Applications and functions of rare-earth ions in perovskite solar cells

The emerging perovskite solar cells have been recognized as one of the most promising new-generation photovoltaic technologies owing to their potential of high efficiency and low production cost. However, the current perovskite solar cells suffer from some obstacles such as non-radiative charge recombination, mismatched absorption, light induced degradation for the further improvement of the power conversion efficiency and operational stability towards practical application. The rare-earth elements have been recently employed to effectively overcome these drawbacks according to their unique photophysical properties. Herein, the recent progress of the application of rare-earth ions and their functions in perovskite solar cells were systematically reviewed. As it was revealed that the rare-earth ions can be coupled with both charge transport metal oxides and photosensitive perovskites to regulate the thin film formation, and the rare-earth ions are embedded either substitutionally into the crystal lattices to adjust the optoelectronic properties and phase structure, or interstitially at grain boundaries and surface for effective defect passivation. In addition, the reversible oxidation and reduction potential of rare-earth ions can prevent the reduction and oxidation of the targeted materials. Moreover, owing to the presence of numerous energetic transition orbits, the rare-earth elements can convert low-energy infrared photons or high-energy ultraviolet photons into perovskite responsive visible light, to extend spectral response range and avoid high-energy light damage. Therefore, the incorporation of rare-earth elements into the perovskite solar cells have demonstrated promising potentials to simultaneously boost the device efficiency and stability.

Influence of rare-earth ions on structural and magnetic properties of CdFe_2O_4 ferrites

Nano-sized powders of rare-earth ions added CdFe2O4 ferrites were synthesized by oxalate co-precipitation method.The influence of R ions（R = Sm3＋, Y3＋, and La3＋） on the microstructure and magnetic properties of CdFe2O4 ferrites was studied.XRD, SEM, FTIR, and magnetic hysteresis loops were used for analyzing the samples.The addition of R ions alters the structure of the powders and decreases the crystalline size, lattice constant, and grain size.The magnetic properties such as saturation magnetization, remanent magnetization, and magnetic moment increased due to addition of rare-earth ions in CdFe2O4 ferrite.The formation of secondary phase on the grain boundaries supports the abnormal growth.FTIR spectra show two absorption bands.Results suggest that the magnetic properties depend on the particular method of preparation and additives.

Simulating resonance-mediated two-photon absorption enhancement in rare-earth ions by a rectangle phase modulation

Improving the up-conversion luminescence efficiency crucial in several related application areas. In this work, of rare-earth ions via the multi-photon absorption process is we theoretically propose a feasible scheme to enhance the resonance-mediated two-photon absorption in Er3＋ ions by shaping the femtosecond laser field with a rectangle phase modulation. Our theoretical results show that the resonance-mediated two-photon absorption can be decomposed into the on-resonant and near-resonant parts, and the on-resonant part mainly comes from the contribution of laser central frequency components, while the near-resonant part mainly results from the excitation of low and high laser frequency components. So, the rectangle phase modulation can induce a constructive interference between the two parts by properly designing the modulation depth and width, and finally realizes the resonance-mediated two-photon absorption enhancement. More- over, our results also show that the enhancement efficiency of resonance-mediated two-photon absorption depends on the laser pulse width （or laser spectral bandwidth）, final state transition frequency, and intermediate and final state absorption bandwidths. The enhancement efficiency modulation can be attributed to the relative weight manipulation of on-resonant and near-resonant two-photon absorption in the whole excitation process. This study presents a clear physical insight for the quantum control of resonance-mediated two-photon absorption in the rare-earth ions, and there will be an important significance for improving the up-conversion luminescence efficiency of rare-earth ions.

Simulation of Intermediate State Absorption Enhancement in Rare-Earth Ions by Polarization Modulated Femtosecond Laser Field

We extend the third perturbation theory to study the polarization control behavior of the intermediate state absorption in Nd^（3＋）ions. The results show that coherent interference can occur between the single-photon and three-photon excitation pathways, and depends on the central frequency of the femtosecond laser field. Moreover,single-photon and three-photon absorptions have different polarization control efficiencies, and the relative weight of three-photon absorption in the whole excitation processes can increase with increasing the laser intensity.Therefore, the enhancement or suppression of the intermediate state absorption can be realized and manipulated by properly designing the intensity and central frequency of the polarization modulated femtosecond laser field.This research can not only enrich theoretical research methods for the up-conversion luminescence manipulation of rare-earth ions, but also can provide a clear physical picture for understanding and controlling multi-photon absorption in a multiple energy level system.

