Demei Yu

High-efficiency non-fullerene organic solar cells enabled by a difluorobenzothiadiazole-based donor polymer combined with a properly matched small molecule acceptor

Here we report high-performance small molecule acceptor (SMA)-based organic solar cells (OSCs) enabled by the combination of a difluorobenzothiadiazole donor polymer named PffBT4T-2DT and a SMA named SF-PDI2. It is found that SF-PDI2 matches particularly well with PffBT4T-2DT and non-fullerene OSCs with an impressive VOC of 0.98 V, and a high power conversion efficiency of 6.3% is achieved. Our study shows that PffBT4T-2DT is a promising donor material for SMA-based OSCs, and the selection of a matching SMA is also important to achieve the best OSC performance.

A Tetraphenylethylene Core‐Based 3D Structure Small Molecular Acceptor Enabling Efficient Non‐Fullerene Organic Solar Cells

A tetraphenylethylene core-based small molecular acceptor with a unique 3D molecular structure is developed. Bulk-heterojunction blend films with a small feature size (≈20 nm) are obtained, which lead to non-fullerene organic solar cells (OSCs) with 5.5% power conversion efficiency. The work provides a new molecular design approach to efficient non-fullerene OSCs based on 3D-structured small-molecule acceptors.

Efficient non-fullerene polymer solar cells enabled by tetrahedron-shaped core based 3D-structure small-molecular electron acceptors

Here we report a series of tetraphenyl carbon-group (tetraphenylmethane (TPC), tetraphenylsilane (TPSi) and tetraphenylgermane (TPGe)) core based 3D-structure non-fullerene electron acceptors, enabling efficient polymer solar cells with a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of up to ∼4.3%. The results show that TPC and TPSi core-based polymer solar cells (PSCs) perform significantly better than that based on TPGe. Our study provides a new approach for designing small molecular acceptor materials for polymer solar cells.

Hierarchical NiCoO2 nanosheets supported on amorphous carbon nanotubes for high-capacity lithium-ion batteries with a long cycle life

In this paper, we report a facile approach to the synthesis of one-dimension (1D) hierarchical NiCoO2 nanosheets (NSs)@amorphous CNT composites based on the templates and carbon source of polymeric nanotubes (PNTs). Importantly, these sulfonated PNTs can also be used to prepare many other functional 1D metal oxides@amorphous CNT nanostructures, such as TiO2, SnO2, CoO and NiO, etc. Due to the outstanding nanostructures and the synergistic effects of the NiCoO2 NSs and amorphous CNTs, an ultrahigh discharge capacity of 1309 mA h g−1 is delivered by the NiCoO2@CNT composites, even after 300 cycles at a current density of 400 mA g−1. The favorable improvements of the NiCoO2 based lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) reported in this work illustrate that the 1D amorphous carbon matrix offers significant benefits for high-capacity metal oxide anode nanomaterials.

Fabrication of one-dimensional heterostructured TiO2@SnO2 with enhanced photocatalytic activity

TiO2@SnO2 nanosheets@nanotubes heterostructures were successfully prepared by a facile two-step method: prefabricated SnO2@PNT coaxial nanocables based on the in situ growth of SnO2 in the sulfonated gel matrix of polymeric nanotubes, and then the assembly of TiO2 nanoclusters that consist of ultrathin nanosheets through a solvothermal process. These heterostructures were characterized for the morphological, structural and optical properties by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV-visible (UV-vis) and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). The photocatalytic investigations showed that the TiO2@SnO2 heterostructures possessed enhanced photocatalytic efficiency in the photodegradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) and photocatalytic H2 evolution from water splitting under ultraviolet (UV) light irradiation, compared with the pristine TiO2 nanosheets, SnO2 nanotubes, the mechanically mixed two samples and P25. The enhanced photocatalytic performance can be ascribed to the beneficial microstructure and synergistic effects of coupled TiO2@SnO2 nanosheets@nanotubes heterostructures.

MoS2 nanosheets grown on amorphous carbon nanotubes for enhanced sodium storage

In this work, we demonstrate a step-wise route to build a novel one-dimensional (1D) architecture formed by MoS2 nanosheets and amorphous carbon nanotubes (ACNTs). Being evaluated as an anode material for NIBs, the as-prepared MoS2@ACNT electrode is capable of exhibiting a remarkable reversible capacity of 461 mA h g−1 at a current density of 500 mA g−1 over 150 cycles. Moreover, the coulombic efficiency is almost up to 100% except for the initial few cycles during the whole cycling test. The smart electrode architecture and appropriate synergistic effect between MoS2 and ACNTs are probably responsible for the enhanced electrochemical performance.

Preparation and properties of ion-imprinted hollow particles for the selective adsorption of silver ions.

