High‐Performance Perovskite Light‐Emitting Diode with Enhanced Operational Stability Using Lithium Halide Passivation

Defect passivation has been demonstrated to be effective in improving the radiative recombination of charge carriers in perovskites, and consequently, the device performance of the resultant perovskite light‐emitting diodes (LEDs). State‐of‐the‐art useful passivation agents in perovskite LEDs are mostly organic chelating molecules that, however, simultaneously sacrifice the charge‐transport properties and thermal stability of the resultant perovskite emissive layers, thereby deteriorating performance, and especially the operational stability of the devices. We demonstrate that lithium halides can efficiently passivate the defects generated by halide vacancies and reduce trap state density, thereby suppressing ion migration in perovskite films. Efficient green perovskite LEDs based on all‐inorganic CsPbBr₃ perovskite with a peak external quantum efficiency of 16.2 %, as well as a high maximum brightness of 50 270 cd m^?2, are achieved. Moreover, the device shows decent stability even under a brightness of 10⁴ cd m^?2. We highlight the universal applicability of defect passivation using lithium halides, which enabled us to improve the efficiency of blue and red perovskite LEDs.     

A Butterfly‐Inspired Hierarchical Light‐Trapping Structure towards a High‐Performance Polarization‐Sensitive Perovskite Photodetector

Extensive applications for photodetectors have led to demand for high‐responsivity polarization‐sensitive light detection. Inspired by the elaborate architecture of butterfly Papilio paris, a 1D nanograting bonded porous 2D photonic crystal perovskite photodetector (G‐PC‐PD) using a commercial DVD master and 2D crystalline colloidal arrays template was fabricated. The coupling effect from grating diffraction and reflection of the PC stopband renders the enhanced light harvesting of G‐PC‐PD. The porous scaffold and nanoimprinting process afford a highly crystalline perovskite film. White light responsivity and detectivity of G‐PC‐PD are up to 12.67 A W^?1 and 3.22×10¹³ Jones (6～7 times that of a pristine perovskite photodetector). The highly ordered nanograting arrays of G‐PC‐PD enable polarization‐sensitive light detection with a rate of ?0.72 nA deg^?1. This hierarchical perovskite integrated nanograting and 2D PC architecture opens a new avenue to high‐performance optoelectronic devices.     

Limiting Perovskite Solar Cell Performance by Heterogeneous Carrier Extraction

Although the power conversion efficiency of perovskite solar cells has improved rapidly, a rational path for further improvement remains unclear. The effect of large morphological heterogeneity of polycrystalline perovskite films on their device performance by photoluminescence (PL) microscopy has now been studied. Contrary to the common belief on the deleterious effect of morphological heterogeneity on carrier lifetimes and diffusivities, in neat CH₃NH₃PbI₃(Cl) polycrystalline perovskite films, the local (intra‐grain) carrier diffusivities in different grains are all surprisingly high (1.5 to 3.3 cm² s^?1; comparable to bulk single‐crystals), and the local carrier lifetimes are long (ca. 200 ns) and surprisingly homogenous among grains, and uniform across grain boundary and interior. However, there is a large heterogeneity of carrier extraction efficiency at the perovskite grain–electrode interface. Improving homogeneity at perovskite grain–electrode contacts is thus a promising direction for improving the performance of perovskite thin‐film solar cells.     

Hole‐Boosted Cu(Cr,M)O2 Nanocrystals for All‐Inorganic CsPbBr3 Perovskite Solar Cells

The all‐inorganic CsPbBr₃ perovskite solar cell (PSC) is a promising solution to balance the high efficiency and poor stability of state‐of‐the‐art organic–inorganic PSCs. Setting inorganic hole‐transporting layers at the perovskite/electrode interface decreases charge carrier recombination without sacrificing superiority in air. Now, M‐substituted, p‐type inorganic Cu(Cr,M)O₂ (M=Ba²⁺, Ca²⁺, or Ni²⁺) nanocrystals with enhanced hole‐transporting characteristics by increasing interstitial oxygen effectively extract holes from perovskite. The all‐inorganic CsPbBr₃ PSC with a device structure of FTO/c‐TiO₂/m‐TiO₂/CsPbBr₃/Cu(Cr,M)O₂/carbon achieves an efficiency up to 10.18 % and it increases to 10.79 % by doping Sm³⁺ ions into perovskite halide, which is much higher than 7.39 % for the hole‐free device. The unencapsulated Cu(Cr,Ba)O₂‐based PSC presents a remarkable stability in air in either 80 % humidity over 60 days or 80 °C conditions over 40 days or light illumination for 7 days.     

