Beaded CoSe-C Nanofibers for High-Performance Lithium-Sulfur Batteries.

Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries are regarded as highly promising energy storage devices due to their high theoretical specific capacity and high energy density. Nevertheless, the commercial application of Li-S batteries is still restricted by poor electrochemical performance. Herein, beaded nanofibers (BNFs) consisting of carbon and CoSe nanoparticles (CoSe/C BNFs) were prepared by electrospinning combined with carbonization and selenization.

Visible-light-excitable aqueous afterglow exhibiting long emission wavelength and ultralong afterglow lifetime of 7.64 s.

We utilize the dopant-matrix strategy and emulsion polymerization to obtain aqueous afterglow dispersions from a liquid precursor, which avoids the processing of solid materials, protects organic triplets and achieves long phosphorescence lifetime of 7.64 s. The aqueous afterglow dispersions display great potential for biomedical applications due to their ultralong-lived excited states.

An improved YOLO v4 used for grape detection in unstructured environment.

Visual recognition is the most critical function of a harvesting robot, and the accuracy of the harvesting action is based on the performance of visual recognition. However, unstructured environment, such as severe occlusion, fruits overlap, illumination changes, complex backgrounds, and even heavy fog weather, pose series of serious challenges to the detection accuracy of the recognition algorithm. Hence, this paper proposes an improved YOLO v4 model, called YOLO v4+, to cope with the challenges brought by unstructured environment.

Cascade energy transfer boosted near-infrared circularly polarized luminescence of nanofibers from an exclusively achiral system.

We constructed chiral supramolecular nanofibers for light harvesting based on symmetry-breaking, and these can generate near-infrared circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) with high dissymmetry factor () through a synergistic energy transfer and chirality transfer process. Firstly, the achiral molecule BTABA was assembled into a symmetry-breaking assembly using a seeded vortex strategy. Subsequently, the chiral assembly can endow the two achiral acceptors, Nile Red (NR) and Cyanine 7 (CY7), with supramolecular chirality, as well as chiroptical properties.

Flexible solar cells based on foldable silicon wafers with blunted edges.

Flexible solar cells have a lot of market potential for application in photovoltaics integrated into buildings and wearable electronics because they are lightweight, shockproof and self-powered. Silicon solar cells have been successfully used in large power plants. However, despite the efforts made for more than 50 years, there has been no notable progress in the development of flexible silicon solar cells because of their rigidity.

A Feasible Strategy for a Highly Efficient Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence Emitter Over 900 nm Based on Phenalenone Derivatives.

Near-infrared (NIR) organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) suffer from the low external electroluminescence (EL) quantum efficiency (EQE), which is a critical obstacle for potential applications. Herein, 1-oxo-1-phenalene-2,3-dicarbonitrile (OPDC) is employed as an electron-withdrawing aromatic ring, and by incorporating with triphenylamine (TPA) and biphenylphenylamine (BBPA) donors, two novel NIR emitters with thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) characteristics, namely OPDC-DTPA and OPDC-DBBPA, are first developed and compared in parallel. Intense NIR emission peaks at 962 and 1003 nm are observed in their pure films, respectively.

Efficient Environmentally Friendly Flexible CZTSSe/ZnO Solar Cells by Optimizing ZnO Buffer Layers.

Flexible CZTSSe solar cells have attracted much attention due to their earth-abundant elements, high stability, and wide application prospects. However, the environmental problems caused by the high toxicity of the Cd in the buffer layers restrict the development of flexible CZTSSe solar cells. Herein, we develop a Cd-free flexible CZTSSe/ZnO solar cell.

All-Solid-State Thin-Film Lithium-Sulfur Batteries.

Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) system coupled with thin-film solid electrolyte as a novel high-energy micro-battery has enormous potential for complementing embedded energy harvesters to enable the autonomy of the Internet of Things microdevice. However, the volatility in high vacuum and intrinsic sluggish kinetics of S hinder researchers from empirically integrating it into all-solid-state thin-film batteries, leading to inexperience in fabricating all-solid-state thin-film Li-S batteries (TFLSBs). Herein, for the first time, TFLSBs have been successfully constructed by stacking vertical graphene nanosheets-LiS (VGs-LiS) composite thin-film cathode, lithium-phosphorous-oxynitride (LiPON) thin-film solid electrolyte, and Li metal anode.

