SnS-quantum dot solar cells using novel TiC counter electrode and organic redox couples

Low-cost quantum-dot sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs) were fabricated by using the earth-abundant element SnS quantum dot, novel TiC counter electrodes, and the organic disulfide/thiolate (T(2)/T(-)) redox couple, and reached an efficiency of 1.03?%. QDSSCs based on I(-)/I(3)(-), T(2)/T(-), and S(2-)/S(x)(2-) redox couples were assembled to study the role of the redox couples in the regeneration of sensitizers. Charge-extraction results reveal the reasons for the difference in J(SC) in three QDSSCs based on I(-)/I(3)(-), T(2)/T(-), and S(2-)/S(x)(2-) redox couples. The catalytic selectivity of TiC and Pt towards T(2)/T(-) and I(-)/I(3)(-) redox couples was investigated using Tafel polarization and electrochemical impedance analysis. These results indicated that Pt and TiC show a similar catalytic selectivity for I(-)/I(3)(-). However, TiC possesses better catalytic activity for T(2)/T(-) than for I(-)/I(3)(-). These results indicate the great potential of transition metal carbide materials and organic redox couples used in QDSSCs.     

CdSe量子点敏化纳米二氧化钛太阳电池的电化学交流阻抗谱

量子点敏化纳米TiO2太阳电池(QDSSCs)具有诱人的发展前景,但是与传统的染料敏化太阳电池(DSSCs)相比,其目前的光电转换效率还非常低(仅为3%左右).为了寻找QDSSCs光电转换效率低的原因,本文主要采用外加偏压下的交流阻抗谱技术对通常以S2-/S-x离子对为电解质的CdSe胶体量子点敏化纳米TiO2电极的准...     

Low‐Spin Pseudotetrahedral Iron(I) Sites in Fe2(μ‐S) Complexes

Fe^I centers in iron–sulfide complexes have little precedent in synthetic chemistry despite a growing interest in the possible role of unusually low valent iron in metalloenzymes that feature iron–sulfur clusters. A series of three diiron [(L₃Fe)₂(μ‐S)] complexes that were isolated and characterized in the low‐valent oxidation states Fe^II? S? Fe^II, Fe^II? S? Fe^I, and Fe^I? S? Fe^I is described. This family of iron sulfides constitutes a unique redox series comprising three nearly isostructural but electronically distinct Fe₂(μ‐S) species. Combined structural, magnetic, and spectroscopic studies provided strong evidence that the pseudotetrahedral iron centers undergo a transition to low‐spin S=1/2 states upon reduction from Fe^II to Fe^I. The possibility of accessing low‐spin, pseudotetrahedral Fe^I sites compatible with S^2? as a ligand was previously unknown.     

Controlled Redox Chemistry at Cerium within a Tripodal Nitroxide Ligand Framework

Ligand reorganization has been shown to have a profound effect on the outcome of cerium redox chemistry. Through the use of a tethered, tripodal, trianionic nitroxide ligand, [((2‐tBuNOH)C₆H₄CH₂)₃N]^3? (TriNO_x^3?), controlled redox chemistry at cerium was accomplished, and typically reactive complexes of tetravalent cerium were isolated. These included rare cationic complexes [Ce(TriNO_x)thf][BAr^F₄], in which Ar^F=3,5‐(CF₃)₂‐C₆H₃, and [Ce(TriNO_x)py][OTf]. A rare complete Ce–halide series, Ce(TriNO_x)X, in which X=F^?, Cl^?, Br^?, I^?, was also synthesized. The solution chemistry of these complexes was explored through detailed solution‐phase electrochemistry and ¹H NMR experiments and showed a unique shift in the ratio of species with inner‐ and outer‐sphere anions with size of the anionic X^? group. DFT calculations on the series of calculations corroborated the experimental findings.     

Efficient Visible‐Light‐Driven Z‐Scheme Overall Water Splitting Using a MgTa2O6−xNy /TaON Heterostructure Photocatalyst for H2 Evolution

An (oxy)nitride‐based heterostructure for powdered Z‐scheme overall water splitting is presented. Compared with the single MgTa₂O_6?xN_y or TaON photocatalyst, a MgTa₂O_6?xN_y /TaON heterostructure fabricated by a simple one‐pot nitridation route was demonstrated to effectively suppress the recombination of carriers by efficient spatial charge separation and decreased defect density. By employing Pt‐loaded MgTa₂O_6?xN_y /TaON as a H₂‐evolving photocatalyst, a Z‐scheme overall water splitting system with an apparent quantum efficiency (AQE) of 6.8 % at 420 nm was constructed (PtO_x‐WO₃ and IO₃^?/I^? pairs were used as an O₂‐evolving photocatalyst and a redox mediator, respectively), the activity of which is circa 7 or 360 times of that using Pt‐TaON or Pt‐MgTa₂O_6?xN_y as a H₂‐evolving photocatalyst, respectively. To the best of our knowledge, this is the highest AQE among the powdered Z‐scheme overall water splitting systems ever reported.     