Lead‐Free Silver‐Bismuth Halide Double Perovskite Nanocrystals

Lead‐free perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) were obtained mainly by substituting a Pb²⁺ cation with a divalent cation or substituting three Pb²⁺ cations with two trivalent cations. The substitution of two Pb²⁺ cations with one monovalent Ag⁺ and one trivalent Bi³⁺ cations was used to synthesize Cs₂AgBiX₆ (X=Cl, Br, I) double perovskite NCs. Using femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy, the charge carrier relaxation mechanism was elucidated in the double perovskite NCs. The Cs₂AgBiBr₆ NCs exhibit ultrafast hot‐carrier cooling (<1 ps), which competes with the carrier trapping processes (mainly originate from the surface defects). Notably, the photoluminescence can be increased by 100 times with surfactant (oleic acid) added to passivate the defects in Cs₂AgBiCl₆ NCs. These results suggest that the double perovskite NCs could be potential materials for optoelectronic applications by better controlling the surface defects.     

Humic acid‐derived hierarchical porous carbon preparation using vacuum freeze‐drying for electric double layer capacitors

Electric double layer capacitors (EDLCs) preserve charge by reversible physisorption of electrolyte ions on the surface of porous active materials. Therefore, engineering a reasonable pore structure and reducing oxygen‐containing groups of carbon materials are efficient approaches to enable rapid ion diffusion pathways and long life span, respectively. Here, humic acid (HA)‐derived hierarchical porous carbon was fabricated by vacuum freeze‐drying, KOH activation, and subsequent annealing. The macropores were generated from the vacancies where the ice crystals in the HA–KOH gels initially occupied during vacuum‐freeze drying, while abundant micropores were created from homogeneous KOH activation. In addition, subsequent annealing further reduced the oxygen‐containing groups. When used as EDLC electrodes in 1 mol/L TEABF₄/PC organic electrolyte, they could give a high capacitance of 150 F/g at 0.05 A/g and excellent rate performance of 81% (with capacitance of 121.46 F/g at 10 A/g). More importantly, the hierarchical porous carbon displays superior capacity retention of 85.6% after 10,000 cycles at 1 A/g at 2.7 V.     

Self‐Template‐Directed Synthesis of Porous Perovskite Nanowires at Room Temperature for High‐Performance Visible‐Light Photodetectors

The unique optoelectronic properties and promising photovoltaic applications of organolead halide perovskites have driven the exploration of facile strategies to synthesize organometal halide perovskites and corresponding hybrid materials and devices. Currently, the preparation of CH₃NH₃PbBr₃ perovskite nanowires, especially those with porous features, is still a great challenge. An efficient self‐template‐directed synthesis of high‐quality porous CH₃NH₃PbBr₃ perovskite nanowires in solution at room temperature using the Pb‐containing precursor nanowires as both the sacrificial template and the Pb²⁺ source in the presence of CH₃NH₃Br and HBr is now presented. The initial formation of CH₃NH₃PbBr₃ perovskite layers on the surface of the precursor nanowires and the following dissolution of the organic component of the latter led to the formation of mesopores and the preservation of the 1D morphology. Furthermore, the perovskite nanowires are potential materials for visible‐light photodetectors with high sensitivity and stability.     

Engineered Molecular Chain Ordering in Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes/Polyaniline Composite Films for High‐Performance Organic Thermoelectric Materials

Single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs)/polyaniline (PANI) composite films with enhanced thermoelectric properties were prepared by combining in situ polymerization and solution processing. Conductive atomic force microscopy and X‐ray diffraction measurements confirmed that solution processing and strong π–π interactions between the PANI and SWNTs induced the PANI molecules to form a highly ordered structure. The improved degree of order of the PANI molecular arrangement increased the carrier mobility and thereby enhanced the electrical transport properties of PANI. The maximum in‐plane electrical conductivity and power factor of the SWNTs/PANI composite films reached 1.44×10³ S cm^?1 and 217 μW m^?1 K^?2, respectively, at room temperature. Furthermore, a thermoelectric generator fabricated with the SWNTs/PANI composite films showed good electric generation ability and stability. A high power density of 10.4 μW cm^?2 K^?1 was obtained, which is superior to most reported results obtained in organic thermoelectric modules.     

