The advancement of scintillators is of pivotal significance in X‐ray detection and imaging technologies, with widespread applications spanning security inspection, manufacturing quality control, medical diagnostics, and frontier scientific instruments. In recent years, metal halide perovskites and their derivatives have attracted considerable research interest as promising scintillators, attributed to their superior optoelectronic properties. Notably, zero‐dimensional (0D) copper halide Cs 3 Cu 2 I 5 crystals have emerged as a promising candidate for next‐generation scintillation materials, owing to their near‐unity quantum yield, facile synthesis process, and excellent stability against humidity and X‐ray irradiation. This review first summarizes the crystalline structure of Cs 3 Cu 2 I 5 and its two intrinsic emission mechanisms. Subsequently, it discusses the progress in X‐ray scintillation imaging performance of Cs 3 Cu 2 I 5 ‐based nanocrystals and single crystals. The review then elaborates on the underlying mechanisms of metal ion doping (including Tl + , In + , Mn 2+ , alkali metals, and alkaline earth metals) in tailoring the optoelectronic properties of Cs 3 Cu 2 I 5 crystals for scintillation applications. Finally, it highlights the emerging application prospects of Cs 3 Cu 2 I 5 crystals, such as dual‐energy X‐ray imaging, multi‐energy X‐ray linear‐array detectors, and computed tomography imaging.
Two-dimensional (2D) perovskites are widely employed to enhance the efficiency and stability of perovskite solar cells (PSCs); however, their formation typically relies on thermal annealing, which can degrade the underlying three-dimensional (3D) perovskite and lead to poorly defined phases. In addition, their intrinsically low out-of-plane conductivity imposes a trade-off between improved stability and efficient charge transport. Here, a thermally independent interfacial reconstruction strategy is reported to enable the phase-selective formation of phase-pure n = 1 2D perovskites without thermal activation. This approach suppresses thermally induced degradation and prevents the formation of higher-n or mixed-phase intermediates. The resulting 2D perovskite exhibits a mixed-orientation architecture, comprising domains parallel and tilted relative to the underlying 3D lattice. This structural configuration simultaneously enables effective surface passivation and ion-blocking while maintaining efficient vertical charge transport, thereby overcoming the stability-transport trade-off. As a result, the optimized PSCs achieve a champion efficiency of 26.61% and retain over 98% of their initial performance after 2000 h of continuous maximum power point tracking. In contrast, the control devices exhibit inferior efficiency and accelerated degradation under identical conditions. This work establishes a nonthermal pathway to reconcile stability and charge transport in perovskite optoelectronics.
ABSTRACT Perovskite light‐emitting diodes (PeLEDs) have emerged as a promising technology for future displays owing to their prominent optoelectronic properties. However, inefficient charge injection and nonradiative recombination at the interfaces, alongside defective crystal growth, remain the primary bottlenecks for efficient LED devices. Herein, we propose a “molecular suturing” strategy that synchronously stabilizes the interface and directs crystal growth using a multifunctional ligand. We employ methyl bis(2,2,2‐trifluoroethyl) phosphonoacetate (MBTPA), which features cooperative carbonyl (C = O), phosphoryl (P = O), and trifluoromethyl (─CF 3 ) groups. The C = O and P = O groups chemically bind to defect sites, forming coordination interactions with undercoordinated Pb 2+ and halide vacancies. Concurrently, the ─CF 3 moieties establish robust hydrogen‐bond interactions with hole injection layer. By providing these two complementary interactions on opposite sides, MBTPA effectively “sutures” the buried interface between the perovskite and the hole‐transport layer, strengthening interfacial adhesion and promoting more efficient hole injection. Consequently, MBTPA‐modified PeLEDs achieve bright blue emission at 485 nm with a peak external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 23.14%, and green emission at 513 nm with a peak EQE of 27.05%. This molecular suturing strategy provides an effective route for simultaneous control of interfacial chemistry and crystallization, offering a generalizable approach for performance enhancement in perovskite optoelectronic devices.
High-quality SAM deposition bridges molecular design and manufacturable buried contacts through uniform coverage, compact packing, stable anchoring and reduced interfacial heterogeneity.