Additive Effects of Rare-Earth Ions in Sodium Aluminoborate Glasses Using ²³Na and ²⁷Al Magic Angle Spinning Nuclear Magnetic Resonance

We conducted structural analysis of xNa2O-yY2O3-5B2O3-3Al2O3 and xNa2O-yLa2O3-5B2O3-3Al2O3 glasses to elucidate the additive effects of rare-earth ions in these sodium aluminoborate glasses, and investigated the local environment surrounding Na+ in them by using 23Na and 27Al magic angle spinning?nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS NMR) spectroscopy. The amount of higher-coordinated Al species ([5]Al and [6]Al) gradually increased in response to an increase in the ratios of Y2O3 to Al2O3 and La2O3 to Al2O3 in each type of glass, respectively. Moreover, the difference in the cation field strength (CFS) between Y3+ and La3+ was observed to affect the generation of [5]Al and [6]Al, especially when the amount of these ions in the glasses increased. In addition to the above, the coordination number of Na+ ions increased with an increase in the number of rare earth ions, confirmed by comparing results with NMR spectra of crystalline Na2Al2B2O7. The latter possibly occurred due to the oxygen concentration on Al[5] and Al[6]. Finally, it was confirmed that the formation of [5]Al and [6]Al decreases molar volume in oxide glasses, which might be partially due to better atomic packing of [5]Al and [6]Al.

Rare-earth ions coordination enhanced ratiometric fluorescent sensing platform for quantitative visual analysis of antibiotic residues in real samples

Levofloxacin(LVFX)as a representative drug of quinolone antibiotics is widely used in clinical,and its residues enriched in water bodies and sideline products seriously damage human health.It is imperative to develop a real-time/on-site sensing method for monitoring residual antibiotics.Here,we report a portable sensing platform by utilizing a composite fluorescent nanoprobe constructed by the cerium ions(Ce^(3+))coordination functionalized Cd Te quantum dots(QDs)for the visual and quantitative detection of LVFX residues.This fluorescent probe provides a distinct color variation from red to green,which shows a good linear relationship to LVFX residues concentrations in the range of 0-6.0μmol/L with a sensitive limit of detection(LOD)of 16.3 nmol/L.The smartphone platform with Color Analyzer App installed,which could accomplish quantified detection of LVFX in water,milk,and raw pork with a LOD of 27.9nmol/L.The facile sensing method we proposed realizes rapid visualization of antibiotics residual in the environment and provides a practical application pathway in food safety and human health.

Insights on advanced g‐C_(3)N_(4)in energy storage:Applications,challenges,and future

Graphitic carbon nitride(g‐C_(3)N_(4))is a highly recognized two‐dimensional semiconductor material known for its exceptional chemical and physical stability,environmental friendliness,and pollution‐free advantages.These remarkable properties have sparked extensive research in the field of energy storage.This review paper presents the latest advances in the utilization of g‐C_(3)N_(4)in various energy storage technologies,including lithium‐ion batteries,lithium‐sulfur batteries,sodium‐ion batteries,potassium‐ion batteries,and supercapacitors.One of the key strengths of g‐C_(3)N_(4)lies in its simple preparation process along with the ease of optimizing its material structure.It possesses abundant amino and Lewis basic groups,as well as a high density of nitrogen,enabling efficient charge transfer and electrolyte solution penetration.Moreover,the graphite‐like layered structure and the presence of largeπbonds in g‐C_(3)N_(4)contribute to its versatility in preparing multifunctional materials with different dimensions,element and group doping,and conjugated systems.These characteristics open up possibilities for expanding its application in energy storage devices.This article comprehensively reviews the research progress on g‐C_(3)N_(4)in energy storage and highlights its potential for future applications in this field.By exploring the advantages and unique features of g‐C_(3)N_(4),this paper provides valuable insights into harnessing the full potential of this material for energy storage applications.