A Dual Plating Battery with the Iodine/[ZnIx(OH2)4−x]2−x Cathode

Plating battery electrodes typically deliver higher specific capacity values than insertion or conversion electrodes because the ion charge carriers represent the sole electrode active mass, and a host electrode is unnecessary. However, reversible plating electrodes are rare for electronically insulating nonmetals. Now, a highly reversible iodine plating cathode is presented that operates on the redox couples of I₂/[ZnI_x(OH₂)_4?x]^2?x in a water‐in‐salt electrolyte. The iodine plating cathode with the theoretical capacity of 211 mAh g^?1 plates on carbon fiber paper as the current collector, delivering a large areal capacity of 4 mAh cm^?2. Tunable femtosecond stimulated Raman spectroscopy coupled with DFT calculations elucidate a series of [ZnI_x(OH₂)_4?x]^2?x superhalide ions serving as iodide vehicles in the electrolyte, which eliminates most free iodide ions, thus preventing the consequent dissolution of the cathode‐plated iodine as triiodides.     

Regulating Fast Anionic Redox for High‐Voltage Aqueous Hydrogen‐Ion‐based Energy Storage

The ionic conductivity and small size of the hydrogen ion make it an ideal charge carrier for hydrogen‐ion energy storage (HES); however, high‐voltage two‐electrode configurations are difficult to construct as the result of the lack of efficient cathodic energy storage. Herein, the high potential fast anionic redox at the cathode of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) was applied by introducing redox additive electrolytes. By coupling the storing hydrogen ion in the Ti₃C₂T_x at the anode, a HES with a voltage of 1.8 V and a plateau voltage at 1.2 V was constructed. Compared with 2.2 Wh kg^?1 for the low‐voltage Ti₃C₂T_x//Ti₃C₂T_x, the specific energy of asymmetric rGO//Ti₃C₂T_x reaches 34.4 Wh kg^?1. Furthermore, it possesses an energy density of 23.7 Wh kg^?1 at high power density of 22.5 kW kg^?1. Thus, this study provides a novel guideline for constructing high‐voltage fast HES full cells.     

Chemoselective Hydrogenation of Nitroaromatics at the Nanoscale Iron(III)–OH–Platinum Interface

Catalytic hydrogenation of nitroaromatics is an environment‐benign strategy to produce industrially important aniline intermediates. Herein, we report that Fe(OH)_x deposition on Pt nanocrystals to give Fe(OH)_x/Pt, enables the selective hydrogenation of nitro groups into amino groups without hydrogenating other functional groups on the aromatic ring. The unique catalytic behavior is identified to be associated with the Fe^III‐OH‐Pt interfaces. While H₂ activation occurs on exposed Pt atoms to ensure the high activity, the high selectivity towards the production of substituted aniline originates from the Fe^III‐OH‐Pt interfaces. In situ IR, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and isotope effect studies reveal that the Fe³⁺/Fe²⁺ redox couple facilitates the hydrodeoxygenation of the ‐NO₂ group during hydrogenation catalysis. Benefitting from Fe^III‐OH‐Pt interfaces, the Fe(OH)_x/Pt catalysts exhibit high catalytic performance towards a broad range of substituted nitroarenes.     

Efficient Counter Electrode Manufactured from Ag2S Nanocrystal Ink for Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells

It is generally believed that silver or silver‐based compounds are not suitable counter electrode (CE) materials for dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) due to the corrosion of the I^?/I₃^? redox couple in electrolytes. However, Ag₂S has potential applications in DSSCs for catalyzing I₃^? reduction reactions because of its high carrier concentration and tiny solubility product constant. In the present work, CE manufactured from Ag₂S nanocrystals ink exhibited efficient electrocatalytic activity in the reduction of I₃^? to I^? in DSSCs. The DSSC consisting of Ag₂S CE displayed a higher power conversion efficiency of 8.40 % than that of Pt CE (8.11 %). Moreover, the devices also showed the characteristics of fast activity onset, high multiple start/stop capability and good irradiated stability. The simple composition, easy preparation, stable chemical property, and good catalytic performance make the developed Ag₂S CE as a promising alternative to Pt CE in DSSCs.     

