Localized Oxidation Embellishing Strategy Enables High-Performance Perovskite Solar Cells

Perovskite solar cell (pero-SC) has attracted extensive studies as a promising photovoltaic technology, wherein the electron extraction and transfer exhibit pivotal effect to the device performance. The planar SnO₂ electron transport layer (ETL) has contributed the recent record power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the pero-SCs, yet still suffers from surface defects of SnO₂ nanoparticles which brings energy loss and phase instability. Herein, we report a localized oxidation embellishing (LOE) strategy by applying (NH₄)₂CrO₄ on the SnO₂ ETL. The LOE strategy builds up plentiful nano-heterojunctions of p-Cr₂O₃/n-SnO₂ and the nano-heterojunctions compensate the surface defects and realize benign energy alignment, which reduces surface non-radiative recombination and voltage loss of the pero-SCs. Meanwhile, the decrease of lattice mismatch released the lattice distortion and eliminated tensile stress, contributing to better stability of the devices. The pero-SCs based on α-FAPbI₃ with the SnO₂ ETL treated by the LOE strategy realized a PCE of 25.72 % (certified as 25.41 %), along with eminent stability performance of T₉₀>700 h. This work provides a brand-new view for defect modification of SnO₂ electron transport layer.     

Stereoretentive and regioselective selenium-catalyzed intermolecular propargylic C–H amination of alkynes

Herein we report an intermolecular propargylic C–H amination of alkynes. This reaction is operationally convenient and requires no transition metal catalysts or additives. Terminal, silyl, and internal alkynes bearing a wide range of functional groups can be aminated in high yields. The regioselectivity of amination for unsymmetrical internal alkynes is strongly influenced by substitution pattern (tertiary > secondary > primary) and by relatively remote heteroatomic substituents. We demonstrate that amination of alkynes bearing α-stereocenters occurs with retention of configuration at the newly-formed C–N bond. Competition experiments between alkynes, kinetic isotope effects, and DFT calculations are performed to confirm the mechanistic hypothesis that initial ene reaction of a selenium bis(imide) species is the rate- and product-determining step. This ene reaction has a transition state that results in substantial partial positive charge development at the carbon atom closer to the amination position. Inductive and/or hyperconjugative stabilization or destabilization of this positive charge explains the observed regioselectivities.

Selenium catalysis enables a general intermolecular propargylic C–H amination of alkynes. The concerted mechanism gives rise to high regioselectivity for the more electron-rich end of the alkyne and retention of the C–H propargylic stereocenter.     

Strong Pauli paramagnetic effect in the upper critical field of KCa2Fe4As4F2

Recently, 12442 system of Fe-based superconductors has attracted considerable attention owing to its unique double-Fe As-layer structure. A steep increase in the in-plane upper critical field with cooling has been observed near the superconducting transition temperature, Tc, in KCa2Fe4As4F2 single crystals. Herein, we report a high-field investigation on upper critical field of this material over a wide temperature range, and both out-of-plane(H∥c, Hc2c) and in-plane(H∥ab, Hc2ab ) directions have been measured.A sublinear temperature-dependent behavior is observed for the out-of-plane Hc2c , whereas strong convex curvature with cooling is observed for the in-plane Hc2ab . Such behaviors could not be described by the conventional Werthamer-Helfand-Hohenberg(WHH) model. The data analysis based on the WHH model by considering the spin aspects reveals a large Maki parameter α=9,indicating that the in-plane upper critical field is affected by a very strong Pauli paramagnetic effect.     

Surface Modification of ZrO2–3Y2O3 with Highintensity Pulsed N2+ Ion Beams

Russian Physics Journal -     

The Impact of Foaming Effect on the Physical and Mechanical Properties of Foam Glasses with Molecular-Level Insights

Foaming effect strongly impacts the physical and mechanical properties of foam glass materials, but an understanding of its mechanism especially at the molecular level is still limited. In this study, the foaming effects of dextrin, a mixture of dextrin and carbon, and different carbon allotropes are investigated with respect to surface morphology as well as physical and mechanical properties, in which 1 wt.% carbon black is identified as an optimal choice for a well-balanced material property. More importantly, the different foaming effects are elucidated by all-atomistic molecular dynamics simulations with molecular-level insights into the structure–property relationships. The results show that smaller pores and more uniform pore structure benefit the mechanical properties of the foam glass samples. The foam glass samples show excellent chemical and thermal stability with 1 wt.% carbon as the foaming agent. Furthermore, the foaming effects of CaSO₄ and Na₂HPO₄ are investigated, which both create more uniform pore structures. This work may inspire more systematic approaches to control foaming effect for customized engineering needs by establishing molecular-level structure–property–process relationships, thereby, leading to efficient production of foam glass materials with desired foaming effects.     

Spider Silk-Improved Quartz-Enhanced Conductance Spectroscopy for Medical Mask Humidity Sensing

Spider silk is one of the hottest biomaterials researched currently, due to its excellent mechanical properties. This work reports a novel humidity sensing platform based on a spider silk-modified quartz tuning fork (SSM-QTF). Since spider silk is a kind of natural moisture-sensitive material, it does not demand additional sensitization. Quartz-enhanced conductance spectroscopy (QECS) was combined with the SSM-QTF to access humidity sensing sensitively. The results indicate that the resonance frequency of the SSM-QTF decreased monotonously with the ambient humidity. The detection sensitivity of the proposed SSM-QTF sensor was 12.7 ppm at 1 min. The SSM-QTF sensor showed good linearity of ~0.99. Using this sensor, we successfully measured the humidity of disposable medical masks for different periods of wearing time. The results showed that even a 20 min wearing time can lead to a >70% humidity in the mask enclosed space. It is suggested that a disposable medical mask should be changed <2 h.     

Bi2S3 spheres coated with MOF-derived Co9S8 and N-doped carbon composite layer for half/full sodium-ion batteries with superior performance

Bismuth sulfide (Bi2S3) has attracted particular interest as a potential anode material for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs).However,the low electrical conductivity ...