The advancement of scintillators is of pivotal significance in X‐ray detection and imaging technologies, with widespread applications spanning security inspection, manufacturing quality control, medical diagnostics, and frontier scientific instruments. In recent years, metal halide perovskites and their derivatives have attracted considerable research interest as promising scintillators, attributed to their superior optoelectronic properties. Notably, zero‐dimensional (0D) copper halide Cs3Cu2I5 crystals have emerged as a promising candidate for next‐generation scintillation materials, owing to their near‐unity quantum yield, facile synthesis process, and excellent stability against humidity and X‐ray irradiation. This review first summarizes the crystalline structure of Cs3Cu2I5 and its two intrinsic emission mechanisms. Subsequently, it discusses the progress in X‐ray scintillation imaging performance of Cs3Cu2I5‐based nanocrystals and single crystals. The review then elaborates on the underlying mechanisms of metal ion doping (including Tl+, In+, Mn2+, alkali metals, and alkaline earth metals) in tailoring the optoelectronic properties of Cs3Cu2I5 crystals for scintillation applications. Finally, it highlights the emerging application prospects of Cs3Cu2I5 crystals, such as dual‐energy X‐ray imaging, multi‐energy X‐ray linear‐array detectors, and computed tomography imaging.
As integrated circuits continue to scale down and adopt three-dimensional (3D) stacking, thermal management in the back-end-of-line (BEOL) has emerged as a critical design constraint. In this study, we present a combined experimental and simulation framework to quantitatively characterize and mechanistically understand thermal transport in BEOL multilayers. Using the Square-Pulsed Source (SPS) method, a time-resolved optical metrology technique, we measure cross-plane thermal resistance and areal heat capacity in semiconductor chips at nanometer resolution. Two fabricated chip samples, polished to the M4 and M6 interconnection layers, are analyzed to extract thermal properties of distinct multilayer stacks. Results show that thermal resistance follows a series model, while areal heat capacity scales linearly with metal content. To uncover the underlying physical mechanisms, we perform finite element simulations using COMSOL Multiphysics, examining the influence of via connectivity and dielectric thermal conductivity on effective cross-plane heat transport. The simulations reveal that dielectric materials, due to their large volume fraction, are the primary limiting factor in BEOL thermal conduction, while the via structure plays a secondary but significant role. This combined experimental-simulation approach provides mechanistic insight into heat transport in advanced IC architectures and offers practical guidance for optimizing thermal pathways in future high-performance 3D-stacked devices.
With the trend toward miniaturized and intelligent infrared systems, high-performance light source chips featuring a high modulation depth and rapid thermal response have emerged as key components for advancing interdisciplinary applications. In this study, a dual-band infrared source chip featuring a suspended membrane structure on a silicon-on-insulator substrate is reported. The suspended polysilicon emissive layer was prepared via high-concentration boron doping and micro-nano processing techniques. Relative to a closed membrane configuration, the suspended structure yields superior thermal and optical characteristics including a thermal response time of 36 ms to reach 450 degrees C, a modulation depth of 50% at 60 Hz, and dual-band emission centered at 3.6 and 9.54 mu m. Structural-property correlation analysis reveals that the specific infrared emission signatures are intrinsically linked to the lattice microstructure. In particular, the 3.6 mu m emission is attributed to the stretching vibrations of hydrogen-bridged bonds and Si-H bonds localized at oxygen vacancies within the surface SiO2 layer. In addition, the 9.54 mu m peak originates from the coupling between the SiO2 network bending modes and the localized vibrational modes of Si-B bonds introduced by boron doping. Furthermore, the suspended membrane architecture plays a critical role in enhancing modulation performance by geometrically confining heat, thereby suppressing lateral thermal diffusion and reducing thermal capacitance. These insights establish a direct mapping between micro/nano-structural design and optoelectronic performance, offering a robust theoretical framework for developing high-efficiency infrared emitters for gas sensing and photodetection applications.
Homogenizing the upper surface through posttreatment has made great progress in perovskite solar cells. In contrast to the exposed surface, there are no practical remedies if imperfections form randomly at the hidden buried interface after perovskite film generation. Here, we reveal a severe distribution of residual lead iodide, voids, and grain-surface concavities at the buried interface, which severely trap carriers in inactive regions. To address these challenges, we introduce a potassium dihydrogen phosphate competitive-binding interlayer that systematically reduces residual solvents at the buried interface through strong chemical interactions. Homogenized buried interface along with facilitated perovskite film quality and charge extraction have been achieved, enabling year-round improvements in photovoltaic performance and reproducibility. The resultant devices achieve a champion power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 26.3% (certified at 25.8%) for a 0.07-square centimeter device and 25.17% for a 1.028-square centimeter device. The device also demonstrates exceptional stability, maintaining 97% of its initial PCE after 1000 hours of continuous maximum power point tracking.
