst was optimized for the alkaline HER by controlling the electrodeposition bath conditions, potential, and time. The optimized catalyst shows the heterohierarchical structure containing the electrically conductive metallic Co in the bulk and Mo-incorporated Co containing Mo4+ at the surface. It exhibited a lower HER overpotential of 0.11 V at −20 mA/cm2 compared to those of the others owing to the synergetic effect of the between the Co and Mo incorporated Co. The results highlight the advantages of the simple method developed herein for the design of heterohierarchical catalysts.

Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), transition metal carbides (TMCs), and transition metal oxides (TMOs) have been widely investigated for electrocatalytic applications owing to their abundant active sites, high stability, good conductivity, and various other fascinating properties. Therefore, the synthesis of composites of TMDs, TMCs, and TMOs is a new avenue for the preparation of efficient electrocatalysts. Herein, we propose a novel low-cost and facile method to prepare TMD–TMC–TMO nano-hollow spheres (WS2–WC–WO3 NH) as an efficient catalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The crystallinity, morphology, chemical bonding, and composition of the composite material were comprehensively investigated using X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results confirmed the successful synthesis of the WS2–WC–WO3 NH spheres. Interestingly, the presence of nitrogen significantly enhanced the electrical conductivity of the hybrid material, facilitating electron transfer during the catalytic process. As a result, the WS2–WC–WO3 NH hybrid exhibited better HER performance than the pure WS2 nanoflowers, which can be attributed to the synergistic effect of the W–S, W–C, and W–O bonding in the composite. Remarkably, the Tafel slope of the WS2–WC–WO3 NH spheres was 59 mV dec−1, which is significantly lower than that of the pure WS2 NFs (82 mV dec−1). The results also confirmed the unprecedented stability and superior electrocatalytic performance of the WS2–WC–WO3 NH spheres toward the HER, which opens new avenues for the preparation of low-cost and highly effective materials for energy conversion and storage applications.

The existence of chromium in hexavalent oxidation state is highly toxic to aquatic environment. Photocatalytic reduction of hexavalent Cr (VI) into Cr (III) has emerged as a desirable technology due to their prospect in solar energy utilization, high efficiency and low cost. Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4)-based photocatalysts are ideal for Cr (VI) reduction due to their inherent features including; visible-light responsive narrow bandgap, suitable conduction band potential, high physicochemical stability, unique optical and electronic properties. Herein, various surface-interface strategies to modify g-C3N4 including heterojunction formation, doping, structural regulation, co-catalyst loading and construction of nitrogen vacancies are elaborated for improving the Cr(VI) photoreduction efficiency. The review also highlights the effect of operational reaction conditions such solution pH, g-C3N4 dosage, Cr (VI) concentration, temperature, light source, organic acid additives and co-existing ions influencing Cr (VI) reduction efficiency. Finally, we attempt to propose the existing issues based on the current research and future aspects of engineered g-C3N4 for Cr (VI) photoreduction.

In this work, we proposed a facile approach to fabricate a superhydrophobic surface for anti-icing performance in terms of adhesive strength and freezing time. A hierarchical structure was generated on as-received Al plates using a wet etching method and followed with a low energy chemical compound coating. Surfaces after treatment exhibited the great water repellent properties with a high contact angle and extremely low sliding angle. An anti-icing investigation was carried out by using a custom-built apparatus and demonstrated the expected low adhesion and freezing time for icephobic applications. In addition, we proposed a model for calculating the freezing time. The experimented results were compared with theoretical calculation and demonstrated the good agreement, illustrating the importance of theoretical contribution in design icephobic surfaces. Therefore, this study provides a guideline for the understanding of icing phenomena and designing of icephobic surfaces.

The performance of halide perovskite-based electronic and optoelectronic devices is often related to interfacial charge transport. To shed light on the underlying physical and chemical properties of CH3NH3PbI3 (MAPbI3) in direct contact with common electrodes Al, Ti, Cr, Ag, and Au, the evolution of interfacial properties and Fermi level pinning is systematically studied. Given a unique experimental facility, pristine interfaces without any exposure to ambient air were prepared. We observe aggregation of substantial amounts of metallic lead (Pb0) at the metal/MAPbI3 interface, resulting from the interfacial reaction between the deposited metal and iodine ions from MAPbI3. It is found that the Schottky barrier height at the metal/MAPbI3 interface is independent of the metal work function due to strong Fermi level pinning, possibly due to the metallic Pb0 aggregates, which act as interfacial trap sites. The charge neutrality level of MAPbI3 is consistent with the energy level of Pb0-related defects, indicating that Pb0 interfacial trap states can be nonradiative recombination sites. This work underlines that control of chemical bonding at interfaces is a key factor for designing future halide perovskite-based devices.

