Antimony doped CsPbI_(2)Br for high-stability all-inorganic perovskite solar cells

All-inorganic perovskites,adopting cesium(Cs+)cation to completely replace the organic component of A-sites of hybrid organic–inorganic halide perovskites,have attracted much attention owing to the excellent thermal stability.However,all-inorganic iodine-based perovskites generally exhibit poor phase stability in ambient conditions.Herein,we propose an efficient strategy to introduce antimony(Sb^(3+))into the crystalline lattices of CsPbI_(2)Br perovskite,which can effectively regulate the growth of perovskite crystals to obtain a more stable perovskite phase.Due to the much smaller ionic radius and lower electronegativity of trivalent Sb^(3+)than those of Pb^(2+),the Sb^(3+)doping can decrease surface defects and suppress charge recombination,resulting in longer carrier lifetime and negligible hysteresis.As a result,the all-inorganic perovskite solar cells(PSCs)based on 0.25%Sb^(3+)doped CsPbI_(2)Br light absorber and screen-printable nanocarbon counter electrode achieved a power conversion efficiency of 11.06%,which is 16%higher than that of the control devices without Sb^(3+)doping.Moreover,the Sb^(3+)doped all-inorganic PSCs also exhibited greatly improved endurance against heat and moisture.Due to the use of low-cost and easy-to-process nanocarbon counter electrodes,the manufacturing process of the all-inorganic PSCs is very convenient and highly repeatable,and the manufacturing cost can be greatly reduced.This work offers a promising approach to constructing high-stability all-inorganic PSCs by introducing appropriate lattice doping.

Multifunctional dual-anion compensation of amphoteric glycine hydrochloride enabled highly stable perovskite solar cells with prolonged carrier lifetime

Throughout years,the two-step spin-coating process is the most common method to prepare organic lead halide perovskite materials.However,the short reaction time of dropping the solution at the second step means that PbI2 cannot be completely transformed into perovskite phase.To solve this problem,we report the introduction of glycine hydrochloride(GlyHCl)into the second step of the two-step spin-coating process to prepare a FA_(0.9)MA_(0.1)PbI_(3-x)%-GlyHCl perovskite material(namely FAMA-x%-GlyHCl,where FA=formamidinium,MA=methylammonium,and x%stands for the molar ratio of GlyHCl added in FA iodide/MA iodide(FAI/MAI)precursor solution).The Cl−ion in GlyHCl assists the formation ofα-phase perovskite,and the-COO−group coordinates with Pb2+cation in a bridging way,making up for the anion vacancy in perovskite lattice and resulting in high absorption intensity.The perovskite solar cells(PSCs)based on FAMA-9%-GlyHCl achieve a long carrier lifetime(527.0 ns),a photoelectric conversion efficiency(PCE)of 19.40%and good thermal stability,maintaining 85.8%of the initial PCE after being continuously heated at 60℃for 500 h.This study helps to solve the problem of incomplete reaction in the two-step spin-coating process and puts forward a new solution for preparing high coverage perovskite films with large grain size.

Phosphorylation of a wheat aquaporin at two sites enhances both plant growth and defense

Eukaryotic aquaporins share the characteristic of functional multiplicity in transporting distinct substrates and regulating various processes,but the underlying molecular basis for this is largely unknown.Here,we report that the wheat(Triticum aestivum)aquaporin TaPIP2;10 undergoes phosphorylation to promote photosynthesis and productivity and to confer innate immunity against pathogens and a generalist aphid pest.In response to elevated atmospheric CO_(2)concentrations,TaPIP2;10 is phosphorylated at the serine residue S280 and thereafter transports CO_(2)into wheat cells,resulting in enhanced photosynthesis and increased grain yield.In response to apoplastic H_(2)O_(2) induced by pathogen or insect attacks,TaPIP2;10 is phosphorylated at S121 and this phosphorylated form transports H_(2)O_(2) into the cytoplasm,where H_(2)O_(2)intensifies host defenses,restricting further attacks.Wheat resistance and grain yield could be simultaneously increased by TaPIP2;10 overexpression or by expressing a TaPIP2;10 phosphomimic with aspartic acid substitutions at S121 and S280,thereby improving both crop productivity and immunity.

Reducing surficial and interfacial defects by thiocyanate ionic liquid additive and ammonium formate passivator for efficient and stable perovskite solar cells

Organic–inorganic metal halide perovskites have attained extensive attention owing to their outstanding photovoltaic performances,but the existence of numerous defects in crystalline perovskites is still a serious constraint for the further development of perovskite solar cells(PSCs).In particular,the rapid crystallization guided by anti-solvents leads to plenty of surficial and interfacial defects in perovskite films.Herein,we report the adoption of a pseudo-halide anion based ionic liquid additive,1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium thiocyanate(BMIMSCN)for growing ternary cation(CsFAMA,where FA=formamidinium and MA=methylammonium)perovskites with large-scale crystal grains and strong preferential orientation via the enhanced Ostwald ripening.Meanwhile,a novel halide-free passivator,benzylammonium formate(BAFa),was employed as a buffering layer on the perovskite films to suppress surface-dominated charge recombination.As a result,the cooperative effects of BMIMSCN additive and BAFa passivator lead to significant enhancements on fluorescence lifetime(from 79.41 to 201.01 ns),open-circuit voltage(from 1.13 to 1.19 V),photoelectric conversion efficiency(from 18.90%to 22.33%).Moreover,the BMIMSCN/BAFa-CsFAMA PSCs demonstrated greatly improved stability against moisture and heat.This work suggests a promising strategy to improve the quality of perovskite materials via reducing the surficial and interfacial defects by the synergistic effects of lattice doping and interface engineering.

MYB44 regulates PTI by promoting the expression of EIN2 and MPK3/6 in Arabidopsis

The plant signaling pathway that regulates pathogen-associated molecular pattern(PAMP)-triggered immunity(PTI)involves mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)cascades that comprise sequential activation of several protein kinases and the ensuing phosphorylation of MAPKs,which activate transcription factors(TFs)to promote downstream defense responses.To identify plant TFs that regulate MAPKs,we investigated TF-defective mutants of Arabidopsis thaliana and identified MYB44 as an essential constituent of the PTI pathway.MYB44 confers resistance against the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae by cooperating with MPK3 and MPK6.Under PAMP treatment,MYB44 binds to the promoters of MPK3 and MPK6 to activate their expression,leading to phosphorylation of MPK3 and MPK6 proteins.In turn,phosphorylated MPK3 and MPK6 phosphorylate MYB44 in a functionally redundant manner,thus enabling MYB44 to activate MPK3 and MPK6 expression and further activate downstream defense responses.Activation of defense responses has also been attributed to activation of EIN2 transcription by MYB44,which has previously been shown to affect PAMP recognition and PTI development.AtMYB44 thus functions as an integral component of the PTI pathway by connecting transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulation of the MPK3/6 cascade.