Four kinds of silver ion-imprinted particles (Ag-IIPs) with different morphologies were prepared by the surface ion-imprinting technology (SIIT) and were used for the selective removal and concentration of silver ions from wastewater. The favorable adsorptivity and selectivity of Ag-IIPs for Ag(+) were confirmed by a series of adsorption experiments at a suitable pH value. The adsorption mechanism was elucidated by analyzing the adsorption isotherms, adsorption thermodynamics, and adsorption kinetics systematically. The Ag(+) adsorption onto the Ag-IIPs was well-described by the Langmuir isotherm model, and it was likely to be a monolayer chemical adsorption. This conclusion was also confirmed by the thermodynamic parameters. Moreover, the adsorption kinetics indicated that the adsorption rate would be controlled jointly by the intraparticle diffusion and the inner surface adsorption process, and the latter process was generally associated with the formation and breaking of chemical bonds. Finally, the effects of different morphologies of the Ag-IIPs for Ag(+) adsorption were also investigated. In aqueous solution, the adsorptivity of the Ag(+) ion-imprinting single-hole hollow particles (Ag-IISHPs) for Ag(+) was highest (80.5 mg g(-1)) because of a specific morphology that features a single hole in the shell. In an oil-water mixture, Ag(+) in the water phase could be adsorbed efficiently by the Ag(+) ion-imprinting Janus hollow particles (Ag-IIJHPs), with emulsifiability originating from the Janus structure.

The preparation of hierarchical tubular structures comprised of NiO nanosheets with enhanced supercapacitive performance

Hierarchically tubular structures comprised NiO nanosheets were successfully prepared through a mild solution route based on the template of polymeric nanotubes (PNT) followed by a thermal annealing treatment. The microstructure and chemical composition of NiO nanosheets nanotubes are investigated by SEM, TEM, HRTEM, SAED and XRD. The Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) specific surface area of this sample is calculated to be 98 m2 g−1 and the majority of pores have a size in the range of 2–10 nm. The thermal behavior of Ni-precursor@PNT was studied by TGA and the weight fraction of NiO nanosheets nanotubes obtained by calcination is measured to be 57.0%. The specific capacitance of the unique NiO nanosheets nanotubes is 588 F g−1 at the end of 1000 cycles when the charge–discharge current density is 3 A g−1, leading to only 5.2% capacity loss. In addition, the NiO nanotubes coating by relatively sparse and thin nanosheets possess better electrochemical properties. The specific capacitance is 960 F g−1 at the end of 1000 cycles when the charge–discharge current density is 10 A g−1, leading to only 1.2% capacity loss. Broadly, the as-obtained NiO nanosheets nanotubes reveal relatively high capacitance and remarkable cycling stability in virtue of the hollow, porous, flaky and tubular nanostructures.

Rational Design of NiCoO2@SnO2 Heterostructure Attached on Amorphous Carbon Nanotubes with Improved Lithium Storage Properties

It still remains very challenging to design proper heterostructures to enhance the electrochemical performance of transition metal oxide-based anode materials for lithium-ion batteries. Here, we synthesized the NiCoO2 nanosheets@SnO2 layer heterostructure supported by amorphous carbon nanotubes (ACNTs) which is derived from polymeric nanotubes (PNTs) by a stepwise method. The inner SnO2 layer not only provides a considerable capacity contribution but also produces the extra Li2O to promote the charge process of NiCoO2 and thus results in a rising cycling performance. Combining with the contribution of ACNTs backbone and ultrathin NiCoO2 nanosheets, the specific capacities of these one-dimensional nanostructures show an interesting gradually increasing trend even after 100 cycles at 400 mA g(-1) with a final result of 1166 mAh g(-1). This approach can be an efficient general strategy for the preparation of mixed-metal-oxide one-dimensional nanostructures and this innovative design of hybrid electrode materials provides a promising approach for batteries with improved electrochemical performance.

Monodisperse raspberry-like multihollow polymer/Ag nanocomposite microspheres for rapid catalytic degradation of methylene blue

Raspberry-like multihollow polymer microspheres were prepared by seeded swelling polymerization and decorated with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in the presence of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) which acted as both reducing and stabilizing agent. Formation mechanism of the raspberry-like multihollow microsphere was discussed on the basis of water absorption of sulfonated groups in the seeded swelling polymerization. Effects of weight ratio of sodium 4-vinylbenzenesulfonate to styrene (NaSS/St) of the seed particles, the concentration of PVP and [Ag(NH3)2]+ ions on the properties of polymer/Ag nanocomposite microspheres were investigated by microscopic observation, nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherms, UV-vis absorption spectra, X-ray diffraction patterns and thermogravimetric analysis. The results demonstrated that the raspberry-like multihollow microspheres were successfully fabricated by controlling over the NaSS/St of the seed particles in the seeded swelling polymerization by which the fabrication of hollow structure became simple and convenient. The spherical AgNPs were loaded on the polymer microsphere by in-situ chemical reduction due to the stabilization and reduction of PVP and the attraction between sulfonated groups and [Ag(NH3)2]+ ions. The raspberry-like multihollow polymer/Ag microspheres showed good catalytic activity and reusability in the degradation of methylene blue in the presence of NaBH4.