In situ luminescence measurements of GaN/Al_(2)O_(3) film under different energy proton irradiations

Ion beam-induced luminescence(IBIL) experiments were performed to investigate the in situ luminescence of GaN/Al_(2)O_(3) at varying ion energies,which allowed for the measurement of defects at different depths within the material.The energies of H^(+)were set to 500 keV,640 keV and 2 MeV,the Bragg peaks of which correspond to the GaN film,GaN/Al_(2)O_(3) heterojunction and Al_(2)O_(3) substrate,respectively.A photoluminescence measurement at 250 K was also performed for comparison,during which only near band edge(NBE) and yellow band luminescence in the GaN film were observed.The evolution of the luminescence of the NBE and yellow band in the GaN film was discussed,and both exhibited a decrease with the fluence of H^(+).Additionally,the luminescence of F centers,induced by oxygen vacancies,and Cr^(3+),resulting from the ^(2)E →^(4)A_(2) radiative transition in Al_(2)O_(3),were measured using 2 MeV H^(+).The luminescence intensity of F centers increases gradually with the fluence of H^(+).The luminescence evolution of Cr^(3+)is consistent with a yellow band center,attributed to its weak intensity,and it is situated within the emission band of the yellow band in the GaN film.Our results show that IBIL measurement can effectively detect the luminescence behavior of multilayer films by adjusting the ion energy.Luminescence measurement can be excited by various techniques,but IBIL can satisfy in situ luminescence measurement,and multilayer structural materials of tens of micrometers can be measured through IBIL by adjusting the energy of the inducing ions.The evolution of defects at different layers with ion fluence can be obtained.

Na^(+)/K^(+)-ATPase:ion pump,signal transducer,or cytoprotective protein,and novel biological functions

Na^(+)/K^(+)-ATPase is a transmembrane protein that has important roles in the maintenance of electrochemical gradients across cell membranes by transporting three Na^(+)out of and two K^(+)into cells.Additionally,Na^(+)/K^(+)-ATPase participates in Ca^(2+)-signaling transduction and neurotransmitter release by coordinating the ion concentration gradient across the cell membrane.Na^(+)/K^(+)-ATPase works synergistically with multiple ion channels in the cell membrane to form a dynamic network of ion homeostatic regulation and affects cellular communication by regulating chemical signals and the ion balance among different types of cells.Therefo re,it is not surprising that Na^(+)/K^(+)-ATPase dysfunction has emerged as a risk factor for a variety of neurological diseases.However,published studies have so far only elucidated the important roles of Na^(+)/K^(+)-ATPase dysfunction in disease development,and we are lacking detailed mechanisms to clarify how Na^(+)/K^(+)-ATPase affects cell function.Our recent studies revealed that membrane loss of Na^(+)/K^(+)-ATPase is a key mechanism in many neurological disorders,particularly stroke and Parkinson's disease.Stabilization of plasma membrane Na^(+)/K^(+)-ATPase with an antibody is a novel strategy to treat these diseases.For this reason,Na^(+)/K^(+)-ATPase acts not only as a simple ion pump but also as a sensor/regulator or cytoprotective protein,participating in signal transduction such as neuronal autophagy and apoptosis,and glial cell migration.Thus,the present review attempts to summarize the novel biological functions of Na^(+)/K^(+)-ATPase and Na^(+)/K^(+)-ATPase-related pathogenesis.The potential for novel strategies to treat Na^(+)/K^(+)-ATPase-related brain diseases will also be discussed.