Perovskite oxides have attracted significant attention as frontier materials for wide range of applications, such as electronic and energy storage and generation. The utilization of perovskite oxides as catalysts for photocatalytic water splitting has been intensively investigated owing to their excellent absorption, bandgap tunability, and good stability. They can be synthesized at a large scale using a solution process. In this study, considering the importance of perovskite oxide in the generation of clean energy in the near future, we summarize and discuss the most recent advances in the development of fabrication methods, surface modification, and structural engineering to achieve high catalytic activity and practical applicability for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Furthermore, the challenges and future scope associated with the development of perovskite for photocatalytic generation of hydrogen are discussed.

Efficient water electrolyzer systems are essential for clean hydrogen production. Several studies have been conducted on the development of highly active catalysts; however, most of their performan...

Halide perovskite is attracting significant attention in optoelectronic because of its unique properties. Lead-free halide perovskites, in particular, have been studied intensively for their nontoxicity. In addition to the attention given to lead-free halide perovskites, the manufacture of these materials on a quantum scale has also received considerable attention due to the quantum confinement effect. This review discusses the current status of lead-free, all-inorganic halide perovskite quantum dots (LFAIHP QDs). First, synthetic methods for producing quantum dots are introduced; then materials are discussed with a focus on tin, bismuth, antimony, copper-based and double perovskite quantum dots. The properties of these materials-such as their physical structure, optical properties, electrical properties, and stability-are discussed. The application of these materials for solar cells, light-emitting diodes, photodetectors, photocatalysts, and memory devices are also examined. Finally, the limitations of LFAIHP QDs, possible methods to overcome them and prospects for these materials in the future are provided.

BiVO4 has emerged as a promising photoanode for water oxidation. Technical barriers such as charge recombination and photocorrosion prevent its practical application. In the present work, a NiCo2O4...

In food industries, the detection of different tastes in low level is required to enhance the quality of products. Recently, 2-D materials and metal–organic framework (MOF) have attracted extensive attention owing to their unique properties, and they can be used in various applications, especially chemical and biochemical sensing. In this review, we investigate the recent progress of the 2-D materials and MOF in the taste sensing applications. From the review, we could conclude that these materials would be promising candidates for taste sensing applications, thereby leading to the development of food industry.

Electrochemical carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction is considered to be an efficient strategy to produce usable fuels and overcome the concerns regarding global warming. For this purpose, an efficient, earth abundant, and a low cost catalyst has to be designed. It has been found that graphene‐based materials could be promising candidates for CO2 conversion because of their unique physical, mechanical, and electronic properties. In addition, the surface of graphene‐based materials can be modified by using different strategies, including doping, defect engineering, producing composite structures, and wrapping shapes. In this review, the fundamentals of electrochemical CO2 reduction and recent progress of graphene‐based catalysts are investigated. Furthermore, recent studies on graphene‐based materials for CO2 reduction are summarized.

Taste sensors can identify various tastes, including saltiness, bitterness, sweetness, sourness, and umami, and have been useful in the food and beverage industry. Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and MXenes have recently received considerable attention for the fabrication of high-performance biosensors owing to their large surface area, high ion transfer ability, adjustable chemical structure. Notably, MOFs with large surface areas, tunable chemical structures, and high stability have been explored in various applications, whereas MXenes with good conductivity, excellent ion-transport characteristics, and ease of modification have exhibited great potential in biochemical sensing. This review first outlines the importance of taste sensors, their operation mechanism, and measuring methods in sensing utilization. Then, recent studies focusing on MOFs and MXenes for the detection of different tastes are discussed. Finally, future directions for biomimetic tongues based on MOFs and MXenes are discussed.

