Article
Physics, Applied
Fengyuan Zhang, Lingyu Zhang, Xuyang Wang, Kaixin Liu, Boyuan Huang, Yao Wang, Jiangyu Li
Summary: This study develops an in situ technique to evaluate the electric field fluctuation in dielectrics, demonstrating the effectiveness of interfacial engineering in improving the breakdown strength of nanocomposites. It validates the field fluctuation-based breakdown criterion proposed more than a decade ago.
APPLIED PHYSICS LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Elisabetta Benazzi, Joshua Karlsson, Youssef Ben M'Barek, Pavel Chabera, Sebastien Blanchard, Sandra Alves, Anna Proust, Tonu Pullerits, Guillaume Izzet, Elizabeth A. Gibson
Summary: This study describes the H+ modulated charge-transfer in photoexcited covalent polyoxometalate-bodipy conjugates. The addition of acid increases the driving force for electron transfer, leading to accelerated charge-separation and decelerated charge recombination.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY FRONTIERS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Manying Liu, Zhenyang Li, Guofeng Wei, Erchuang Fan, Qingli Feng, Dandan Zhao, Yanru Guo, Yange Zhang, Zhi Zheng
Summary: Using the crystalline ECTF film based on the coordination action between pyridinic N and Pb2+, high-quality CsPbBr3@ ECTF-1 films are produced via in situ reaction of PbBr2 and CsBr. These films have fewer grain boundaries, better charge transfer, and superior photoelectron and hole separation compared to pristine CsPbBr3 film.
CRYSTAL GROWTH & DESIGN
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Chenyu Shang, Shuai Zhang, Dong Han, Xiqiang Ding, Yaowen Zhang, Chunming Yang, Jianxu Ding, Xichang Bao
Summary: A ternary quasi-all-polymer solar cell (Q-allPSC) was developed using a combination of the ternary strategy and solid additive engineering. The introduction of PC71BM improved the VOC and photon capture efficiency, thereby enhancing the short circuit current density. Effective charge transfer between PC71BM and PYIT was observed, forming an electron transport channel for efficient charge transport. The addition of PC71BM also improved the crystallinity of the ternary blend and reduced phase separation. By introducing a high dielectric-constant PFBEK solid additive, the efficiency of Q-allPSC reached 16.42%. This method provides a new research direction for all-polymer solar cells.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Jinzhen Huang, Huangzhong Yu
Summary: The addition of small-molecule biomaterial GHK-Cu in binary PBDB-T:ITIC system increases ITIC crystallinity and promotes the formation of continuous single-phase domains of PBDB-T and ITIC, optimizing charge transmission in PSCs. GHK-Cu also enhances energy transfer efficiency and enhances the absorption spectrum, leading to improved PCE in ternary devices. The incorporation of GHK-Cu significantly boosts the PCE of both PBDB-T:ITIC and PM6:Y6 based PSCs.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Vipul Agarwal, Yasemin Fadil, Alice Wan, Namrata Maslekar, Bich Ngoc Tran, Rabiatul A. Mat Noor, Saroj Bhattacharyya, Joanna Biazik, Sean Lim, Per B. Zetterlund
Summary: This study systematically investigated the impact of two anionic surfactants on the properties of polymer/graphene-based nanocomposite films. It was found that SDS significantly outperformed SDBS in terms of electrical conductivity and mechanical properties. The results demonstrate that nanocomposite properties can be effectively manipulated by altering the concentration and type of surfactant.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Angus W. Ritchie, Harrison J. Cox, Hassan Gonabadi, Steve J. Bull, Jas Pal S. Badyal
Summary: ASPD is a single-step, low-temperature, and dry method for preparing high refractive index hybrid polymer or polymer-inorganic nanocomposite coatings. Thin films with high refractive index can be easily deposited onto various substrates by using ASPD.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Optics
E. M. Mkawi, Y. Al-Hadeethi, R. S. Bazuhair, A. S. Yousef, E. Shalaan, B. Arkook, A. M. Abdel-Daiem, E. Bekyarova
Summary: Cu2ZnSnS4 nanoparticles were fabricated using a solvothermal method and incorporated into a polymer matrix-based organic hybrid photovoltaic active layer; the dependence of polymeric solar cells on the concentration of CZTS NPs was examined; CZTS NPs doping enhanced the active layer, leading to improved structure and increased light absorption and electrical conductivity, demonstrating the role of CZTS NPs in the development of efficient P3HT: PCBM polymer solar cells.