A Chiral Reduced‐Dimension Perovskite for an Efficient Flexible Circularly Polarized Light Photodetector

Chiral quasi‐2D perovskite single crystals (SCs) were investigated for their circular polarized light (CPL) detecting capability. Quasi‐2D chiral perovskites, [(R)‐β‐MPA]₂MAPb₂I₇ ((R)‐β‐MPA=(R)‐(+)‐β‐methylphenethylamine, MA=methylammonium), have intrinsic chirality and the capability to distinguish different polarization states of CPL photons. Corresponding quasi‐2D SCs CPL photodetector exhibit excellent detection performance. In particular, our device responsivity is almost one order of magnitude higher than the reported 2D perovskite CPL detectors to date. The crystallization dynamics of the film were modulated to facilitate its carrier transport. Parallel oriented perovskite films with a homogeneous energy landscape is crucial to maximize the carrier collection efficiency. The photodetector also exhibits superior mechanical flexibility and durability, representing a promising candidate for sensitive and robust CPL photodetectors.     

The Preparation of Compressible and Fire‐Resistant Sponge‐Supported Reduced Graphene Oxide Aerogel for Electromagnetic Interference Shielding

We here report a facile method to fabricate a sponge‐supported reduced graphene oxide aerogel (S‐RGOA) using a commercial melamine sponge and graphene oxide (GO). Firstly, GO sheets were self‐assembled within the melamine sponge by the assistance of a chemical cross‐linking agent; and then, freeze‐drying and thermal treatment were adopted to prepare S‐RGOA, in which continuous porous reduced graphene oxide (RGO) network formed between the skeleton. The resulting S‐RGOA exhibited a high electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness (EMI SE) of 20.4‐27.3 dB in 8–12 GHz and the specific EMI SE could reach 1437 dB?cm³g^?1. The mechanical test suggests that the lightweight S‐RGOA is compressible and possesses low energy dissipation. Burning and TGA measurements indicate that S‐RGOA is fire‐resistant and has excellent thermal stability. Our work provides an economical and environmentally‐friendly method to fabricate RGO aerogels for using as electromagnetic interference materials.     

Board‐like Fused‐Thiophene Liquid Crystals and their Benzene Analogs: Facile Synthesis,Self‐Assembly,p‐Type Semiconductivity,and Photoluminescence

Fused‐thiophene discotic liquid crystals were designed and easily synthesized by Suzuki coupling and FeCl₃ oxidized tandem cyclodehydrogenation reactions, including homo‐ and cross‐coupling reactions. The resulting hexagonal and rectangular columnar mesomorphic supramolecular structures formed were characterized by polarizing optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and small‐angle X‐ray scattering. The charge carrier transport properties in the mesophases of two of the synthesized fused‐thiophene discogens were measured by transient photocurrent time‐of‐flight (TOF) technique, revealing fast hole transport values in the range of 10^?3 to 10^?2 cm² V^?1 s^?1, thus demonstrating potential applications in electronic devices. The luminescent sanidic mesogens, with different extended π‐conjugated systems, also emit blue, green, or red light, with absolute photoluminescent quantum yields as high as 18 %.     

Grain‐Boundary‐Free Super‐Proton Conduction of a Solution‐Processed Prussian‐Blue Nanoparticle Film

A porous crystal family has been explored as alternatives of Nafion films exhibiting super‐proton conductivities of ≥10⁻² S cm⁻¹. Here, the proton‐conduction natures of a solution‐processed film of nanoparticles (NPs) have been studied and compared to those of a Nafion film. A mono‐particle film of Prussian‐blue NPs is spontaneously formed on a self‐assembled monolayer substrate by a one‐step solution process. A low‐temperature heating process of the densely packed, pinhole‐free mono‐particle NP film enables a maximum 10⁵‐fold enhancement of proton conductivity, reaching ca. 10⁻¹ S cm⁻¹. The apparent highest conductivity, compared to previously reported data of the porous crystal family, remains constant against humidity changes by an improved water‐retention ability of the film. In our proposed mechanism, the high‐performing solution‐processed NP film suggests that heating leads to the self‐restoration of hydrogen‐bonding networks throughout their innumerable grain boundaries.     