Gyro-Landau-fluid simulations of impurity effects on ion temperature gradient driven turbulence transport

The effects of impurities on ion temperature gradient(ITG)driven turbulence transport in tokamak core plasmas are investigated numerically via global simulations of microturbulence with carbon impurities and adiabatic electrons.The simulations use an extended fluid code(ExFC)based on a four-field gyro-Landau-fluid(GLF)model.The multispecies form of the normalized GLF equations is presented,which guarantees the self-consistent evolution of both bulk ions and impurities.With parametric profiles of the cyclone base case,well-benchmarked ExFC is employed to perform simulations focusing on different impurity density profiles.For a fixed temperature profile,it is found that the turbulent heat diffusivity of bulk ions in a quasi-steady state is usually lower than that without impurities,which is contrary to the linear and quasilinear predictions.The evolutions of the temperature gradient and heat diffusivity exhibit a fast relaxation process,indicating that the destabilization of the outwardly peaked impurity profile is a transient state response.Furthermore,the impurity effects from different profiles can obviously influence the nonlinear critical temperature gradient,which is likely to be dominated by linear effects.These results suggest that the improvement in plasma confinement could be attributed to the impurities,most likely through adjusting both heat diffusivity and the critical temperature gradient.

State-selective charge exchange cross sections in collisions of highly-charged sulfur ions with helium and molecular hydrogen

The state-selective cross section data are useful for understanding and modeling the x-ray emission in celestial observations.In the present work,using the cold target recoil ion momentum spectroscopy,for the first time we investigated the state-selective single electron capture processes for S^(q+)–He and H_(2)(q=11–15)collision systems at an impact energy of q×20 keV and obtained the relative state-selective cross sections.The results indicate that only a few principal quantum states of the projectile energy level are populated in a single electron capture process.In particular,the increase of the projectile charge state leads to the population of the states with higher principal quantum numbers.It is also shown that the experimental averaged n-shell populations are reproduced well by the over-barrier model.The database is openly available in Science Data Bank at 10.57760/sciencedb.j00113.00091.

Access to advanced sodium-ion batteries by presodiation:Principles and applications

Sodium-ion batteries(SIBs)are expected to offer affordability and high energy density for large-scale energy storage system.However,the commercial application of SIBs is hurdled by low initial coulombic efficiency(ICE),continuous Na loss during long-term operation,and low sodium-content of cathode materials.In this scenario,presodiation strategy by introducing an external sodium reservoir has been rationally proposed,which could supplement additional sodium ions into the system and thereby markedly improve both the cycling performance and energy density of SIBs.In this review,the significance of presodiation is initially introduced,followed by comprehensive interpretation on technological properties,underlying principles,and associated approaches,as well as our perspectives on present inferiorities and future research directions.Overall,this contribution outlines a distinct pathway towards the presodiation methodology,of significance but still in its nascent phase,which may inspire the targeted guidelines to explore new chemistry in this field.

Absolute partial and total ionization cross sections of carbon monoxide with electron collision from 350 eV to 8000 eV

The absolute partial and total cross sections for electron impact ionization of carbon monoxide are reported for electron energies from 350 eV to 8000 eV.The product ions(CO^(+),C^(+),O^(+),CO^(2+),C^(2+),and O^(2+))are measured by employing an ion imaging mass spectrometer and two ion-pair dissociation channels(C^(+)+O^(+)and C^(2+)+O^(+))are identified.The absolute cross sections for producing individual ions and their total,as well as for the ion-pair dissociation channels are obtained by normalizing the data of CO^(+)to that of Ar^(+)from CO-Ar mixture target with a fixed 1:1 ratio.The overall errors are evaluated by considering various kinds of uncertainties.A comprehensive comparison is made with the available data,which shows a good agreement with each other over the energy ranges that are overlapped.This work presents new cross-section data with electron energies above 1000 eV.

Simulation of ion cyclotron wave heating in the EXL-50U spherical tokamak based on dispersion relations

This study investigates the single-pass absorption(SPA) of ion cyclotron range of frequency(ICRF) heating in hydrogen plasma of the EXL-50U spherical tokamak,which is an upgraded EXL-50 device with a central solenoid and a stronger magnetic field.The reliability of the kinetic dispersion equation is confirmed by the one-dimensional full-wave code,and the applicability of Porkolab's simplified theoretical SPA model is discussed based on the kinetic dispersion equation.Simulations are conducted to investigate the heating effects of the fundamental and second harmonic frequencies.The results indicate that with the design parameters of the EXL-50U device,the SPA for second harmonic heating is 63%,while the SPA for fundamental heating is 13%.Additionally,the optimal injection frequencies are 23 MHz at 0.9 T and 31 MHz at 1.2 T.The wave vector of the antenna parallel to the magnetic field,with a value of k_‖=7.5 m^(-1),falls within the optimal heating region.Simulations reveal that the ICRF heating system can play an important role in the ion heating of the EXL-50U.