Darstellung und Schwingungsspektren von trans-[Pt(acac)2X2] (X  Cl,Br, I,SCN, SeCN,N3)

Preparation and Vibrational Spectra of trans-[Pt(acac)₂X₂] (X ? Cl, Br, I, SCN, SeCN, N₃) By electrolytical oxidation of [Pt(acac)₂] in presence of chloride or bromide, dissolved in dichlormethane, trans-[Pt(acac)₂X₂], X ? Cl, Br, are formed. On treatment of trans-[Pt(acac)₂I₂] with silver pseudohalides trans-[Pt(acac)₂X₂], X ? SCN, SeCN, N₃, are obtained. Beside the nearly persistent bands of coordinated acetylacetonate in the Raman spectra the intensive and sharp symmetric, in the IR spectra the corresponding antisymmetric stretching vibration of the X? Pt? X axis is observed. The observance of the rule of mutual exclusion proves the complexes to belong to point group D_2h. From the resonance Raman spectrum of trans-[Pt(acac)₂I₂] for v_s (Pt? I), A_g, the harmonic frequency ω₁ = 142.45 cm^?1 and the inharmonicity constant x₁₁ = 0.48 cm^?1 is calculated. In the Raman spectrum of trans-[Pt(acac)₂Cl₂] v_s (Pt? Cl) is splitted by the isotops ³⁵Cl/³⁷Cl into the triplet 340, 335, 330 cm^?1 giving the force constant f_PtCl = 2.01 N/cm.     

Thermochemical properties from G3MP2B3 calculations,Set‐2: Free radicals with special consideration of CH2CH?C•CH2, cyclo−•C5H5, •CH2OOH,HO?•CO,and HC(O)O•

After a set of 32 free radicals was presented (Int J Chem Kin 34, 550–560, 2002), an additional 60 free radicals (Set‐2) were studied and characterized by energy minimum structures, harmonic vibrational wave numbers ω_e, moments of inertia I_A, I_B, and I_C, heat capacities C^o_p(T), standard entropies S^o(T), thermal energy contents H^o(T) ? H^o(0), and standard enthalpies of formation Δ_fH^o(T) at the G3MP2B3 level of theory. Thermodynamic functions at T = 298.15 K are presented and compared with recent experimental values where these are available. The mean absolute deviation between calculated and experimental Δ_fH^o(298.15) values by the previous set of 32 radicals is 3.91 kJ mol^?1. For the sake of comparison, only 49 species out of the 60 radicals of Set‐2 are characterized by experimental enthalpies of formation, and the corresponding mean absolute deviation between calculated and experimental Δ_fH^o(298.15) values is 8.96 kJ mol^?1. This situation is cause for demand of more and also more accurate experimental values. In addition to the above properties, parent molecules of a large set of the respective radicals are calculated to obtain bond dissociation energies D^o(298.15). Radical stabilization owing to resonance is discussed using the complete sets of total atomic spin densities ρ as a support. In particular, a short review about recent developments of the first‐order Jahn–Teller radical c‐C₅H₅^? is presented. In addition, radicals with negative bond energies are described, such as ^?CH₂OOH where the reaction path to CH₂O + HO^? has been calculated, as well as radicals which have two different parent molecules, for example C?N? O^?. For the reaction HO^? + CO → H^? + CO₂, two reaction paths are characterized by a total of 14 stationary points where the intermediate radicals HO? ^?CO and HC(O)O^? are involved. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 36: 661–686, 2004     

Electronic Structure Modulation in an Exceptionally Stable Non‐Heme Nitrosyl Iron(II) Spin‐Crossover Complex

The highly stable nitrosyl iron(II) mononuclear complex [Fe(bztpen)(NO)](PF₆)₂ (bztpen=N‐benzyl‐N,N′,N′‐tris(2‐pyridylmethyl)ethylenediamine) displays an S=1/2?S=3/2 spin crossover (SCO) behavior (T_1/2=370 K, ΔH=12.48 kJ mol^?1, ΔS=33 J K^?1 mol^?1) stemming from strong magnetic coupling between the NO radical (S=1/2) and thermally interconverted (S=0?S=2) ferrous spin states. The crystal structure of this robust complex has been investigated in the temperature range 120–420 K affording a detailed picture of how the electronic distribution of the t_2g–e_g orbitals modulates the structure of the {FeNO}⁷ bond, providing valuable magneto–structural and spectroscopic correlations and DFT analysis.     

