Cross-linked polyelectrolyte reinforced SnO_(2)electron transport layer for robust flexible perovskite solar cells

SnO_(2)electron transport layer(ETL)is a vital component in perovskite solar cells(PSCs),due to its excellent photoelectric properties and facile fabrication process.In this study,we synthesized a water-soluble and adhesive polyelectrolyte with ethanolamine(EA)and poly-acrylic acid(PAA).The linear PAA was crosslinked by EA,forming a 3D network that stabilized the SnO_(2)nanoparticle dispersion.An organic–inorganic hybrid ETL is developed by introducing the cross-linked PAA-EA into SnO_(2)ETL,which prevents nano particle agglomeration and facilitates uniform SnO_(2)film formation with fewer defects.Additionally,the PAA-EA-modified SnO_(2)facilitated a uniform and compact perovskite film,enhancing the interface contact and carrier transport.Consequently,the PAA-EA-modified PSCs exhibited excellent PCE of 24.34%and 22.88%with high reproducibility for areas of 0.045 and 1.00 cm~2,respectively.Notably,owing to structure reinforce effect of PAA-EA in SnO_(2)ETL,flexible device demonstrated an impressive PCE of 23.34%while maintaining 90.1%of the initial PCE after 10,000 bending cycles with a bending radius of 5 mm.This successful approach of polyelectrolyte reinforced hybrid organic–inorganic ETL displays great potential for flexible,large-area PSCs application.

A Simplified Scheme of the Generalized Layered Radiative Transfer Model

In this paper, firstly, a simplified version （SGRTM） of the generalized layered radiative transfer model （GRTM） within the canopy, developed by us, is presented. It reduces the information requirement of inputted sky diffuse radiation, as well as of canopy morphology, and in turn saves computer resources. Results from the SGRTM agree perfectly with those of the GRTM. Secondly, by applying the linear superposition principle of the optics and by using the basic solutions of the GRTM for radiative transfer within the canopy under the condition of assumed zero soil reflectance, two sets of explicit analytical solutions of radiative transfer within the canopy with any soil reflectance magnitude are derived： one for incident diffuse, and the other for direct beam radiation. The explicit analytical solutions need two sets of basic solutions of canopy reflectance and transmittance under zero soil reflectance, run by the model for both diffuse and direct beam radiation. One set of basic solutions is the canopy reflectance αf （written as α1 for direct beam radiation） and transmittance βf （written as β1 for direction beam radiation） with zero soil reflectance for the downward radiation from above the canopy （i.e. sky）, and the other set is the canopy reflectance （αb） and transmittance βb for the upward radiation from below the canopy （i.e., ground）. Under the condition of the same plant architecture in the vertical layers, and the same leaf adaxial and abaxial optical properties in the canopies for the uniform diffuse radiation, the explicit solutions need only one set of basic solutions, because under this condition the two basic solutions are equal, i.e., αf = αb and βf = βb. Using the explicit analytical solutions, the fractions of any kind of incident solar radiation reflected from （defined as surface albedo, or canopy reflectance）, transmitted through （defined as canopy transmittance）, and absorbed by （defined as canopy absorptance） the canopy and other properties pertinent to the radiative transfer within the canopy can be estimated easily on the ground surface below the canopy （soil or snow surface） with any reflectance magnitudes. The simplified transfer model is proven to have a similar accuracy compared to the detailed model, as well as very efficient computing.

Friction contact mechanisms of layered surface

In this paper,we firstly review the carbon layered surface prepared with electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) plasma sputtering. Secondly,the friction behavior of carbon layered surface under pin-on-disk testing is described. Furthermore,the contact stress evolution processes of layered surface with and without transfer layer during wear are given for understanding the contact mechanisms. Finally,a three-dimension (3D) local yield map of layered surface is introduced,which is useful to predict the possible contact mechanisms.

Experimental study on convection heat transfer and air drag in sinter layer

Convection heat transfer coefficient and air pressure drop in sinter layer are important factors for the design of sinter cooling craft. Due to the lack of necessary data, the two parameters are studied by experimental method. The experimental results show that heat conduction of sinter impacts the measurement of convection heat transfer coefficient. Convection heat transfer increases with the increase of air volumetric flow rate. Sinter layer without small particles(sample I) gives higher convection heat transfer coefficient than that with small particles(sample II). Under the considered conditions, volumetric convection heat transfer coefficient is in the range of 400-1800 W/(m3·°C). Air pressure drop in sinter layer increases with the increase of normal superficial velocity, as well as with the rise of air temperature. Additionally, air pressure drop also depends on sinter particle size distribution. In considered experimental conditions, pressure drop in sinter sample II is 2-3 times that in sinter sample I, which resulted from 17% small scale particles in sinter sample II.

