Green sonochemical synthesis and fabrication of cubic MnFe2O4 electrocatalyst decorated carbon nitride nanohybrid for neurotransmitter detection in serum samples

The binary nanomaterials and graphitic carbon based hybrid has been developed as an important porous nanomaterial for fabricating electrode with applications in non-enzymatic (bio) sensors. We report a fast synthesis of bimetal oxide particles of nano-sized manganese ferrite (MnFe₂O₄) decorated on graphitic carbon nitride (GCN) via a high-intensity ultrasonic irradiation method for C (30 kHz and 70 W/cm²). The nanocomposites were analyzed by powder X-ray diffraction, XPS, EDS, TEM to ascertain the effects of synthesis parameters on structure, and morphology. The MnFe₂O₄/GCN modified electrode demonstrated superior electrocatalytic activity toward the neurotransmitter (5-hydroxytryptamine) detection with a high peak intensity at +0.21 V. The appealing application of the MnFe₂O₄/GCN/GCE as neurotransmitter sensors is presented and a possible sensing mechanism is analyzed. The constructed electrochemical sensor for the detection of 5-hydroxytryptamine (STN) showed a wide working range (0.1–522.6 μM), high sensitivity (19.377 μA μM⁻¹ cm⁻²), and nano-molar detection limit (3.1 nM). Moreover, it is worth noting that the MnFe₂O₄/GCN not only enhanced activity and also promoted the electron transfer rate towards STN detection. The proposed sensor was analyzed for its real-time applications to the detection of STN in rat brain serum, and human blood serum in good satisfactory results was obtained. The results showed promising reproducibility, repeatability, and high stability for neurotransmitter detection in biological samples.     

Electron field emission from magnetic nanomaterial encapsulated multi-walled carbon nanotubes

The present work describes the field emission characteristics of nanoscale magnetic nanomaterial encapsulated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) fabricated over flexible graphitized carbon cloth. Ni/MWNTs, NiFe/MWNTs and NiFeCo/MWNTs have been synthesized by catalytic chemical vapor decomposition of methane over Mischmetal (Mm)-based AB₃ (MmNi₃, MmFe_1.5Ni_1.5 and MmFeCoNi) alloy hydride catalysts. Metal-encapsulated MWNTs exhibited superior field emission performance than pure MWNT-based field emitters over the same substrate. The results indicate that a Ni-filled MWNT field emitter is a promising material for practical field emission application with a lowest turn-on field of 0.6 V/μm and a high emission current density of 0.3 mA/cm² at 0.9 V/μm.     

Facile and Scalable Synthesis of Si@void@C Embedded in Interconnected 3D Porous Carbon Architecture for High Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries

Si-based materials possess huge potential as an excellent anode material for Li-ion batteries. However, how to realize scalable synthesis of Si-based anode with a long cycling life and high-performance is still a critical challenge. Here a water-in-oil microemulsion process followed by UV illumination, calcination, and hydrothermal method to produce yolk-shell Si@void@C embedded in interconnected 3D porous carbon network architecture using silicon nanoparticles is reported. As a result, the sample Si@void@C/C-2 electrode has achieved a reversible capacity of 1160 mA h g⁻¹ at 0.2 A g⁻¹ after 300 cycles and a stable long cycling life of 480 mA h g⁻¹ at 1 A g⁻¹ after 1000 cycles. A full battery with the synthesized anode shows a capacity of 128 mA h g⁻¹ at 0.2 A g⁻¹ as well as good cycling stability after 1100th cycles. Such excellent electrochemical performance is ascribed to its unique structure, the yolk-shell void space, highly robust carbon shells and interconnected porous carbon nets that can improve the conductivity of the electrode, buffer the volume expansion, and also suppress Si nanoparticles stress variation. This water-in oil system makes it possible for mass production of environmentally friendly synthesis of core–shell structure.     

Field emission properties of carbon nanotube cathodes produced using composite plating

Field emission properties of carbon nanotube field emission cathodes (CNT-FECs) produced using composite plating are studied. The experiment uses a CNT suspension and electroless Ni plating bath to carry out composite plating. The CNTs were first purified by an acid solution, dispersed in a Ni electrobath, and finally co-deposited with Ni on glass substrates to synthesize electrically conductive films. Field emission scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy results show that the field emission characteristics and graphitic properties of CNT-FECs depend on the pH value of the electrobath. Experiments show that the optimum electrobath pH value is 5.4, achieving a field emission current density of 1.0 mA/cm² at an applied electric field of 1.5 V/μm. The proposed CNT-FECs possess good field emission characteristics and have potential for backlight unit application in liquid crystal displays.     