JOURNAL OF LUMINESCENCE
(2021)
Article
Physics, Applied
Jeffrey C. F. Cheung, Loren G. Kaake
Summary: Singlet fission is a promising process for light harvesting technologies, allowing a single photon to be converted into a pair of triplet excitons. Utilizing singlet fission in excitonic solar cells can exceed the Shockley Queisser limit and increase efficiency. By incorporating a third material to form a double heterojunction, the challenge of exciton binding energy can be overcome, resulting in a significant improvement in efficiency.
APPLIED PHYSICS LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Jun Zan, Yujuan Huang, Huiqin Cui, Jianbin Chen, Longlong Zhang
Summary: In donor-acceptor (D-A) heterojunction polymer solar cells, photocreated excitons evolve into the charge-transfer (CT) state at D/A interfaces. In some cases, the exciton can also trap one charge by forming a trion state. The mechanisms of charge transfer and separation for these trions at D/A interfaces are still not fully understood but they are crucial for photovoltaic performance. In this study, the electronic properties of the trion-CT state were theoretically investigated using a tight-binding model. The results show that the interfacial trion-CT state remains a bound state with one electron transferring to the acceptor and one exciton remaining on the donor. The amount of charge transfer can be adjusted by intrinsic factors including charge delocalization, D-A coupling strength, electron-lattice and electron-electron interactions, and the D-A energetic offset. Charge separation of the trion-CT state under an electric field was also studied, and the results suggest that the trion-CT state is harder to dissociate compared to the exciton-CT state.
ORGANIC ELECTRONICS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Composites
K. Parvathi, M. A. Al-Maghrabi, M. Subburaj, M. T. Ramesan
Summary: The study shows that the addition of Cu-Al2O3 nanoparticles significantly improves the processing characteristics, mechanical properties, and thermal stability of NR, reducing costs. The swelling behavior of the composite with different loading levels of nanoparticles was also investigated.
POLYMER COMPOSITES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Zhenhua Pan, Vikas Nandal, Yuriy Pihosh, Tomohiro Higashi, Tian Liu, Jason A. Roehr, Kazuhiko Seki, Chiheng Chu, Kazunari Domen, Kenji Katayama
Summary: This study reveals the influence of surface energetics on the performance of a Mo-doped BiVO4 photoanode, and finds that photodeposition of cocatalysts can significantly enhance charge separation efficiency and injection efficiency for water oxidation.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Yuji Yamagata, Hiroaki Benten, Toshiki Kawanishi, Masakazu Nakamura
Summary: This study investigated the role of trace amounts of solvent additives in the performance improvement of all-polymer blend solar cells using PC-AFM. The results showed that the addition of solvents can increase photocurrent by improving charge transport efficiency. The study elucidated the interplay between the additive-mediated microstructures of the polymer:polymer blends and their device performances.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Zhenhua Pan, Vikas Nandal, Yuriy Pihosh, Tomohiro Higashi, Tian Liu, Jason A. Rohr, Kazuhiko Seki, Chiheng Chu, Kazunari Domen, Kenji Katayama
Summary: This study investigates the influence of surface energetics on the efficiency of photoelectrochemical water splitting. The results show that the loading of cocatalysts on different surfaces can greatly enhance charge separation efficiency and improve injection efficiency for water oxidation.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Wenming Chai, Junxiao Ma, Weidong Zhu, Dazheng Chen, He Xi, Jincheng Zhang, Chunfu Zhang, Yue Hao
Summary: All-inorganic perovskite CsPbIBr2 materials show promise for optoelectronics, but tend to undergo halide phase segregation under illumination, impacting their properties. By modifying the crystalline grains with PMMA, researchers successfully overcame this issue, resulting in improved performance of CsPbIBr2 films.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xihu Wu, Shuai Chen, Maximilian Moser, Akshay Moudgil, Sophie Griggs, Adam Marks, Ting Li, Iain McCulloch, Wei Lin Leong
Summary: This study demonstrates a high-performance solid-state organic electrochemical transistor (SSOECT) with high transconductance, ultrafast speed, and operational stability. The SSOECTs can detect low-amplitude physiological signals in harsh environments with high signal-to-noise ratio.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Malgorzata Nguyen, Ulrike Kraft, Wen Liang Tan, Illia Dobryden, Katharina Broch, Weimin Zhang, Hio-Ieng Un, Dimitrios Simatos, Deepak Venkateshavaran, Iain McCulloch, Per M. Claesson, Christopher R. McNeill, Henning Sirringhaus
