TiO_(2)Electron Transport Layer with p-n Homojunctions for Efficient and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells

Low-temperature processed electron transport layer(ETL)of TiO_(2)that is widely used in planar perovskite solar cells(PSCs)has inherent low carrier mobility,resulting in insufficient photogenerated elec-tron transport and thus recombination loss at buried interface.Herein,we demonstrate an effective strategy of laser embedding of p-n homojunctions in the TiO_(2)ETL to accelerate electron transport in PSCs,through localized build-in electric fields that enables boosted electron mobility by two orders of magnitude.Such embedding is found significantly helpful for not only the enhanced crystallization quality of TiO_(2)ETL,but the fabrication of perovskite films with larger-grain and the less-trap-states.The embedded p-n homojunction enables also the modulation of interfacial energy level between perovskite layers and ETLs,favoring for the reduced voltage deficit of PSCs.Benefiting from these merits,the formamidinium lead iodide(FAPbI_(3))PSCs employing such ETLs deliver a champion efficiency of 25.50%,along with much-improved device stability under harsh conditions,i.e.,maintain over 95%of their initial efficiency after operation at maximum power point under continuous heat and illumination for 500 h,as well as mixed-cation PSCs with a champion efficiency of 22.02%and over 3000 h of ambient storage under humidity stability of 40%.Present study offers new possibilities of regulating charge transport layers via p-n homojunction embedding for high performance optoelectronics.

Gelation of Hole Transport Layer to Improve the Stability of Perovskite Solar Cells

To achieve high power conversion efficiency(PCE) and long-term stability of perovskite solar cells(PSCs), a hole transport layer(HTL) with persistently high conductivity, good moisture/oxygen barrier ability, and adequate passivation capability is important. To achieve enough conductivity and effective hole extraction, spiro-OMe TAD, one of the most frequently used HTL in optoelectronic devices, often needs chemical doping with a lithium compound(LiTFSI). However, the lithium salt dopant induces crystallization and has a negative impact on the performance and lifetime of the device due to its hygroscopic nature. Here, we provide an easy method for creating a gel by mixing a natural small molecule additive(thioctic acid, TA) with spiro-OMe TAD. We discover that gelation effectively improves the compactness of resultant HTL and prevents moisture and oxygen infiltration. Moreover, the gelation of HTL improves not only the conductivity of spiro-OMe TAD, but also the operational robustness of the devices in the atmospheric environment. In addition, TA passivates the perovskite defects and facilitates the charge transfer from the perovskite layer to HTL. As a consequence, the optimized PSCs based on the gelated HTL exhibit an improved PCE(22.52%) with excellent device stability.

Perovskite solar cells with NiO_(x) hole-transport layer

Inverted perovskite solar cells(PSCs)have attracted interest due to their simple fabrication,long-term stability,and small hysteresis[1-3].It is noteworthy that the quality of the hole-transport layer(HTL)largely determines the device performance.Nickel oxide(NiO_(x))has been paid great attention as a hole-transport material in PSCs because of its natural p-type property,low cost,good stability,and high transmittance[4,5].

Improved performance of organic light-emitting diodes with dual electron transporting layers

In this study the performance of organic light-emitting diodes （OLEDs） are enhanced significantly, which is based on dual electron transporting layers （13phen/CuPc）. By adjusting the thicknesses of Bphen and CuPc, the maximal luminescence, the maximal current efficiency, and the maximal power efficiency of the device reach 17570 cd/m^2 at 11 V, and 5.39 cd/A and 3.39 lm/W at 3.37 mA/cm^2 respectively, which are enhanced approximately by 33.4%, 39.3%, and 68.9%, respectively, compared with those of the device using Bphen only for an electron transporting layer. These results may provide some valuable references for improving the electron injection and the transportation of OLED.