High-field electron emission of carbon nanotubes grown on carbon fibers

Carbon nanotubes with uniform density were synthesized on carbon fiber substrate by the floating catalyst method. The morphology and microstructure were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The results of field emission showed that the emission current density of carbon nanotubes/carbon fibers was 10 μA/cm² and 1 mA/cm² at the field of 1.25 and 2.25 V/μm, respectively, and the emission current density could be 10 and 81.2 mA/cm² with the field of 4.5 and 7 V/μm, respectively. Using uniform and sparse density distribution of carbon nanotubes on carbon fiber substrate, the tip predominance of carbon nanotubes can be exerted, and simultaneously the effect of screening between adjacent carbon nanotubes on field emission performance can also be effectively decreased. Therefore, the carbon nanotubes/carbon fibers composite should be a good candidate for a cold cathode material.     

Octahedral to Cuboctahedral Shape Transition in 6 nm Pt3Ni Nanocrystals for Oxygen Reduction Reaction Electrocatalysis

Pt₃Ni stands as one of the most active electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The activity varies with the morphology of the nanocrystals with a high activity observed for the octahedral shape where only the high density {111} crystallographic planes are exposed. Herein, the synthesis of 6 nm Pt₃Ni octahedral nanocrystals with a Pt enriched shell or cuboctahedral nanocrystals with a Ni enriched shell is described. Interestingly, the cuboctahedral nanocrystals display a six-pointed star/skeleton of platinum, which features a very uncommon atomic distribution. In the synthesis, a decrease in the oxygen partial pressure induces the transition from octahedral to cuboctahedral morphology. The octahedral and cuboctahedral nanocrystals both demonstrate high ORR activity (1.1 mA cm⁻²_Pt and 1.2 A mg⁻¹_Pt at 0.9 V vs reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) are the highest values obtained for PtNi-20 and PtNi-15, respectively). After exposure to oxidative conditions in the acidic electrolyte, the cuboctahedral nanoparticles with a pristine Ni-rich skin show a Pt skin and retain their cuboctahedral morphology.     

Small-molecular white organic light-emitting devices employing 2, 5, 2′, 5′-tetra (<Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-trifluoromethylstyryl)-biphenyl as single-emitting component

We demonstrate a promising single layer white light-emitting device using a dimeric trimeric phenylenvinylene derivative as emitting layer. The broad electroluminescence emission band is composed of blue component from singlet excited state of individual 2, 5, 2′, 5′-tetra (p-trifluoromethylstyryl)-biphenyl molecule and long-wavelength electromer emission in electroluminescence. Therefore, white-light emission can also be obtained with a typical three-layer structure of ITO/NPB (50 nm)/TFM-TSB (50 nm)/Alq₃ (30 nm)/LiF/Al device. The maximum brightness of this device is 809 cd/m² at 217 mA/cm² and 13 V, and the maximum luminous efficiency is 1.49 cd/A at 11 mA/cm² and 8 V.      

Carbon‐Encapsulated Tube‐Wire Co3O4/MnO2 Heterostructure Nanofibers as Anode Material for Sodium‐Ion Batteries

This study presents a general approach for the synthesis of carbon‐encapsulated wire‐in‐tube Co₃O₄/MnO₂ heterostructure nanofibers (Co₃O₄/MnO₂@C) via electrospinning followed by calcination. The as‐synthesized Co₃O₄/MnO₂@C is investigated as the sodium‐ion batteries anode material, which not only exhibits a high reversible capacity of 306 mAh g⁻¹ at 100 mA g⁻¹ over 200 cycles, but also shows a cycling stability of 126 mAh g⁻¹ after 1000 cycles at a high current density of 800 mA g⁻¹. The excellent electrochemical performance can be ascribed to the contribution from carbon‐encapsulated outer‐tube Co₃O₄ and inner‐wire MnO₂ heterostructures, which offer a large internal space and good electrical conductivity. The present work can be helpful in providing new insights into heterostructures for sodium‐ion batteries and other applications.     