Characteristics of the SOL ion-to-electron temperature ratio on the J-TEXT tokamak with different plasma configurations

Accurate measurement of the average plasma parameters in the edge region,including the temperature and density of electrons and ions,is critical for understanding the characteristics of the scrape-off layer(SOL) and divertor plasma transport in magnetically confined fusion research.On the J-TEXT tokamak,a multi-channel retarding field analyzer(RFA) probe has been developed to study average plasma parameters in the edge region under various poloidal divertor and island divertor configurations.The edge radial profile of the ion-to-electron temperature ratio,τ_(i/e),has been determined,which gradually decreases as the SOL ion self-collisionality,v_(SOL)*,increases.This is broadly consistent with what has been observed previously from various tokamak experiments.However,the comparison of experimental results under different configurations shows that in the poloidal divertor configuration,even under the same v_(SOL)*,τ_(i/e) in the SOL region becomes smaller as the distance from the X-point to the target plate increases.In the island divertor configuration,τ_(i/e) near the O-point is higher than that near the X-point at the same v_(SOL)*,and both are higher than those in the limiter configuration.These results suggest that the magnetic configuration plays a critical role in the energy distributions between electrons and ions at the plasma boundary.

Progress on Transition Metal Ions Dissolution Suppression Strategies in Prussian Blue Analogs for Aqueous Sodium-/Potassium-Ion Batteries

Aqueous sodium-ion batteries(ASIBs)and aqueous potassium-ion batteries(APIBs)present significant potential for large-scale energy storage due to their cost-effectiveness,safety,and environmental compatibility.Nonetheless,the intricate energy storage mechanisms in aqueous electrolytes place stringent require-ments on the host materials.Prussian blue analogs(PBAs),with their open three-dimensional framework and facile synthesis,stand out as leading candidates for aqueous energy storage.However,PBAs possess a swift capacity fade and limited cycle longevity,for their structural integrity is compromised by the pronounced dis-solution of transition metal(TM)ions in the aqueous milieu.This manuscript provides an exhaustive review of the recent advancements concerning PBAs in ASIBs and APIBs.The dissolution mechanisms of TM ions in PBAs,informed by their structural attributes and redox processes,are thoroughly examined.Moreover,this study delves into innovative design tactics to alleviate the dissolution issue of TM ions.In conclusion,the paper consolidates various strategies for suppressing the dissolution of TM ions in PBAs and posits avenues for prospective exploration of high-safety aqueous sodium-/potassium-ion batteries.

Semi-implantable device based on multiplexed microfilament electrode cluster for continuous monitoring of physiological ions

Modern medicine is increasingly interested in advanced sensors to detect and analyze biochemical indicators.Ion sensors based on potentiometric methods are a promising platform for monitoring physiological ions in biological subjects.Current semi-implantable devices are mainly based on single-parameter detection.Miniaturized semi-implantable electrodes for multiparameter sensing have more restrictions on the electrode size due to biocompatibility considerations,but reducing the electrode surface area could potentially limit electrode sensitivity.This study developed a semi-implantable device system comprising a multiplexed microfilament electrode cluster(MMEC)and a printed circuit board for real-time monitoring of intra-tissue K^(+),Ca^(2+),and Na^(+)concentrations.The electrode surface area was less important for the potentiometric sensing mechanism,suggesting the feasibility of using a tiny fiber-like electrode for potentiometric sensing.The MMEC device exhibited a broad linear response(K^(+):2–32 mmol/L;Ca^(2+):0.5–4 mmol/L;Na^(+):10–160 mmol/L),high sensitivity(about 20–45 mV/decade),temporal stability(>2weeks),and good selectivity(>80%)for the above ions.In vitro detection and in vivo subcutaneous and brain experiment results showed that the MMEC system exhibits good multi-ion monitoring performance in several complex environments.This work provides a platform for the continuous real-time monitoring of ion fluctuations in different situations and has implications for developing smart sensors to monitor human health.