Synthesis of C−C Bonded Two‐Dimensional Conjugated Covalent Organic Framework Films by Suzuki Polymerization on a Liquid–Liquid Interface

Synthesis of free‐standing two‐dimensional (2D) conjugated covalent organic framework (COF) films linked by C?C bonds is highly desirable. Now a very simple and mild strategy has been developed to synthesize them by Suzuki polymerization on a water–toluene interface in a refrigerator. The versatility of this strategy was confirmed by the successful synthesis of two different 2D‐COF films: a porous graphene and a porphyrin‐contained 2D‐COF. Both 2D‐COF films have large lateral size and their crystalline domains were visualized by high resolution TEM. Based on the wide compatibility of Suzuki reaction, our breakthrough work opened a door for the synthesis of various 2D conjugated COF films. For application studies, the porous graphene exhibits a good carrier mobility, which is much higher than ?C=N? linked 2D COF films and a good catalytic activity for hydrogen evolution reaction, which is comparable with nitrogen‐ or phosphorus‐doped graphene.     

Effect of Two‐Dimensional Crystal Orbitals on Fermi Surfaces and Electron Transport in Three‐Dimensional Perovskite Oxides

Perovskite oxides are candidate materials in catalysis, fuel cells, thermoelectrics, and electronics, where electronic transport is vital to their use. While the fundamental transport properties of these materials have been heavily studied, there are still key features that are not well understood, including the temperature‐squared behavior of their resistivities. Standard transport models fail to account for this atypical property because Fermi surfaces of many perovskite oxides are low‐dimensional and distinct from traditional semiconductors. In this work, the low‐dimensional Fermi surfaces of perovskite oxides are chemically interpreted in terms of two‐dimensional crystal orbitals that form the conduction bands. Using SrTiO₃ as a case study, the d/p‐hybridization that creates these low‐dimensional electronic structures is reviewed and connected to its fundamentally different electronic properties. A low‐dimensional band model explains several experimental transport properties, including the temperature and carrier‐density dependence of the effective mass, the carrier‐density dependence of scattering, and the temperature dependence of resistivity. This work highlights how chemical bonding influences semiconductor transport.     

Controllable Growth of Perovskite Films by Room‐Temperature Air Exposure for Efficient Planar Heterojunction Photovoltaic Cells

A two‐step solution processing approach has been established to grow void‐free perovskite films for low‐cost high‐performance planar heterojunction photovoltaic devices. A high‐temperature thermal annealing treatment was applied to drive the diffusion of CH₃NH₃I precursor molecules into a compact PbI₂ layer to form perovskite films. However, thermal annealing for extended periods led to degraded device performance owing to the defects generated by decomposition of perovskite into PbI₂. A controllable layer‐by‐layer spin‐coating method was used to grow “bilayer” CH₃NH₃I/PbI₂ films, and then drive the interdiffusion between PbI₂ and CH₃NH₃I layers by a simple air exposure at room temperature for making well‐oriented, highly crystalline perovskite films without thermal annealing. This high degree of crystallinity resulted in a carrier diffusion length of ca. 800 nm and a high device efficiency of 15.6 %, which is comparable to values reported for thermally annealed perovskite films.     

A Cation‐Exchange Approach for the Fabrication of Efficient Methylammonium Tin Iodide Perovskite Solar Cells

Tin‐based halide perovskite materials have been successfully employed in lead‐free perovskite solar cells, but the overall power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) have been limited by the high carrier concentration from the facile oxidation of Sn²⁺ to Sn⁴⁺. Now a chemical route is developed for fabrication of high‐quality methylammonium tin iodide perovskite (MASnI₃) films: hydrazinium tin iodide (HASnI₃) perovskite film is first solution‐deposited using presursors hydrazinium iodide (HAI) and tin iodide (SnI₂), and then transformed into MASnI₃ via a cation displacement approach. With the two‐step process, a dense and uniform MASnI₃ film is obtained with large grain sizes and high crystallization. Detrimental oxidation is suppressed by the hydrazine released from the film during the transformation. With the MASnI₃ as light harvester, mesoporous perovskite solar cells were prepared, and a maximum power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 7.13 % is delivered with good reproducibility.     

Preparation and Application of Cholesteryl‐Benzo‐15‐Crown‐5/Cholesteryl Mixed Liquid Crystals

