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Unique c-MoS2 nanosheets with corrugated edges mitigate the suppression of LiPSs and assist to reutilize them to boost the electrochemical kinetics in the Li–S battery.

Minimally invasive technologies for early diagnosis of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) remain an unmet clinical need. CA-125, a tumor marker secreted into the circulation, is utilized to monitor treatment response and disease relapse in EOC, but has limited utility in accurately triaging patients with pelvic masses of unknown histology. To address this unmet need, we applied a novel blood-based glycoproteomic platform that relies on mass spectrometry coupled to machine learning tools, and identified glycopeptide biomarkers that differentiate between patients with benign pelvic masses and malignant EOC. We then used a subset of these markers to generate a classifier that discriminated between benign pelvic tumors and EOC with sensitivity and specificity of 83.5% and 90.1% in the training set and 86.7 and 86.7% in the testing set, respectively. On subgroup analyses, we noticed that patients with malignant EOC had higher levels of fucosylated markers, primarily of hepatic origin. Furthermore, patients with late-stage EOC (FIGO stage III and IV) had markedly higher levels of tri- and tetra-antennary glycopeptide markers containing fucose. We used these markers to build an independent algorithm that can differentiate between early- and late-stage EOC. Lastly, we detected a similar upregulation of fucosylated glycans and gene expression signatures suggestive of multi-antennary glycans in late-stage EOC tissues. We posit that common mechanisms - possibly driven by cytokines - affect both the tumor glycocalyx and liver-derived glycoproteins. In summary, we generated blood glycoproteomic profiles resemblant of distinct tumor states and identified biomarkers that differentiate between benign and malignant pelvic masses, and/or between early- and late-stage EOC. We also provide mechanistic insights suggesting a direct link between the tumor site and the circulating glycoproteome. These data may inform the development of robust clinical tests to diagnose and stage patients with EOC.

A novel lead-containing metal-organic framework (Pb-MOF) is synthesized through postmetalation of MOF-525. Postmetalation renders lead ions bound with the organic linker of MOF-525, which can serve as nucleation points to promote perovskite crystallization. The introduction of lead postmetalated MOF-525 (Pb-MOF) as a scaffold layer between compact TiO

In this paper, a universal approach toward constructing a new bilayer device architecture, a few-nanometer-thick third-component layer on a bulk-heterojunction (BHJ) binary blend layer, has been demonstrated in two different state-of-the-art organic photovoltaic (OPV) systems. Through a careful selection of a third component, the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the device based on PM6/Y6/layered PTQ10 layered third-component structure was 16.8%, being higher than those of corresponding devices incorporating the PM6/Y6/PTQ10 BHJ ternary blend (16.1%) and the PM6/Y6 BHJ binary blend (15.5%). Also, the device featuring PM7/Y1-4F/layered PTQ10 layered third-component structure gave a PCE of 15.2%, which is higher than the PCEs of the devices incorporating the PM7/Y1-4F/PTQ10 BHJ ternary blend and the PM7/Y1-4F BHJ binary blend (14.2 and 14.0%, respectively). These enhancements in PCE based on layered third-component structure can be attributed to improvements in the charge separation and charge collection abilities. This simple concept of the layered third-component structure appears to have great promise for achieving high-performance OPVs.

The outstanding properties of perovskites have attracted huge attention in optoelectronic applications. However, the current study mainly focuses on small-area single-layer perovskite films. Surfac...

Grafting of organic groups on the surface of metal-oxide clusters greatly enhances the Li+ ion capacity. Triply organo-substituted polyoxometalates (RN-POMs) display an excellent Li+ ion capacity (...

A polymer-based hole-transporting layer (HTL) with a tunable work function and highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) position was demonstrated to effectively optimize the anode junctions of optoelectronic devices. Herein, the perfluorinated ionomer (PFI) was utilized to realize the synthesis of a well-dispersed poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene) (PEDOT) colloid solution, which could be subsequently cast into an efficient HTL. According to the time-of-flight secondary-ion mass spectroscopy and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy analysis, a uniform, interpenetrating PEDOT network with a deep-lying HOMO position could be obtained in the PEDOT:PFI layer. For solar cells, since a deep-lying HOMO position of the HTL was favorable for minimizing the hole injection barrier, a superior organic photovoltaic efficiency of 15.1% and a perovskite solar cell efficiency of 17.8% were achieved. As for organic photodetectors, a deep-lying HOMO position of the HTL was able to reduce the dark current density (JD) by blocking the leakage current under a reverse bias. Utilizing the PEDOT:PFI with an optimized PFI content, an extremely low JD of 6.2 nA cm−2 with an external quantum efficiency of 67% at 1000 nm wavelength was achieved, which sets a benchmark for the emerging near infrared sensing technologies.

Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) has demonstrated excellent performance as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries. However, the repeated lithiation and delithiation create a cracking pattern and lead to island formation in the thin-film electrode, resulting in a capacity fading over cycling in lithium-ion batteries (LIB's). In order to control this crack behaviour, we introduce carbon into CZTS thin-films by a hydrothermal method to form CZTS@C composite. CZTS@C significantly reduced the crack pattern formation on the electrode surface as well as improved the conductivity of the CZTS@C electrode. At the early stages of lithiation and delithiation, the volume expansion and contraction of Li–CZTS@C create intra-granular cracking only at the surface level, and it offers a high capacity of about 785 mA h g−1 after 150 cycles at 1000 mA g−1 charging rate, excellent rate capability (942 mA h g−1, 678 mA h g−1 and 435 mA h g−1 at 500 mA g−1, 2000 mA g−1 and 5000 mA g−1), and superior cyclability (925 mA h g−1 even after 200 cycles at 500 mA g−1). The excellent electrochemical performance at high-current rates can be attributed to intra-granular cracking together with carbon coating that provides a short transportation length for both lithium ions and electrons. Moreover, the controlled cracking pattern formation in CZTS@C facilitates faster reaction kinetics, which open up a new solution for the development of high-power thin-film anodes for next-generation LIBs applications.

Methylthioadenosine phosphorylase (MTAP) deficiency occurs in various malignancies and is associated with poor survival in cancer patients. However, the mechanisms underlying tumour progression due to MTAP loss are yet to be elucidated. Utilizing integrated analyses of the transcriptome, proteome and secretome, we demonstrated that MTAP deficiency alters tumour-intrinsic, immune-related pathways and reprograms cytokine profiles towards a tumour-favourable environment. Additionally, MTAP-knockout cells exhibited a marked increase in the immune checkpoint protein PD-L1. Upon co-culturing primary T cells with cancer cells, MTAP loss-mediated PD-L1 upregulation inhibited T cell-mediated killing activity and induced several T cell exhaustion markers. In two xenograft tumour models, we showed a modest increase in average volume of tumours derived from MTAP-deficient cells than that of MTAP-proficient tumours. Surprisingly, a remarkable increase in tumour size was observed in humanized mice bearing MTAP-deficient tumours, as compared to their MTAP-expressing counterparts. Following immunophenotypic characterization of tumour-infiltrating leukocytes by mass cytometry analysis, MTAP-deficient tumours were found to display decreased immune infiltrates with lower proportions of both T lymphocytes and natural killer cells and higher proportions of immunosuppressive cells as compared to MTAP-expressing tumour xenografts. Taken together, our results suggest that MTAP deficiency restructures the tumour immune microenvironment, promoting tumour progression and immune evasion.

Herein, core-twisted tetrachloroperylenediimides (ClPDIs) were introduced as new efficient electron-transporting materials (ETMs) to replace the commonly used fullerene acceptor PC61 BM in inverted planar perovskite solar cells (PSCs). ClPDI showed a low-lying lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy level of -3.95 eV, which was compatible with the conduction band of CH3 NH3 PbI3-x Clx (-3.90 eV). In addition, the role of the length of the alkyl side chain at the imide position of ClPDI in modulating the molecular solubility, aggregation capacity for charge-transport properties, surface hydrophobicity, and PSC performance was investigated. The device based on ClPDI-C4 (ClPDI with n-butyl side chains) as ETM achieved a maximum power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 17.3 % under standard AM 1.5G illumination, which iwas very competitive with that of the reference device employing PC61 BM/C60 (PCE=17.2 %) as ETM. Moreover, the devices with ClPDIs as ETMs exhibited better device stability than that with PC61 BM/C60 . This work highlights the great potential of ClPDI derivatives as low-cost (≈2.0 USD g-1 ) and effective ETMs to obtain efficient solution-processed inverted PSCs. This class of ClPDI derivatives is expected further promote the performance and stability of PSCs after extended investigation.

