Parametric simulation of the back-surface field effect in the silicon solar cell

Recombination of minority carriers in the solar cell is a major contributing factor in the loss of quantum efficiency and cell power. While the surface recombination is dealt with by depositing a passivation layer of SiO₂ or SiN_x, the bulk recombination is minimized by use of nearly defect-free monocrystalline substrate. In addition, the back-surface field (BSF) effect has been very useful in aiding the separation of free electrons and holes in the bulk. In this study, the key BSF parameters and their effect on the performance of a typical p-type front-lit Si solar cell are investigated by use of Medici, a 2-dimensional device simulator. Of the parameters, the doping concentration of the BSF layer is found to be most significant. That is, for a p-type substrate of 1 × 10¹⁴ cm⁻³ acceptor concentration, the optimum doping concentration of the BSF layer is 1 × 10¹⁸ cm⁻³ or more, and the maximum cell power can be increased by 24%, i.e., 25.4 mW cm⁻² vs. 20.5 mW cm⁻², by using a BSF layer with optimum doping. With regards to the BSF layer thickness, the impact is less. That is, the maximum cell power is about 11% higher at 100 μm than at 5 μm, which translates to an increase of 1.2% μm⁻¹. In practice, therefore, it would be better to rely on the control of the doping concentration than the thickness in maximizing the BSF effect in real Si solar cells.     

The Facile Preparation of PBA-GO-CuO-Modified Electrochemical Biosensor Used for the Measurement of α-Amylase Inhibitors’ Activity

Element doping and nanoparticle decoration of graphene is an effective strategy to fabricate biosensor electrodes for specific biomedical signal detections. In this study, a novel nonenzymatic glucose sensor electrode was developed with copper oxide (CuO) and boron-doped graphene oxide (B-GO), which was firstly used to reveal rhubarb extraction’s inhibitive activity toward α-amylase. The 1-pyreneboronic acid (PBA)-GO-CuO nanocomposite was prepared by a hydrothermal method, and its successful boron doping was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), in which the boron doping rate is unprecedentedly up to 9.6%. The CuO load reaches ~12.5 wt.%. Further electrochemical results showed that in the enlarged cyclic voltammograms diagram, the electron-deficient boron doping sites made it easier for the electron transfer in graphene, promoting the valence transition from CuO to the electrode surface. Moreover, the sensor platform was ultrasensitive to glucose with a detection limit of 0.7 μM and high sensitivity of 906 μA mM⁻¹ cm⁻², ensuring the sensitive monitoring of enzyme activity. The inhibition rate of acarbose, a model inhibitor, is proportional to the logarithm of concentration in the range of 10⁻⁹–10⁻³ M with the correlation coefficient of R² = 0.996, and an ultralow limit of detection of ~1 × 10⁻⁹ M by the developed method using the PBA-GO-CuO electrode. The inhibiting ability of Rhein-8-b-D-glucopyranoside, which is isolated from natural medicines, was also evaluated. The constructed sensor platform was proven to be sensitive and selective as well as cost-effective, facile, and reliable, making it promising as a candidate for α-amylase inhibitor screening.     

Preparation and Electrochemical Performance of Three-Dimensional Vertically Aligned Graphene by Unidirectional Freezing Method

Three-dimensional vertically aligned graphene (3DVAG) was prepared by a unidirectional freezing method, and its electrochemical performances were evaluated as electrode materials for zinc−ion hybrid supercapacitors (ZHSCs). The prepared 3DVAG has a vertically ordered channel structure with a diameter of about 20−30 μm and a length stretching about hundreds of microns. Compared with the random structure of reduced graphene oxide (3DrGO), the vertical structure of 3DVAG in a three−electrode system showed higher specific capacitance, faster ion diffusion, and better rate performance. The specific capacitance of 3DVAG reached 66.6 F·g⁻¹ and the rate performance reached 92.2%. The constructed 3DVAG zinc−ion hybrid supercapacitor also showed excellent electrochemical performance. It showed good capacitance retention up to 94.6% after 3000 cycles at the current density of 2 A·g⁻¹.     