Various mixed liquid crystals containing crown ether‐cholesteryl liquid crystal, benzo‐15‐crown‐5‐COO‐C₂₇H₄₅ (B15C5‐COOCh), with various common cholesteric liquid crystals, e.g., cholesteryl chloride, cholesteryl benzoate and cholesteryl palmitate, were prepared and studied using polarizing microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. Investigating the concentration effect of B15C5‐COOCh in mixed liquid crystals revealed that the addition of B15C5‐COOCh resulted in wider phase transition temperature ranges of these cholesteryl liquid crystals. The stability of these B15C5‐COOCh/cholesteryl mixed liquid crystals was studied using comprehensive graphic molecular modeling computer programs (Insight II and Discover) to calculate their molecular energy and stability energy. The effect of salts, e.g. Na⁺, Co³⁺, Y³⁺ and La³⁺, on the transition temperature range of the mixed liquid crystals was also investigated. The crown ether cholesteric liquid crystal B15C5‐COOCh was applied both as a surfactant and an ion transport carrier to transport metal ions through liquid membranes. Cholesteryl benzo‐15‐crown‐5 exhibited distinctive characteristics of a surfactant and the critical micellar concentration (CMC) of the surfactant was investigated by the pyrene fluorescence probe method. Cholesteryl benzo‐15‐crown‐5 was successfully applied as a good ion transport carrier (Ionophore) to transport various metal ions, e.g. Li⁺, Na⁺, La³⁺, Fe³⁺ and Co³⁺, through organic liquid membranes. The transport ability of the cholesteryl benzo‐15‐crown‐5 surfactant for these metal ions was in the order: Co³⁺ ≥ Li⁺ > Fe³⁺ > Na⁺ > La³⁺.     

Constant Electricity Generation in Nanostructured Silicon by Evaporation‐Driven Water Flow

Recently, hydrovoltaic technology emerged as a novel renewable energy harvesting method, which dramatically extends the capability to harvest water energy. However, the urgent issue restricting its device performance is poor carrier transport properties of the solid surface if large charged interface is considered simultaneously. Herein, a hydrovoltaic device based on silicon nanowire arrays (SiNWs), which provide large charged surface/volume ratio and excellent carrier transport properties, yields sustained electricity by a carrier concentration gradient induced by evaporation‐induced water flow inside nanochannels. The device can yield direct current with a short‐circuit current density of over 55 μA cm^?2, which is three orders larger than a previously reported analogous device (approximately 40 nA cm^?2). Moreover, it exhibits a constant output power density of over 6 μW cm^?2 and an open‐circuit voltage of up to 400 mV. Our finding may pave a way for developing energy‐harvesting devices from ubiquitous evaporation‐driven internal water flow in nature with semiconductor material of silicon.     

A Solution‐Processable Molecule using Thieno[3,2‐b]thiophene as Building Block for Efficient Organic Solar Cells

A solution‐processed acceptor‐π‐donor‐π‐acceptor (A‐π‐D‐π‐A) type small molecule, namely DCATT, has been designed and synthesized for the application as donor material in organic solar cells. The fused aromatic unit thieno[3,2‐b]thiophene (TT) flanked with thiophene is applied as π bridge, while 4,8‐bisthienyl substituted benzodithiophene (BDT) and 2‐ethylhexyl cyanoacetate are chosen as the central building block and end group, respectively. Introduction of fused ring to the small molecule enhances the conjugation length of the main chain, and gives a strong tendency to form π–π stacking with a large overlapping area which favors to high charge carrier transport. Small‐molecule organic solar cells based on blends of DCATT and fullerene acceptor exhibit power conversion efficiencies as high as 5.20 % under the illumination of AM 1.5G, 100 mW cm^?2.     

Temperature‐Independent Hole Mobility of a Smectic Liquid‐Crystalline Semiconductor based on Band‐Like Conduction

A liquid‐crystalline (LC) phenylterthiophene derivative, which exhibited an ordered smectic phase at room temperature, was purified by vacuum sublimation under a flow of nitrogen. During the sublimation process, thin plates with sizes of 1 mm grew on the surface of the vacuum tube. The crystals exhibited the same X‐ray diffraction patterns as the ordered smectic phase of the LC state that was formed through a conventional recrystallization process by using organic solvents. Because of the removal of chemical impurities, the hole mobility in the ordered smectic phase of the vacuum‐grown thin plates increased to 1.2×10^?1 cm² V^?1 s^?1 at room temperature, whereas that of the LC precipitates was 7×10^?2 cm² V^?1 s^?1. The hole mobility in the ordered smectic phase of the vacuum‐sublimated sample was temperature‐independent between 400 and 220 K. The electric‐field dependence of the hole mobility was also very small within this temperature range. The temperature dependence of hole mobility was well‐described by the Hoesterey–Letson model. The hole‐transport characteristics indicate that band‐like conduction affected by the localized states, rather than a charge‐carrier‐hopping mechanism, is a valid mechanism for hole transport in an ordered smectic phase.