NaHCO_(3)-induced porous PbI_(2) enabling efficient and stable perovskite solar cells

Driven by their many unique features,perovskite solar cells(PSCs)have become one of the most promising candidates in the photovoltaic field.Two-step preparation of perovskite film is advantageous for its higher stability and reproducibility compared to the one-step method,which is more suitable for practical application.However,the incomplete conversion of the dense lead iodide(PbI_(2))layer during the sequential spin-coating of formamidinium/methylammonium(FA^(+)/MA^(+))organic amine salts severely affect the performance of PSCs.Herein,sodium bicarbonate(NaHCO_(3))is used to induce the formation of porous PbI_(2),which facilitates the penetration of the FA^(+)/MA^(+)ions and the formation of a perovskite film with high crystallinity and large grain microstructure.Meanwhile,the introduction of Na^(+)not only improves the energetic alignment of the PSC,but also increases the conductivity via p-doping.As a result,the optimized NaHCO_(3)-modified PSC achieves a champion power conversion efficiency of 24.0% with suppressed hysteresis.Moreover,the significant reduction in defect density and ion migration as well as a mild alkaline environment enhance the stability of device.The unencapsulated NaHCO_(3)-modified PSCs maintain over 90% of their original efficiency upon storage in ambient air(30%–40% relative humidity)for 2160 h.We have demonstrated an ingenious strategy for controlling the quality of perovskite and improving the performance of device by low-temperature foaming of simple inorganic molecules of NaHCO_(3).

Isolation of a novel strain of Cyanobacterium sp.with good adaptation to extreme alkalinity and high polysaccharide yield

The use of high alkaline medium is a feasible way to provide carbon source and prevent biological contamination for the outdoor cultivation of alkaliphilic microalgae and cyanobacteria.A novel cyanobacterial strain was isolated from the open pond of a marine green alga(Picochlorum sp.SCSIO-45015,Sanya,Hainan)and identified as Cyanobacterium sp.SCSIO-45682.The effects of initial sodium bicarbonate(NaHCO_(3))concentrations on the growth and biochemical composition of Cyanobacterium sp.SCSIO-45682 were investigated.The results demonstrated that Cyanobacterium sp.SCSIO-45682 had good adaptation to 16.8-g/L NaHCO_(3)(the same concentration of NaHCO_(3) used in Zarrouk medium for Spirulina).Moreover,the yields of biomass,polysaccharide,chlorophyll a(chl a),and phycocyanin increased under high NaHCO_(3) concentrations.The maximum final biomass concentration of 2.5 g/L was observed at 8.4-g/L NaHCO_(3),while the highest intracellular total saccharide content of 49.2%of dry weight(DW)and exopolysaccharide(EPS)concentration of 93 mg/L were achieved at the NaHCO_(3) concentration of 16.8 g/L.The crude protein content declined under high NaHCO_(3) concentrations,which provide a possible explanation for the accumulation of polysaccharide.This study shows a good potential of alkaliphilic Cyanobacterium sp.SCSIO-45682 as a polysaccharide feedstock.