TiO_2 composite electron transport layers for planar perovskite solar cells by mixed spray pyrolysis with precursor solution incorporating TiO_2 nanoparticles

Perovskite solar cells with planar structure are attractive for their simplified device structure and reduced hysteresis effect. Compared to conventional mesoporous devices, TiO2 porous scaffold layers are removed in planar devices. Then, compact TiO2 electron transport layers take the functions of extracting electrons, transporting electrons, and blocking holes. Therefore, the properties of these compact TiO2 layers are important for the performance of solar cells. In this work, we develop a mixed spray pyrolysis method for producing compact TiO2 layers by incorporating TiO2 nanoparticles with dif- ferent size into the precursor solutions. For the optimized nanoparticle size of 60 nm, a power conversion efficiency of 16.7% is achieved, which is obviously higher than that of devices without incorporated nanoparticles （9.9%）. Further in- vestigation reveals that the incorporation of nanoparticles can remarkably improve the charge extraction and recombination processes.

Effects of the strain relaxation of an AlGaN barrier layer induced by various cap layers on the transport properties in AlGaN/GaN heterostructures

The strain relaxation of an A1GaN barrier layer may be influenced by a thin cap layer above, and affects the transport properties of A1GaN/GaN heterostructures. Compared with the slight strain relaxation found in A1GaN barrier layer without cap layer, it is found that a thin cap layer can induce considerable changes of strain state in the A1GaN barrier layer. The degree of relaxation of the A1GaN layer significantly influences the transport properties of the two-dimensional electron gas （2DEG） in A1GaN/GaN heterostructures. It is observed that electron mobility decreases with the increasing degree of relaxation of the A1GaN barrier, which is believed to be the main cause of the deterioration of crystalline quality and morphology on the A1GaN/GaN interface. On the other hand, both GaN and A1N cap layers lead to a decrease in 2DEC density. The reduction of 2DEG caused by the GaN cap layer may be attributed to the additional negative polarization charges formed at the interface between CaN and A1GaN, while the reduction of the piezoelectric effect in the A1GaN layer results in the decrease of 2DEC density in the case of A1N cap layer.

Exploring the Multi-Layer Structural Properties of the Bus-Subway Transportation Network of Shanghai

Buses and subways are essential to urban public transportation systems and an important engine for activating high-quality urban development. Traditional multi-modal transportation networks focus on the structural feature mining of single-layer networks or each layer, ignoring the structural association of multi-layer networks. In this paper, we examined the multi-layer structural property of the bus-subway network of Shanghai at both global and nodal scales. A dual-layer model of the city’s bus and subway system was built. Single-layer complex network indicators were also extended. The paper also explored the spatial coupling properties of the city’s bus and subway system and identified its primary traffic nodes. It was found that 1) the dual-layer network increased the network’s connectivity to a certain extent and broke through the spatial limitation in terms of physical structure, making the connection between any two locations more direct. 2) The dual-layer network changed the topological characteristics of the transit network, increasing the centrality value and bit order in degree centrality, betweenness centrality, and closeness centrality to different degrees, and making each centrality tend to converge to the city center in spatial distribution. Enhancing the management of critical network nodes would help the integrated public transportation system operate more effectively and provide higher-quality services.

TiO_(2)/SnO_(2)electron transport double layers with ultrathin SnO_(2)for efficient planar perovskite solar cells

The electron transport layer(ETL)plays an important role on the performance and stability of perovskite solar cells(PSCs).Developing double ETL is a promising strategy to take the advantages of different ETL materials and avoid their drawbacks.Here,an ultrathin SnO_(2)layer of~5 nm deposited by atomic layer deposit(ALD)was used to construct a TiO_(2)/SnO_(2)double ETL,improving the power conversion efficiency(PCE)from 18.02%to 21.13%.The ultrathin SnO_(2)layer enhances the electrical conductivity of the double layer ETLs and improves band alignment at the ETL/perovskite interface,promoting charge extraction and transfer.The ultrathin SnO_(2)layer also passivates the ETL/perovskite interface,suppressing nonradiative recombination.The double ETL achieves outstanding stability compared with PSCs with TiO_(2)only ETL.The PSCs with double ETL retains 85%of its initial PCE after 900 hours illumination.Our work demonstrates the prospects of using ultrathin metal oxide to construct double ETL for high-performance PSCs.

