Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Junren Wang, Shuai Fu, Heng Zhang, Robert Graf, Henry Halim, Shuai Chen, Wenhao Zheng, Mischa Bonn, Katharina Landfester, Andreas Riedinger, Hai Wang
Summary: This study reports a novel solution-processed approach to fabricate high-quality, large-area alpha-Ag2S thin films. Ultrafast terahertz conductivity measurements show efficient charge transport in the films. Additionally, introducing poly(vinyl alcohol) enables the synthesis of free-standing alpha-Ag2S thin films for flexible optoelectronics.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
WooJun Seol, Gopinathan Anoop, Hyeonghun Park, Cheol Woong Shin, Jun Young Lee, Tae Yeon Kim, Wan Sik Kim, Hyunjin Joh, Shibnath Samanta, Ji Young Jo
Summary: In this study, V-doped ZnO thin films with high polarization values were successfully prepared by controlling crystallite size, morphology, and valence state of vanadium, opening up the possibility of utilizing ferroelectric VeZnO in particulate matter filtering devices. The study demonstrated the importance of crystalline properties and valence state of V in determining the ferroelectric and dielectric properties of VeZnO films, with potential applications in air filter coatings for efficient particulate matter filtration.
JOURNAL OF ALLOYS AND COMPOUNDS
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
Alfredo Blazquez Martinez, Nicolas Godard, Naveen Aruchamy, Cosme Milesi-Brault, Oana Condurache, Andreja Bencan, Sebastjan Glinsek, Torsten Granzow
Summary: In this study, polycrystalline Mn and Ti co-doped BiFeO3 thin films were fabricated on platinized silicon substrates by a solution deposition method, with PbTiO3 nanocrystals used as a seed layer to induce a preferential (100) pseudocubic orientation. The introduction of a PbTiO3 seed layer significantly reduced the leakage current and resulted in excellent room-temperature ferroelectric properties in the thin films.
JOURNAL OF THE EUROPEAN CERAMIC SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hamed Sharifi Dehsari, Morteza Hassanpour Amiri, Kamal Asadi
Summary: Experimental realization of thin films with significant room-temperature magnetoelectric coupling coefficient α(ME) without an external DC magnetic field has been challenging. Here, large α(ME) of 750 +/- 30 mV Oe(-1) cm(-1) is achieved in multiferroic polymer nanocomposites (MPCs) thin films. The MPCs consist of PMMA-grafted cobalt-ferrite nanoparticles uniformly dispersed in piezoelectric polymer P(VDF-TrFE). Nanoparticle agglomeration is reduced by surface functionalization with PMMA, enabling the uniform dispersion of nanoparticles in submicrometer thin films. This research can promote the development of flexible and printable multiferroic electronic devices for sensing and memory applications.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Shuyi Liu, Adnan Hammud, Ikutaro Hamada, Martin Wolf, Melanie Mueller, Takashi Kumagai
Summary: Coherent phonon spectroscopy is a method to study ultrafast lattice dynamics and its coupling to other degrees of freedom. In this study, nanoscale coherent phonon spectroscopy was achieved using ultrafast laser-induced scanning tunneling microscopy in a plasmonic junction. The localized excitation of coherent phonons in ultrathin zinc oxide films and their detection via photoinduced tunneling current through an electronic resonance allowed for the observation of nanoscale spatial variations in phonon dynamics that correlated with the distribution of electronic local density of states resolved by scanning tunneling spectroscopy.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ruqi Chen, Zhiwei Liang, Wenjing Feng, Xubo Hu, Aize Hao
Summary: The all-inorganic CsPbBr3 perovskite thin films exhibit good optoelectronic properties with smooth surface and photoluminescence emission, and the fabricated photodetector shows fast photoresponse speed and short decay time.
