Electronic Collection Research Articles

The feasibility of using the application developed to operationalize the Global Diet Quality Score in Ethiopia

BackgroundThe Global Diet Quality Score (GDQS) application is an electronic data collection tool developed to provide a standard, easy-to-use method for collecting low-cost, time-relevant data on diet quality.ObjectiveTo assess the feasibility and ease-of-use of the GDQS application and associated set of 3D cubes used as visual aids to assist the respondent with estimating amounts consumed at the food group level.MethodsThe study was conducted in August 2021 in two regions of Ethiopia with varied dietary practices. Face-to-face interviews were conducted in Amharic and Somali by 10 enumerators among 120 women to collect dietary data using the GDQS application. Feedback on each completed interview was collected from both the respondent and enumerator. Enumerators also participated in focus group discussions.ResultsEnumerators rated the GDQS application as easy to use after 85.8% of the interviews completed. They identified the automatic provision of food-specific probes to guide the interview, the automatic classification of reported foods, beverages, and ingredients into the corresponding GDQS food groups, and the ability to work offline as the main advantages of the application. Most respondents (78.3%) did not find it difficult to choose the cube that corresponded to the amount of each food group they reported consuming. Respondents’ feedback on the open recall of all foods, beverages and mixed dishes consumed the previous day and the use of 3D cubes was mostly positive.ConclusionThe results suggest that the GDQS application and cubes were easy to use and feasible for collecting data on diet quality in a low-income country setting.

Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) on Highways: Global Trends, Vietnam's Experience, and Policy Lessons

This paper explores the transformative shift to Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) systems in highway management, focusing on deployment patterns and the realized benefits. By analyzing global ETC trends and taking a deep dive into Vietnam’s experience, it offers practical policy insights for developing countries facing this critical transition.A key feature of the paper is its in-depth analysis of Vietnam’s shift from manual toll collection (MTC) to ETC, demonstrating significant improvements in emissions reduction, operational efficiency, and cost and time savings.Based on its findings, the paper emphasizes the role of ETC in enhancing productivity, promoting sustainable development, reducing pollution, and advancing towards a smart economy and society. It highlights the crucial importance of government leadership and private sector collaboration in achieving successful ETC implementation. Additionally, the paper underscores the urgency and substantial benefits of investing in digital transformation for toll facilities like metros, tunnels, and skyways to alleviate traffic congestion in megacities and on inter-city roads, potentially saving millions of people and vehicles hours of travel time.

Research on Electronic Forensics Based on Blockchain Technology

The development of high technology, for public life to provide a justification at the same time, also encouraged the spirit of cybercrime, to become more and more rampant. In network crime, electronic data is usually used as the main evidence to determine the facts of the crime and plays an important role in the smooth trial of the case. But because electronic data on dependent, concealment, easy destructive strong science and technology, the forensics work is now in trouble. The mature use of blockchain technology can avoid existing problems to a certain extent, which is helpful to the smooth progress of electronic forensics. This paper on electronic evidence how to more effectively, combined with research blockchain technology, improve the efficiency of electronic evidence collection work.

Interface dipole evolution from the hybrid coupling between nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots and polyethylenimine featuring the electron transport thin layer at Al/Si interfaces

The assessment of electron transport layer (ETL) for rear-contact engineering of silicon (Si) based optoelectronics has been considered as one of the critical challenges that leverage the performance improvement and device reliability. In this work, the hybrid design of ETL, obtained from the solution-processed nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots (NCQDs) incorporated with organic polyethylenimine (PEI) demonstrates the feasible contact characteristics for the modification of Si/Al contacts, which greatly facilitates the transport and collection of photoexcited electrons in the Si-based optoelectronics. The aspects of microstructures, functional groups, chemical features, interfacial characteristics and band structures of NCQD/PEI are explicated, visualizing that the evolution of interface dipoles mediated by the overall outcome of physisorption and chemisorption effects, modifies the surface potential difference and results in the explicit reduction of the Al work function from 4.3 eV for pristine Al to 3.23 eV based on the optimized constitutional design (0.10 % NCQD in PEI). These findings are practically employed on the Si-based hybrid solar cells at Si/Al interfaces, fulfilling the conversion-efficiency improvement by 30.9 % compared with reference cells without ETL employment, which are experimentally interpreted by the efficient electron transport across the Si/Al heterojunction and charge collection.