Summary: Conjugated polymer field-effect transistors show excellent mechanical properties, high charge-carrier mobilities, and compatibility with large-area, low-temperature processing, making them a promising technology for flexible electronics. However, their electrical stability is still a concern. This study presents a simple method of antisolvent treatment to improve the stability and performance of solution-processable indacenodithiophene-co-benzothiadiazole (IDT-BT) polymer transistors. The method increases the degree of crystallinity in the weakly crystalline polymer films, reducing electron trapping and charge traps. This highlights the importance of microstructure in weakly crystalline polymer films and offers a processing strategy for reliable flexible electronics.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jiajun Song, Guanqi Tang, Jiupeng Cao, Hong Liu, Zeyu Zhao, Sophie Griggs, Anneng Yang, Naixiang Wang, Haiyang Cheng, Chun-Ki Liu, Iain McCulloch, Feng Yan
Summary: In this study, a high-performance flexible photodetector is realized by gating an organic electrochemical transistor with a perovskite solar cell. The device exhibits high gain, fast response time, and ultrahigh detectivity under a low working voltage, allowing it to track photoplethysmogram signals and peripheral oxygen saturation. This work offers a novel strategy for high-performance flexible photodetectors in low-power, user-friendly, and wearable optoelectronics.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Han-Ying Liu, Samuel E. Neale, Michael S. Hill, Mary F. Mahon, Claire L. McMullin, Emma Richards
Summary: Ionic compounds containing sodium cations are known for their stability and resistance to redox reactivity. However, when treated with non-reducible organic bases, a low oxidation state {Mg2Na2} species undergoes selective extrusion of sodium metal and oxidation of the Mg-I centers. Quantum chemical studies indicate that intramolecular electron transfer is facilitated by the molecular orbitals of the {Mg2Na2} ensemble.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Kyle G. G. Pearce, Michael S. S. Hill, Mary F. F. Mahon
Summary: Reaction of BeCl2 with dilithium diamide yields the dimeric chloroberyllate, leading to the formation of a 2-coordinate beryllium amide. Reduction of the beryllium amide using lithium or sodium in benzene produces relevant organoberyllate products, likely through transient Be(i) radicals.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Henry T. W. Shere, Michael S. Hill, Samuel E. Neale, Mary F. Mahon, Claire L. McMullin, Andrew S. S. Wilson
Summary: This article investigates the contrasting reactivities of molecular beta-diketiminato (BDI) calcium hydride and n-hexyl derivatives towards bis(pinacolato)diboron (B(2)pin(2)). The study finds that the dimeric calcium hydride forms an unusual diborane(6) dianion, while the initially dimeric organocalcium reagent converts to a calcium diboranate monomer. Attempts to induce heterolysis of the B-B bond in the calcium diboranate monomer were unsuccessful, resulting in either dismutation or the generation of N-donor adduct derivatives. These different reactivities can be explained by density functional theory (DFT) calculations, which attribute them to the larger radius and lower steric congestion of the third-row group 2 cation.
ZEITSCHRIFT FUR ANORGANISCHE UND ALLGEMEINE CHEMIE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Junxin Chen, Shengyu Cong, Lewen Wang, Yazhou Wang, Liuyuan Lan, Chaoyue Chen, Yecheng Zhou, Zhengke Li, Iain McCulloch, Wan Yue
Summary: This study presents a significant advancement in high-performance n-type semiconducting polymers by constructing a coplanar backbone through intramolecular hydrogen bonds. The resulting polymers exhibit enhanced performance in aqueous electrolyte, with higher electrochromic contrast and coloration efficiency, as well as improved electron mobility and mu C* values. The hydrogen bond functionalization strategy opens up new possibilities for achieving desirable performance metrics in aqueous-based electrochemical devices.
MATERIALS HORIZONS
(2023)
Review
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Furkan H. Isikgor, Shynggys Zhumagali, Luis V. T. Merino, Michele De Bastiani, Iain McCulloch, Stefaan De Wolf
Summary: Metal-oxide-based charge-transport layers are crucial for the development of perovskite solar cells, but the metal-oxide/perovskite interfaces often have defects that hinder charge transfer and cause non-radiative recombination. This review explores the challenges associated with these interfaces and proposes solutions using molecular engineering, such as self-assembled monolayers, to improve their performance and commercial viability.
