A three-dimensional coral-like Zn,O-codoped Ni3S2 electrocatalyst for efficient overall water splitting at a large current density

A three-dimensional coral-like Zn,O-codoped Ni3S2 nanostructure is grown on nickel foam via a facile solvothermal method, exhibiting excellent electrocatalytic performance at high current density.

Single-crystalline TiO2 Nanoparticles for Narrowing the Scalability Gap towards Stable and Efficient Perovskite Modules

Remarkable progress in power conversion efficiency of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) has been achieved over the last decade, reaching 25.5%. However, transferring these accomplishments from individual small-size devices into large-area modules while preserving their commercial competitiveness compared to other thin-film solar cells remains a challenge. A major obstacle is to reduce the resistive losses and the number of intrinsic defects of electron transport layers (mesoporous TiO2, ETL) and to fabricate high-quality large-area perovskite films. Here, we report a facile solvothermal method to synthesize single-crystalline TiO2 rhombus-like nanoparticles with exposed {001} facets. Owing to their low lattice mismatch with the perovskite absorber, high electron mobility and lower density of defects, single-crystalline TiO2 nanoparticle-based small-size devices (0.09 cm2) achieve an efficiency of 24.05% and a fill factor of 84.7%. Importantly, these devices maintain about 90% of their initial performance after continuous operation for 1400 h. Combined with vacuum quenching-assisted techniques, we have fabricated large-area modules and obtained a certified efficiency of 22.72% with an active area of nearly 24 cm2. This represents the highest efficiency modules with the lowest efficiency loss between small-size devices and modules, enabling to reproducibly fabricate stable and efficient PSC modules.

Constructing Carbon-Coated Fe3O4 Hierarchical Microstructures with a Porous Structure and their Excellent Cr(VI) Ion Removal Properties

Here, a facile solvothermal method coupled with an annealing strategy is developed to synthesize Fe3O4/carbon (Fe3O4@C) magnetic composite microstructures with different morphologies, including flower-like, hollow spheres and egg-like. Owing to the unique multi-porous and hollow structure, the as-prepared hierarchical Fe3O4@C hollow microspheres composite exhibit appealing performance as an absorbent of Cr(VI) ions in aqueous solution, delivering a high capacity of ca.197.2mg/g. Furthermore, the magnetic Fe3O4 ‘‘core’’ in composite hierarchical microstructures makes them easy to separate from aqueous systems by magnetic separation, the layer of carbon effectively prevents agglomerations of magnetic nanoparticles and expands their range of applications. The excellent Cr(VI) ions adsorbent activities of the Fe3O4@C magnetic composite microstructures would have a potential adsorbing material application in environmental purification.

Facile Synthesis of Hollow Flower-Like SnO and Applications in Lithium Ion Batteries

Novel hollow flower-like SnO structures have been successfully synthesized by using a facile solvothermal method approach, which injecting LiN(SiMe3)2 to the solution of SnCl2 and oleamine. The as-synthesized hollow flower-like SnO structures were aggregated by ultrathin SnO nanosheets with large surface area and exhibit narrow size distribution of ~2.0 µm. The electrochemical performance of hollow flower-like SnO structures were examined as an anode material in coin cells for lithium-ion batteries. It demonstrates excellent lithium ion batteries performance as characterized by the cycling stability, specific capacity, cyclic voltammetry and rate performance. The measured discharge capacity is 361.4 mAh g-1 after 50 charge/discharge cycles with 46% capacity retention, which indicated a improving in cyclic stability. This result demonstrated that the specific hollow structure has great potential as the electrodes for lithium ion batteries. This work may provide an attractive road to synthesize other hollow-flower structures of transition metal oxides.

Efficient solar light-driven hydrogen generation using an Sn3O4 nanoflake/graphene nanoheterostructure

Herein, we have demonstrated the synthesis of the two-dimensional hierarchical Sn3O4/graphene nanostructure by a facile solvothermal method. The nanostructure has been used as a photocatalyst for hydrogen production under solar light.

Two-dimensional fence-like Co-doped NiSe2/C nanosheets as an anode for half/full sodium-ion batteries

Two-dimensional fence-like Co-NiSe2/C nanosheets are fabricated by a facile solvothermal method and followed a selenization strategy. It displays excellent long-term cycle life, rate capability and full cell performance when used as anode for SIBs.

CdS decorated MnWO4 nanorod nanoheterostructures: a new 0D–1D hybrid system for enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen production under natural sunlight

Herein, we have demonstrated the CdS decorated MnWO4 nanorods nanoheterostructure by facile solvothermal method. The heterostructures have been used as photocatalyst for hydrogen production under solar light.