Light Intensity and Photoperiod Affect Growth and Nutritional Quality of Brassica Microgreens

We explored the effects of different light intensities and photoperiods on the growth, nutritional quality and antioxidant properties of two Brassicaceae microgreens (cabbage Brassica oleracea L. and Chinese kale Brassica alboglabra Bailey). There were two experiments: (1) four photosynthetic photon flux densities (PPFD) of 30, 50, 70 or 90 μmoL·m⁻²·s⁻¹ with red:blue:green = 1:1:1 light-emitting diodes (LEDs); (2) five photoperiods of 12, 14, 16, 18 or 20 h·d⁻¹. With the increase of light intensity, the hypocotyl length of cabbage and Chinese kale microgreens shortened. PPFD of 90 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹ was beneficial to improve the nutritional quality of cabbage microgreens, which had higher contents of chlorophyll, carotenoids, soluble sugar, soluble protein and vitamin C, as well as increased antioxidant capacity. The optimal PPFD for Chinese kale microgreens was 70 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹. Increasing light intensity could increase the antioxidant capacity of cabbage and Chinese kale microgreens, while not significantly affecting glucosinolate (GS) content. The dry and fresh weight of cabbage and Chinese kale microgreens were maximized with a 14-h·d⁻¹ photoperiod. The chlorophyll, carotenoid and soluble protein content in cabbage and Chinese kale microgreens were highest for a 16-h·d⁻¹ photoperiod. The lowest total GS content was found in cabbage microgreens under a 12-h·d⁻¹ photoperiod and in Chinese kale microgreens under 16-h·d⁻¹ photoperiod. In conclusion, the photoperiod of 14~16 h·d⁻¹, and 90 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹ and 70 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹ PPFD for cabbage and Chinese kale microgreens, respectively, were optimal for cultivation.     

Theoretical Exploring of a Molecular Mechanism for Melanin Inhibitory Activity of Calycosin in Zebrafish

Tyrosinase is an oxidase that is the rate-limiting enzyme for controlling the production of melanin in the human body. Overproduction of melanin can lead to a variety of skin disorders. Calycosin is an isoflavone from Astragali Radix, which is a traditional Chinese medicine that exhibits several pharmacological activities including skin whitening. In our study, the inhibitory effect of calycosin on melanin production is confirmed in a zebrafish in vivo model by comparing with hydroquinone, kojic acid, and arbutin, known as tyrosinase inhibitors. Moreover, the inhibitory kinetics of calycosin on tyrosinase and their binding mechanisms are determined using molecular docking techniques, molecular dynamic simulations, and free energy analysis. The results indicate that calycosin has an obvious inhibitory effect on zebrafish pigmentation at the concentration of 7.5 μM, 15 μM, and 30 μM. The IC₅₀ of calycosin is 30.35 μM, which is lower than hydroquinone (37.35 μM), kojic acid (6.51 × 10³ μM), and arbutin (3.67 × 10⁴ μM). Furthermore, all the results of molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulations, and free energy analysis suggest that calycosin can directly bind to the active site of tyrosinase with very good binding affinity. The study indicates that the combination of computer molecular modeling and zebrafish in vivo assay would be feasible in confirming the result of the in vitro test and illustrating the target-binding information.     

Dye-sensitized solar cells based on Fe N-heterocyclic carbene photosensitizers with improved rod-like push-pull functionality

A new generation of octahedral iron(ii)–N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes, employing different tridentate C^N^C ligands, has been designed and synthesized as earth-abundant photosensitizers for dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) and related solar energy conversion applications. This work introduces a linearly aligned push–pull design principle that reaches from the ligand having nitrogen-based electron donors, over the Fe(ii) centre, to the ligand having an electron withdrawing carboxylic acid anchor group. A combination of spectroscopy, electrochemistry, and quantum chemical calculations demonstrate the improved molecular excited state properties in terms of a broader absorption spectrum compared to the reference complex, as well as directional charge-transfer displacement of the lowest excited state towards the semiconductor substrate in accordance with the push–pull design. Prototype DSSCs based on one of the new Fe NHC photosensitizers demonstrate a power conversion efficiency exceeding 1% already for a basic DSSC set-up using only the I⁻/I₃⁻ redox mediator and standard operating conditions, outcompeting the corresponding DSSC based on the homoleptic reference complex. Transient photovoltage measurements confirmed that adding the co-sensitizer chenodeoxycholic acid helped in improving the efficiency by increasing the electron lifetime in TiO₂. Time-resolved spectroscopy revealed spectral signatures for successful ultrafast (<100 fs) interfacial electron injection from the heteroleptic dyes to TiO₂. However, an ultrafast recombination process results in undesirable fast charge recombination from TiO₂ back to the oxidized dye, leaving only 5–10% of the initially excited dyes available to contribute to a current in the DSSC. On slower timescales, time-resolved spectroscopy also found that the recombination dynamics (longer than 40 μs) were significantly slower than the regeneration of the oxidized dye by the redox mediator (6–8 μs). Therefore it is the ultrafast recombination down to fs-timescales, between the oxidized dye and the injected electron, that remains as one of the main bottlenecks to be targeted for achieving further improved solar energy conversion efficiencies in future work.