Oxygen vacancy enriched and Cu single-atom contained covalent organic frameworks: A competitive photocatalyst to promote hydrogen evolution under visible light

Single-atom loaded covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have been rapidly developed in the field of photocatalytic hydrogen production in recent years. Despite the insufficient active sites has been introduced, the high recombination rate of photogenerated carriers has hindered the progress of catalyst development. In this work, a novel approach is proposed to construct oxygen vacancies (OVs) on single atom Cu contained COF-TpPa, acting as an electron collector to facilitate the transfer and utilization of electrons. The Cu-OV-TpPa can provide a remarkable H2 production rate of 2.77 mmol g−1 h−1 under visible light, which is 2.6 times of Cu-P-TpPa (a H2 production rate of 1.02 mmol g−1 h−1). It achieves a high apparent quantum efficiency (AQE) of 20 % at 420 nm with no noble metal cocatalyst. A thorough analysis of carrier lifetime, recombination rate, electric conductivity and charge density reveals that the synergistic effect between OVs and single-atom Cu significantly enhances photogenerated carrier separation efficiency and reduces activation energy. This study presents a new strategy to design COF-based photocatalysts towards a competitive H2 production under visible light.

Correction to: On the Use and Benefits of Electronic Data Collection Systems: A Tutorial on Countee

Correction to: On the Use and Benefits of Electronic Data Collection Systems: A Tutorial on Countee

Optimizing Heparin Quality Assurance Utilizing Electronic Data Abstraction.

Background: Heparin is a high-risk medication with significant variability across patients. Systematic data analysis can help hospitals improve heparin management, ensuring safe and effective anticoagulation. An opportunity exists to create a more efficient data collection process, allowing hospitals to streamline quality assurance programs. Objective: To assess the agreement between manual and electronic data abstraction for heparin quality assurance. Methods: This is a single-center, observational cohort study that evaluated patients who received therapeutic unfractionated heparin from September to November 20, 2023. Patients treated for less than 24 hours were excluded. Data were collected manually from pharmacist monitoring forms and the electronic medical record; electronic data abstraction was queried from an institutional data warehouse. The primary outcome was agreement in percentage of patients achieving a therapeutic aPTT within 24 hours. Secondary outcomes included agreement on time to therapeutic aPTT, agreement on time to therapeutic or supratherapeutic aPTT, and clinical outcomes. Results: The study included 288 patients. Manual data collection indicated 44.1% of patients were therapeutic within 24 hours, whereas electronic data collection showed 46.9% (kappa = 0.86). The kappa value for agreement of therapeutic or supratherapeutic aPTT within 24 hours was substantial (kappa = 0.69), with manual data showing 61.5% of patients therapeutic within 24 hours compared with 73.3% in electronic data. However, poor agreement was found when identifying subsequent heparin boluses (kappa = 0.13) and new venous thromboembolism cases (kappa = -0.01). Conclusions and Relevance: The metrics from the 2 data collection methods varied in reliability, ranging from highly consistent to poorly aligned. A hybrid approach, integrating manual and reliable electronic methods, has been implemented at our institution to improve efficiency. Further studies are needed to assess generalizability, and enhance electronic data capture for clinical outcomes.