Supercapacitive properties of activated carbon electrode in electrolyte solution with a lithium-modified silica nanosalt

In this work, lithium-modified silica nanosalt (Li202) is solution-synthesized and used as a gel-forming additive in 1.5 M tetraethylammonium tetrafluoroborate (TEABF₄)/acetonitrile (ACN) electrolyte solution for the supercapacitor with activated carbon electrode. The electrochemical properties of the supercapacitor adopting the Li202 (5 wt.%) are investigated using linear sweep voltammetry, cyclic voltammetry, and complex impedance spectroscopy. By the addition of the Li202, the electrochemical stability of the electrolyte is improved over 4.0 V (corresponding to the current density below 0.6 mA cm⁻²) and higher specific capacitances at the scan rates of 10–500 mV s⁻¹ are obtained. Thus, the Li202 can be considered as a promising electrolyte additive to enhance the supercapacitive properties of activated carbon electrode.     

Current density dependence of changes in the microstructure of SOFC anodes during electrochemical oxidation

The effect of current density during electrochemical oxidation on the microstructure of solid oxide fuel cell anodes was investigated. Anode-supported cells were subjected to electrochemical oxidation by oxide ions and chemical reduction by H₂ gas. Two anodes were electrochemically oxidized by the same quantity of electricity of 15 C using different current densities of 25 mA/cm² and 250 mA/cm². When Ni particles were oxidized at 25 mA/cm², little morphological change occurred in the Ni particles, resulting in only a small change in the microstructure of the anode. On the other hand, when Ni particles were oxidized at 250 mA/cm², the morphology of the particles changed to a more textured outer surface and the Ni particle seemed to divide into smaller ones. Neither cell showed a decrease in open circuit voltage nor cracks in the electrolyte, resulting in that the microstructure changes observed in the tested cells were caused by electrochemical oxidation and subsequent reduction (redox cycle). Furthermore, this suggests that the differences in the resulting microstructures of the Ni particles were caused by the differences in current density during electrochemical oxidation.     

Growth and field emission properties of nanotip arrays of amorphous carbon with embedded hexagonal diamond nanoparticles

Nanotip arrays of amorphous carbon with embedded hexagonal diamond nanoparticles were prepared at room temperature for use as excellent field emitters by a unique combination of anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) template and filtered cathodic arc plasma (FCAP) technology. In order to avoid nanopore array formation on the AAO surface, an effective multi-step treatment employing anodization and pore-widening processes alternately was adopted. The nanotips were about 100 nm in width at the bottom and 150 nm in height with density up to 10¹⁰ cm⁻². Transmission electron microscopy investigation indicates that many nanoparticles with diameters of about 10 nm were embedded in the amorphous carbon matrix, which was proved to be hexagonal diamond phase by Raman spectrum and selected-area electron diffraction. There is no previous literature report on the field emission properties of hexagonal diamond and its preparation at room temperature under high-vacuum condition. The nanotip arrays with hexagonal diamond phase exhibit a low turn-on field of 0.5 V/μm and a threshold field of 3.5 V/μm at 10 mA/cm². It is believed that the existence of hexagonal diamond phase has improved the field emission properties.     

Ultrasound assisted synthesis of highly active nanoflower-like CoMoS4 electrocatalyst for oxygen and hydrogen evolution reactions

Rapid technological development requires sustainable, pure, and clean energy systems, such as hydrogen energy. It is difficult to fabricate efficient, highly active, and inexpensive electrocatalysts for the overall water splitting reaction: the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The present research work deals with a simple hydrothermal synthesis route assisted with ultrasound that was used to fabricate a 3D nanoflower-like porous CoMoS₄ electrocatalyst. A symmetric electrolyzer cell was fabricated using a CoMoS₄ electrode as both the anode and cathode, with a cell voltage of 1.51 V, to obtain a current density of 10 mA/cm². Low overpotentials were observed for the CoMoS₄ electrode (250 mV for OER and 141 mV for HER) at a current density of 10 mA/cm².     

Synthesis and field emission of diamond-like carbon nanorods on TiO2/Ti nanotube arrays

Highly ordered TiO₂/Ti nanotube arrays were fabricated by anodic oxidation method in 0.5 wt% HF. Using prepared TiO₂/Ti nanotube arrays deposited Ni nanoparticles as substrate, high quality diamond-like carbon nanorods (DLCNRs) were synthesized by a conventional method of chemical vapor deposition at 750 °C in nitrogen atmosphere. DLCNRs were analyzed by filed emission scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectrometer. It is very interesting that DLCNRs possess pagoda shape with the length of 3–10 μm. Raman spectra show two strong peaks about 1332 cm⁻¹ and 1598 cm⁻¹, indicating the formation of diamond-like carbon. The field emission measurements suggest that DLCNRs/TiO₂/Ti has excellent field emission properties, a low turn-on field about 3.0 V/μm, no evident decay at 3.4 mA/cm² in 480 min.     

