Self-doping n-type polymer as cathode interface layer enables efficient organic solar cells

Applying l-cystine as an electron transport layer toward efficient organic solar cells

Efficient organic solar cells by modulating photoactive layer morphology with halogen-free additives

N-doped carbon nanotubes with high amount of graphitic nitrogen as an excellent electrocatalyst for water splitting in alkaline solution

Atomically dispersed Co catalyst for electrocatalytic NO reduction to NH3

Atomically Fe-doped MoS2−x with Fe-Mo dual sites for efficient electrocatalytic NO reduction to NH3

Efficient ternary organic photovoltaic device with a non-halogenated solvent <i>via</i> synergistic inhibiting charge recombination and regulating morphology

Ternary strategies are essential for the development of high-performance organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices. Similarly, green and environmentally friendly solvent processing in OPV devices is imperative for commercial applications.

Two Compatible Acceptors as an Alloy Model with a Halogen-Free Solvent for Efficient Ternary Polymer Solar Cells

Low resistivity and near-zero temperature drift ZrB2-Ag composite films prepared by DC magnetron co-sputtering

Unidirectional ion transport in nanoporous carbon membranes with a hierarchical pore architecture

AbstractThe transport of fluids in channels with diameter of 1-2 nm exhibits many anomalous features due to the interplay of several genuinely interfacial effects. Quasi-unidirectional ion transport, reminiscent of the behavior of membrane pores in biological cells, is one phenomenon that has attracted a lot of attention in recent years, e.g., for realizing diodes for ion-conduction based electronics. Although ion rectification has been demonstrated in many asymmetric artificial nanopores, it always fails in the high-concentration range, and operates in either acidic or alkaline electrolytes but never over the whole pH range. Here we report a hierarchical pore architecture carbon membrane with a pore size gradient from 60 nm to 1.4 nm, which enables high ionic rectification ratios up to 104 in different environments including high concentration neutral (3 M KCl), acidic (1 M HCl), and alkaline (1 M NaOH) electrolytes, resulting from the asymmetric energy barriers for ions transport in two directions. Additionally, light irradiation as an external energy source can reduce the energy barriers to promote ions transport bidirectionally. The anomalous ion transport together with the robust nanoporous carbon structure may find applications in membrane filtration, water desalination, and fuel cell membranes.

Titanium as a Substrate for Three‐Dimensional Hybrid Electrodes for Vanadium Redox Flow Battery Applications

Optimization of Chemical Vapor Deposition Process for Carbon Nanotubes Growth on Stainless Steel: Towards Efficient Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

Plasma-etched functionalized graphene as a metal-free electrode catalyst in solid acid fuel cells

Raman G-band (a) and 2D-band (b) mapping of oxygen and nitrogen treated graphene on an Si-substrate (scale bar 5 μm).

Novel Stable 3D Stainless Steel‐Based Electrodes for Efficient Water Splitting

2-Mercaptopyridine as a new leveler for bottom-up filling of micro-vias in copper electroplating

An Overview of Carbon Nanomaterials in Solid Acid Fuel Cell Electrodes

Micro- and nanometer sized carbon materials play an important role as components in low and intermediate temperature fuel cell electrodes. Vulcan carbon, active carbon, etc. have been used as catalyst substrates and electronic interconnect materials. As such, they reduce agglomeration of nanoparticulate catalyst and thus increase long-term stability. The catalyst utilization can be also increased significantly by improving the geometrical distribution of the catalyst. Recently, the drive towards ever smaller electrode structures has shifted attention towards carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene. Their excellent electronic conductivity, extremely high specific surface area, and relatively good stability makes them suitable candidates as fuel cell electrode components. Both the catalyst distribution and utilization have been successfully improved, lowering costs and bringing the technology closer to market application. Importantly, numerous studies have recently shown functionalized CNTs and graphene, without precious metals, to be an effective catalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction. Especially nitrogen doped CNTs and graphene flakes show tremendous potential.1 Solid acid fuel cells based on CsH2PO4 as the solid state electrolyte operate at ca. 240°C and are currently performance limited at the cathode. Here, vulcan carbon has been mainly used as an electronic interconnect and catalyst support.2 Recently, carbon nanotubes have been employed, increasing the mass normalized activity of the Pt catalyst up to 61 S/mgPt.3,4 Here we combine the benefits of recent findings and present new fabrication routes based on spraydrying, metal-organic chemical vapor deposition to create highly active, nanostructured composite electrode materials, based on Pt decorated CNTs and graphene. In addition, we evaluate the suitability of surface functionalized carbon nanomaterials as precious metal free catalyst in solid acid fuel cell cathodes. Functionalization includes plasma treatment and electron beam irradiation under controlled atmospheres. Raman and XPS analysis is used before and after electrochemical measurements to evaluate structural and chemical changes. Data from impedance spectroscopy of symmetric electrochemical cells suggest effective electrochemical activity of CNTs and graphene in solid acid fuel cell cathodes.      (1)      Gong, K.; Du, F.; Xia, Z.; Durstock, M.; Dai, L. Science 2009, 323, 760. (2)      Chisholm, C. R. I.; Boysen, D. A.; Papandrew, A. B.; Zecevic, S. K.; Cha, S.; Sasaki, K. A.; Varga, Á.; Giapis, K. P.; Haile, S. M. Interface Magazine 2009, 18, 53. (3)      Varga, Á.; Pfohl, M.; Brunelli, N. A.; Schreier, M.; Giapis, K. P.; Haile, S. M. Physical chemistry chemical physics : PCCP 2013, 15, 15470. (4)      Thoi, V. S.; Usiskin, R. E.; Haile, S. M. Chem. Sci. 2015, 6, 1570.

A study of bottom-up electroplated copper filling by the potential difference between two rotating speeds of a working electrode