Fabrication of Perovskite-Type Photovoltaic Devices with Polysilane Hole Transport Layers

Perovskite-type photovoltaic devices with polysilane hole transport layers were fabricated by a spin-coating method. In the present work, poly(methyl phenylsilane) (PMPS) and decaphenylcyclopentasilane (DPPS) were used as the hole transport layers. First, structural and optical properties of the PMPS and DPPS films were investigated, and the as-prepared PMPS and DPPS films were amorphous. Optical absorption spectra of the amorphous PMPS and DPPS showed some marked features due to the nature of polysilanes. Then, microstructures, optical and photovoltaic properties of the perovskite-type photovoltaic devices with polysilane hole transport layers were investigated. Current density-voltage characteristics and incident photon to current conversion efficiency of the photovoltaic devices with the polysilane layers showed different photovoltaic performance each other, attributed to molecular structures of the polysilanes and Si content in the present hole transport layers.

Optical and NH₃Gas Sensing Properties of Hole-Transport Layers Based on PEDOT: PSS Incorporated with Nano-TiO₂

Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) incorporated with nanocrystalline TiO2 powder (PEDOT:PSS+nc-TiO2) films were prepared by spin-coating technique. SEM surface morphology, UV-Vis spectra and NH3 gas sensing of were studied. Results showed that the PEDOT:PSS+nc-TiO2 film with a content of 9.0 wt% of TiO2 is most suitable for both the hole transport layer and the NH3 sensing. The responding time of the sensor made from this composite film reached a value as fast as 20 s. The rapid responsiveness to NH3 gas was attributed to the efficient movement of holes as the major charge carriers in PEDOT:PSS+nc-TiO2 composite films. Useful applications in organic electronic devices like light emitting diodes and gas thin film sensors can be envisaged.

Observations of boundary layer parameters and suspended sediment transport over the intertidal flats of northern Jiangsu, China

A current-turbidity monitoring system (CTMS) was deployed on the intertidal flat at Wanggang, northern Jiangsu during October 16-17, 2000, to measure the tidal current speeds and seawater turbidities at 5 levels above the seabed. Based upon the logarithmic-profile equation, the boundary layer parameters, i.e., u, z0 and C60, were obtained for 247 tidal flow velocity profiles. Around 90% of the profiles were logarithmic according to the critical correlation coefficient. Internal consistency analysis shows that these parameters derived by different methods are consistent with each other. In addition, the height of the bedforms observed is close to the seabed roughness lengths calculated from the velocity profiles, indicating that the boundary layer parameters obtained can reveal the conditions at the sediment-water interface on the intertidal flats. Suspended sediment concentrations were obtained from the 5 CTMS turbidity meters using laboratory and in-situ calibrations. The results show that the in-situ calibrated SSCs have a much higher accuracy than the laboratory calibrated ones. Calculation of suspended sediment fluxes on the intertidal flats, with a magnitude of 104 kg/m per spring tidal cycle, indicates that suspended sediment moves towards the northwest, which is reversal to the transport pattern controlled by the southward Northern Jiangsu Coastal Current in the sub-tidal zone and adjacent shallow waters.

The Influence of Convergence Movement on Turbulent Transportation in the Atmospheric Boundary Layer

Classical turbulent K closure theory of the atmospheric boundary layer assumes that the vertical turbulent transport flux of any macroscopic quantity is equivalent to that quantity's vertical gradient transport flux. But a cross coupling between the thermodynamic processes and the dynamic processes in the atmospheric system is demonstrated based on the Curier-Prigogine principle of cross coupling of linear thermodynamics. The vertical turbulent transportation of energy and substance in the atmospheric boundary layer is related not only to their macroscopic gradient but also to the convergence and the divergence movement. The transportation of the convergence or divergence movement is important for the atmospheric boundary layer of the heterogeneous underlying surface and the convection boundary layer. Based on this, the turbulent transportation in the atmospheric boundary layer, the energy budget of the heterogeneous underlying surface and the convection boundary layer, and the boundary layer parameterization of land surface processes over the heterogeneous underlying surface are studied. This research offers clues not only for establishing the atmospheric boundary layer theory about the heterogeneous underlying surface, but also for overcoming the difficulties encountered recently in the application of the atmospheric boundary layer theory.