Two-terminal (2T) perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells demonstrate significantly higher power conversion efficiencies compared to single-junction perovskite or silicon solar cells. However, their narrower combined spectral response and inherent current-matching constraints render them particularly vulnerable to spectral variations in real-world conditions. To address this, we developed a software tool to automatically assess the spectral performance of photovoltaic technologies across different climatic conditions. Using this model and outdoor spectral data from key photovoltaic deployment regions worldwide, the impact of spectral variations on 2T cell performance was thoroughly evaluated. In comparison to single-junction devices, annual spectral mismatch losses in tandem cells ranged from −3.25% to −0.77%. Despite these losses, the superior efficiency of tandem cells resulted in an increased annual energy yield per unit area. PVsyst simulations indicated that 2T cells could achieve an annual energy generation increase of 8.74% to 11.16% per unit area relative to single-junction silicon cells. Consequently, the levelised cost of electricity (LCOE) was reduced by between −0.87% and 1.59%, with a potential maximum price premium of 7% under optimal spectral conditions. Additionally, we introduced a straightforward method to rapidly assess the outdoor spectral performance of 2T tandem cells based solely on the UV ratio. This work provides a comprehensive assessment of spectral mismatch effects, LCOE variations, and premium potential, offering valuable insights for optimising and deploying 2T tandem technologies in practical applications.
As a critical light-harvesting component in perovskite-integrated tandem photovoltaic architectures, wide-bandgap (WBG) perovskite absorbers have attracted considerable research interest. However, WBG perovskite solar cells (PSCs) often exhibit poor fill factor (FF) and substantial open-circuit voltage (VOC) loss, primarily owing to pronounced non-radiative recombination, together with suboptimal charge transport dynamics. In this work, we inserted 4-guanidinobenzoic acid methanesulfonate (GBAM) into the interface between perovskites and hole transporting self-assembled monolayers. After being dried in a nitrogen atmosphere at room temperature, the GBAM film and the subsequently deposited perovskite film underwent an annealing process together to achieve buried interface improvement of the WBG perovskite. The results show that GBAM not only improves the band alignment of the perovskite interface and enhances the extraction of interface carriers, but also elevates the quality of the perovskite film and reduces interface losses. Eventually, 1.78 eV WBG and 1.53 eV normal PSCs based on GBAM achieved enhanced VOC and FF, as well as a PCE of 20.9% and 26.16%, respectively. Furthermore, a two-terminal perovskite-perovskite tandem solar cell, formed by combining a narrow-bandgap tin-lead perovskite cell with a WBG perovskite cell, demonstrates an efficiency exceeding 29%. Our work provides a feasible approach for boosting the photovoltaic performance of WBG and all-perovskite tandems.
Steam turbines used in clean energy systems such as solar and nuclear power typically operate at lower inlet temperatures. This leads to high exit humidity and severe erosion of the last-stage blades, thus significantly compromising operational safety and economic efficiency. Advancements in manufacturing technologies, particularly metal 3D printing, enable the incorporation of intricate internal structures within turbine blades to mitigate erosion. We introduced a novel Diamond-Like Structure (DLS) within the hollow stator blade to augment heating dehumidification by reinforcing turbulence and heat transfer. We employed a coupled fluidstructure-thermal numerical simulation to evaluate its efficacy. Our findings reveal that the DLS blades significantly enhance the heating effect compared to a normal blade. Under 100 % rated mass flow operating condition, the DLS blade exhibited a 3.59 K increase in average blade surface temperature and a 9.8 % reduction in water film thickness compared to normal blade operating under identical 370 K heating steam conditions at 4 % flow rate. The effect of incorporating DLS within the blades is comparable to an increase of 27.36 K in the heating steam temperature or to the addition of 0.86 % of the main steam flow as heating steam. Flow visualization analysis indicates that the disruptive effect of the DLS significantly intensifies the heat transfer within the blades. Further investigations employing varied design parameters revealed that a denser DLS configuration resulted in an additional 3.34 K increase in blade surface temperature and a 13.16 % reduction in water film thickness relative to the original DLS blade. The innovative application of DLS in steam turbines demonstrates its potential for widespread use in thermal management across various blade types, including those used in wind turbines and gas turbine stators.