Abnormal climate changes have occurred all over the world due to greenhouse gases (GHGs). Various countries are targeting emission reductions of GHGs in 2020 and trying to GHGs those in multiple fields. Cement-based structures account for a large part in the construction industry. One ton of carbon dioxide is produced during the manufacturing process for a ton of cement. Therefore, decreasing cement usage is essential for carbon dioxide reduction. However, strength characteristics of cement are necessary conditions to meet the required strength of a structure. Therefore, it is necessary to develop cement substitutes and economic additives. In this study, we proposed an eco-friendly blend ratio by comparing the compressive strength of Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) mortar and two variations. One was a mortar with a small amount of APTMS-sGO added. The other was a mortar mixed with HNBW (hydrogen nano-bubble water) as an enhanced material instead of ordinary water. The mortar added with 0.1% of APTMS-sGO showed improved early strength compared with OPC mortar. Its strength was enhanced 31.1% by using HNBW as functional water. Strength was improved 20.4% for cement mortar added with Graphene Oxide after reacting with SAM containing APTMS. When the texture of both mortars became denser, early compressive strength at 7 days each was 20.4-31.1% higher than that of OPC mortar. Finally, the strength was increased by 10.2% at 28 days.

This study reports an effective method to enhance the performance of photoelectrochemical (PEC) solar water reduction. We design and prepare a SnO2@WS2 NF heterostructure on p-Si that has better vi...

The development of a carbon-free hydrogen production method by photoelectrochemical water splitting is a promising pathway to deal with the increased energy demands and deleterious environmental is...

An electronic nose (e‐nose) is a device that can detect and recognize odors and flavors using a sensor array. It has received considerable interest in the past decade because it is required in several areas such as health care, environmental monitoring, industrial applications, automobile, food storage, and military. However, there are still obstacles in developing a portable e‐nose that can be used for a wide variety of applications. For practical applications of an e‐nose, it is necessary to collect a massive amount of data from various sensing materials that can transduce interactions with molecules reliably and analyze them via pattern recognition. In addition, the possibility of miniaturizing the e‐nose and operating it with low power consumption should be considered. Moreover, it should work efficiently over a long period of time. To satisfy these requirements, several different chemoresistive material platforms including metal oxides, organics such as polymers and carbon‐based materials, and two‐dimensional materials were investigated as sensor elements for an e‐nose. As an individual material has limited selectivity, there is a continuing effort to improve the selectivity and gas sensing properties through surface decoration and compositional and structural variations. To produce a reliable e‐nose, which can be used for practical applications, researches in various fields have to be harmonized. This paper reviews the progress of research on e‐noses based on a chemoresistive gas sensor array and discusses the inherent challenges and potential solutions.

P–N heterostructures based on transition-metal dichelcongenides (TMDs) and a conventional semiconductor, such as p-Si, have been considered a promising structure for next-generation electronic devi...

The use of chemoresistive gas sensors based on metal oxides has expanded to various fields such as medical diagnosis and air quality systems as well as gas leakage detectors with the development of the Internet of Things. Accordingly, sensitivity, selectivity, power consumption, and reproducibility become important factors in the development of gas sensors. Herein, we developed a facile method to fabricate a gas sensor based on porous Au-incorporated tungsten trioxide (WO3) thin films for highly sensitive and selective NO2 sensing. The mixed solution of ammonium tetrathiotungstate [(NH4)2WS4] and gold chloride (AuCl3) was transformed to Au-incorporated WO3 thin films through the spin-coating and annealing process. The gas sensors based on the Au-incorporated WO3 thin films exhibited improved sensitivity, selectivity, and response time upon exposure to NO2 with a significantly low theoretical detection limit of 28 ppt at 150 ℃ compared to gas sensors based on the pristine WO3 thin film. The high sensing properties are attributed to the porous structure and catalytic effects of Au nanoparticles. In addition to these remarkable NO2 sensing properties, the facile and cost-effective fabrication process enlarges the potential of the Au-incorporated WO3 thin films for practical and commercial gas sensing applications.

One-dimensional (1D) titanate nanostructures were synthesized by hydrothermal route, using commercially available TiO₂ (P25) and anatase powders as precursor materials and strong NaOH solution as catalyzer. The prepared titanates were calcined, followed by protonation to produce TiO₂ nanostructures having enhanced photocatalytic and photovoltaic properties. The synthesized TiO₂ 1D nanostructures were characterized using field-emission scanning electron microscope, high-resolution electron microscope, X-ray diffraction analysis, and UV-Vis photospectroscopy to understand the effect of initial TiO₂ phase on morphological and crystallographic features, and bandgap. Methylene blue degradation test was applied to evaluate the photoactivity of the products obtained after different stages of the process. The findings indicate that 1D TiO₂ nanostructures form by different mechanisms from dissolved aggregates during hydrothermal process, depending on the crystal structure of the initial precursor used. Photocatalytic test results reveal that protonated titanates have considerable adsorption capability, while photocatalytic degradation depends on TiO₂ transformation.