JOURNAL OF ALLOYS AND COMPOUNDS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Han Zhao, Kang Ma, Jianmin Li, Yikai Fu, Ying Qin, Dongbing Zhao, Haitao Dai, Zhixin Hu, Zhixiang Sun, Hong-Ying Gao
Summary: This study investigates the surface properties and defects of organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite materials using low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy. Atomic-resolution imaging reveals flat surface structures, atomic steps, and crystal grain boundaries, while defects are characterized. It is also observed that tip scanning induces the migration of surface iodine ions, leading to the instability of the surface iodine lattice structure.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Thomas Feeney, Gabriel Aygur, Tony Nguyen, Sidra Farooq, Joao Mendes, Hayden Tuohey, Daniel E. Gomez, Enrico Della Gaspera, Joel van Embden
Summary: Post transition metal chalcohalides are promising semiconductor materials for optoelectronic applications. Bismuth oxyiodide (BiOI) is especially interesting due to its stability, low toxicity, and defect tolerance. In this study, pin-hole free and pure BiOI thin films were successfully fabricated using a solution processed method. All-inorganic solar cells based on these films were also fabricated for the first time, with device improvements rivaling vacuum deposited devices achieved through templating film growth. The BiOI thin films and devices presented here provide an excellent platform for the further development of solution processed bismuth chalcohalide optoelectronic devices.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yuhan Xiao, Pei Bai, Zhengyang Zhang, Yunlong Guo
Summary: This study investigates the nonlinear viscoelastic-viscoplastic properties of thin polymer films, particularly thin polystyrene (PS) films, under nanoconfinement. The results show that with decreasing film thickness, the viscosity and yield stress increase exponentially and linearly, respectively. The observed rubbery stiffening phenomenon in thin PS films may be attributed to induced molecular orientation by plastic deformation.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Seungki Jo, Soyoung Cho, U. Jeong Yang, Gyeong-Seok Hwang, Seongheon Baek, Si-Hoon Kim, Seung Hwae Heo, Ju-Young Kim, Moon Kee Choi, Jae Sung Son
Summary: In this study, ductile alpha-Ag2S thin films were synthesized through solution processing and used to fabricate all-inorganic, self-powered, and stretchable memory devices. These thin films exhibit high stretchability, maintaining structural integrity at high strains, and demonstrate outstanding bipolar switching characteristics and mechanical stretchability. This self-powered memory device shows durability in diverse environments and temperatures, highlighting the potential for high-performance wearable electronics in real-world applications.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Seung Hwae Heo, Hosun Shin, Jae Sung Son
Summary: This paper reviews the recent progress in solution-processed inorganic thermoelectric thin films, including the synthesis of ink solutions, fabrication of thin films, and thermoelectric performance of materials and devices.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Liyan Hu, Mingjie Feng, Xia Wang, Shunchang Liu, Jinpeng Wu, Bin Yan, Wenbo Lu, Fang Wang, Jin-Song Hu, Ding-Jiang Xue
Summary: This research successfully achieved solution-processed deposition of Ge(ii)-based chalcogenide thin films and demonstrated the ability to deposit tunable bandgap GeSe1-xSx alloy films by adjusting the atomic ratio of S- to Se-precursors in solution.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
M. Suresh Kumar, Sreejith P. Madhusudanan, Sudip K. Batabyal
Summary: Cu2BaSnS4 (CBTS) is a new type of chalcogenide semiconductor that can be prepared on glass substrates with high crystallinity through a simple method, showing excellent optical properties. The sulfurization time has a significant impact on the crystalline quality and optical band gap of CBTS thin films, with short sulfurization time being beneficial for the growth of pure phase CBTS.
MATERIALS CHARACTERIZATION
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zahra Saki, Mahdi Malekshahi Byranvand, Nima Taghavinia, Mayank Kedia, Michael Saliba
Summary: This article discusses the latest developments in perovskite solar cells (PSCs) and focuses on the challenges of achieving high-efficiency PSCs. The key factors in preparing perovskite thin films and large-scale production techniques are explored, with opportunities for commercialization highlighted.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lingling Wang, Changwen Xu, Weiqi Zhang, Qinglei Zhang, Manlin Zhao, Cheng Zeng, Qinglin Jiang, Cheng Gu, Yuguang Ma
Summary: An unprecedented electrocleavage synthesis strategy is reported for the direct synthesis of COF films at room temperature. This strategy involves the cathodic exfoliation of COF powders to nanosheets, followed by nanosheets migrating to the anode and reproducing the COF structures by anodic oxidation. The COF films possess high crystallinity and hierarchical porosity, and have demonstrated rapid iodine adsorption with record-high rate constants, making them an excellent platform for promoting mass transfer.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2022)
Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Junmin Xia, Chao Liang, Hao Gu, Shiliang Mei, Shengwen Li, Nan Zhang, Shi Chen, Yongqing Cai, Guichuan Xing
Summary: Metal halide perovskites are popular for efficient photovoltaic devices, but defects from the preparation process hinder performance improvement. Surface passivation is a practical approach to suppress these defects, and this review provides a comprehensive summary of different passivation methods and discusses future research trends.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
Zhangyi Huang, Li Ying Liu, Jianming Yuan, Huilu Guo, Haomin Wang, Pengcheng Ye, Zehui Du, Yida Zhao, Hao Zhang, Chee Lip Gan
Summary: In this study, Si3N4 cellular ceramics with a large thickness/length ratio were successfully prepared using highly viscous self-holding pastes and stereolithography 3D printing. The printed honeycombs and lattices exhibited structural defects and anisotropic surface roughness due to the high viscosity and low curing depth of the paste. The use of a lattice orientation at 45 degrees relative to the paste recoating direction reduced shear stress concentration and minimized structural defects. The resulting ceramics showed high compressive strength and specific compressive strength, surpassing that of similar density ceramics reported previously.