Transparent conductive oxides (TCOs)-foundation of perovskite solar cells (PSCs)-have long been assumed to be stable, and thus their impact on device longevity is frequently overlooked. Herein, we unveil that fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO) suffers from instability under operational stress, exacerbating PSC stability issue. To address this issue, we propose a universal interface engineering strategy employing a scalable thermal evaporation followed by natural oxidation to form an atomically bonded yttrium oxide (Y2O3) to strengthen structural stability of FTO. Evaporated yttrium effectively anchors a portion of lattice oxygen within FTO, preventing elemental dissociation. Moreover, the formed Y2O3 featured conformal deposition on rough FTO increases the interfacial adhesion energy, establishing a robust barrier against ion diffusion and carrier nonradiative recombination loss. This approach fortifies the structural integrity of the PSC, leading to dramatically improved operational stability. Unencapsulated devices exhibit negligible performance loss after 1,200 h of continuous illumination. Notably, we achieve power conversion efficiencies of 26.48% (certified at 26.12%) in regular (n-i-p) architectures, 26.34% in inverted (p-i-n) configurations, and 28.47% in tandem structures-among one of the highest reported in their respective categories-underscoring its strong generality and potential for commercialization.
Porous lead iodide (PbI2) film is crucial for the complete reaction between PbI2 and ammonium salts in sequential-deposition technology so as to achieve high crystallinity perovskite film. Herein, it is found that the tensile stress in tin (IV) oxide (SnO2) electron transport layer (ETL) is a key factor influencing the morphology and crystallization of PbI2 films. Focusing on this, lithium trifluoromethanesulfonate (LiOTf) is used as an interfacial modifier in the SnO2/PbI2 interface to decrease the tensile stress to reduce the necessary critical Gibbs free energy for PbI2 nuclei formation. The relaxed tensile stress facilitates the more porous PbI2 generation with larger particles and higher roughness, resulting in superior-quality perovskite films. Besides, this strategy effectively passivates the inherent electron traps of SnO2 and smooths the interfacial energy levels, boosting the charge extraction and transfer. As a result, a champion power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 25.33% (25.10% stabilized for 600 s) is achieved. Furthermore, the device demonstrates exceptional stability, retaining 90% of its initial PCE at its maximum power point tracking measurement (under 100 mW cm-2 white light illumination at ≈55 °C temperature, in N2 atmosphere) after 600 h.
Despite significant advancements in green- and red-emitting devices, challenges remain in blue perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs), particularly in terms of material optimization, doping engineering, and crystallization dynamics. In this work, to address critical inefficiencies and nonradiative recombination losses, we present a simple yet effective approach involving a one-step self-organization process through incorporation of tetraphenylphosphonium chloride (TPPCl). The chlorine atoms in TPPCl, owing to their strong electronegativity, form hydrogen-bonding interactions with the protonated -NH3 + groups in phenethylammonium cations, regulating the crystallization kinetics and thus suppressing the formation of low-dimensional phases. The optimized crystallization process in perovskite thin films facilitates the reduction of trap states and thus exhibits an enhanced exciton binding energy from 53.9 to 58.18 meV. This strategy enables precise control over the reduced-dimensional phases, nonradiative recombination pathways, and spectral stability of the active perovskite layer. The resultant blue PeLEDs achieve a peak external quantum efficiency of 21.2%, representing a 2-fold enhancement compared to control devices (10.3%). Notably, the emission peak of the devices, located at 485 nm, remains stable under varying bias conditions. Our findings highlight that the performance of PeLEDs can be effectively optimized by modulating the perovskite crystallization process and phase distribution, offering a novel strategy for designing multifunctional molecules.
Tin-lead (Sn-Pb) perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have received extensive attention due to their indispensable role in all-perovskite tandem solar cells. However, energy band matching between the absorber and charge transport layers remains challenging in terms of further improving efficiency of Sn-Pb PSCs. Herein, we investigate the role of a [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) buffer layer in optimizing energy level alignment for inverted Sn-Pb perovskite (FA0.7MA0.3Pb0.5Sn0.5I3) photovoltaic devices using solar cell capacitance simulator simulations. The results prove that inserting PCBM between the perovskite and the C60 electron transport layer enhances the power conversion efficiency of Sn-Pb PSC from 21.83% to 23.03%, due to the suppression of carrier recombination and an enhanced built-in electric field. The incorporation of PCBM induces the formation of a distinctive band structure within the device. This structure establishes an energy barrier that impedes hole transport while concurrently facilitating electron transport. Systematic parametric investigations demonstrate that modulating both the electron affinity of the PCBM interlayer and its donor doping concentration critically enhances photovoltaic performance by precisely tailoring the conduction band offset. Finally, devices with and without a PCBM buffer layer were fabricated. Experimental results consistently aligned with simulation-derived conclusions. This work provides a theoretical basis for designing efficient Sn-Pb PSCs through interfacial engineering.