Visible Light Excitable SCN− Selective Fluorescence Probe Derived from Thiophene

An efficient fluorescence probe, 4‐methyl‐2,6‐bis((thiophen‐2‐ylmethylimino)methyl)phenol (DFPTMA) and its SCN^? adduct has been synthesized and characterized by different spectroscopic techniques like ¹H NMR,¹³C NMR, QTOF‐MS ES⁺, UV‐Vis and FTIR spectroscopy. Single crystal X‐ray structure of DFPTMA is reported. In presence of SCN^?, DFPTMA exhibits significant fluorescence enhancement (λ_Ex, 455 nm, λ_Em, 504 nm) in aqueous methanol (water‐methanol, 1:4, V/V, 0.1 mol/L HEPES buffer, pH 7.4). Common bio‐relevant anions viz. CH₃COO^?, NO₂^?, NO₃^?, Cl^?, Br^?, I^?, SO₄^2?, HSO₄^?, N₃^?, HAsO₄^2?, Cr₂O₇^2?, H₂PO₄^?, ClO₄^?, NCO^?, CN^?, CO₃^2?, F^?, PO₄^3?, S^2?, HS^? do not interfere in the recognition of SCN^?. Lowest detection limit for SCN^? is 0.88 µmol/L with response time <5 min. The SCN^? assisted enhancement in emission intensity may be attributed to the formation of H‐bond which enhances the rigidity of the molecular assembly.     

Coordination Behavior of a D‐Penicillaminato Aurate(I) Metalloligand Toward Coblat(III) Centers

Treatment of (NH₄)[Au(D‐Hpen‐S)₂](D‐H₂pen = D‐penicillamine) with CoCl₂·6H₂O in an acetate buffer solution, followed by air oxidation, gave neutral Au^ICo^III and anionic Au^I₃Co^III₂ polynuclear complexes, [Au₃Co₃(D‐pen‐N,O,S)₆]([ 1 ]) and [Au₃Co₂(D‐pen‐N,S)₆]^3? ([ 2 ]^3?), which were separated by anion‐exchange column chromatography. Complexes [ 1 ] and [ 2 ]^3? each formed a single isomer, and their structures were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography. In [ 1 ], each of three [Au(D‐pen‐S)₂]^3?metalloligands coordinates to two Co^III ions in a bis‐tridentate‐N,O,S mode to form a cyclic Au^I₃Co^III₃ hexanuclear structure, in which three [Co(D‐pen‐N,O,S)₂]^? octahedral units and six bridging S atoms adopt trans(O) geometrical and R chiral configurations, respectively. In [ 2 ]^3?, each of three [Au(D‐pen‐S)₂]^3? metalloligands coordinates to two Co^III ions in a bis‐bidentate‐N,S mode to form a Au^I₃Co^III₂ pentanuclear structure, in which two [Co(D‐pen‐N,S)₃]^3? units and six bridging S atoms adopt ∧ and R chiral configurations, respectively.     

Boosting Solid‐State Diffusivity and Conductivity in Lithium Superionic Argyrodites by Halide Substitution

Developing high‐performance all‐solid‐state batteries is contingent on finding solid electrolyte materials with high ionic conductivity and ductility. Here we report new halide‐rich solid solution phases in the argyrodite Li₆PS₅Cl family, Li_6?xPS_5?xCl_1+x, and combine electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, neutron diffraction, and ⁷Li NMR MAS and PFG spectroscopy to show that increasing the Cl^?/S^2? ratio has a systematic, and remarkable impact on Li‐ion diffusivity in the lattice. The phase at the limit of the solid solution regime, Li_5.5PS_4.5Cl_1.5, exhibits a cold‐pressed conductivity of 9.4±0.1 mS cm^?1 at 298 K (and 12.0±0.2 mS cm^?1 on sintering)—almost four‐fold greater than Li₆PS₅Cl under identical processing conditions and comparable to metastable superionic Li₇P₃S₁₁. Weakened interactions between the mobile Li‐ions and surrounding framework anions incurred by substitution of divalent S^2? for monovalent Cl^? play a major role in enhancing Li⁺‐ion diffusivity, along with increased site disorder and a higher lithium vacancy population.     

Recent Advances of Cobalt(II/III) Redox Couples for Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cell Applications

In recent years dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have emerged as one of the alternatives for the global energy crisis. DSSCs have achieved a certified efficiency of >11% by using the I^?/I₃^? redox couple. In order to commercialize the technology almost all components of the device have to be improved. Among the various components of DSSCs, the redox couple that regenerates the oxidized sensitizer plays a crucial role in achieving high efficiency and durability of the cell. However, the I^?/I₃^? redox couple has certain limitations such as the absorption of triiodide up to 430 nm and the volatile nature of iodine, which also corrodes the silver‐based current collectors. These limitations are obstructing the commercialization of this technology. For this reason, one has to identify alternative redox couples. In this regard, the Co(II/III) redox couple is found to be the best alternative to the existing I^?/I₃^? redox couple. Recently, DSSC test cell efficiency has risen up to 13% by using the cobalt redox couple. This review emphasizes the recent development of Co(II/III) redox couples for DSSC applications.     