A well-crystalline two-dimensional (2D) perovskite material, Ca2Nan–3NbnO3n+1– (CNNO–) nanosheets, derived from the Dion–Jacobson phase has the potential to generate hydrogen through photoelectroch...

Technological implementation of organolead trihalide perovskite (OTP) photovoltaics requires suppression of the surface ionic defects and grain boundaries of OTP films. These surface ionic defects have a detrimental effect on the power conversion efficiency (PCE), are notorious for introducing hysteresis into the current density–voltage (J–V) characteristics, and decrease the stability of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Here, we report the use of core/shell quantum dots (QDs) as passivation layers on the OTP surfaces to decrease the trap density and, simultaneously, stabilize the OTP chemical structure and extend the charge carrier lifetime. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations indicated that the OTP surface defects and grain boundaries were effectively suppressed by the presence of the CdSe/ZnS QDs. We attribute the lower trap density of the OTP to the Se2− anions from the CdSe/ZnS passivation layer, inducing van der Waals interactions between the organic and inorganic components of the framework. For PSCs featuring CdSe/ZnS QD passivation, the PCE reached close to 20% with diminishing hysteresis of the J–V characteristics and fill factor (FF) of 81.44%. Moreover, the PSCs incorporating the CdSe/ZnS QD passivation layer exhibited long-term stability, retaining 75 and 80% of their initial performance after 2400 and 720 h, respectively. This facile interfacial strategy appears highly applicable for preparing high-performance durable OTP-based high optoelectronic devices.

Over the past decade, intensive research efforts have been directed toward the field of organic–inorganic hybrid perovskites, with dramatic progress made in both the photovoltaic performance and device stability. Therefore, it has become the fastest growing photovoltaic research area. Perovskite materials use low-cost earth-abundant elements and can be solution-processed; furthermore, the technology is compatible with large-scale roll-to-roll manufacturing. Recently, the successful demonstration of the photovoltaic performance of perovskites reaching that of the commercialized monosilicon photovoltaic technology combined with the significantly improved stability has made scaling-up the perovskite PV technology to become a new research area, which is the topic of this review. First, the fundamental background knowledge of classical nucleation and crystal growth from a solution is summarized along with its application in perovskite film evolution. We then discuss the common perovskite PV device architectures and perovskite layer deposition methods, followed by summarizing scalable solution approaches with recent progress and related challenges for the scaling-up process. Upon the introduction of the current in-depth understanding of perovskite nucleation and crystal growth, external strategies (including both physical and chemical approaches) controlling the perovskite film formation are reviewed in diverse scalable manufacturing methods. Overall, aiming at overcoming the challenges of transferring from laboratory research, we provide an overview of achieving high-performance perovskite solar cells by using scalable fabrication methods via precise nucleation and crystal growth control during the perovskite film formation process.

Recently emerged metal-halide hybrid perovskite (MHP) possesses superb optoelectronic features, which have great attention in solid-state lighting, photodetection, and photovoltaic applications. Because of its excellent external quantum efficiency, MHP acquires enormous potential for manifestation of ultra-low threshold optically pumped laser. However, demonstration of electrical-driven laser remains a challenge because of vulnerable degradation of perovskite, limited exciton binding energy, and intensity quenching and efficiency drop by non-radiative recombinations. In this work, we observed an ultralow-threshold (~ 18 nJcm−2) optically pumped Fabry-Perot (F-P) laser from moisture insensitive mixed dimensional quasi-2D Rudlesden-Popper phase perovskite (RPP) microplates. Unprecedently, we demonstrated electrical-driven F-P laser with threshold ~ 0.15 Acm−2 from quasi-2D RPP by judicious combination of perovskite/hole transport layer (HTL) and electron transport layer (ETL) having suitable band alignment and thickness. Additionally, we showed tunibility of lasing modes by driving external electrical potential. Ultralow-threshold lasing is mainly ascribed by existence of F-P feedback resonance inside RPP microplate, and selective resonance energy transfer mechanism in-between microplates. Performing the finite difference time domain (FDTD) simulations, we confirmed the presence of F-P feedback resonance, and light trapping effect at perovskite/ETL contributing to laser action. Our discovery of electrical-driven laser from MHP opens an alternative avenue in developing optoelectronics.