Iron-based photosensitizers for dye-sensitized solar cells with a rod-like push–pull design. Solar cell performance was limited by ultrafast (sub-ps) recombination, but yielded better performance than the homoleptic parent photosensitizer.     

Transfer of polyantimony units

Transfer reagents are useful tools in chemistry to access metastable compounds. The reaction of [Cp′′₂ZrCl₂] with KSb(SiMe₃)₂ leads to the formation of the novel polyantimony triple decker complex [(Cp′′Zr)₂(μ,η^1:1:1:1:1:1-Sb₆)] (1, Cp′′ = 1,3-di-tertbutyl-cyclopentadienyl), containing a chair-like Sb₆⁶⁻ ligand. Compound 1 represents a valuable transfer reagent to form novel antimony ligand complexes. Thus, the reaction of 1 with Cp^R-substituted transition metal halides of nickel, cobalt and iron leads to the formation of a variety of novel Sb_n ligand complexes, such as the cubane-like compounds [(Cp′′′Ni)₄(μ₃-Sb)₄] (2) and [(Cp′′′Co)₄(μ₃-Sb₄)] (3a) or the complexes [(Cp^BnCo)₃(μ₃-Sb)₂] (4) and [(Cp′′′Fe)₃(μ₃-Sb)₂] (5), representing a trigonal bipyramidal structure. Moreover, beside the transfer of Sb₁ units, also the complete entity can be transferred as seen in the iron complex [(Cp′′′Fe)₃(μ_3,η^4:4:4-Sb₆)] (6). DFT calculations shed light on the bonding situation of the products.

The synthesis and characterization of the unique polyantimony complex [(Cp′′Zr)₂(μ,η^1:1:1:1:1:1-Sb₆)] (1) is described. Compound 1 was used as antimony source to transfer Sb_n units to late transition metal fragments [Cp^RM] (M = Fe, Co, Ni).     

Biological Effects on μ-Receptors Affinity and Selectivity of Arylpropenyl Chain Structural Modification on Diazatricyclodecane Derivatives

Opioid analgesics are clinically used to relieve severe pain in acute postoperative and cancer pain, and also in the long term in chronic pain. The analgesic action is mediated by μ-, δ-, and κ-receptors, but currently, with few exceptions for k-agonists, μ-agonists are the only ones used in therapy. Previously synthesized compounds with diazotricyclodecane cores (DTDs) have shown their effectiveness in binding opioid receptors. Fourteen novel diazatricyclodecanes belonging to the 9-propionyl-10-substituted-9,10-diazatricyclo[4.2.1.1^2,5]decane (compounds 20–23, 53, 57 and 59) and 2-propionyl-7-substituted-2,7-diazatricyclo[4.4.0.0^3,8]decane (compounds 24–27, 54, 58 and 60) series, respectively, have been synthesized and their ability to bind to the opioid μ-, δ- and κ-receptors was evaluated. Five of these derivatives, compounds 20, 21, 24, 26 and 53, showed μ-affinity in the nanomolar range with a negligible affinity towards δ- and κ-receptors and high μ-receptor selectivity. The synthesized compounds showed μ-receptor selectivity higher than those of previously reported methylarylcinnamyl analogs.     

Improved Efficiency Roll-Off and Operational Lifetime of Organic Light-Emitting Diodes with a Tetradentate Platinum(II) Complex by Using an n-Doped Electron-Transporting Layer

The efficiency roll-off and operational lifetime of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) with a tetradentate Pt(II) emitter is improved by engaging an n-doped electron-transporting layer (ETL). Compared to those devices with non-doped ETL, the driving voltage is lowered, the charged carrier is balanced, and the exciton density in the emissive layer (EML) is decreased in the device with n-doped ETL with 8-hydroxyquinolinolatolithium (Liq). High luminance of almost 70,000 cd m⁻² and high current efficiency of 40.5 cd A⁻¹ at high luminance of 10,000 cd m⁻² is achieved in the device with 50 wt%-Liq-doped ETL. More importantly, the extended operational lifetime of 1945 h is recorded at the initial luminance of 1000 cd m⁻² in the 50 wt%-Liq-doped device, which is longer than that of the device with non-doped ETL by almost 10 times. This result manifests the potential application of tetradentate Pt(II) complexes in the OLED industry.     