In this study, we investigated the methods for prolonged lifetime in the CsPbX3 (X: Cl, Br, I) structured perovskite materials. First, the changes in structural and optical properties were compared by doping Ni in the CsPbBr3 quantum dots (QDs). The steady-state photoluminescence (PL) intensity of Ni-doped QDs shows 3.8 times increase comparing with undoped QDs. CsPbBr3 without nickel had a quantum efficiency of only 56.7 %, whereas CsPbBr3 doped with nickel had a quantum efficiency of 82.9 %. It was found that the doped divalent element acts as a defect in the perovskite structure, reducing the recombination rate of electrons and holes. After 48 hours UV-light irradiation, PL intensity of CsPbBr3 decreased about 70 % while that of Ni-substituted CsPbBr3 QDs decreased only 18 %, indicating the prolonged stability against UV-light irradiation. Furthermore, Ni-substituted CsPbBr3 QDs shows higher stability against temperature and moisture. These results confirmed that Ni substitution method is effective to increase the stability of CsPbX3 QDs. Second, we used sulfuroleylamine (S-OLA) complex which was utilized to etch the defect-rich surface of the CsPbI3 QDs and then self-assembly to form a matrix outside the CsPbI3 QDs protected the QDs from environmental moisture and solar irradiation. The PL intensity of the CsPbI3 QDs increased by 21% of its initial value. There was a significant increase in the colloidal stability of the CsPbI3 QDs. The introduction of S-OLA induced the recovery of the lost photoluminescence of the nonluminous aged CsPbI3 QDs with time to 95% of that of the fresh QDs. Furthermore, the PL was maintained for one month. The increase in the stability and PL intensity are critical for realizing high-performance perovskite-QD-based devices. In this study, we investigated the methods for prolonged lifetime in the CsPbX3 (X: Cl, Br, I) structured perovskite materials. First, the changes in structural and optical properties were compared by doping Ni in the CsPbBr3 quantum dots (QDs). It was found that the doped divalent element acts as a defect in the perovskite structure, reducing the recombination rate of electrons and holes. Ni-substituted CsPbBr3 QDs shows higher stability against temperature and moisture. These results confirmed that Ni substitution method is effective to increase the stability of CsPbX3 QDs. Second, we used sulfuroleylamine (S-OLA) complex which was utilized to etch the defect-rich surface of the CsPbI3 QDs and then self-assembly to form a matrix outside the CsPbI3 QDs protected the QDs from environmental moisture and solar irradiation. The introduction of S-OLA induced the recovery of the lost photoluminescence of the nonluminous aged CsPbI3 QDs with time to 95% of that of the fresh QDs.

The detection of ions and molecules in liquids has been receiving considerable attention for the realization of the electronic tongue. Solution-gated field-effect transistors (SFETs) with high sensitivity are useful for detecting ions and molecules by reading electrical transconductance. However, to date, ionic and molecular sensors that employ SFETs have limitations, such as the lack of a dynamic on–off function and low selectivity. In this study, we evaluate rationally designed graphene SFETs as pH and glucose-selective sensors. The integration of the microfluidic channel to the graphene SFET exhibits dynamic on–off functions by controlling injection and withdrawal of solutions. The graphene SFET device exhibits high pH and glucose selectivity when coated with Nafion as a molecular sieve and Au-decorated nanoparticles as receptors, respectively. The dynamic on–off functions and high selectivity of SFETs with tailored graphene channels have a high potential for advancing as a platform for electronic tongues by integrating the separate SFETs as an array for simultaneous sensing of multiple targets.

