Bi3NbO7 is a widely studied Bi-based photocatalyst for degradation of organic pollutants, but it suffers limitations like the fast recombination of photo-generated electrons and holes. In this work, the S-scheme heterojunction Bi3NbO7/Bi2O3 was successfully synthesized using a one-pot method. The prepared Bi3NbO7/Bi2O3 heterojunctions were well characterized and evaluated by degradation of methyl orange under irradiation of xenon lamp. The appropriate coupling amount of Bi2O3 with Bi3NbO7 played a critical role in the fabrication of Bi3NbO7/Bi2O3 heterojunction composite with higher photocatalytic activity. The optimal MO degradation efficiency of 94.7
The chemistry of silane molecules is emerging as a revolutionary platform in the critical domains of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Firstly, additives in the bulk photoactive perovskite layer absorb functionalized silanes 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane (MPTS), 3-iodopropyltrimethoxysilane (IPTMS), 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES), and octadecyl trichlorosilane (OTS), as an antisolvent to form grain boundaries. The Si-O-Si forms scaffolds in between the perovskite grains, while the terminal functionalities (SH−, I−, NH2−) coordinate with the unbound Pb2+, reducing the trap densities and creating frameworks that are hydrophobic. Secondly, the silane molecules added as passivation interlayers shall include chlorosilanes and amino silanes primarily. These molecules form strong Si-O-Pb/Sn linkages that effectively reduce defects in the interfaces. Dipole modulation caused by silanes enables energy level alignment, which suppresses nonradiative recombination through Lewis-base interactions. Notably, thiol and P-O-Si-based silanes show superior performance in metal-free systems requiring strong surface passivation. Lastly, silanization of transport layers (SnO₂/TiO₂) improves oxide conductivity and wettability, enabling defect-free perovskite nucleation, while silane-grafted encapsulants enhance mechanical robustness at the module scale. Emerging structure-activity relationships show that soft Lewis-bases effectively passivate Pb2+, whereas alkoxysilane crosslinking provides physical encapsulation. These insights guide the design of next-generation silanes for tandem-optimized α-CsPbI3 cells, perovskite-silicon hybrids, scalable roll-to-roll fabrication, and suppressed ion migration. With higher power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) and comparable operational lifetimes, silane engineering provides the molecular foundation translating perovskite laboratory excellence into terawatt-scale industrialization.
Aryl diazonium chemistry is widely used for the covalent functionalization of graphene because of its versatility and broad functional group compatibility. During the grafting process, however, aryl radicals generate not only covalently attached aryl groups but also oligomeric byproducts that can physisorb on the graphene surface. Despite their formation during functionalization, the impact of these physisorbed oligomers on graphene devices remains poorly understood. Here, we elucidate their role in diazonium-functionalized graphene and demonstrate gate-pulse-induced electrostatic cleaning for their selective removal. Raman spectroscopy reveals that covalent defect formation rapidly reaches saturation, whereas oligomer adsorption continues over extended reaction times. Atomic force microscopy and Raman analyses reveal the effective removal of oligomers while covalent functionalization is preserved. Oligomer removal reduces p-type doping, improves electronic homogeneity, enhances transconductance, and suppresses hysteresis, low-frequency noise, and cycle-dependent electrical drift. As a result, gate-pulse-treated 4-nitrobenzenediazonium (4-NBD)-functionalized GFETs exhibit improved operational stability and sensitive nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) detection with high signal-to-noise ratios at sub-micromolar concentrations.
The development of advanced functional materials utilizing post-consumer polymers and renewable biomass provides a pivotal strategy for reducing embodied energy and carbon footprints in sustainable transport infrastructure systems. Herein, we systematically investigate the multi-scale mechanics and microstructural reinforcement thresholds of dense-graded AC14 asphalt concrete hybrid-modified with recycled high-density polyethylene (r-HDPE, fixed 5 wt
Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are attractive for space photovoltaics because of their high specific power and low cost fabrication. However, the space temperature variations with large range and rapid cycle encountered in low Earth orbit (LEO) can generate thermomechanical stress across multilayer interfaces, making thermal-cycling tolerance essential for reliable operation. In this study, interfacial engineering in n–i–p PSCs was investigated by comparing Control, self-assembled monolayer (SAM), and polyethylenimine ethoxylated (PEIE) interfaces. Temperature-dependent in situ grazing-incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering from − 120 to 120 °C reveals clear interface-dependent differences in phase evolution during heating and PbI₂ accumulation at elevated temperatures. Both SAM and PEIE modifications exhibit robust crystallographic response, maintaining the cubic phase over broad temperature range and delaying PbI₂ accumulation. Furthermore, device stability of thermal cycling between 20 and 80 °C shows improved power-conversion-efficiency retention for SAM and PEIE- modified PSCs compared with the Control device over three thermal cycles. These findings demonstrate that the interface engineering can mitigate thermally induced structural degradation and improve the thermal robustness of PSCs under thermal cycling in LEO environments.