A Cd(II) Luminescent Coordination Grid as a Multiresponsive Fluorescence Sensor for Cr(VI) Oxyanions and Cr(III), Fe(III), and Al(III) in Aqueous Medium

Hydro(solvo)thermal reactions of Cd(NO₃)₂, N-(pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-4-(pyridin-4-yl)-1,8-naphthalimide (NI-mbpy-34), and 5-bromobenzene-1,3-dicarboxylic acid (Br-1,3-H₂bdc) afforded a luminescent coordination polymer, {[Cd(Br-1,3-bdc)(NI-mbpy-34)(H₂O)]∙2H₂O}_n (1). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis showed that 1 features a two-dimensional (2-D) gridlike sql layer with the point symbol of (4⁴·6²), where the Cd(II) center adopts a {CdO₅N₂} pentagonal bipyramidal geometry. Thermogravimetric (TG) analysis confirmed the thermal stability of 1 up to about 340 °C, whereas XRPD patterns proved the maintenance of crystallinity and framework integrity of 1 in CH₂Cl₂, H₂O, CH₃OH, and toluene. Photoluminescence studies indicated that 1 displayed intense blue fluorescence emissions in both solid-state and H₂O suspension-phase. Owing to the good fluorescent properties, 1 could serve as an excellent turn-off fluorescence sensor for selective and sensitive Cr(VI) detection in water, with LOD = 15.15 μM for CrO₄²⁻ and 14.91 μM for Cr₂O₇²⁻, through energy competition absorption mechanism. In addition, 1 could also sensitively detect Cr³⁺, Fe³⁺, and Al³⁺ ions in aqueous medium via fluorescence-enhancement responses, with LOD = 2.81 μM for Cr³⁺, 3.82 μM for Fe³⁺, and 3.37 μM for Al³⁺, mainly through an absorbance-caused enhancement (ACE) mechanism.     

Properties of Banana (Cavendish spp.) Starch Film Incorporated with Banana Peel Extract and Its Application

The objective of this study was to develop an active banana starch film (BSF) incorporated with banana peel extract. We compared the film’s properties with commercial wrap film (polyvinyl chloride; PVC). Moreover, a comparison of the quality of minced pork wrapped during refrigerated storage (7 days at ±4 °C) was also performed. The BSF with different concentrations of banana peel extract (0, 1, 3, and 5 (%, w/v)) showed low mechanical properties (tensile strength (TS): 4.43–31.20 MPa and elongation at break (EAB): 9.66–15.63%) and water vapor permeability (3.74–11.0 × 10⁻¹⁰ g mm/sm² Pa). The BSF showed low film solubility (26–41%), but excellent barrier properties to UV light. The BSF had a thickness range of 0.030–0.047 mm, and color attributes were: L* = 49.6–51.1, a* = 0.21–0.43, b* = 1.26–1.49. The BSF incorporated with banana peel extracts 5 (%, w/v) showed the highest radical scavenging activity (97.9%) and inhibitory activity of E. coli O157: H7. The BSF showed some properties comparable to the commercial PVC wrap film. Changes in qualities of minced pork were determined for 7 days during storage at ±4 °C. It was found that thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) of the sample wrapped with the BSF decreased compared to that wrapped with the PVC. The successful inhibition of lipid oxidation in the minced pork was possible with the BSF. The BSF incorporated with banana peel extract could maintain the quality of minced pork in terms of oxidation retardation.     