CERAMICS INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jianhui Fu, Sankaran Ramesh, Jia Wei Melvin Lim, Tze Chien Sum
Summary: This article provides a comprehensive review on the potential use of Halide perovskites in various optoelectronic applications. It examines the interaction between carriers, lattice, and quasi-particles that contribute to their remarkable optical and electronic properties. The review emphasizes the importance of ultrafast spectroscopy and fundamental photophysics studies in advancing perovskite optoelectronics.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Liyun Zhao, Yingjie Jiang, Chun Li, Yin Liang, Zhongming Wei, Xiaoding Wei, Qing Zhang
Summary: By applying hydrostatic pressure, anisotropic deformation and efficient manipulation of near-infrared light emission in thin-layered Indium selenide (InSe) were observed, which strongly correlated to the layer numbers. The compression of the InSe lattice and the widening of the band gap result in an emission blue shift for layer numbers greater than 20, while an efficient emission red shift is observed for layer numbers less than or equal to 15, due to predominant uniaxial interlayer compression. These findings enhance our understanding of pressure-induced lattice deformation and optical transition evolution in InSe and have potential applications to other 2D materials.
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Wai-Keong Mok, Ana Asenjo-Garcia, Tze Chien Sum, Leong-Chuan Kwek
Summary: Photon-mediated interactions can lead to Dicke superradiance, which is characterized by a high-intensity burst at short times. This study presents a new theoretical method to determine the maximum emission rate and shows that a superradiant burst is not physically observable in an arbitrary ordered array with only nearest-neighbor interactions. The inclusion of next-nearest-neighbor interactions is necessary for Dicke superradiance. The findings contribute to the understanding of collective decay in many-body quantum systems and have implications for applications in energy harvesting and quantum sensing.
PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Minjun Feng, Senyun Ye, Jia Wei Melvin Lim, Yuanyuan Guo, Rui Cai, Qiannan Zhang, Huajun He, Tze Chien Sum
Summary: A thorough understanding of hot-carrier dynamics in halide perovskites is crucial for advancing next generation photovoltaics. Pump-push-probe (PPP) spectroscopy has recently emerged as a powerful tool for studying hot-carrier dynamics, but limited information on initial excitation density and carrier temperature has hindered its full potential. This work presents a unified model that allows the retrieval of these essential hot carrier metrics under the push conditions, enabling direct comparison with traditional pump-probe spectroscopy.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Shuai Zhang, Zhuoya Zhu, Wenna Du, Xianxin Wu, Sanjib Ghosh, Qing Zhang, Qihua Xiong, Xinfeng Liu
Summary: Exciton polariton condensation in an annular potential landscape can be controlled by an external field, resulting in rotational polariton flow with different orbit indexes. By using ring-shaped pumping in a planar perovskite microcavity, linear coupled counter-rotating polariton states and a vortex pairs-petal state have been demonstrated. The diameter of the pumping ring and the detuning energy can control the azimuthal indices and flowing velocity of the polaritons.
Article
Engineering, Manufacturing
Terence Yan King Ho, Andrew Yun Ru Ng, Pengcheng Ye, Hui Teng Tan, Daniel Wen Hao Lock, Zehui Du, Chee Lip Gan
Summary: This study presents a novel SiO2/MgSO4 bilayer coating strategy to modify the surfaces of SiC particles, resulting in improved cure depth and densification of SiC ceramics. The obtained SiC ceramics showed high flexural strength and thermal conductivity, comparable to those achieved through post-infiltration processing. The research provides a pathway for 3D printing of various carbide ceramics facing similar challenges.
ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Zhengtian Yuan, Mengyuan Zhang, Zhihao Yen, Minjun Feng, Xin Jin, Ahmad Ibrahim, Mahmoud G. Ahmed, Teddy Salim, Rui A. A. Goncalves, Tze Chien Sum, Yeng Ming Lam, Lydia H. Wong
Summary: This research combines high-quality transparent conducting layers and surface engineering using 2D-MXene to improve the conversion efficiency of semi-transparent perovskite solar cells (ST-PSCs). The MXene interlayer retards the perovskite crystallization process, resulting in larger perovskite grains with fewer grain boundaries, which enhances carrier transport. The current density of the devices with MXene significantly increases due to decreased interfacial carrier recombination. The unencapsulated device maintains 85.58% of its original efficiency after over 1000 hours under ambient conditions.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yuanyuan Guo, Minjun Feng, Zhongbo Zhang, Senyun Ye, Yue Wang, Qiannan Zhang, Tomoki Furuhashi, Dongming Jia, Qichun Zhang, Tze Chien Sum
Summary: Singlet fission is a promising process for photovoltaics that converts singlet excitons into triplet excitons. In this study, a series of pyrene-fused azaacenes with varying conjugation lengths were designed, and their excited-state dynamics and energy levels were analyzed. The findings provide guidance for the construction of molecules with desired optoelectronic properties.
CHEMISTRY OF MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yin Liang, Yingjie Jiang, Ke-Zhao Du, Yang-Peng Lin, Xinyuan Ma, Daping Qiu, Ziyu Wang, Yanglong Hou, Xiaoding Wei, Qing Zhang
Summary: Zero-dimensional organic-inorganic metal halide hybrids have been studied to explore pressure engineering of electron-phonon coupling and self-trapped exciton emission at the molecular level. However, the low stiffness of inorganic clusters limits their reversible tuning of physical properties. In this study, a Sb3+-doped metal halide with high emission yield and bulk modulus was designed, allowing for reversible and enhanced self-trapped exciton emission under pressure. These findings provide insights into the structure-property relationship and molecular engineering of zero-dimensional metal halides for wide-band and pressure-sensitive light sources.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Fuyang Liu, Peng Zhou, Yanghui Hou, Hao Tan, Yin Liang, Jialiang Liang, Qing Zhang, Shaojun Guo, Meiping Tong, Jinren Ni
Summary: Solar-driven photosynthesis is a sustainable process for hydrogen peroxide production. Optimizing the intramolecular polarity of COFs greatly boosts H2O2 photosynthesis from water, air, and sunlight without sacrificial agents. This process has potential applications in water decontamination using tap, river, or sea water with natural sunlight and air.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Wangshu Zheng, Yan Shi, Lei Zhao, Shuangyue Jia, Linghai Li, Chee Lip Gan, Di Zhang, Qiang Guo
Summary: Small-scale shape memory ceramics integrated into a matrix material, such as cerium-doped zirconia reinforced aluminum composites, exhibit reversible phase transformations without causing destructive impact due to strong geometric confinement, robust interface, and particle network/force-chain configuration.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Optics
Yuan Luo, Quanbing Guo, Xinyi Deng, Sanjib Ghosh, Qing Zhang, Hongxing Xu, Qihua Xiong
Summary: We demonstrate the manipulation and prolongation of nonlinear polaritons by creating fully deterministic potential wells with lithographic mesas to trap polaritons in a monolayer WS2 microcavity. By varying the trapping sizes, the interaction strength between polariton and exciton is enhanced by about six times through managing their spatial overlap. Moreover, the coherence of trapped polaritons is significantly improved due to the spectral narrowing and can be tailored within a picosecond range. Therefore, this work provides a convenient approach to manipulate the nonlinearity and coherence of polaritons, and opens up possibilities for exploring many-body phenomena and developing novel polaritonic devices based on 2D materials.
LIGHT-SCIENCE & APPLICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yajing Du, Haoqiang Ai, Yun Liu, Hongzhi Liu
Summary: A range of phenyl- or thiophene-linked covalent triazine-based frameworks were synthesized with good thermal stability, tunable fluorescence properties, and strong visible-light harvesting ability. These materials showed unprecedented degradation ability to both acidic and basic dyes without adjusting pH or adding oxidants. Furthermore, they exhibited good reusability and stability as photocatalysts.
SUSTAINABLE ENERGY & FUELS
(2023)
