Photodeposition of CoOx nanoparticles on BiFeO3 nanodisk for efficiently piezocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B by utilizing ultrasonic vibration energy

Piezoelectric materials have received much attention due to their great potential in environmental remediation by utilizing vibrational energy. In this paper, a novel piezoelectric catalyst, CoO_x nanoparticles anchored BiFeO₃ nanodisk composite, was intentionally synthesized via a photodeposition method and applied in piezocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) under ultrasonic vibration. The as-synthesized CoO_x/BiFeO₃ composite presents high piezocatalytic efficiency and stability. The RhB degradation rate is determined to be 1.29 h⁻¹, which is 2.38 folds higher than that of pure BiFeO₃. Via optimizing the reaction conditions, the piezocatalytic degradation rate of the CoO_x/BiFeO₃ can be further increased to 3.20 h⁻¹. A thorough characterization was implemented to investigate the structure, piezoelectric property, and charge separation efficiency of the CoO_x/BiFeO₃ to reveal the nature behind the high piezocatalytic activity. It is found that the CoO_x nanoparticles are tightly adhered and uniformly dispersed on the surface of the BiFeO₃ nanodisks. Strong interaction between CoO_x and BiFeO₃ triggers the formation of a heterojunction structure, which further induces the migration of the piezoinduced holes on the BiFeO₃ to CoO_x nanoparticles. The recombination of electron-hole pairs is retarded, thereby increasing the piezocatalytic performance greatly. This work may offer a new paradigm for the design of high-efficiency piezoelectric catalysts.     

A self-powered and sensitive terahertz photodetection based on PdSe2

With the rapid development of terahertz technology, terahertz detectors are expected to play a key role in diverse areas such as homeland security and imaging, materials diagnostics, biology, medical sciences, and communication. Whereas self-powered, rapid response, and room temperature terahertz photodetectors are confronted with huge challenges. Here, we report a novel rapid response and self-powered terahertz photothermoelectronic (PTE) photodetector based on a low-dimensional material: palladium selenide (PdSe₂). An order of magnitude performance enhancement was observed in photodetection based on PdSe₂/graphene heterojunction that resulted from the integration of graphene and enhanced the Seebeck effect. Under 0.1-THz and 0.3-THz irradiations, the device displays a stable and repeatable photoresponse at room temperature without bias. Furthermore, rapid rise (5.0 μs) and decay (5.4 μs) times are recorded under 0.1-THz irradiation. Our results demonstrate the promising prospect of the detector based on PdSe₂ in terms of air-stable, suitable sensitivity and speed, which may have great application in terahertz detection.     

Effect of oxygen on regulation of properties of moderately boron-doped diamond films

Regulation of oxygen on properties of moderately boron-doped diamond films is fully investigated. Results show that, with adding a small amount of oxygen (oxygen-to-carbon ratio < 5.0%), the crystal quality of diamond is improved, and a suppression effect of residual nitrogen is observed. With increasing ratio of O/C from 2.5% to 20.0%, the hole concentration is firstly increased then reduced. This change of hole concentration is also explained. Moreover, the results of Hall effect measurement with temperatures from 300 K to 825 K show that, with adding a small amount of oxygen, boron and oxygen complex structures (especially B₃O and B₄O) are formed and exhibit as shallow donor in diamond, which results in increase of donor concentration. With further increase of ratio of O/C, the inhibitory behaviors of oxygen on boron leads to decrease of acceptor concentration (the optical emission spectroscopy has shown that it is decreased with ratio of O/C more than 10.0%). This work demonstrates that oxygen-doping induced increasement of the crystalline and surface quality could be restored by the co-doping with oxygen. The technique could achieve boron-doped diamond films with both high quality and acceptable hole concentration, which is applicable to electronic level of usage.     

Evaluation of Charged Defect Energy in Two-Dimensional Semiconductors for Nanoelectronics: The WLZ Extrapolation Method

Defects play a central role in controlling the electronic properties of two-dimensional (2D) materials and realizing the industrialization of 2D electronics. However, the evaluation of charged defects in 2D materials within first-principles calculation is very challenging and has triggered a recent development of the WLZ (Wang, Li, Zhang) extrapolation method. This method lays the foundation of the theoretical evaluation of energies of charged defects in 2D materials within the first-principles framework. Herein, the vital role of defects for advancing 2D electronics is discussed, followed by an introduction of the fundamentals of the WLZ extrapolation method. The ionization energies (IEs) obtained by this method for defects in various 2D semiconductors are then reviewed and summarized. Finally, the unique defect physics in 2D dimensions including the dielectric environment effects, defect ionization process, and carrier transport mechanism captured with the WLZ extrapolation method are presented. As an efficient and reasonable evaluation of charged defects in 2D materials for nanoelectronics and other emerging applications, this work can be of benefit to the community.     

Recent Advances in Spatial Self-Phase Modulation with 2D Materials and its Applications

In recent years, spatial self-phase modulation (SSPM) with two-dimensional (2D) materials has attracted the attention of many researchers as an emerging and ubiquitous nonlinear optical effect. In this review, the state of the art of 2D material-based SSPM is summarized. SSPM measures or tunes the nonlinearity of 2D materials, and it is also an effective approach to study the band structure of 2D materials. Several modified forms of SSPM, such as high-order, white-light-excited, vector field excited, and optically nonlinearly enhanced SSPM are also presented. Subsequently, the physical origin of the SSPM formation mechanism is compared and analyzed. Furthermore, the applications of SSPM with 2D materials, including passive photonic devices, generation of Bessel beams, and identifying the mode of the orbital angular momentum, are listed. Finally, several urgent problems of the SSPM with 2D materials, potential applications, and prospects for future development are presented.     

环境规制强度影响能源效率的门槛效应研究——基于PSTR模型

利用非径向-SBM和CCR模型测算了我国30个省市(暂不包括西藏和港澳台地区)2007-2016年间的环境规制强度以及能源效率,构建面板平滑转移回归模型(PSTR),分析了环境规制强度对我国能源效率的连续非线性变化的影响.研究结果显示,全国环境规制强度对我国能源效率存在非线性效应,二者之间呈倒“U”型关系.环境规制强度小于门槛值0.6376时,环境规制对能源效率产生创新补偿效应,当环境规制强度高于门槛值0.6376时,环境规制对能源效率产生遵循成本效应.而我国东西部地区的环境规制强度与地区能源效率间却存在着与之相反的“U”型效应.     

Palladium-Catalyzed Chlorocarbonylation of Aryl (Pseudo)Halides Through In Situ Generation of Carbon Monoxide

An efficient palladium-catalyzed chlorocarbonylation of aryl (pseudo)halides that gives access to a wide range of carboxylic acid derivatives has been developed. The use of butyryl chloride as a combined CO and Cl source eludes the need for toxic, gaseous carbon monoxide, thus facilitating the synthesis of high-value products from readily available aryl (pseudo)halides. The combination of palladium(0), Xantphos, and an amine base is essential to promote this broadly applicable catalytic reaction. Overall, this reaction provides access to a great variety of carbonyl-containing products through in situ transformation of the generated aroyl chloride. Combined experimental and computational studies support a reaction mechanism involving in situ generation of CO.     

Pattern formation in a variable diffusion predator–prey model with additive Allee effect

This paper deals with a variable diffusion predator–prey model with additive Allee effect. A good understanding of the existence of steady states is gained for the case  $\sigma =0$. The result shows that the reduce problem has multiple solutions. Moreover, by applying the singular perturbation method, we give a proof of existence of large amplitude solutions when  $\sigma$ is sufficiently small.