Optimization of transmittance and resistance of indium gallium zinc oxide/Ag/indium gallium zinc oxide multilayer electrodes for photovoltaic devices

We report on the optimization of the optical and electrical properties of IGZO/Ag/IGZO multilayer films as a function of IGZO thickness. The transmission window slightly widened and shifted toward lower energies with increasing IGZO thickness. The IGZO(39 nm)/Ag(19 nm)/IGZO(39 nm) showed transmittance 88.7% at 520 nm. The optical transmittance spectra were examined by finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulations. The carrier concentration decreased from 1.73 × 10²² to 4.99 × 10²¹ cm⁻³ with increasing the IGZO thickness, while the charge mobility insignificantly changed from 19.07 to 19.62 cm²/V. The samples had sheet resistances of 4.17–4.39 Ω/sq with increasing IGZO thickness, while the resistivity increased from 1.89 × 10⁻⁵ to 6.43 × 10⁻⁵ Ω cm. The 39 nm-thick IGZO multilayer sample had a smooth surface with a root mean square roughness of 0.63 nm. The IGZO(39 nm)/Ag(19 nm)/IGZO(39 nm) multilayer showed a Haacke's FOM of 49.94 × 10⁻³ Ω⁻¹.     

缓冲夹层影响异质结有机光伏器件性能研究

制备了结构为CuPc/缓冲层/C₆₀异质结的有机光伏器件,分别选用三氧化钼和红荧烯为缓冲层,研究了增加缓冲层对器件性能的影响.结果表明,增加三氧化钼和红荧烯缓冲层后器件的开路电压和光电转换效率都得到提高,器件的短路电流密度和填充因子都有所降低.开路电压从没有缓冲层时的0.39 V分别提高到0.58 V、0.55 V,转换效率从0.36%提高到0.44%,短路电流从1.92 mA/cm²分别降低到1.77 mA/cm²、1.81 mA/cm²,填充因子从0.48分别减少到0.43、0.44.进一步研究表明器件的短路电流密度受缓冲层厚度的影响很大,当缓冲层厚度很小时,器件短路电流密度还有所增加,但随着缓冲层厚度的增加,短路电流密度逐渐减小,当缓冲层厚度为10 nm时,器件短路电流密度减少到0.35 mA/cm².开路电压随着厚度的增加逐渐增加,从1 nm时的0.43 V增加10 nm时0.63 V.根据整数电荷转移模型和界面能级理论解释有机光伏器件开路电压提高以及短路电流密度减少的原因,为有机太阳能电池性能的改善提供了研究方法.     

Multi-faceted highly crystalline LiMn2O4 and LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 cathodes synthesized by a novel carbon exo-templating method

LiMn₂O₄ and LiNi_0.5Mn_1.5O₄ powders have been synthesized by a novel cost-effective carbon exo-templating process. It has been observed that controlled nucleation in the pores of highly surface active carbon produces a distinct effect on the powder morphology and crystallinity. Quantitative X-ray phase analyses show single phase spinel structure having Fd3m symmetry for both samples. Field emission electron microscopy reveals particles of size 0.5–1.0 µm with well defined multi-faceted crystals. Cyclic voltammetry results show well separated distinct redox peaks at 4.05/3.92 and 4.17/4.08 V for LiMn₂O₄/Li and 4.91/4.61 V for LiNi_0.5Mn_1.5O₄/Li coin cells indicating good crystallinity and reversibility of the cathodes compared to that of pristine LiMn₂O₄ synthesized by conventional combustion process. The LiMn₂O₄/Li and LiNi_0.5Mn_1.5O₄/Li cells deliver an initial discharge capacity of 110 mA h/g and 122 mA h/g respectively at a current density of 0.05 mA/cm² and when cycled at 0.2 mA/cm², the cells maintain 81% and 96% of their initial discharge capacity respectively even after 20 cycles. On the other hand, at the same current density, LiMn₂O₄ synthesized by conventional combustion process suffers from severe capacity fading (only 37.5% capacity retention after the 25th cycle). The capacity fading rate is found to be very less even at further higher current densities (0.4–0.8 mA/cm²) for both LiMn₂O₄/Li and LiNi_0.5Mn_1.5O₄/Li cells synthesized by the templating process. The present study reveals that high crystallinity along with multi-faceted morphology shows a remarkable enhancement in capacity as well as rate performance of pristine LiMn₂O₄ and its Ni derivative.     