Two-dimensional Dion-Jacobson (DJ) perovskite has garnered significant attention due to its superior responsivity and operation stability. However, efforts are predominantly focused on discovering new organic spacer to synthesize novel perovskites, while material-form-associated light management, which is crucial for enhancing the photodetector’s efficiency, is largely overlooked. Herein, we introduced surface light management strategy into DJ-type perovskite system by synthesizing surface-patterned BDAPbBr4 (BPB, BDA = NH3(CH2)4NH3) microplates (MPs) using template-assisted space-confined method, which was further elucidated by theoretical optical simulation. By leveraging surface-patterned MPs to enhance light absorption, the BPB-based photodetectors (PDs) achieved remarkable photoresponse in ultraviolet region, marked by a high on/off ratio ( 5000), superior responsivity (2.24 A W−1), along with large detectivity ( 1013 Jones) and low detection limit (68.7 nW cm−2). Additionally, the PDs showcased superior light communication and imaging capabilities even under weak-light illumination. Notably, the anisotropic nature of the surface-patterned MPs conferred excellent polarization sensitivity to the PD. These results represented the first demonstration of BPB perovskite in weak-light communication and imaging, as well as in polarized light detection. Our findings offer valuable insights into enhancing photodetector performance and optoelectronic applications through surface light management strategies.
Perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs) exhibit remarkable potential in the field of displays and solid-state lighting. However, blue PeLEDs, a key element for practical applications, still lag behind their green and red counterparts, due to a combination of strong nonradiative recombination losses and unoptimized device structures. In this report, we propose a buried interface modification strategy to address these challenges by focusing on the bottom-hole transport layer (HTL) of the PeLEDs. On one hand, a multifunctional molecule, aminoacetic acid hydrochloride (AACl), is introduced to modify the HTL/perovskite interface to regulate the perovskite crystallization. Experimental investigations and theoretical calculations demonstrate that AACl can effectively reduce the nonradiative recombination losses in bulk perovskites by suppressing the growth of low-n perovskite phases and also the losses at the bottom interface by passivating interfacial defects. On the other hand, a self-assembly nanomesh structure is ingeniously developed within the HTLs. This nanomesh structure is meticulously crafted through the blending of poly–(9,9–dioctyl–fluorene–co–N–(4–butyl phenyl) diphenylamine) and poly (n–vinyl carbazole), significantly enhancing the light outcoupling efficiency in PeLEDs. As a result, our blue PeLEDs achieve remarkable external quantum efficiencies, 20.4% at 487 nm and 12.5% at 470 nm, which are among the highest reported values. Our results offer valuable insights and effective methods for achieving high-performance blue PeLEDs.
Incorporating polysaccharide-based composite films with nanobiotechnology offers a new strategy for food preservation. This study initially focuses on the preparation of tea polyphenol nanoparticles (TPNP), novel and derived from natural antibacterial agents, which serve to improve stability. Afterwards chitosan-based composite films loaded with TPNP (CTN film) were developed using solution casting method. The incorporation of TPNP significantly improved the UV/water/oxygen barrier properties, mechanical properties and thermal stability, alongside notable physical properties including water contact angle (93.65 ± 0.04°), low water vapor permeability (33.72 ± 3.32 g/m2h) and oxygen permeability (0.11 ± 0.02 g/m2h), tensile strength (61.83 ± 0.70 %), and elongation at break (31.60 ± 6.12 %). The CTN film not only exhibited exceptional biodegradability and nontoxicity, but also demonstrated remarkable antimicrobial efficacy against Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis. Additionally, it showcased potent antioxidant activity, boasting DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging rates up to 89.25 ± 0.18 % and 93.84 ± 0.42 %. The CTN film was successfully formed on the surface of strawberries through dip-coating process and their shelf life was extended from 4 to 6 days at 20 °C without side-effect on the weight loss, harness, pH and total soluble solids, illustrating its potential for enhancing food preservation.