High-Throughput Pb Recycling for Perovskite Solar Cells Using Biomimetic Whitlockite

Pb contamination in aquatic environments causes severe pollution;therefore,harmless absorbents are required.In this study,we report a novel synthesis of whitlockite(WH,Ca_(18)Mg_(2)(HPO_(4))_(2)(PO_(4))_(12)),which is the second most abundant biomineral in human bone,and its application as a high-performing Pb^(2+)absorbent.Hydroxyapatite(HAP)and WH are prepared via a simple precipitation method.The Pb2+absorption performance and mechanism of the synthesized biominerals are investigated in aqueous solutions at neutral pH.The results demonstrate that WH exhibits an excellent Pb2+absorption capacity of 2339 mg g^(−1),which is 1.68 times higher than the recorded value for HAP.Furthermore,the absorbed Pb^(2+) ions are recycled into high-purity PbI_(2).This is employed as a precursor for the fabrication of perovskite solar cells(PSCs),resulting in a conversion efficiency of 19.00%comparable to that of commercial PbI2 powder(99.99%purity).Our approach provides an efficient way to remove Pb^(2+)ions from water and reuse them in the recycling of PSCs.

Hydrothermal growth of whitlockite coating on β-tricalcium phosphate surfaces for enhancing bone repair potential

In this study, we developed a simple approach for the controllable growth of whitlockite （WH） on a β- tricalcium phosphate surface and investigated its cell viability via CCK-8, its live-dead staining and its alkaline phosphatase activity. Herein, WH with controllable morphologies was prepared by regulating the hydrothermal reaction conditions. The results of scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and X- ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicated that pure hexagonal plates of WH were prepared successfully. In vitro cell experiments showed that WH possessed excellent biocompatibility and effectively promoted the adhesion and proliferation of mouse bone mesenchymal stem cells. The osteogenesis of the WH was also enhanced. The obtained WH was expected to be utilized for promising applications as implantable block materials for bone repair.

A novel blue-purple Ce^(3+) doped whitlockite phosphor:Synthesis,crystal structure,and photoluminescence properties

At present,the rare earth(RE) ions doped phosphors have attracted more and more attention because of their excellent properties.In this paper,a series of novel blue-purple β-Ca_(3)(PO_(4))_(2):Ce^(3+) phosphors were synthesized by a high temperature solid phase method.The X-ray diffraction(XRD),infrared spectrum,energy dispersive spectroscopy(EDS),scanning electron microscopy(SEM),X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS),photoluminescence excitation and emission spectra were used to investigate the crystal structure,composition and the luminescent properties of the resulting samples.The phosphor shows a strong absorption in the ultraviolet band.Under the excitation of 269 nm,the phosphor emits a strong purple fluorescence ranging from 360 to 520 nm.When Ce^(3+) doping content is 0.07 mol,the strongest luminescence intensity is reached,and the concentration quenching mechanism is dipole-dipole(d-d)interaction for Ce^(3+) based on Dexter theory.

Eu^(3+)/Tb^(3+)-doped whitlockite nanocrystals:Controllable synthesis,cell imaging,and the degradation process in the bone reconstruction

Whitlockite(WH,Ca_(18)Mg_(2)(HPO_(4))_(2)(PO_(4))_(12))is an important inorganic phase in human bones and has positive significance for participating in the bone reconstruction process.In this paper,we report different doping strategies to prepare WH and WH-Ln(Eu/Tb)nanocrystals,and have successfully synthesized WH-Ln(Eu/Tb)nanoparticles(NPs)with bright red or green fluorescence based on ions exchange doping by two-step hydrothermal reaction.WH-5%Ln(Eu/Tb)NPs with the best fluorescence properties were successfully applied to live cell imaging,and WH-5%Eu NPs were implanted into the bone defect site in rabbit femoral condyles to visually observe its degradation process.The related results would help us understand WH nanocrystals and further expand their potential applications in tissue engineering and related fields.

Stereolithography printing of bone scaffolds using biofunctional calcium phosphate nanoparticles

Calcium phosphate(CaP)has been widely used for bone defect repair due to good biocompatibility and osteoconductivity.Additive manufacture of calcium phosphate bioceramics with tailored architectures and improved mechanical properties has recently attracted great attention.Herein,calcium phosphate nanoparticles with the size of~89-164 nm were synthesized by the hydrothermal treatment of amorphous calcium phosphate(ACP)precursors at 180°C for 24 h.Biofunctional elements including Mg,Sr and Zn have been doped into these calcium phosphate nanoparticles.Our results revealed that Mg^(2+)ions played critical roles in formation of whitlockite-type calcium phosphate(not hydroxyapatite)from ACP precursors.Moreover,gyroid scaffolds with bionic triply periodic minimal surface structures were fabricated using stereolithography printing of these calcium phosphate nanoparticles,which are likely used as biofunctional scaffolds for bone repair.

In situ magnesium calcium phosphate cements formation: From one pot powders precursors synthesis to in vitro investigations

Calcium phosphate cements are of great interest for researchers and their applications in medical practice expanded.Nevertheless,they have a number of drawbacks including the insufficient level of mechanical properties and low degradation rate.Struvite(MgNH4PO4)-based cements,which grew in popularity in recent years,despite their neutral pH and acceptable mechanical performance,release undesirable NH4+ions during their resorption.This issue could be avoided by replacement of ammonia ions in the cement liquid with sodium,however,such cements have a pH values of 9–10,leading to cytotoxicity.Thus,the main goal of this investigation is to optimize the composition of cements to achieve the combination of desirable properties:neutral pH,sufficient mechanical properties,and the absence of cytotoxicity,applying Na2HPO4-based cement liquid.For this purpose,cement powders precursors in the CaO-MgO-P2O5 system were synthesized by one-pot process in a wide composition range,and their properties were investigated.The optimal performance was observed for the cements with(Ca+Mg)/P ratio of 1.67,which are characterized by newberyite phase formation during setting reaction,pH values close to 7,sufficient compressive strength up to 22±3 MPa(for 20 mol.%of Mg),dense microstructure and adequate matrix properties of the surface.This set of features make those materials promising candidates for medical applications.