Do tensile and shear forces exerted on cells influence mechanotransduction through stored energy considerations?

All tissues in the body are subjected externally to gravity and internally by collagenfibril and cellular retractive forces that create stress and energy equilibrium required for homeostasis.Mechanotransduction involves mechanical work(force through a distance)and energy storage as kinetic and potential energy.This leads to changes in cell mitosis or apoptosis and the synthesis or loss of tissue components.It involves the application of energy directly to cells through integrin-mediated processes,cell-cell connections,stretching of the cell cytoplasm,and activation of the cell nucleus via yes-associated protein(YAP)and transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-motif(TAZ).These processes involve numerous complexes,intermediate molecules,and multiple pathways.Several pathways have been identified from research studies on vertebrate cell culture and from studies in invertebrates.These pathways involve mechanosensors and other molecules that activate the pathways.This review discusses the mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)family,Hippo,Hedgehog,and Wingless-related integration site(WNT)/βcatenin signaling pathways.The mediators covered includeβcatenin,ion channels,growth factors,hormone receptors,members of the Ras superfamily,and components of the linker of nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton(LINC)complex.However,the interrelationship among the different pathways remains to be clarified.Integrin-mediated mechanotransduction involves direct tensile loading and energy applied to the cell membrane via collagenfibril stretching.This energy is transferred between cells by stretching the cell-cell connections involving cadherins and the WNT/βcatenin pathway.These alterations induce changes in intracellular events in the cytoskeleton and nuclear skeleton caused by the release of YAP and TAZ.These coactivators then penetrate through the nuclear pores and influence nuclear cell function.Alteration in the balance of forces and energy applied to cells and tissues is hypothesized to shift the cell-extracellular matrix mechanical equilibrium by modifying mechanotransduction.The shift in equilibrium can lead to either tissue synthesis,genetic modifications,or promotefibrotic diseases,including epithelial cell-derived cancers,depending on the local metabolic conditions.

Electrical switching in cadmium ferrite with different rare-earth ions(Sm^(3+), Y^(3+), and La^(3+))

The cadmium ferrite and 5 % rare-earth ions（Sm^3＋, Y^3＋, and La^3＋） added Cd ferrites were synthesized by oxalate co-precipitation method and characterized by X-ray diffraction（XRD）, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy（FT-IR）, and scanning electron microscope（SEM） techniques. All ferrite samples under investigation exhibit current-controlled negative resistance type I–E characteristics at room temperature. The required electrical-switching field in cadmium ferrite is higher than that for 5 % Sm^3＋, Y^3＋, and La^3＋added cadmium ferrites. The5% addition of Sm^3＋, Y^3＋, and La^3＋ in cadmium ferrite is found to decrease the grain size in this ferrite. This decrement in the grain size makes the required switching field to decrease in cadmium ferrite. No aging effect for electrical switching is observed in these ferrites.

Two‑Dimensional Metal Halides for X‑Ray Detection Applications

Metal halide perovskites have recently emerged as promising candidates for the next generation of X-ray detectors due to their excellent optoelectronic properties.Especially,two-dimensional(2D)perovskites afford many distinct properties,including remarkable structural diversity,high generation energy,and balanced large exciton binding energy.With the advantages of 2D materials and perovskites,it successfully reduces the decomposition and phase transition of perovskite and effectively suppresses ion migration.Meanwhile,the existence of a high hydrophobic spacer can block water molecules,thus making 2D perovskite obtain excellent stability.All of these advantages have attracted much attention in the field of X-ray detection.This review introduces the classification of 2D halide perovskites,summarizes the synthesis technology and performance characteristics of 2D perovskite X-ray direct detector,and briefly discusses the application of 2D perovskite in scintillators.Finally,this review also emphasizes the key challenges faced by 2D perovskite X-ray detectors in practical application and presents our views on its future development.