NATURE REVIEWS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jiajun Song, Hong Liu, Zeyu Zhao, Xuyun Guo, Chun-ki Liu, Sophie Griggs, Adam Marks, Ye Zhu, Helen Ka-wai Law, Iain McCulloch, Feng Yan
Summary: In this study, electrochemical transistors (ECTs) based on highly oriented two-dimensional conjugated metal-organic frameworks (2D c-MOFs) are demonstrated. The 2D c-MOFs films exhibit ion-conductive vertical nanopores, enabling efficient ion transfer and high volumetric capacitance. The ECTs show fast speeds and ultrahigh transconductance, and are successfully used for wearable on-skin recording of electrocardiogram (ECG) signals.
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Anne-Frederique M. Pecharman, Erika M. Roberts, Fedor M. Miloserdov, Victor Varela-Izquierdo, Mary F. Mahon, Michael K. Whittlesey
Summary: The addition of excess ZnMe2 to a mixture of [Ru(PPh3)(3)HCl] and IMes resulted in the formation of a bis-cyclometallated complex [Ru(IMes)(PPh3)(2)] 2 and a mono-cyclometallated Ru-Zn heterobimetallic complex [Ru(IMes)'(PPh3)(2)(ZnMe)] 3. Further reactions of these complexes with H-2, PhSiH3, pinacolborane, and CO were investigated. Compounds 1, 4, 5, and 6 were synthesized and structurally characterized.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Tyler J. Quill, Garrett LeCroy, David M. Halat, Rajendar Sheelamanthula, Adam Marks, Lorena S. Grundy, Iain McCulloch, Jeffrey A. Reimer, Nitash P. Balsara, Alexander Giovannitti, Alberto Salleo, Christopher J. Takacs
Summary: A polymer semiconductor/ionic-liquid nanocomposite with mixed conduction was studied. Dynamic structural changes during electrochemical charging were observed using operando X-ray scattering, enabling efficient electronic transport. This unique dual-network microstructure resulted in a dynamic ionic/electronic nanocomposite with liquid-like ionic transport and highly mobile electronic charges. The ordered structure of the nanocomposite and mechanisms leading to efficient electron transport were confirmed using operando X-ray scattering and in situ spectroscopy.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Iain McCulloch, Michael Chabinyc, Christoph Brabec, Christian Bech Nielsen, Scott Edward Watkins
Summary: The development of organic electronic applications has reached a critical point, with organic light-emitting diode displays leading the way. In this Perspective, the status of embedded carbon, options for more sustainable materials, and recycling solutions in organic electronic products are evaluated.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Kyle G. Pearce, Chiara Dinoi, Ryan J. Schwamm, Laurent Maron, Mary F. Mahon, Michael S. Hill
Summary: This study investigates the formation of a series of calcium complexes, in which the orientation and hapticity of the aryl units are influenced by the position of the methyl substituent and steric hindrance. Additionally, an unusual reaction mechanism involving the generation of an intermediate dicalcium species and the polyhapto engagement of the aryl substituents with calcium is observed.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Han-Ying Liu, Samuel E. Neale, Michael S. Hill, Mary F. Mahon, Claire L. McMullin, Benjamin L. Morrison
Summary: [{SiNDipp}MgNa](2) reacts directly with H-2 to form a heterobimetallic hydride. Computational density functional theory (DFT) studies suggest that this reactivity is initiated by orbitally-constrained sigma(Mg-Mg)-> sigma*(H-H) and sigma(H-H) -> n*(Na(3s)) interactions between the frontier MOs of both H-2 and the tetrametallic core of [{SiNDipp}MgNa](2).
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Han-Ying Liu, Samuel E. Neale, Michael S. Hill, Mary F. Mahon, Claire L. McMullin
Summary: The copper(i) alumanyl derivative reacts with up to three equivalents of various terminal alkynes, resulting in the sequential formation of cuprous (hydrido)(alkynyl)aluminate, (alkenyl)(alkynyl)aluminate, and bis(alkynyl)aluminate derivatives. The alkene liberation process in the latter step is a unique case of alkyne transfer semi-hydrogenation.