A DOPO-Based Compound Containing Aminophenyl Silicone Oil for Reducing Fire Hazards of Polycarbonate.

A novel P/N/Si-containing flame retardant (marked as DASO) was synthesized through an Atherton-Todd reaction between 9,10-dihydro-9-oxa-10-phospha-phenanthrene-10-oxide and aminophenyl silicone oil, and further used for reducing fire hazards of polycarbonate (PC). The chemical structure of DASO was verified via FTIR, H, and P NMR. Upon the incorporation of 2 wt% DASO, the FRPC composite achieved a high limiting oxygen index (LOI) of 32.

Preparation and self-assembly of ionic (PNIPAM--VIM) microgels and their adsorption property for phosphate ions.

Using -isopropyl acrylamide (NIPAM) as the main monomer, 1-vinyl imidazole (VIM) containing tertiary amine groups as the functional comonomer, and 1,5-dibromo pentane as the crosslinking agent, ionic P(NIPAM--VIM) microgels were prepared by a two-step method. The crosslinking agent was reacted with tertiary amino groups by the quaternary amination. The results of zeta potential and particle size analysis showed that P(NIPAM--VIM) microgels were positively charged and had a particle size of about 400 nm, and the microgels with 11 wt% VIM still showed temperature sensitivity with a volume phase transition temperature of approximately 37.

Vertical Graphene Film Enables High-Performance Quasi-Solid-State Planar Zinc-Ion Microbatteries.

With the advantages of low cost, high safety, and environmental friendliness, quasi-solid-state zinc-ion microbatteries (ZIMBs) have received widespread attention in the field of flexible wearable devices and on-chip integratable energy storage. However, hysteresis Zn-ion transport kinetics and inhomogeneous growth of the zinc anode result in the poor capacity reversibility and cycling stability. Herein, a quasi-solid-state planar zinc-ion cell was developed by employing a vertical graphene (VG) film as an effective conductive modification layer for both the cathode and anode.

A Nitrogen-Rich DOPO-Based Derivate for Increasing Fire Resistance of Epoxy Resin with Comparable Transparency.

To endow synergistically epoxy resin (EP) with excellent fire resistance and high optical transparency, a nitrogen-rich DOPO-based derivate (named as FATP) was synthesized and incorporated into EP. It showed that the incorporation of the FATP reduced the fire hazard of the EP, as demonstrated by the fact that the EP/4% FATP blends gained a UL-94 V-0 rating and an LOI value of 35%, with the lowest values of the THR (86.7 MJ/m), the PHRR (1059.

Solution-Processed Pure Red TADF Organic Light-Emitting Diodes With High External Quantum Efficiency and Saturated Red Emission Color.

In spite of recent research progress in red thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) emitters, highly efficient solution-processable pure red TADF emitters are rarely reported. Most of the red TADF emitters reported to date are designed using a rigid acceptor unit which renders them insoluble and unsuitable for solution-processed organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). To resolve this issue, a novel TADF emitter, 6,7-bis(4-(bis(4-(tert-butyl)phenyl)amino)phenyl)-2,3-bis(4-(tert-butyl)phenyl)quinoxaline-5,8-dicarbonitrile (tBuTPA-CNQx) is designed and synthesized.

Binaphthol-based chiral host molecules for efficient solution-processed circularly polarized OLEDs.

Two kinds of chiral hosts, named (/)-BN-mCP and (/)-BN-2mCP, are prepared. Solution processable circularly polarized organic light-emitting diodes (CP-OLEDs) based on the chiral hosts and achiral emitter Ir(mypp) present the maximum external quantum efficiency (EQE) and dissymmetry factor values () of 12.7%/-1.

A High-Quality Dopant-Free Electron-Selective Passivating Contact Made from Ultra-Low Concentration Water Solution.

Crystalline silicon solar cells produced by doping processes have intrinsic shortages of high Auger recombination and/or severe parasitic optical absorption. Dopant-free carrier-selective contacts (DF-CSCs) are alternative routines for the next generation of highly efficient solar cells. However, it is difficult to achieve both good passivating and low contact resistivity for most DF-CSCs.

Correction: Enhanced energy harvester performance by a tension annealed carbon nanotube yarn at extreme temperatures.