In this work, we proposed a facile approach to fabricate a superhydrophobic surface for anti-icing performance in terms of adhesive strength and freezing time. A hierarchical structure was generated on as-received Al plates using a wet etching method and followed with a low energy chemical compound coating. Surfaces after treatment exhibited the great water repellent properties with a high contact angle and extremely low sliding angle. An anti-icing investigation was carried out by using a custom-built apparatus and demonstrated the expected low adhesion and freezing time for icephobic applications. In addition, we proposed a model for calculating the freezing time. The experimented results were compared with theoretical calculation and demonstrated the good agreement, illustrating the importance of theoretical contribution in design icephobic surfaces. Therefore, this study provides a guideline for the understanding of icing phenomena and designing of icephobic surfaces.

In this study, halide perovskite nanocrystals are synthesized by controlling the ligand length and amount, and investigated the effects on the change in the ligand length and amount on the shape, size, crystal structure, and optical properties of the perovskite nanocrystals. The results reveal the tendency and respective effects of amine and acid ligands on perovskite nanocrystals. The amine ligands bind directly to the perovskite nanocrystals. Consequently, the amine ligands with longer chains interfere with the aggregation of the initially formed nanocrystals, thus limiting the size of the halide perovskite nanocrystals. Similar to the amine ligands, the acid ligands directly bond with the perovskite nanocrystals; however, they are also indirectly distributed around the nanocrystals, thus affecting their structure and dispersion. Consequently, the acid ligands affect the assembly of the initially formed nanocrystals, which determine the shape and crystal structure of the nanocrystals. It is believed that the report will provide useful insight on the synthesis of halide perovskites for application in optoelectronic devices.

Nanomaterials play a key role in modern photocatalytic applications, including hydrogen evolution reaction, oxygen evolution reaction, CO2 reduction reaction, organic synthesis, organic decomposition, and toxic gas removal. In this chapter, the mechanism for each reaction listed above is summarized and discussed. Furthermore, the emerging nanomaterials that have been effectively used in photocatalytic applications such as carbon-based materials, transition metal oxides, transition metal chalcogenides, transition metal carbides, metal-organic frameworks, and covalent organic frameworks are introduced. The optical and physical properties of materials that enable their catalytic activity under ultraviolet-visible light irradiation are highlighted. Although photocatalysis is promising with many advantages, the performance outcomes are still not as efficient as catalysis. Hence, more theoretical and practical studies are suggested to further promote photocatalytic efficiency.

The current design trends in the field of electronic devices involve efforts to make these devices smaller, thinner, lighter, and more flexible. The development of such systems is expected to further accelerate, resulting in the production of wearable and Internet-of-Things devices. In this respect, microenergy storage systems with high capacity and fast charge/discharge rates have become important power sources for such devices. In particular, interdigitated microsupercapacitors (MSCs) have exhibited remarkable potential as micropower sources owing to their fast charge/discharge processes, long cycle life, and high power density compared with microbatteries. Nevertheless, facile fabrication of MSCs using interdigitated electrodes remains challenging, as it requires selective decoration of electrodes with pseudocapacitive materials, such as transition metal oxides, to increase their capacitance. In the present study, we developed a simple method for fabricating MSCs involving in situ formation of interdigitated graphene electrodes and ZnO nanorods by photothermal conversion of graphene oxide (GO) and Zn precursors using infrared (IR) laser scribing. The fabricated MSCs exhibit a high stack capacitance of 3.90 F cm−3 and an energy density of 0.43 mWh cm−3. Notably, the capacity of the developed material is three times higher than those of previously reported MSCs made from the same type of graphene. In addition, the capacitance retention rate of the fabricated MSC is approximately 70% when measured over 10,000 charging–discharging cycles at a constant current, which evidently indicates a stable device performance. Researchers in South Korea have developed a method for making tiny high-capacity energy storage devices. Portable electronic devices rely on light-weight sources of energy. Lithium ion batteries are the prevailing technology, but alternatives are being developed. Supercapacitors, for example, offer faster charging time and a longer life. Supercapacitors can be miniaturized by interlocking the electrodes, but such devices are difficult to fabricate. Junghyo Nah from the Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Min Hyung Lee from Kyung Hee University, Yongin, and colleagues have developed a simple method for making microsupercapacitors from graphene electrodes and zinc oxide nanorods. The capacity of their device was three times higher than that of previous microsupercapacitors built from the same type of graphene. The results could contribute to development of smaller, thinner and lighter power sources. Selective growth of ZnO nanorods/reduced graphene oxide composites via IR laser-induced reaction is developed for electrochemical devices. Optimized design of interdigitated supercapacitor electrodes can be achieved by programming of laser scanning lines. The integration of ZnO NRs on rGO improves supercapacitor performances due to synergistic effects of pseudo capacitance (ZnO) and electric double layer capacitance (graphene).