Application of Bar Adsorptive Microextraction for the Determination of Levels of Tricyclic Antidepressants in Urine Samples

This work entailed the development, optimization, validation, and application of a novel analytical approach, using the bar adsorptive microextraction technique (BAμE), for the determination of the six most common tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs; amitriptyline, mianserin, trimipramine, imipramine, mirtazapine and dosulepin) in urine matrices. To achieve this goal, we employed, for the first time, new generation microextraction devices coated with convenient sorbent phases, polymers and novel activated carbons prepared from biomaterial waste, in combination with large-volume-injection gas chromatography-mass spectrometry operating in selected-ion monitoring mode (LVI-GC-MS(SIM)). Preliminary assays on sorbent coatings, showed that the polymeric phases present a much more effective performance, as the tested biosorbents exhibited low efficiency for application in microextraction techniques. By using BAμE coated with C₁₈ polymer, under optimized experimental conditions, the detection limits achieved for the six TCAs ranged from 0.2 to 1.6 μg L⁻¹ and, weighted linear regressions resulted in remarkable linearity (r² > 0.9960) between 10.0 and 1000.0 μg L⁻¹. The developed analytical methodology (BAμE(C18)/LVI-GC-MS(SIM)) provided suitable matrix effects (90.2–112.9%, RSD ≤ 13.9%), high recovery yields (92.3–111.5%, RSD ≤ 12.3%) and a remarkable overall process efficiency (ranging from 84.9% to 124.3%, RSD ≤ 13.9%). The developed and validated methodology was successfully applied for screening the six TCAs in real urine matrices. The proposed analytical methodology proved to be an eco-user-friendly approach to monitor trace levels of TCAs in complex urine matrices and an outstanding analytical alternative in comparison with other microextraction-based techniques.     

Thermodynamic Assessment of a Solar-Driven Integrated Membrane Reactor for Ethanol Steam Reforming

To efficiently convert and utilize intermittent solar energy, a novel solar-driven ethanol steam reforming (ESR) system integrated with a membrane reactor is proposed. It has the potential to convert low-grade solar thermal energy into high energy level chemical energy. Driven by chemical potential, hydrogen permeation membranes (HPM) can separate the generated hydrogen and shift the ESR equilibrium forward to increase conversion and thermodynamic efficiency. The thermodynamic and environmental performances are analyzed via numerical simulation under a reaction temperature range of 100–400 °C with permeate pressures of 0.01–0.75 bar. The highest theoretical conversion rate is 98.3% at 100 °C and 0.01 bar, while the highest first-law efficiency, solar-to-fuel efficiency, and exergy efficiency are 82.3%, 45.3%, and 70.4% at 215 °C and 0.20 bar. The standard coal saving rate (SCSR) and carbon dioxide reduction rate (CDRR) are maximums of 101 g·m⁻²·h⁻¹ and 247 g·m⁻²·h⁻¹ at 200 °C and 0.20 bar with a hydrogen generation rate of 22.4 mol·m⁻²·h⁻¹. This study illustrates the feasibility of solar-driven ESR integrated with a membrane reactor and distinguishes a novel approach for distributed hydrogen generation and solar energy utilization and upgradation.     

Molecularly Imprinted Silica-Coated CdTe Quantum Dots for Fluorometric Determination of Trace Chloramphenicol

A dual recognition system with a fluorescence quenching of quantum dots (QDs) and specific recognition of molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) for the detection of chloramphenicol (CAP) was constructed. MIP@SiO₂@QDs was prepared by reverse microemulsion method with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTS), tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) and QDs being used as the functional monomer, cross-linker and signal sources, respectively. MIP can specifically recognize CAP, and the fluorescence of QDs can be quenched by CAP due to the photo-induced electron transfer reaction between CAP and QDs. Thus, a method for the trace detection of CAP based on MIP@SiO₂@QDs fluorescence quenching was established. The fluorescence quenching efficiency of MIP@SiO₂@QDs displayed a desirable linear response to the concentration of CAP in the range of 1.00~4.00 × 10² μmol × L⁻¹, and the limit of detection was 0.35 μmol × L⁻¹ (3σ, n = 9). Importantly, MIP@SiO₂@QDs presented good detection selectivity owing to specific recognition for CAP, and was successfully applied to quantify CAP in lake water with the recovery ranging 102.0~104.0%, suggesting this method has the promising potential for the on-site detection of CAP in environmental waters.     