A light-responsive self-complementary crown ether/ammonium conjugate bearing an arylazopyrazole photoswitch as a spacer can be switched between a [

Lithium (Li) metal batteries are expected to develop faster to cater to the growth of the sustainable consumer electronic market. Due to its high specific capacity (3860 mAh g−1) and a low redox potential (−3.04 V vs H2/H+), Li metal is preferred to achieve high-capacity batteries. However, the Li metal is unstable and generates exothermic reactions with liquid electrolytes. The growth of Li dendrites on the surface of Li is another issue that jeopardizes the safety standards of the battery. Solid-state electrolytes can be a better alternative to achieving stable and safer Li metal batteries. Oxygen deficient metal oxides such as Molybdenum trioxide (MoO3) can act as a source of Lewis acid sites to dissociate the LiTFSI salt. We have modified a PEO-based solid-state electrolyte for stable Li-metal batteries. Locally designed MoO3-x nanobelts (MNBs) were utilized as passive fillers in PEO/LiTFSI matrix. The oxygen vacancies act like Lewis acid sites and interact with LiTFSI salt. Upon interaction, the oxygen vacancies react with TFSI− anions and separate the Li+ cations. This phenomenon enhances the number of free Li+ ions and the ionic conductivity of the PEO/LiTFSI matrix. The 5% of MNBs in PEO/LiTFSI (MPL-SPE) offered high Li-ion conductivity of 4.28 × 10−4 S cm−1 at 600C. The enhanced ionic conductivity and shorter diffusion pathways for Li+ ions result in a lower overpotential of the Li/Li symmetrical cell performance. In Figure 1a, the MPL-SPE cell shows reduced overpotential (~40mV) than the cell with PEO/LiTFSI matrix (~85mV) at a current density of 0.2mA cm-2 (Figure 1a). The as-designed MPL-SPE had attached to the cathode by using the hard press method. The cathode supported ML-SPE reduces the interfacial resistance between the cathode and solid electrolyte. The electrochemical performance of the all-solid-state Li battery with LiFePO4 (LFP) cathode attached with MPL-SPE demonstrated superior initial specific capacity of ~115 mAh g-1 and ~140 mAh g-1 at the 50th cycle at a 0.5C rate with ~100% coulombic efficiency (Figure 1b). Figure 1

The widespread use of energy storage technologies has created a high demand for the development of novel anode materials in Li-ion batteries (LIBs) with high areal capacity and faster electron-transfer kinetics. In this work, carbon-coated Cu

A facile solution process was employed to prepare CsPbI3 as an anode material for Li-ion batteries. Rietveld refinement of the X-ray data confirms the orthorhombic phase of CsPbI3 at room temperature. As obtained from bond valence calculations, strained bonds between Pb and I are identified within PbI6 octahedral units. Morphological study shows that the as-prepared δ-CsPbI3 forms a nanorod-like structure. The XPS analysis confirm the presence of Cs (3d, 4d), Pb (4d, 4f, 5d) and I (3p, 3d, 4d). The lithiation process involves both intercalation and conversion reactions, as confirmed by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and first-principles calculations. Impedance spectroscopy coupled with the distribution function of relaxation times identifies charge transfer processes due to Li metal foil and anode/electrolyte interfaces. An initial discharge capacity of 151 mAhg−1 is found to continuously increase to reach a maximum of ~275 mAhg−1 at 65 cycles, while it drops to ~240 mAhg−1 at 75 cycles and then slowly decreases to 235 mAhg−1 at 100 cycles. Considering the performance and structural integrity during electrochemical performance, δ-CsPbI3 is a promising material for future Li-ion battery (LIB) application.