The consistent and controlled functioning of a large-area full-color OLED display with a MoS2 backplane was demonstrated., Electronic applications are continuously developing and taking new forms. Foldable, rollable, and wearable displays are applicable for human health care monitoring or robotics, and their operation relies on organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). Yet, the development of semiconducting materials with high mechanical flexibility has remained a challenge and restricted their use in unusual format electronics. This study presents a wearable full-color OLED display using a two-dimensional (2D) material-based backplane transistor. The 18-by-18 thin-film transistor array was fabricated on a thin MoS2 film that was transferred to Al2O3 (30 nm)/polyethylene terephthalate (6 μm). Red, green, and blue OLED pixels were deposited on the device surface. This 2D material offered excellent mechanical and electrical properties and proved to be capable of driving circuits for the control of OLED pixels. The ultrathin device substrate allowed for integration of the display on an unusual substrate, namely, a human hand.

A new type of zeolite-based covalent organic frameworks (ZCOFs) was designed under different topologies and linkers. In this study, the silicon atoms in zeolite structures were replaced by carbon atoms in thiophene, furan, and pyrrole linkers. Through the adoption of this strategy, 300 ZCOFs structures were constructed and simulated. Overall, the specific surface area of ZCOFs is in the range of 300&ndash, 3500 m2/g, whereas the pore size is distributed from 3 to 27 &Aring, Furthermore, the pore volume exhibits a wide range between 0.01 and 1.5 cm3/g. Screening 300 ZCOFs with the criteria towards methane storage, 11 preliminary structures were selected. In addition, the Grand Canonical Monte Carlo technique was utilized to evaluate the CH4 adsorption ability of ZCOFs in a pressure ranging from 1 to 85 bar at a temperature of 298 K. The result reveals that two ZCOF structures: JST-S 183 v/v (65&ndash, 5.8 bar) and NPT-S 177 v/v (35&ndash, 1 bar) are considered as potential adsorbents for methane storage. Furthermore, the thermodynamic stability of representative structures is also checked base on quantum mechanical calculations.

In order to develop high performance chemoresistive gas sensors for Internet of Everything applications, low power consumption should be achieved due to the limited battery capacity of portable devices. One of the most efficient ways to reduce power consumption is to lower the operating temperature to room temperature. Herein, we report superior gas sensing properties of SnS2 nanograins on SiO2 nanorods toward NO2 at room temperature. The gas response is as high as 701% for 10 ppm of NO2 with excellent recovery characteristics and the theoretical detection limit is evaluated to be 408.9 ppb at room temperature, which has not been reported for SnS2-based gas sensors to the best of our knowledge. The SnS2 nanograins on the template used in this study have excessive sulfur component (Sn:S = 1:2.33) and exhibit p-type conduction behavior. These results will provide a new perspective of nanostructured two-dimensional materials for gas sensor applications on demand.

Planar perovskite solar cells were fabricated on F-doped SnO2 (FTO) coated glass substrates, with 4,4&rsquo, ((1E,1&rsquo, E)-((1,2,4-thiadiazole-3,5-diyl)bis(azaneylylidene))bis(methaneylylidene))bis(N,N-di-p-tolylaniline) (bTAThDaz) as hole transport material. This imine was synthesized in one step reaction, starting from commercially available and relatively inexpensive reagents. Electrochemical, optical, electrical, thermal and structural studies including thermal images and current-voltage measurements of the full solar cell devices characterize the imine in details. HOMO-LUMO of bTAThDaz were investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and energy-resolved electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (ER-EIS) and were found at &minus, 5.19 eV and &minus, 2.52 eV (CV) and at &minus, 5.5 eV and &minus, 2.3 eV (ER-EIS). The imine exhibited 5% weight loss at 156 &deg, C. The electrical behavior and photovoltaic performance of the perovskite solar cell was examined for FTO/TiO2/perovskite/bTAThDaz/Ag device architecture. Constructed devices exhibited good time and air stability together with quite small effect of hysteresis. The observed solar conversion efficiency was 14.4%.