Knowledge and Associated Factors of Diabetes Mellitus among HIV Clients Living with Diabetes in Eastern Uganda: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Poor diabetes knowledge among diabetes clients living with HIV remains a big public health challenge in Africa. Effective self-management of diabetes requires clients to be knowledgeable about the recommended diets, exercises, drugs, lifestyle modifications, and possible diabetes complications. The proportion of diabetes clients living with HIV with poor diabetes knowledge is on the rise in Eastern Uganda. Poor level of diabetes knowledge among clients is a serious threat to individual health, and Knowledge is essential for effective control of diabetes, as it allows the patient to play an active and cooperative role in planning and monitoring the therapeutic, which promotes informed decisions Aim: This study, conducted from May to June 2024, assessed the level of diabetes knowledge and its associated factors among diabetes clients living with HIV in Eastern Uganda. Study Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Mbale and Soroti Regional Referral Hospitals in Eastern Uganda from May to June 2024. Materials and Methods: The sample size was 267 registered participants though ten didn’t participate. Random sampling was done to select eligible registered participants. Electronic data collection was done by trained research assistants under the supervision of the principal investigator. All the research assistants were trained in data quality management. Ethical approval was obtained from Busitema University REC. The diabetes knowledge questionnaire was used to gather the data, and Stata version 14 was used for analysis. Univariate analysis and Binary logistic regression were used to identify associated factors. P <0.05 was considered statistically significant at a 95% confidence interval. Results: A total of 257 participants in Mbale and Soroti Hospitals participated in this study. The majority 152(59.1%) were females and 156(60.7%) of these participants were above the age of 50 years. The married were 59.1%. Only 20.2% had tertiary education. More than half (58.4%) had a below-average level of knowledge regarding diabetes, 78.2% did not know how diabetes is managed and 58.4% were not aware of the common diabetes complications. In addition, 49.80% were not knowledgeable about the recommended diabetes tests, and 46.30% were not knowledgeable about the diets. Conclusions: The level of knowledge about diabetes is low among diabetes people living with HIV at Mbale and Soroti Hospitals in Eastern Uganda. No factor was found to be significantly associated with low diabetes knowledge. Routine diabetes education by the facility's health workers is encouraged and the focus should be on recommended diabetes tests, diets, drugs and possible complications. Contribution: Identifies specific areas to be strengthened in diabetes education.

MAGT-toll: A multi-agent reinforcement learning approach to dynamic traffic congestion pricing.

Modern urban centers have one of the most critical challenges of congestion. Traditional electronic toll collection systems attempt to mitigate this issue through pre-defined static congestion pricing methods; however, they are inadequate in addressing the dynamic fluctuations in traffic demand. Dynamic congestion pricing has been identified as a promising approach, yet its implementation is hindered by the computational complexity involved in optimizing long-term objectives and the necessity for coordination across the traffic network. To address these challenges, we propose a novel dynamic traffic congestion pricing model utilizing multi-agent reinforcement learning with a transformer architecture. This architecture capitalizes on its encoder-decoder structure to transform the multi-agent reinforcement learning problem into a sequence modeling task. Drawing on insights from research on graph transformers, our model incorporates agent structures and positional encoding to enhance adaptability to traffic flow dynamics and network coordination. We have developed a microsimulation-based environment to implement a discrete toll-rate congestion pricing scheme on actual urban roads. Our extensive experimental results across diverse traffic demand scenarios demonstrate substantial improvements in congestion metrics and reductions in travel time, thereby effectively alleviating traffic congestion.

Mitigating smart contract vulnerabilities in electronic toll collection using blockchain security

The Internet of Vehicles (IOV) is a distributed network that provides several services based on vehicle information (e.g., location, speed), such as Electronic Toll Collection (ETC). ETC has been introduced to replace traditional toll booths, where vehicles need to line up to pay, especially during peak travel times. The main advantage of ETC is improved traffic efficiency. However, existing ETC systems often fail to secure the privacy of vehicle information and are vulnerable to fund theft. This makes automatic payments inefficient and susceptible to attacks like the Reentrancy attack.In this paper, we leverage the Ethereum blockchain and smart contracts to facilitate automatic payments within the ETC system. The primary challenges addressed include authenticating vehicle data, automatically deducting fees from users’ wallets, and safeguarding against Reentrancy attacks in smart contracts, all while maintaining the confidentiality of distance-related information necessary for fee calculation. To address these concerns, we implement a decentralized application featuring a comprehensive end-to-end verification algorithm that operates at both entry and exit toll points, incorporating robust measures to protect sensitive distance data from potential leaks.Results show that the accuracy of fees remains relatively high, with reasonable execution times. Additionally, our system’s gas consumption is more efficient compared to related works, making transactions more cost-effective. These outcomes demonstrate that the proposed system not only secures transactions but also ensures correct and efficient payment services, positioning it as a viable solution for improving the security and functionality of ETC systems.