Tailored PEDOT:PSS hole transport layer for higher performance in perovskite solar cells: Enhancement of electrical and optical properties with improved morphology

Precise control over the charge carrier dynamics throughout the device can result in outstanding performance of perovskite solar cells(PSCs).Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate)(PEDOT:PSS)is the most actively studied hole transport material in p-i-n structured PSCs.However,charge transport in the PEDOT:PSS is limited and inefficient because of its low conductivity with the presence of the weak ionic conductor PSS.In addition,morphology of the underlying PEDOT:PSS layer in PSCs plays a crucial role in determining the optoelectronic quality of the active perovskite absorber layer.This work is focused on realization of a non-wetting conductive surface of hole transport layer suitable for the growth of larger perovskite crystalline domains.This is accomplished by employing a facile solventengineered(ethylene glycol and methanol)approach resulting in removal of the predominant PSS in PEDOT:PSS.The consequence of acquiring larger perovskite crystalline domains was observed in the charge carrier dynamics studies,with the achievement of higher charge carrier lifetime,lower charge transport time and lower transfer impedance in the solvent-engineered PEDOT:PSS-based PSCs.Use of this solventengineered treatment for the fabrication of MAPbI3 PSCs greatly increased the device stability witnessing a power conversion efficiency of 18.18%,which corresponds to^37%improvement compared to the untreated PEDOT:PSS based devices.

An enhanced differential evolution-based inverse radiation transport model for identification of unknown shielding layer thicknesses with gamma-ray spectrum

Identifying the geometric information of an object by analyzing the detected radiation fields is an important problem for national and global security.In the present work,an inverse radiation transport model,based on the enhanced differential evolution algorithm with global and local neighborhoods(IRT-DEGL),is developed to estimate the unknown layer thickness of the source/shield system with the gamma-ray spectrum.The framework is briefly introduced with the emphasis on handling the enhanced differential evolution algorithm.Using the simulated gamma-ray spectra,the numerical precision of the IRT-DEGL model is evaluated for one-dimensional source systems.Using the detected gamma-ray spectra,the inverse investigations for the unknown thicknesses of multiple shielding layers are performed.By comparing with the traditional gamma-ray absorption method,it is shown that the IRT-EDGL model can provide a much more accurate result and has great potential to be applied for the complicated systems.

Current advancements on charge selective contact interfacial layers and electrodes in flexible hybrid perovskite photovoltaics

Perovskite-based photovoltaic materials have been attracting attention for their strikingly improved performance at converting sunlight into electricity.The beneficial and unique optoelectronic characteristics of perovskite structures enable researchers to achieve an incredibly remarkable power conversion efficiency.Flexible hybrid perovskite photovoltaics promise emerging applications in a myriad of optoelectronic and wearable/portable device applications owing to their inherent intriguing physicochemical and photophysical properties which enabled researchers to take forward advanced research in this growing field.Flexible perovskite photovoltaics have attracted significant attention owing to their fascinating material properties with combined merits of high efficiency,light-weight,flexibility,semitransparency,compatibility towards roll-to-roll printing,and large-area mass-scale production.Flexible perovskite-based solar cells comprise of 4 key components that include a flexible substrate,semi-transparent bottom contact electrode,perovskite(light absorber layer)and charge transport(electron/hole)layers and top(usually metal)electrode.Among these components,interfacial layers and contact electrodes play a pivotal role in influencing the overall photovoltaic performance.In this comprehensive review article,we focus on the current developments and latest progress achieved in perovskite photovoltaics concerning the charge selective transport layers/electrodes toward the fabrication of highly stable,efficient flexible devices.As a concluding remark,we briefly summarize the highlights of the review article and make recommendations for future outlook and investigation with perspectives on the perovskite-based optoelectronic functional devices that can be potentially utilized in smart wearable and portable devices.

Transport of particles in an atmospheric turbulent boundary layer

A program incorporating the parallel code of large eddy simulation （LES） and particle transportation model is developed to simulate the motion of particles in an atmospheric turbulent boundary layer （ATBL）. A model of particles of 100-micrometer order coupling with large scale ATBL is proposed. Two typical cases are studied, one focuses on the evolution of particle profile in the ATBL and the landing displacement of particles, whereas the other on the motion of particle stream.