We present a high-energy wet-milling grinding method to prepare the NiO NPs at a room temperature and a low-temperature solution-processing method for the intercalation of Cs2CO3 into NiO, resulting in bipolar charge-carrier extraction capability for inverted (p–i–n) and conventional planar (n–i–p) PSCs. In comparison with the corresponding device featuring an HTL of NiO alone, the Cs2CO3-intercalated NiO layer exhibited enhanced electron extraction without sacrificing its hole extraction capability. This new material for bipolar charge-carrier extraction has the potential to serve as an inexpensive, scalable, and environmentally stable interconnection layer for emerging flexible tandem photovoltaic devices.

The organic solar cells (OSCs) have contributed a significant role in photovoltaics by improving its power conversion efficiency (PCE). We have introduced a facile method for transferring thin films to achieve polymer solar cells with stacked structures to enhance the bilayer and ternary solar cells' efficiency. By controlling the swelling/de-swelling properties of Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) via solvent treatment, we formed uniform organic films upon the PDMS surface and then transferred them to target substrates.This residue-free and place-lift-off transferring method appear to have great promise in increasing the efficiency of multilayer stacked thin-film OSCs.

In this work, we investigate the ultrafast charge carrier dynamics in the double-layered architecture mixed halide (DHA) perovskite photovoltaic devices by ultrafast pump-probe transient absorption spectroscopy (TAS). The measured TAS results show the perovskite solar cell consists of SnO2/(FAPbI3)1-x(MAPbBr3)x/HTAB has stronger transient absorbance with photoinduced bleaching at 750 nm and photoinduced absorption in the range of 550-700 nm. The lifetime of DHA perovskite observed from TAS is approximately 46 µs in conjunction with the electron injection discovered within the first 150 fs, indicating the charge carriers would be easily extracted. Besides, we measured a high power-conversion-efficiency of the DHA perovskite solar cell (PSC) of 21%. Hence, understanding the ultrafast charge carrier dynamics in PSC by pump-probe TAS provides detailed insights into the advanced working mechanism. The results open a door for the development of high-performance perovskite photovoltaics.

The thermal deposition of lead iodide (PbI2) results in the changes in the contact surface of a poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) poly (styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) layer of solar cells (SCs). The changed contact surface of PEDOT:PSS layer after the thermal deposition of PbI2 remains stable after PbI2 is converted into perovskite and leaves the degraded perovskite/PEDOT:PSS interface. The degraded perovskite/pristine PEDOT:PSS interface leads to a low power conversion efficiency (η%) of SCs at 3.84%. The properties of the contact surface of the PEDOT:PSS layer during the thermal deposition of PbI2 can be retained by treating PEDOT:PSS with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and maintain the perovskite/PEDOT:PSS interface in good condition after PbI2 is converted. Perovskite SCs with DMSO-treated PEDOT:PSS substantially improves η% from 3.84% to 9.58%.

In this paper, we demonstrate a unique multifunctional separator prepared by sputtering a thin layer of graphite on top of a commercial polypropylene–polyethylene separator. This modified separator...

Hybrid lead halide perovskites continue to attract interest for use in optoelectronic devices such as solar cells and light-emitting diodes. Although challenging, the replacement of toxic lead in these systems is an active field of research. Recently, the use of trivalent metal cations (Bi3+ and Sb3+) that form defect perovskites A3B2X9 has received great attention for the development of solar cells, but their light-emissive properties have not previously been studied. Herein, an all-inorganic antimony-based two-dimensional perovskite, Cs3Sb2I9, was synthesized using the solution process. Vapor-anion-exchange method was employed to change the structural composition from Cs3Sb2I9 to Cs3Sb2Br9 or Cs3Sb2Cl9 by treating CsI/SbI3 spin-coated films with SbBr3 or SbCl3, respectively. This novel method facilitates the fabrication of Cs3Sb2Br9 or Cs3Sb2Cl9 through solution processing without the need of using poorly soluble precursors (e.g., CsCl and CsBr). We go on to demonstrate electroluminescence from a device employing Cs3Sb2I9 emitter sandwiched between ITO/PEDOT:PSS and TPBi/LiF/Al as the hole and electron injection electrodes, respectively. A visible-infrared radiance of 0.012 W·Sr-1·m-2 was measured at 6 V when Cs3Sb2I9 was the active emitter layer. These proof-of-principle devices suggest a viable path toward low-dimensional, lead-free A3B2X9 perovskite optoelectronics.

