This paper proposes a new mechanism to explain the performance of thin dye-sensitized solar cells （DSSC）. Near-stoichiometric flower-like Cu2ZnSnS4 （CZTS） microspheres with a high specific surface area was fabri- ...This paper proposes a new mechanism to explain the performance of thin dye-sensitized solar cells （DSSC）. Near-stoichiometric flower-like Cu2ZnSnS4 （CZTS） microspheres with a high specific surface area was fabri- cated for use as the photocathode in a DSSC. To improve the extraction and transfer of electrons, graphene was added to the CZTS. A DSSC with a 10-gin TiO2 pho- toanode layer exhibited a slightly degraded efficiency with a CZTS-graphene photocathode, relative to a Pt counter electrode （CE）. Nevertheless, when the thickness of the TiO2 photoanode was reduced to 2 lam, the efficiency of a DSSC with a CZTS-graphene photocathode was greater than that of a Pt-DSSC. It is speculated that, unlike the Pt CE, a CZTS-graphene photocathode not only collects electrons from an external circuit and catalyzes the reduction of the triiodide ions in the electrolyte, but also utilizes unabsorbed photons to produce photo-excited electrons and suppresses charge recombination, thus enhancing the performance of the cell. The use of narrowband gap p-type semiconductors as photocathodes offers a new means of fabricating thin dye-sensitized solar cells and effectively improving the cell performance.展开更多
Osmotic energy between river water and seawater has attracted interest as a new source of sustainable energy.Nanofluidic membranes in a reverse electrodialysis configuration can capture energy from salinity gradients....Osmotic energy between river water and seawater has attracted interest as a new source of sustainable energy.Nanofluidic membranes in a reverse electrodialysis configuration can capture energy from salinity gradients.However,current membrane materials suffer from high resistances,low stabilities,and low charge densities,which limit their further application.Here,we designed a high-performance nanofluidic membrane using carboxylic cellulose nanofibers functionalized with graphene oxide nanolamellas with cement-and-pebble microstructures and stable skeletons for enhanced ion transmembrane transport.By mixing artificial river water and seawater,the composite membrane achieved a high output power density up to 5.26 W m^(−2).Additionally,the membrane had an excellent acid resistance,which enabled long-term use with over 67 W m^(−2) of power density.The performance of this composite membrane benefited from the mechanically strong cellulose fibers and the bonding between nanofibers and nanolamellas.In this work,we highlight promising directions in industrial waste treatment using energy extracted from chemical potential gradients.展开更多
Both of planar and mesoporous architectures prevail for perovskite solar cells(PSCs).However,it is still an open question how the architecture affects the performance of PSCs.The inconsistent results in the references...Both of planar and mesoporous architectures prevail for perovskite solar cells(PSCs).However,it is still an open question how the architecture affects the performance of PSCs.The inconsistent results in the references often create confusion.In particular,the specific roles of mesoporous frameworks are yet to be well elaborated and require further clarification.In this study,we carefully compared the properties of perovskite films and the device performances for both architectures to unravel the roles of mesoporous TiO2 framworks in CH3NH3PbI3 PSCs.The detailed characterizations of structural,microscopic,optical and electrical properties revealed that the presence of mesoporous TiO2 framework contributed to enlarged perovskite crystal sizes,enhanced light harvesting,efficient electron extration and suppressed charge recombination.As a result,compared with the planar device,the mesoporous device yielded an improved power conversion efficiency of 18.18%,coupled with a reduced hystersis.This study reveals the benefits of mesoporous TiO2 framework in PSCs and provides the guidance for the design and optimization of architectures for high-performance devices.展开更多
基金This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China （51272033, 51572037 and 51335002）, the Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions and the Natural Science Foundation of the Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions of China （14KJA430001）.
文摘This paper proposes a new mechanism to explain the performance of thin dye-sensitized solar cells （DSSC）. Near-stoichiometric flower-like Cu2ZnSnS4 （CZTS） microspheres with a high specific surface area was fabri- cated for use as the photocathode in a DSSC. To improve the extraction and transfer of electrons, graphene was added to the CZTS. A DSSC with a 10-gin TiO2 pho- toanode layer exhibited a slightly degraded efficiency with a CZTS-graphene photocathode, relative to a Pt counter electrode （CE）. Nevertheless, when the thickness of the TiO2 photoanode was reduced to 2 lam, the efficiency of a DSSC with a CZTS-graphene photocathode was greater than that of a Pt-DSSC. It is speculated that, unlike the Pt CE, a CZTS-graphene photocathode not only collects electrons from an external circuit and catalyzes the reduction of the triiodide ions in the electrolyte, but also utilizes unabsorbed photons to produce photo-excited electrons and suppresses charge recombination, thus enhancing the performance of the cell. The use of narrowband gap p-type semiconductors as photocathodes offers a new means of fabricating thin dye-sensitized solar cells and effectively improving the cell performance.
基金supported by the National Key R&D Program of China(2017YFA0206904 and 2017YFA0206900)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(21625303,22122207,2190528721988102)。
文摘Osmotic energy between river water and seawater has attracted interest as a new source of sustainable energy.Nanofluidic membranes in a reverse electrodialysis configuration can capture energy from salinity gradients.However,current membrane materials suffer from high resistances,low stabilities,and low charge densities,which limit their further application.Here,we designed a high-performance nanofluidic membrane using carboxylic cellulose nanofibers functionalized with graphene oxide nanolamellas with cement-and-pebble microstructures and stable skeletons for enhanced ion transmembrane transport.By mixing artificial river water and seawater,the composite membrane achieved a high output power density up to 5.26 W m^(−2).Additionally,the membrane had an excellent acid resistance,which enabled long-term use with over 67 W m^(−2) of power density.The performance of this composite membrane benefited from the mechanically strong cellulose fibers and the bonding between nanofibers and nanolamellas.In this work,we highlight promising directions in industrial waste treatment using energy extracted from chemical potential gradients.
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(51602088)the Open Fund of the Key Laboratory of Photovoltaic and Energy Conservation Materials,Chinese Academy of Sciences(PECL2019KF007)and China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(2017T100313)。
文摘Both of planar and mesoporous architectures prevail for perovskite solar cells(PSCs).However,it is still an open question how the architecture affects the performance of PSCs.The inconsistent results in the references often create confusion.In particular,the specific roles of mesoporous frameworks are yet to be well elaborated and require further clarification.In this study,we carefully compared the properties of perovskite films and the device performances for both architectures to unravel the roles of mesoporous TiO2 framworks in CH3NH3PbI3 PSCs.The detailed characterizations of structural,microscopic,optical and electrical properties revealed that the presence of mesoporous TiO2 framework contributed to enlarged perovskite crystal sizes,enhanced light harvesting,efficient electron extration and suppressed charge recombination.As a result,compared with the planar device,the mesoporous device yielded an improved power conversion efficiency of 18.18%,coupled with a reduced hystersis.This study reveals the benefits of mesoporous TiO2 framework in PSCs and provides the guidance for the design and optimization of architectures for high-performance devices.