Fabrication of seeded substrates for layer transferrable silicon films

The layer transfer process is one of the most promising methods for low-cost and highly-efficient solar cells, in which transferrable mono-crystalline silicon thin wafers or films can be produced directly from gaseous feed-stocks. In this work, we show an approach to preparing seeded substrates for layer-transferrable silicon films. The commercial silicon wafers are used as mother substrates, on which periodically patterned silicon rod arrays are fabricated, and all of the surfaces of the wafers and rods are sheathed by thermal silicon oxide. Thermal evaporated aluminum film is used to fill the gaps between the rods and as the stiff mask, while polymethyl methacrylate （PMMA） and photoresist are used as the soft mask to seal the gap between the filled aluminum and the rods. Under the joint resist of the stiff and soft masks, the oxide on the rod head is selectively removed by wet etching and the seed site is formed on the rod head. The seeded substrate is obtained after the removal of the masks. This joint mask technique will promote the endeavor of the exploration of mechanically stable, unlimitedly reusable substrates for the kerfless technology.

Effect of emitter layer doping concentration on the performance of a silicon thin film heterojunction solar cell

A novel type of n/i/i/p heterojunction solar cell with a-Si：H（15 nm）/a-Si：H（10 nm）/epitaxial c-Si（47 p.m）/epitaxial c-Si（3 um） structure is fabricated by using the layer transfer technique, and the emitter layer is deposited by hot wire chemical vapour deposition. The effect of the doping concentration of the emitter layer Sd （Sd=PH3/（PH3 ＋SiH4＋H2）） on the performance of the solar cell is studied by means of current density-voltage and external quantum efficiency. The results show that the conversion efficiency of the solar cell first increases to a maximum value and then decreases with Sd increasing from 0.1% to 0.4%. The best performance of the solar cell is obtained at Sd = 0.2% with an open circuit voltage of 534 mV, a short circuit current density of 23.35 mA/cm2, a fill factor of 63.3%, and a conversion efficiency of 7.9%.

Zero-Magnetic-Field Oscillation of Spin Transfer Nano-Oscillator with a Second-Order-Perpendicular-Anisotropy Free Layer

The zero-magnetic-field oscillation behavior of spin torque nano-oscillator （STNO） with a perpendicularly mag- netized free layer with second-order uniaxial anisotropy is studied theoretically based on the Landau-Lifshitz- Cilbert-Slonczewski equation. It is demonstrated numerically that the second-order uniaxial anisotropy plays a significant role in the occurrence of a zero-magnetic-field steady-state precession, which can be understood in terms of the energy balance between the energy accumulation due to the spin torque and the energy dissipation due to the Gilbert damping. In particular, a relatively large zero-magnetic-field-oscillation current region, in which the corresponding microwave frequency is increased while the threshold current still maintains an almost constant value, can be obtained by modulating the second-order uniaxial anisotropy of the free layer. These results suggest a tunable zero-magnetic-field STNO, and it may be a promising configuration for STNO＇s applications in future wireless communications.

Effects of Solid Matrix and Porosity of Porous Medium on Heat Transfer of Marangoni Boundary Layer Flow Saturated with Power-Law Nanofluids

The effect of the solid matrix and porosity of the porous medium are first introduced to the study of power-law nanofluids, and the Marangoni boundary layer flow with heat generation is investigated. Two cases of solid matrix of porous medium including glass balls and aluminum foam are considered. The governing partial differential equations are simplified by dimensionless variables and similarity transformations, and are solved numerically by using a shooting method with the fourth-fifth-order Runge-Kutta integration technique. It is indicated that the increase of the porosity leads to the enhancement of heat transfer in the surface of the Marangoni boundary layer flow.

Ionic liquids in electrocatalysis

The performance of an electrocatalyst, which is needed e.g. for key energy conversion reactions such as hydrogen evolution, oxygen reduction or CO2 reduction, is determined not only by the inherent structure of active sites but also by the properties of the interfacial structures at catalytic surfaces. Ionic liquids（ILs）, as a unique class of metal salts with melting point below 100 ℃, present themselves as ideal modulators for manipulations of the interfacial structures. Due to their excellent properties such as good chemical stability, high ionic conductivity, wide electrochemical windows and tunable solvent properties the performance of electrocatalysts can be substantially improved through ILs. In the current minireview, we highlight the critical role of the IL phase at the microenvironments created by the IL, the liquid electrolyte, catalytic nanoparticles and/or support materials, by detailing the promotional effect of IL in electrocatalysis as reaction media, binders, and surface modifiers. Updated exemplary applications of IL in electrocatalysis are given and moreover, the latest developments of IL modified electrocatalysts following the ＂Solid Catalyst with Ionic Liquid Layer（SCILL）＂ concept are presented.

