Ultrasmall Pt_(2)Sr alloy nanoparticles as efficient bifunctional electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction and hydrogen evolution in acidic media

Electrocatalytic oxygen reduction reaction(ORR)and hydrogen evolution reaction(HER)in acidic media are vital for the applications of renewable energy electrolyzers.However,the low mass activity of noble Pt urgently needs to be improved due to the strong binding energetics of oxygen species(*O)with Pt sites.Here we report fine PtxSr alloy(-2 nm)supported on N-doped carb on(NC)pyrolyzing from ZIF-8 as bifunctional electrocatalysts toward ORR and HER in acidic media.The representative Pt_(2)Sr/NC exhibits an onset potential of 0.94 V vs.RHE and half-wave potential of 0.84 V toward ORR,and a low over-potential of 27 mV(10 mA cm^(-2))toward HER,respectively.Significantly,the mass activities of Pt_(2)Sr/NC are 6.2 and 2.6 times higher than that of Pt/C toward ORR(at 0.9 V)and HER(at-30 mV),respectively.Simultaneously,Pt_(2)Sr/NC possesses a retention rate of 90.97%toward acidic ORR after 35000 s of continuous operation.Through density functional theory(DFT)calculations and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis,the incorporation of Sr into Pt forming Pt_(2)Sr alloy redistributes the electronic structures of Pt-Pt bonds,changing the rate-determining step for the ORR on Pt sites from the formation of*OH from*O to the generation of*OOH along with decreasing the energy barrier,which is also confirmed by the downshift of d band center.Meanwhile,the downshift of d band center also leads to the optimization of the adsorption energy(H*)with Pt,significantly improving Pt_(2)Sr/NC toward HER.

Efficient flexible perovskite solar cells and modules using a stable SnO_(2)-nanocrystal isopropanol dispersion

The outstanding advantages of lightweight and flexibility enable flexible perovskite solar cells(PSCs)to have great application potential in mobile energy devices.Due to the low cost,low-temperature processibility,and high electron mobility,SnO_(2) nanocrystals have been widely employed as the electron transport layer in flexible PSCs.To prepare high-quality SnO_(2) layers,a monodispersed nanocrystal solution is normally used.However,the SnO_(2) nanocrystals can easily aggregate,especially after long periods of storage.Herein,we develop a green and cost-effective strategy for the synthesis of high-quality SnO_(2) nanocrystals at low temperatures by introducing small molecules of glycerol,obtaining a stable and well-dispersed SnO_(2)-nanocrystal isopropanol dispersion successfully.Due to the enhanced dispersity and super wettability of this alcohol-based SnO_(2)-nanocrystal solution,large-area smooth and dense SnO_(2) films are easily deposited on the plastic conductive substrate.Furthermore,this contributes to effective charge transfer and suppressed non-radiative recombination at the interface between the SnO_(2) and perovskite layers.As a result,a greatly enhanced power conversion efficiency(PCE)of 21.8%from 19.2%is achieved for small-area flexible PSCs.A large-area 5 cm×5 cm flexible perovskite solar mini-module with a champion PCE of 16.5%and good stability is also demonstrated via this glycerol-modified SnO_(2)-nanocrystal isopropanol dispersion approach.

Erratum to:Efficient flexible perovskite solar cells and modules using a stable SnO_(2)-nanocrystal isopropanol dispersion

Erratum to Nano Research,2024,17(4):2704-2711 https://doi.org/10.1007/s12274-023-6115-y(1)In the article,the table of contents(TOC)image was unfortunately mispresented.

A novel porous silica-zirconia coating for improving bond performance of dental zirconia

Objective:To coat a zirconia surface with silica-zirconia using a dip-coating technique and evaluate its effect on resin-zirconia shear bond strength(SBS).Methods:A silica-zirconia suspension was prepared and used to coat a zirconia surface using a dip-coating technique.One hundred and eighty-nine zirconia disks were divided into three groups according to their different surface treatments(polishing,sandblasting,and silica-zirconia coating).Scanning electron microscopy(SEM),energy dispersive X-ray(EDX),and X-ray diffraction(XRD)were used to analyze the differently treated zirconia surfaces.Different primer treatments(Monobond N,Z-PRIME Plus,and no primer)were also applied to the zirconia surfaces.Subsequently,180 composite resin cylinders(Filtek Z350)were cemented onto the zirconia disks with resin cement(RelyX Ultimate).The SBS was measured after water storage for 24 h or 6 months.The data were analyzed by two-way analysis of variance(ANOVA).Results:SEM and EDX showed that the silica-zirconia coating produced a porous layer with additional Si,and XRD showed that only tetragonal zirconia was on the silica-zirconia-coating surface.Compared with the control group,the resin-zirconia SBSs of the,andblasting group and silica-zirconia-coating group were significantly increased(P<0.05).The silica-zirconia coating followed by the application of Monobond N produced the highest SBS(P<0.05).Water aging significantly reduced the resin-zirconia SBS(P<0.05).Conclusions:Dip-coating with silica-zirconia might be a feasible way to improve resin-zirconia bonding.