Actinide arene-metalates: ion pairing effects on the electronic structure of unsupported uranium–arenide sandwich complexes

Addition of [UI₂(THF)₃(μ-OMe)]₂·THF (2·THF) to THF solutions containing 6 equiv. of K[C₁₄H₁₀] generates the heteroleptic dimeric complexes [K(18-crown-6)(THF)₂]₂[U(η⁶-C₁₄H₁₀)(η⁴-C₁₄H₁₀)(μ-OMe)]₂·4THF (118C6·4THF) and {[K(THF)₃][U(η⁶-C₁₄H₁₀)(η⁴-C₁₄H₁₀)(μ-OMe)]}₂ (1THF) upon crystallization of the products in THF in the presence or absence of 18-crown-6, respectively. Both 118C6·4THF and 1THF are thermally stable in the solid-state at room temperature; however, after crystallization, they become insoluble in THF or DME solutions and instead gradually decompose upon standing. X-ray diffraction analysis reveals 118C6·4THF and 1THF to be structurally similar, possessing uranium centres sandwiched between bent anthracenide ligands of mixed tetrahapto and hexahapto ligation modes. Yet, the two complexes are distinguished by the close contact potassium-arenide ion pairing that is seen in 1THF but absent in 118C6·4THF, which is observed to have a significant effect on the electronic characteristics of the two complexes. Structural analysis, SQUID magnetometry data, XANES spectral characterization, and computational analyses are generally consistent with U(iv) formal assignments for the metal centres in both 118C6·4THF and 1THF, though noticeable differences are detected between the two species. For instance, the effective magnetic moment of 1THF (3.74 μ_B) is significantly lower than that of 118C6·4THF (4.40 μ_B) at 300 K. Furthermore, the XANES data shows the U L_III-edge absorption energy for 1THF to be 0.9 eV higher than that of 118C6·4THF, suggestive of more oxidized metal centres in the former. Of note, CASSCF calculations on the model complex {[U(η⁶-C₁₄H₁₀)(η⁴-C₁₄H₁₀)(μ-OMe)]₂}²⁻ (1*) shows highly polarized uranium–arenide interactions defined by π-type bonds where the metal contributions are primarily comprised by the 6d-orbitals (7.3 ± 0.6%) with minor participation from the 5f-orbitals (1.5 ± 0.5%). These unique complexes provide new insights into actinide–arenide bonding interactions and show the sensitivity of the electronic structures of the uranium atoms to coordination sphere effects.

Use of Chatt metal-arene protocols with uranium leads to the synthesis of the first well-characterized, unsupported actinide–arenide sandwich complexes. The electronic structures of the actinide centres show a key sensitivity to ion pairing effects.     

Composite Polybenzimidazole Membrane with High Capacity Retention for Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries

Currently, energy storage technologies are becoming essential in the transition of replacing fossil fuels with more renewable electricity production means. Among storage technologies, redox flow batteries (RFBs) can represent a valid option due to their unique characteristic of decoupling energy storage from power output. To push RFBs further into the market, it is essential to include low-cost materials such as new generation membranes with low ohmic resistance, high transport selectivity, and long durability. This work proposes a composite membrane for vanadium RFBs and a method of preparation. The membrane was prepared starting from two polymers, meta-polybenzimidazole (6 μm) and porous polypropylene (30 μm), through a gluing approach by hot-pressing. In a vanadium RFB, the composite membrane exhibited a high energy efficiency (~84%) and discharge capacity (~90%) with a 99% capacity retention over 90 cycles at 120 mA·cm⁻², exceeding commercial Nafion^® NR212 (~82% efficiency, capacity drop from 90% to 40%) and Fumasep^® FAP-450 (~76% efficiency, capacity drop from 80 to 65%).     

Mixed lead–tin perovskite films with >7 μs charge carrier lifetimes realized by maltol post-treatment

Mixed lead–tin (Pb–Sn) halide perovskites with optimum band gaps near 1.3 eV are promising candidates for next-generation solar cells. However, the performance of solar cells fabricated with Pb–Sn perovskites is restricted by the facile oxidation of Sn(ii) to Sn(iv), which induces self-doping. Maltol, a naturally occurring flavor enhancer and strong metal binding agent, was found to effectively suppress Sn(iv) formation and passivate defects in mixed Pb–Sn perovskite films. When used in combination with Sn(iv) scavenging, the maltol surface treatment led to high-quality perovskite films which showed enhanced photoluminescence intensities and charge carrier lifetimes in excess of 7 μs. The scavenging and surface treatments resulted in highly reproducible solar cell devices, with photoconversion efficiencies of up to 21.4% under AM1.5G illumination.

Maltol, a metal binding agent, effectively passivates defects on the surface of mixed lead–tin perovskite films. The carrier lifetimes of the resultant perovskite films are over 7 μs. The solar cell devices exhibit efficiencies of up to 21.4%.     