Experimental and numerical studies of titanium foil/steel explosively welded clad plate

Ti/Fe clad plate had attracted extensive attention because of its important application. In order to reduce the titanium layer thickness, the explosive welding of TA1 titanium foil to Q235 steel plate was carried out. The interfacial bonding performance was analyzed by micromorphology analysis and mechanical property test, and the formation process of interfacial wave and molten block in the vortex was simulated by smoothed particle hydrodynamics(SPH) method. The results showed that salt as pressure transfer layer used in explosive welding could play a good buffer effect on the collision between flyer and base layers. Regular waveforms were formed on the bonding interface, and the titanium foil/steel clad plate exhibited good welding quality and bonding property. The crest of the observed interfacial wave moved 200 μm from the beginning to the final formation, and it was important of jet on the formation of interfacial waveform. The interface was mainly bonded in the form of molten layer, and the grains near the interface were streamlined. Molten block containing intermetallic compounds and metal oxides appeared in the vortex of wave crest.

Flow and heat transfer of a nanofluid over a hyperbolically stretching sheet

This article explores the boundary layer flow and heat transfer of a viscous nanofluid bounded by a hyperbolically stretching sheet. Effects of Brownian and thermophoretic diffusions on heat transfer and concentration of nanoparticles are given due attention. The resulting nonlinear problems are computed for analytic and numerical solutions. The effects of Brownian motion and thermophoretic property are found to increase the temperature of the medium and reduce the heat transfer rate. The thermophoretic property thus enriches the concentration while the Brownian motion reduces the concentration of the nanoparticles in the fluid. Opposite effects of these properties are observed on the Sherwood number.

Lie group analysis for thermophoretic and radiative augmentation of heat and mass transfer in a Brinkman-Darcy flow over a flat surface with heat generation

A boundary layer analysis is presented to investigate numerically the effects of radiation, thermophoresis and the dimensionless heat generation or absorption on hydromagnetic flow with heat and mass transfer over a flat surface in a porous medium. The boundary layer equations are transformed to non-linear ordinary differential equations using scaling group of transformations and they are solved numerically by using the fourth order Runge-Kutta method with shooting technique for some values of physical parameters. Comparisons with previously published work are performed and the results are found to be in very good agreement. Many results are obtained and a representative set is displayed graphically to illustrate the influence of the various parameters on the dimensionless velocity, temperature and concentration profiles as well as the local skin-friction coefficient, wall heat transfer, particle deposition rate and wall thermophoretic deposition velocity. The results show that the magnetic field induces acceleration of the flow, rather than deceleration （as in classical magnetohydrodynamics （MHD） boundary layer flow） but to reduce temperature and increase concentration of particles in boundary layer. Also, there is a strong dependency of the concentration in the boundary layer on both the Schmidt number and mass transfer parameter.

Rational design of SnO_2-based electron transport layer in mesoscopic perovskite solar cells:more kinetically favorable than traditional double-layer architecture

Here,the interfacial synergism of discontinuous spot shaped SnO_2 and TiO_2 mesoporous nanocomposite as electron transfer layer（ETL） underlayer is presented in highly efficient mesoscopic perovskite solar cells（M-PSCs）. Based on this new strategy,strong charge recombination observed in previous SnO_2-based ETLs is suppressed to a great extent as the pathways of charge recombination and energy loss are blocked effectively. Meanwhile,the internal series resistance of entire M-PSC is decreased remarkably. The new ETL is more kinetically favorable to electron transfer and thus results in significant photovoltaic improvement and alleviated hysteresis effect of M-PSCs.

On linearization method to MHD boundary layer convective heat transfer with low pressure gradient

The paper highlights the application of a recent semi-numerical successive linearization method(SLM)in solving highly coupled,nonlinear boundary value problem.The method is presented in detail by solving the problem of boundary layer convective heat transfer with low pressure gradient in the presence of viscous dissipation and radiation effects.The effects of the parameters on the flow are investigated.The velocity,temperature,skinfriction,and heat transfer coefficients have been obtained and discussed for various physical parametric values.

EXPERIMENTAL ANALYSIS OF THE TURBULENT TRANSFER COEFFICIENT FOR SENSIBLE HEAT IN THE SURFACE LAYER OVER THE QINGHAI-XIZANG PLATEAU

This study deals with the turbulent structure in the surface layer over the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau.Using gradient transfer and heat balance methods we have determined the nondimensional coefficient 1/(?)_m(?)h in the expression of turbulent transfer coefficient for sensible heat (K_h).It is found that the results are in good agreement with the 1/(?)_m(?)_h obtained by Pruitt,et al.The K_h at a height of 1m under cloudy and cloudless conditions is calculated.Finally,the ratio of K_h to momentum turbulent coefficient over the plateau is compared with those over plains.