A self-powered β-Ga2O3/CsCu2I3 heterojunction photodiode responding to deep ultraviolet irradiation

In this paper, a lead-free halide perovskite CsCu₂I₃ film with high stability was prepared by the anti-solvent assisted crystallization method. Then, we coupled it with Ga₂O₃ to prepare a corresponding heterojunction deep ultraviolet (UV) photodetector. After testing, we concluded that the photodetector is sensitive to 254 nm UV light. The photodetector has good reproducibility, and has an ultra-high photo-to-dark current ratio (PDCR) of more than 10⁵. In addition, under a bias of 10 V and an illuminated intensity of 200 μW/cm², the responsivity (R) and specific detectivity (D*) reached 20 mA/W and 10⁷ cm Hz^1/2 W⁻¹ (Jones), and the external quantum efficiency (EQE) is 10%. Meanwhile, the prepared photodetector could operate at zero bias, i.e., self-powered operation, along with a photocurrent of about 1 nA under illumination with UV light intensity of 200 μW/cm².     

Highly Strong Interaction between Fe/Fe3C Nanoparticles and N-Doped Carbon toward Enhanced Oxygen Reduction Reaction Performance

Transition metal compounds anchored on N-doped carbon (NC) show intrinsic activity and stability for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). However, the interaction between the transition metal compounds and NC still needs to be strengthened for electron transfer at the compounds/carbon interface. Herein, Fe/Fe₃C hybrid nanoparticles encapsulated into N-doped carbon (Fe@NC) are used as high-performance ORR catalysts. Benefiting from the strong interaction at Fe/Fe₃C nanoparticles/NC interface, the electrons can transfer from Fe/Fe₃C hybrid nanoparticles to NC, redistributing the electron density of active sites and promoting the ORR process. The as-synthesized Fe@NC exhibits outstanding ORR catalytic activity with an onset potential of 1.01 V and a half-wave potential of 0.92 V in alkaline media. It also shows prominent cycling stability and tolerance to methanol crossover, superior to Pt/C catalyst. The theoretical analysis reveals that the Fe nanoparticles have regulated the electron distributions at the heterojunction interface. The Gibbs free energy diagrams for ORR illustrate that the rate-determining step is the conversion of OH* to OH⁻. In situ Raman spectra give evidence of O-containing intermediates to prove the ORR process.     

ZnO nanorods with different morphologies and their field emission properties

ZnO nanorods with different morphologies were grown by changing the temperature of the process using the thermal vapor deposition method without a catalyst. The X-ray diffraction pattern of these nanorods showed a single-crystalline wurtzite structure and a c-axis orientation. The turn-on fields of the pencil-like and normal ZnO nanorods were 1.7 V/μm and 2.2 V/μm at a current density of 0.1 μA/cm², and the emission current density from the ZnO nanorods reached 1 mA/cm² at bias fields of 5.1 V/μm and 7.5 V/μm, respectively. The results indicated that ZnO nanorods could give sufficient brightness as a field emitter in a flat panel display.     

Device linearity improvement and current enhancement utilizing high-to-low doping-channel FETs

We report device linearity improvement and current enhancement in both a heterostructure FET (HFET) and a camel-gate FET (CAMFET) using InGaAs/GaAs high-low and GaAs high-medium-low doped channels, respectively. In an HFET, a low doped GaAs layer was employed to build an excellent Schottky contact. In a GaAs CAMFET, a low doped layer together withn⁺andp⁺layers formed a high-performance majority camel-diode gate. Both exhibit high effective potential barriers of >1.0 V and gate-to-drain breakdown voltages of >20.0 V (atI_g=1.0 mA mm⁻¹). A thin, high doped channel was used to enhance current drivability and to improve the transconductance linearity. A 2×100 μm²HFET had a peak transconductance of 230 mS mm⁻¹and a current density greater than 800 mA mm⁻¹. The device had a transconductance of more than 80 percent of the peak value over a wide drain current range of 200 to 800 mA mm⁻¹. A 1.5×100 μm²CAMFET had a peak transconductance of 220 mS mm⁻¹and a current density greater than 800 mA mm⁻¹. Similarly, the device had a transconductance of more than 80 percent of the peak value over a wide drain current range of 160 to 800 mA mm⁻¹. The improvement of device linearity and the enhancement of current density suggest that high-to-low doped-channel devices for both an HFET and a CAMFET are suitable for high-power large signal circuit applications.