Efficient Photoelectrochemical Energy Conversion using Spinach Photosystem II (PSII) in Lipid Multilayer Films

The need for clean, renewable energy has fostered research into photovoltaic alternatives to silicon solar cells. Pigment–protein complexes in green plants convert light energy into chemical potential using redox processes that produce molecular oxygen. Here, we report the first use of spinach protein photosystem II (PSII) core complex in lipid films in photoelectrochemical devices. Photocurrents were generated from PSII in a ∼2 μm biomimetic dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) film on a pyrolytic graphite (PG) anode with PSII embedded in multiple lipid bilayers. The photocurrent was ∼20 μA cm⁻² under light intensity 40 mW cm⁻². The PSII–DMPC anode was used in a photobiofuel cell with a platinum black mesh cathode in perchloric acid solution to give an output voltage of 0.6 V and a maximum output power of 14 μW cm⁻². Part of this large output is related to a five-unit anode–cathode pH gradient. With catholytes at higher pH or no perchlorate, or using an MnO₂ oxygen-reduction cathode, the power output was smaller. The results described raise the possibility of using PSII–DMPC films in small portable power conversion devices.     

Optimizing the quasi-equilibrium state of hot carriers in all-inorganic lead halide perovskite nanocrystals through Mn doping: fundamental dynamics and device perspectives

Hot carrier (HC) cooling accounts for the significant energy loss in lead halide perovskite (LHP) solar cells. Here, we study HC relaxation dynamics in Mn-doped LHP CsPbI₃ nanocrystals (NCs), combining transient absorption spectroscopy and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. We demonstrate that Mn²⁺ doping (1) enlarges the longitudinal optical (LO)–acoustic phonon bandgap, (2) enhances the electron–LO phonon coupling strength, and (3) adds HC relaxation pathways via Mn orbitals within the bands. The spectroscopic study shows that the HC cooling process is decelerated after doping under band-edge excitation due to the dominant phonon bandgap enlargement. When the excitation photon energy is larger than the optical bandgap and the Mn²⁺ transition gap, the doping accelerates the cooling rate owing to the dominant effect of enhanced carrier–phonon coupling and relaxation pathways. We demonstrate that such a phenomenon is optimal for the application of hot carrier solar cells. The enhanced electron–LO phonon coupling and accelerated cooling of high-temperature hot carriers efficiently establish a high-temperature thermal quasi-equilibrium where the excessive energy of the hot carriers is transferred to heat the cold carriers. On the other hand, the enlarged phononic band-gap prevents further cooling of such a quasi-equilibrium, which facilitates the energy conversion process. Our results manifest a straightforward methodology to optimize the HC dynamics for hot carrier solar cells by element doping.

Mn doping modulates the hot carrier dynamics in all-inorganic lead halide perovskite nanocrystals according to the excitation energy.     

Investigation of a‐Si (N+)/c‐Si (P) hetero‐junction solar cell through AFORS‐HET simulation

In this paper, a TCO/a‐Si(N⁺)/a‐Si(i)/c‐Si(P)/Al‐BSF(P⁺) structure hetero‐junction (HJ) cell model is developed. With AFORS‐HET V3.0, we investigate the influence of amorphous silicon (a‐Si) emitter and amorphous silicon (a‐Si)/crystalline silicon (c‐Si) interface defects on the HJ cell performance. Through modulating a‐Si(N⁺) emitter doping concentration and band offset at a‐Si/c‐Si interface, a maximum width value of 103 nm inversion layer is observed in the c‐Si(P) side. For 1 Ω.cm c‐Si (P) substrate, emitter doping of over 1 × 10²⁰ cm^?3 is necessary for achieving a high‐efficiency a‐Si/c‐Si HJ cell. Furthermore, defects at a‐Si(N⁺)/c‐Si(P) interface severely affect the open circuit voltage (Voc) and short circuit current density (Jsc) of the cell. Meanwhile, simulation indicates that Voc is more sensitive to interface defect density (Dit) than Jsc. A thin a‐Si(i) layer between a‐Si(N⁺) and c‐Si(P) does induce great improvement in Voc of TCO/a‐Si(N⁺)/a‐Si(i)/c‐Si(P)/Al‐BSF(P⁺) cell. As a result, high cell efficiency of 22.27% is achieved for a‐Si(N⁺)/c‐Si(P) HJ Cell with optimized parameters. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.