Concept of Bed Roughness Boundary Layer and Its Application to Bed Load Transport in Flow with Non-Submerged Vegetation

Ecosystem conservation has become one of the purposes in river management as well as flood mitigation and water resources management, and understanding of river flow and morphology in a stream with vegetation becomes important. Recently 2D depth averaged analysis is familiar even in a stream with vegetation by taking account of form drag due to vegetation. However, the shear stress in vegetated area is not properly described because the resistance law due to bed roughness is not reasonably modified in vegetated area. In this study, we discussed the bed roughness boundary layer in flow with non-submerged vegetation to deduce a reasonable relation between U and u* in vegetated area toward improving the analysis of sediment transport. The results show that the modification of resistance law using by thickness, velocity distribution in that layer was found to bring significant improvement of accurate estimation of shear velocity and subsequently the sediment transport. The proposed modification is improved by 2D depth averaged analysis based on this concept, and its application is certificated through flume experiment.

A numerical study for boundary layer current and sheet flow transport induced by a skewed asymmetric wave

An analytical model with essential parameters given by a two-phase numerical model is utilized to study the net boundary layer current and sediment transport under skewed asymmetric oscillatory sheet flows. The analytical model is the first instantaneous type model that can consider phase-lag and asymmetric boundary layer development. The two-phase model supplies the essential phase-lead, instantaneous erosion depth and boundary layer development for the analytical model to enhance the understanding of velocity skewness and acceleration skewness in sediment flux and transport rate. The sediment transport difference between onshore and offshore stages caused by velocity skewness or acceleration skewness is shown to illustrate the determination of net sediment transport by the analytical model. In previous studies about sediment transport in skewed asymmetric sheet flows, the generation of net sediment transport is mainly concluded to the phase-lag effect.However, the phase-lag effect is shown important but not enough for the net sediment transport, while the skewed asymmetric boundary layer development generated net boundary layer current and mobile bed effect are key important in the transport process.

Composite electron transport layer for efficient N-I-P type monolithic perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells with high open-circuit voltage

Perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells(PSTSCs) have exhibited huge technological potential for breaking the Shockley-Queisser limit of single-junction solar cells. The efficiency of P-I-N type PSTSCs has surpassed the single-junction limit, while the performance of N-I-P type PSTSCs is far below the theoretical value. Here, we developed a composite electron transport layer for N-I-P type monolithic PSTSCs with enhanced open-circuit voltage(VOC) and power conversion efficiency(PCE). Lithium chloride(Li Cl) was added into the tin oxide(SnO_(2)) precursor solution, which simultaneously passivated the defects and increased the electron injection driving force at the electron transfer layer(ETL)/perovskite interface.Eventually, we achieved monolithic PSTSCs with an efficiency of 25.42% and V_(OC) of 1.92 V, which is the highest PCE and VOCin N-I-P type perovskite/Si tandem devices. This work on interface engineering for improving the PCE of monolithic PSTSCs may bring a new hot point about perovskite-based tandem devices.

Highly efficient flexible perovskite solar cells with vacuum-assisted low-temperature annealed SnO2 electron transport layer

The demand for lightweight, flexible, and high-performance portable power sources urgently requires high-efficiency and stable flexible solar cells. In the case of perovskite solar cells(PSCs), most of the common electron transport layer(ETL) needs to be annealed for improving the optoelectronic properties,while conventional flexible substrates could barely stand the high temperature. Herein, a vacuumassisted annealing SnO_(2) ETL at low temperature(100℃) is utilized in flexible PSCs and achieved high efficiency of 20.14%. Meanwhile, the open-circuit voltage(V_(oc)) increases from 1.07 V to 1.14 V. The flexible PSCs also show robust bending stability with 86.8% of the initial efficiency is retained after 1000 bending cycles at a bending radius of 5 mm. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS), atomic force microscopy(AFM), and contact angle measurements show that the density of oxygen vacancies, the surface roughness of the SnO_(2) layer, and film hydrophobicity are significantly increased, respectively. These improvements could be due to the oxygen-deficient environment in a vacuum chamber, and the rapid evaporation of solvents. The proposed vacuum-assisted low-temperature annealing method not only improves the efficiency of flexible PSCs but is also compatible and promising in the large-scale commercialization of flexible PSCs.