Organometallic and all-inorganic halide perovskites (HPs) have recently emerged as promising candidate materials for resistive switching (RS) nonvolatile memory due to their current-voltage hysteresis caused by fast ion migration. Lead-free and all-inorganic HPs have been researched for non-toxic and environmentally friendly RS memory devices. However, only HP-based devices with electrochemically active top electrode (TE) exhibit ultra-low operating voltages and high on/off ratio RS properties. The active TE easily reacts to halide ions in HP films, and the devices have a low device durability. Herein, RS memory devices based on an air-stable lead-free all-inorganic dual-phase HP (AgBi2 I7 -Cs3 Bi2 I9 ) are successfully fabricated with inert metal electrodes. The devices with Au TE show filamentary RS behavior by conducting-bridge involving Ag cations in HPs with ultra-low operating voltages ( 107 ), multilevel data storage, and long retention times (>5 × 104 s). The use of a closed-loop pulse switching method improves reversible RS properties up to 103 cycles with high on/off ratio above 106 . With an extremely small bending radius of 1 mm, the devices are operable with reasonable RS characteristics. This work provides a promising material strategy for lead-free all-inorganic HP-based nonvolatile memory devices for practical applications.

The photoelectrochemical reduction of CO2 to syngas that is used for many practical applications has been emerging as a promising technique to relieve the increase of CO2 in the atmosphere. Si has been considered to be one of the most promising materials for photoelectrodes, but the integration of electrocatalysts is essential for the photoelectrochemical reduction of CO2 using Si. We report an enhancement of catalytic activity for CO2 reduction reaction by Ag catalysts of tuned morphology, active sites, and electronic structure through reducing anodic treatment. Our proposed photocathode structure, a SiO2 patterned p-Si photocathode with these reduced Ag catalysts, that was fabricated using electron-beam deposition and electrodeposition methods, provides a low onset-potential of &minus, 0.16 V vs. the reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE), a large saturated photocurrent density of &minus, 9 mA/cm2 at &minus, 1.23 V vs. RHE, and faradaic efficiency for CO of 47% at &minus, 0.6 V vs. RHE. This photocathode can produce syngas in the ratio from 1:1 to 1:3, which is an appropriate proportion for practical application. This work presents a new approach for designing photocathodes with a balanced catalytic activity and light absorption to improve the photoelectrochemical application for not only CO2 reduction reaction, but also water splitting or N2 reduction reaction.

Recently, organometallic and all-inorganic halide perovskites (HPs) have become promising materials for resistive switching (RS) nonvolatile memory devices with low power consumption because they show current-voltage hysteresis caused by fast ion migration. However, the toxicity and environmental pollution potential of lead, a common constituent of HPs, has limited the commercial applications of HP-based devices. Here, RS memory devices based on lead-free all-inorganic cesium tin iodide (CsSnI3) perovskites with temperature tolerance are successfully fabricated. The devices exhibit reproducible and reliable bipolar RS characteristics in both Ag and Au top electrodes (TEs) with different switching mechanisms. The Ag TE devices show filamentary RS behavior with ultralow operating voltages (

The issues of global warming and fossil fuel shortage have increased the demand for clean and renewable energy. Many researchers are investigating strategies to produce hydrogen and reduce CO2 by using solar power. Two-dimensional (2D) materials, such as graphene, graphene derivatives, and transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), have been extensively used owing to their extraordinary electronic and optical properties. In this review, we investigate the recent developments in 2D materials for photocatalytic applications involving the hydrogen evolution reaction and CO2 reduction. The synthesis methods and the photocatalytic properties of TMDs and graphene-based 2D materials are thoroughly discussed. Moreover, a summary of the recently developed 2D nanostructures and devices for solar hydrogen production and CO2 reduction is presented, and it is revealed that the use of 2D catalyst materials has great potential for commercialization in the near future to help overcome the energy crisis.

Halide perovskite based resistive random-access memory (ReRAM) devices are emerging as a new class of revolutionary data storage devices because their switching material—halide perovskite—has received considerable attention in recent years. Among the electrical characteristics of the material, its current–voltage (I–V) hysteresis, which may occur due to defect formation and migration, means that ReRAM can employ halide perovskites as a resistive switching material. Many studies have been conducted on resistive switching materials; however, the investigation of halide perovskites for ReRAM devices is still in the early research stages; therefore, the application of halide perovskites in ReRAM devices is a topic worth studying. Herein, we introduce halide perovskites and their operating mechanism within a ReRAM device. Moreover, recent notable achievements along with future challenges have been reviewed.