The friction of diamond-like carbon coatings in a water environment

Diamond-like carbon(DLC)coatings are known to provide beneficial mechanical and tribological properties in harsh environments.Their combination of high wear resistance and low friction has led to their extensive use in any number of industries.The tribological performance of a DLC coating is varied however,and the frictional response is known to be strongly dependent on the surrounding environment,as well as the material composition and bonding structure of the DLC coating.This paper presents an up-to-date review on the friction of DLC coatings in a water environment,with a special focus on transfer layer formation and tribochemistry.

Running-in behavior of a H‒DLC/Al_(2)O_(3) pair at the nanoscale

Diamond-like carbon(DLC)film has been developed as an extremely effective lubricant to reduce energy dissipation;however,most films should undergo running-in to achieve a super-low friction state.In this study,the running-in behaviors of an H–DLC/Al_(2)O_(3) pair were investigated through a controllable single-asperity contact study using an atomic force microscope.This study presents direct evidence that illustrates the role of transfer layer formation and oxide layer removal in the friction reduction during running-in.After 200 sliding cycles,a thin transfer layer was formed on the Al2O3 tip.Compared with a clean tip,this modified tip showed a significantly lower adhesion force and friction force on the original H–DLC film,which confirmed the contribution of the transfer layer formation in the friction reduction during running-in.It was also found that the friction coefficient of the H–DLC/Al_(2)O_(3) pair decreased linearly as the oxygen concentration of the H–DLC substrate surface decreased.This phenomenon can be explained by a change in the contact surface from an oxygen termination with strong hydrogen bond interactions to a hydrogen termination with weak van der Waals interactions.These results provide new insights that quantitatively reveal the running-in mechanism at the nanoscale,which may help with the design optimization of DLC films for different environmental applications.

Strong dependency of the tribological behavior of CuZr-based bulk metallic glasses on relative humidity in ambient air

Thanks to their outstanding mechanical properties,Bulk Metallic Glasses(BMGs)are new alternatives to traditional crystalline metals for mechanical and micromechanical applications including power transmission.However,the tribological properties of BMGs are still poorly understood,mostly because their amorphous nature induces counter intuitive responses to friction and wear.In the present study,four different BMGs(Cu_(47)Zr_(46)Al_(7),Zr_(46)Cu_(45)Al_(7)Nb_(2),Zr_(60)Cu_(28)Al_(12),and Zr_(61)Cu_(25)Al_(12)Ti_(2))underwent ball-on-disc friction tests against 100Cr6 steel balls(American Iron and Steel Institute(AISI)52100)at different relative humidities(RHs)ranging from 20%to 80%.Controlling humidity enabled to observe a high repeatability of the friction and wear responses of the BMG.Interestingly,the friction coefficient decreased by a factor of 2 when the humidity was increased,and the wear rate of BMGs was particularly low thanks to a 3rd-body tribolayer that forms on the BMG surface,composed of oxidized wear particles originating from the ball.The morphology of this tribolayer is highly correlated to humidity.The study also identifies how the tribolayer is built up from the initial contact until the steady state is achieved.

A Rational Design of Heterojunction Photocatalyst Cd S Interfacing with One Cycle of ALD Oxide

Photo-corrosion is one of the major obstacles for CdS application in wet chemical fields, and atomic layer deposition （ALD） has been proposed as an effective way to suppress the corrosion. Here, prior to ALD coating, CdS, one facilely corrosive photocatalyst, was synthesized via hydrothermal synthesis to access the fundamental corrosion mechanism and the according corrosive sites. X-ray photoelectron spectros- copy （XPS） and X-ray diffraction （XRD） demonstrated that the failure of catalytic decomposition of methylene blue originated from the formation of soluble CdSO4 by oxidizing S2 of as-prepared CdS. High resolu- tion transmission electron microscopy （HRTEM） further identified the active sites in the V-shaped regions ofCdS nanoparticles, confirmed by the simulated electric field distribution. To rationally coat oxides on CdS, the right candidates and their thicknesses have been considered by our tunneling model with trans- fer matrix method based on quantum mechanism, upon which the thickness of protective layer should be less than 0.5 nm to maintain a high tunneling probability, and thus one cycle of ALD TiO2 or AbO3 was proposed to passivate the CdS powder to balance the carrier transportation and corrosion suppres- sion. Based on HRTEM results, we found that the active V-shaped region was covered by ALD oxides （TiO2 or AbO3）. For each case, no soluble CdSO4 has been found before and after photocatalytic reactions based XPS measurements. Importantly, we noticed that with the passivation of one cycle of ALD, the catalyst＇s lifetime was elongated up to 〉14 times higher than that of the as-prepared CdS.