Mercury ion (Hg2+) sensor based on bottom gate top contact organic thin film transistor (OTFT) was fabricated. The OTFT channel area was functionalized with pyrene that contain thiol group, which has strong binding affinity toward Hg2+ ion. The OTFT sensor exhibited a charge mobility of 0.28 cm2 V−1 s−1, a threshold voltage of −22.3 V and on-to-off ratio 103. The sensor shows high selectivity to Hg2+ ion over other two valence metal ions. OTFT sensor exhibited high sensitivity to Hg2+ ion, indicated by increasing of drain current after exposed to different concentration of Hg2+ ion ranging from 1 mM to 0.01 μM. Moreover, the OTFT sensor capability for practical application was also demonstrated by sensing the present of 25 μM of Hg2+ ion in tap, drinking and seawater samples.

Metal oxide carrier transporting layers have been investigated widely in organic/inorganic lead halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Tin oxide (SnO2) is a promising alternative to the titanium dioxide commonly used in the electron transporting layer (ETL), due to its tunable carrier concentration, high electron mobility, amenability to low-temperature annealing processing, and large energy bandgap. In this study, a facile method was developed for the preparation of a room-temperature-processed SnO2 electron transporting material that provided a high-quality ETL, leading to PSCs displaying high power conversion efficiency (PCE) and stability. A novel physical ball milling method was first employed to prepare chemically pure ground SnO2 nanoparticles (G-SnO2), and a sol–gel process was used to prepare a compact SnO2 (C-SnO2) layer. The effects of various types of ETLs (C-SnO2, G-SnO2, composite G-SnO2/C-SnO2) on the performance of the PSCs are investigated. The composite SnO2 nanostructure formed a robust ETL having efficient carrier transport properties; accordingly, carrier recombination between the ETL and mixed perovskite was inhibited. PSCs incorporating C-SnO2, G-SnO2, and G-SnO2/C-SnO2 as ETLs provided PCEs of 16.46, 17.92, and 21.09%, respectively. In addition to their high efficiency, the devices featuring the composite SnO2 (G-SnO2/C-SnO2) nanostructures possessed excellent long-term stability—they maintained 89% (with encapsulation) and 83% (without encapsulation) of their initial PCEs after 105 days (>2500 h) and 60 days (>1400 h), respectively, when stored under dry ambient air (20 ± 5 RH %).

A novel coral-like perovskite nanostructured layer was grown on a compact perovskite foundation layer by the facile surface modification with dimethylformamide/isopropanol (DMF/IPA) as co-solvent. Surface morphological characterizations with SEM and XRD analyses revealed a growing mechanism of the new morphology, which was composed of the perovskite decomposition and recrystallization, excessive-PbI2 extraction, and sequential formation of coral-like nanostructured perovskite layer. The coral-like perovskite nanostructures resulted in significant light scattering, enhancing the light-harvesting efficiency, and thus augmenting the photocurrent density. Moreover, the geometric configuration of the perovksite solar cells was changed from planar to bulk heterojunction, which results in the acceleration of charge separation and extraction due to the high surface area at the interface between the obtained perovskite and hole-transport layers. The optimal perovskite solar cell exhibited an impressive power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 19.47%, as compared to that of the pristine cell (17.19%).

Versatile photoresponsive gels based on tripodal low molecular weight gelators (LMWGs) are reported. A cyclohexane‐1,3,5‐tricarboxamide (CTA) core provides face‐to‐face hydrogen bonding and a planar conformation, inducing the self‐assembly of supramolecular polymers. The CTA core was substituted with three arylazopyrazole (AAP) arms. AAP is a molecular photoswitch that isomerizes reversibly under alternating UV and green light irradiation. The E isomer of AAP is planar, favoring the self‐assembly, whereas the Z isomer has a twisted structure, leading to a disassembly of the supramolecular polymers. By using tailor‐made molecular design of the tripodal gelator, light‐responsive organogels and hydrogels were obtained. Additionally, in the case of the hydrogels, AAP was coupled to the core through hydrazones, so that the hydrogelator and, hence, the photoresponsive hydrogel could also be assembled and disassembled by using dynamic covalent chemistry.