The demand for wearable sensors is growing in many emerging fields, such as health monitoring, human-machine interfaces, robotics and personalized medicine. Here, we report the integration of skin-mountable, flexible, stretchable, dual-functional sensors and switches together with silicon-based electronics to create a novel healthcare system. We employ a facile approach to design highly stretchable graphene foam (GF)/PDMS composite films with tunable sensitivities and switching capabilities by simply controlling the thickness of GF. The GF/PDMS composite films deliver a high gauge factor of 24 at a 10% strain, tunable stretchability up to 70% and an excellent on/off switching ratio on the order of 1000. The highly reversible switching capability of the composite films is realized by identifying abnormal resistance changes at strains beyond a threshold value. To bridge the gap between signal transmission, wireless communication and post-processing in wearable devices, the sensors are combined with electronics, allowing data transmission to a smartphone using a custom-developed application consisting of a user-friendly interface. The novel approaches reported here offer a wide range of practical applications, including medical diagnosis, health monitoring and patient healthcare.

In this study, the effect of alkyl chain length in amine-based compounds on the work function of graphene was investigated. The graphene was synthesized by the chemical vapor deposition method. The graphene layers were functionalized by amine-based groups using a simple spin-coating method. The amine-based compounds were composed of phenyl amine and methyl-, ethyl-, propyl-, n/t-butyl-, and octyl-phenyl amine groups. Materials were confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy to show the C and N bonding. The work function of the doped graphene layers decreased because of the effect of the doping agents. Among the doped graphene samples, t-butyl-phenyl amine functionalized graphene achieved the lowest work function of 3.89 eV (compared with 4.43 eV for pristine graphene). Further, the sheet resistance of n-doped graphene increased, confirming the high concentration of n-doping agents on the graphene layers. These results suggest the best alkyl chain is the t-butyl group to reduce the work function of graphene, and promise the use of these materials as cathodes for opto-electronic applications.

In this work, CsPbBr3 and PbSe nanocomposites were synthesized to protect perovskite material from self-enlargement during reaction. UV absorption and photoluminescence (PL) spectra indicate that the addition of Se into CsPbBr3 quantum dots modified the electronic structure of CsPbBr3, increasing the band gap from 2.38 to 2.48 eV as the Cs:Se ratio increased to 1:3. Thus, the emission color of CsPbBr3 perovskite quantum dots was modified from green to blue by increasing the Se ratio in composites. According to X-ray diffraction patterns, the structure of CsPbBr3 quantum dots changed from cubic to orthorhombic due to the introduction of PbSe at the surface. Transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoemission spectroscopy confirmed that the atomic distribution in CsPbBr3/PbSe composite clusters is uniform and the composite materials were well formed. The PL intensity of a CsPbBr3/PbSe sample with a 1:1 Cs:Se ratio maintained 50% of its initial intensity after keeping the sample for 81 h in air, while the PL intensity of CsPbBr3 reduced to 20% of its initial intensity. Therefore, it is considered that low amounts of Se could improve the stability of CsPbBr3 quantum dots.

Two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides (2D-TMDs), such as MoS2 and WS2 nanosheets (MeS2-NS), are reported as efficient catalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), which can potentially replace the expensive platinum catalyst. In this report, 1T phase MeS2 (1T-MeS2) NS are synthesized by lithium-intercalation exfoliation method, subsequently being modified by amorphous MoSx and WSx (MeSx@MeS2-NS) through a solvothermal method. Interestingly, MeSx@MeS2-NS significantly improves the HER performance compared with bare MeS2-NS as catalysts. Among these, MoSx@MoS2 is observed to be the best combination for HER, with an onset potential and Tafel slope of 114 mV and 45.1 mV decade−1, respectively. The enhancement in the HER device using MeSx@MeS2-NS as the catalyst originates from vertically grown MeSx, which provides additional active sulfur sites for the reaction, while inhibiting the restacking of MeS2-NS. Furthermore, MoSx@MoS2-NS shows stable catalytic properties for HER after the 1000 cyclic test, without any observable changes. Thus, this study presents a facile method for the synthesis of 2D-TMD catalyst for HER towards large-scale and long-term stability for practical application.