Correction for 'Enhanced energy harvester performance by a tension annealed carbon nanotube yarn at extreme temperatures' by Xinghao Hu , , 2022, , 16185-16192, https://doi.org/10.1039/D2NR05303A.

A new synthesis approach of hierarchical MoS nanoflakes toward hydrogen evolution in both acidic and alkaline media.

Herein, ultrathin MoS flakes were prepared using a synergistic liquid phase precipitation method by applying ultrasound and microwave simultaneously. At 10 mA cm of electric current density, the MoS electrocatalysts' passing points are 176 mV and 154 mV respectively in acidic and alkaline electrolytes. This research provides a new synthetic method and potential opportunity in the design and preparation of multiple synergistic high-efficiency electrocatalysts.

Chelate Coordination Strengthens Surface Termination to Attain High-Efficiency Perovskite Solar Cells.

Solar cell efficiency and stability are two key metrics to determine whether a photovoltaic device is viable for commercial applications. The surface termination of the perovskite layer plays a pivotal role in not only the photoelectric conversion efficiency (PCE) but also the stability of assembled perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Herein, a strong chelate coordination bond is designed to terminate the surface of the perovskite absorber layer.

Enhanced energy harvester performance by a tension annealed carbon nanotube yarn at extreme temperatures.

Carbon nanotube (CNT) yarns generate electrical energy when they were stretched in an electrolyte, and they have been exploited for diverse applications such as self-powered sensors and human health monitoring systems. Here we improved the capacitance change and harvester performance of a coiled CNT yarn by using an incandescent tension annealing process (ITAP). When undergoing stretching cycles at 1 Hz, a coiled ITAP yarn can produce 2.

Two-Dimensional Perovskite (PEA)PbI Two-Color Blue-Green Photodetector.

Perovskite materials have been widely used to fabricate solar cells, laser diodes and other photodevices, owing to the advantage of high absorption coefficient, long carrier life and shallow defect energy levels. However, due to easy hydrolysis, it is difficult to fabricate perovskite micro-nano devices. Herein, we developed a water-free device fabrication technology and fabricated a two-dimensional (CHCHNH)PbI ((PEA)PbI) two-color blue-green light detector, which exhibits high detection performance under the illumination of two-color lasers (λ = 460 nm, 532 nm).

Systems, Properties, Surface Modification and Applications of Biodegradable Magnesium-Based Alloys: A Review.

In recent years, biodegradable magnesium (Mg) alloys have attracted the attention of many researchers due to their mechanical properties, excellent biocompatibility and unique biodegradability. Many Mg alloy implants have been successfully applied in clinical medicine, and they are considered to be promising biological materials. In this article, we review the latest research progress in biodegradable Mg alloys, including research on high-performance Mg alloys, bioactive coatings and actual or potential clinical applications of Mg alloys.

Self-Powered Non-Contact Motion Vector Sensor for Multifunctional Human-Machine Interface.

Sensors as the significant units of the Internet of Things play an important role in the field of information interaction. Non-contact sensors have the advantages of flexible manipulation and a longer lifespan but it is constrained in motion detection due to their relative single detection function. Herein, a self-powered non-contact motion vector sensor (NMVS) for the multifunctional human-machine interface is reported.

Dual Functional Dopant-Free Contacts with Titanium Protecting Layer: Boosting Stability while Balancing Electron Transport and Recombination Losses.

Combining electron- and hole-selective materials in one crystalline silicon (Si) solar cell, thereby avoiding any dopants, is not considered for application to photovoltaic industry until only comparable efficiency and stable performance are achievable. Here, it is demonstrated how a conventionally unstable electron-selective contact (ESC) is optimized with huge boost in stability as well as improved electron transport. With the introduction of a Ti thin film between a-Si:H(i)/LiF and Al electrode, high-level passivation (S  = 4.

Hydrazide Derivatives for Defect Passivation in Pure CsPbI Perovskite Solar Cells.

All-inorganic CsPbI perovskite presents preeminent chemical stability and a desirable band gap as the front absorber for perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells. Unfortunately, CsPbI perovskite solar cells (PSCs) still show low efficiency due to high density of defects in solution-prepared CsPbI films. Herein, three kinds of hydrazide derivatives (benzoyl hydrazine (BH), formohydrazide (FH) and benzamide (BA)) are designed to reduce the defect density and stabilize the phase of CsPbI .