Cost effective imidazole-based star-shaped oligo(arylamines) were easily prepared in good yields via the reaction of one precursor containing two or more aldehydes with a dione compound having two arylamines. High performance perovskite (MAPbI3) solar cells with a conventional cell configuration were fabricated using these compounds as dopant-free hole transport materials. The best solar-to-electricity conversion efficiency reached ∼17.5%, which surpassed that based on LiTFSI/t-BP doped spiro-OMeTAD. The cell also exhibited much better temporal stability than the standard cell of LiTFSI/t-BP doped spiro-OMeTAD, as no hydrophilic dopants are needed.

Dissolution of lithium polysulfide (LiPS) into the electrolyte during discharging, causing shuttling of LiPS from the cathode to the lithium (Li) metal, is mainly responsible for the capacity decay and short battery life of lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs). Herein, we designed a separator comprising polypropylene (PP) coated with MoO3 nanobelts (MNBs), prepared through facile grinding of commercial MoO3 powder. The formation of Li2Sn-MoO3 during discharging inhibited the polysulfide shuttling; during charging, Li passivated LixMoO3 facilitated ionic transfer during the redox reaction by decreasing the charge transfer resistance. This dual-interaction mechanism of LiPS-with both Mo and the formation of LixMoO3-resulted in a substantially high initial discharge capacity at a very high current density of 5C, with 29.4% of the capacity retained after 5000 cycles. The simple fabrication approach and extraordinary cycle life observed when using this MNB-coated separator suggest a scalable solution for future commercialization of LSBs.

In this study, we prepared organic photovoltaics (OPVs) featuring an active layer comprising double bulk heterojunction (BHJ) structures, featuring binary blends of a polymer donor and concentration gradients of two small-molecule acceptors. After forming the first BHJ structure by spin-coating, the second BHJ layer was transfer-printed onto the first using polydimethylsiloxane stamps. A specially designed selenium heterocyclic small-molecule acceptor (Y6-Se-4Cl) was employed as the second acceptor in the BHJ. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed that the two acceptors formed a gradient concentration profile across the active layer, thereby facilitating charge transportation. The best power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) for the double-BHJ-structured devices incorporating PM6:Y6-Se-4Cl/PM6:Y6 and PM6:Y6-Se-4Cl/PM6:IT-4Cl were 16.4 and 15.8%, respectively; these values were higher than those of devices having one-BHJ structures based on PM6:Y6-Se-4Cl (15.0%), PM6:Y6 (15.4%), and PM6:IT-4Cl (11.6%), presumably because of the favorable vertical concentration gradient of the selenium-containing small-molecule Y6-Se-4Cl in the active layer as well as some complementary light absorption. Thus, combining two BHJ structures with a concentration gradient of the two small-molecule acceptors can be an effective approach for enhancing the PCEs of OPVs.

Nowadays, the power conversion efficiency of organometallic mixed halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) is beyond 25%. To fabricate highly efficient and stable PSCs, the performance of metal oxide charge transport layers (CTLs) is one of the key factors. The CTLs are employed in PSCs to separate the electrons and holes generated in the perovskite active layer, suppressing the charge recombination rate so that the charge collection efficiency can be increased at their respective electrodes. In general, engineering of metal oxide electron transport layers (ETLs) is found to be dominated in the research community to boost the performance of PSCs due to the resilient features of ETLs such as excellent electronic properties, high resistance to thermal temperature and moisture, ensuring good device stability as well as their high versatility in material preparation. The metal oxide hole transport layers in PSCs are recently intensively studied. The performance of PSCs is found to be very promising by using optimized hole transport materials. This review concisely discusses the evolution of some prevalent metal oxide charge transport materials (CTMs) including TiO2, SnO2, and NiOx, which are able to yield high-performance PSCs. The article begins with introducing the development trend of PSCs using different types of CTLs, pointing out the important criteria for metal oxides being effective CTLs, and then a variety of preparation methods for CTLs as employed by the community for high-performance PSCs are discussed. Finally, the challenges and prospects for future research direction toward scalable metal oxide CTM-based PSCs are delineated.