A New and Sensitive Catalytic Resonance Scattering Spectral Assay for the Detection of Laccase Activity Using H2O2‐I−‐TDMAC System

In pH 3.8 acetic acid‐sodium acetate (HAC‐NaAC) buffer solution, laccase exhibited a strong catalytic effect on the H₂O₂ oxidation of I ^? to form I₂, and I₂ combined with excess I ^? to form I₃^? that reacted with cationic surfactants of tetradecyl dimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride (TDMAC) to produce the (TDMAC‐I₃)_n association complex particles, which exhibited a strong resonance scattering (RS) peak at 468 nm. Under the chosen conditions, as the concentration of laccase activity increased, the RS intensity at 468 nm (I_{468 nm}) increased linearly. The increased RS intensity ΔI_{468 nm} was linear to laccase activity in the range of 0.08–0.96 U/mL, with a regression equation of ΔI_{468 nm}?88.8U?1.9, and a detection limit of 0.02 U/mL laccase. This proposed method was applied to detect laccase activity in waste water, with satisfactory results.     

Room temperature polymerization of poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) as transparent counter electrodes for dye‐sensitized solar cells

Poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) counter electrode is prepared with in situ polymerization of 3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene on a fluorine‐doped tin oxide over‐layer glass at room temperature. The cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and Tafel polarization are measured to evaluate the catalytic activity of PEDOT counter electrode for I₃^?/I^? redox couple. Comparing the data with that of traditional thermal decomposed Pt counter electrode, it is found that PEDOT has higher catalytic activity than that of Pt counterpart. Power conversion efficiency of the dye‐sensitized solar cell (DSC) with PEDOT counter electrode can attain to 7.713%, a little higher than that of the cell with Pt counter electrode (7.300%). Taking the advantage of high transparency of PEDOT counter electrode, an Ag mirror is put on the back side of PEDOT counter electrode of the DSC to reflect light back for power conversion. Power conversion efficiency of the DSC with this special structure can be further enhanced to 8.359%, which mainly stems from the improved short‐circuit current density by the increased irradiated light intensity. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Pt immobilized spontaneously on porous MXene/MAX hybrid monolith for hydrogen evolution reaction

Designing efficient electrocatalysts with low Pt loadings for hydrogen evolution reaction(HER) is urgently required for renewable and sustainable energy conversion.Here,we report a strategy that Pt nanoparticulates are spontaneously immobilized on porous MXene/MAX monolith as HER catalysts by utilizing the redox reaction between Ti_3C_2T_x MXene and [PtCl_4]~2 in H_2 PtCl_6 aqueous solution.By taking advantage of homogeneously distributed Pt nanoparticulates on highly electrically conductive porous Ti_3C_2T_x/Ti_3AlC_2 monolith,the as-prepared electrocatalysts show high catalytic performance for hydrogen evolution.Specifically,the binder-free electrocatalysts have Pt loadings as low as 8.9 μg/cm~2,with low overpotential of 43 mV at a curre nt density of 10 mA/cm~2 and low Tafel slope that three times lower than porous Ti_3C_2T_x/Ti_3AlC_2 without Pt loading.This strategy offers a new approach to constructing ultra-low Pt-loading HER catalysts on the basis of in situ redox reaction between noble metal ions and MXenes.     

Thermochemical properties of free radicals from G3MP2B3 calculations

For a set of 32 selected free radicals, energy minimum structures, harmonic vibrational wave numbers ω_e, principal moments of inertia I_A, I_B, and I_C, heat capacities C°_p(T), entropies S°(T), thermal energy contents H°(T) ? H°(0), and standard enthalpies of formation Δ_fH°(T) were calculated at the G3MP2B3 level of theory in the temperature range 200–3000 K. In this article, thermodynamic functions at T = 298.15 K are presented and compared with recent experimental values. The mean absolute deviation between calculated and experimental Δ_fH°(298.15) values resulted in 3.91 kJ mol^?1, which is close to the average experimental uncertainty of ± 3.55 kJ mol^?1. The influence of hindered rotation on thermodynamic functions is studied for isopropyl and tert‐butyl radicals. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 34: 550–560, 2002