A Retrospective Analysis of Lessons Learned and Perspectives on Expansion of Verbal Autopsy Implementation in Zambia, 2023.

Accurate cause-of-death statistics are vital for public health policy, but less than one-third of deaths globally are assigned a cause. Verbal autopsy (VA) methods are crucial in low- and middle-income countries lacking complete civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS) systems. We explored VA implementation in Zambia by using a previously developed framework. The National Mortality Surveillance Subcommittee under the Monitoring and Evaluation Technical Working Group within the Ministry of Health coordinates mortality surveillance activities in Zambia. To date, passive, non-population-representative VA data collection mechanisms have been used, leading to underrepresentation of some communities. In spite of the use of electronic data collection tools, VA systems have not been electronically linked to public health surveillance or CRVS systems. Funding for VA has largely been donor driven. Increasing government funding may ensure sustainability, while the adoption of sample-based platforms while linking VA information technology systems may make VA data more useful, timely, and accessible.

The effect of comorbidity on 28-day perioperative mortality rate among non-cardiac surgical patients in Northwest Ethiopia: a prospective cohort study using propensity score matching

BackgroundNon-communicable diseases account for nearly three-fourths of global deaths impacting public health and development. Coexisting diseases can complicate the management of surgical diseases, increasing the risk of perioperative mortality. Despite this, few studies have examined the burden of comorbidities among surgical patients and their effect on perioperative outcomes in low-income countries. In this study, we assessed the impact of comorbidity burden on 28-day perioperative mortality using a prospective data set.MethodsThis was a facility-based prospective cohort study. Adult patients aged ≥ 18 who underwent non-cardiac surgery were included. Patients were followed for 28 days following surgery. Perioperative data were collected using an electronic data collection system from June 01, 2019, to June 30, 2021, at Tibebe Ghion Specialized Hospital, Northwest, Ethiopia. A propensity score-matched analysis was employed to assess the effect of comorbidity on the 28-day perioperative mortality rate.ResultsOf the 3030 patients included in this study, 715 (23.59%) had at least one comorbidity. Based on the prevalence rate, the top four comorbid conditions observed were hypertension (0.050), cancer (0.036), diabetes mellitus (0.021), and human immunodeficiency virus (0.021). The 28-day perioperative mortality rate was shown to be significantly higher among patients with comorbidity, where 45 (6.29%) of the 715 patients with comorbidity died compared to 49 (2.12%) of the 2315 patients with no comorbidity (p-value < 0.0001). After propensity score matching potential confounders, patients who have comorbidity had a 2.52% (average treatment effect on treated (ATT) = 0.0252) higher risk of perioperative death at 28 days after surgery compared with patients who did not have comorbidity.ConclusionThis study found a moderate prevalence of comorbid illnesses among non-cardiac surgical patients, with comorbidity increasing the risk of 28-day perioperative mortality. Preoperative screening and optimization are highly recommended for patients with comorbid illness to decrease perioperative mortality rate.

Holding a mirror to society? The socio-demographic characteristics of students commencing health professional programmes, and all courses, at Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka (the University of Otago), 1994-2023.

To present selected key findings from a longitudinal analysis of the socio-demographic characteristics of students entering all courses at Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka (the University of Otago), all health professional programmes combined, and 11 individual health professional programmes between 1994 and 2023. Data sources: 1) university electronic collections of student data (programme details, demographics, schooling, home address), and 2) publicly available datasets (some socio-demographic variables). Analyses included counts and proportions of commencing students, disaggregated by time period and socio-demographic variables, and commencement rates per 100,000 population aged 18-29 years. During this 30-year period, there was a notable increase in the overall proportion of domestic health professional programme students who were Māori or Pacific, and an increase in enrolments of students from rural backgrounds. The socio-economic profile of incoming students remained unchanged, with students being highly skewed towards those from more socio-economically privileged backgrounds. The proportion of domestic health professional programme students who were female increased across all years, reaching nearly two-thirds by the study end. While efforts to enhance health professional student diversity have had a positive impact, the university's vision of a health workforce that represents Māori and the diverse contexts of Aotearoa New Zealand's society will require long-term ongoing commitment.

Digital Governance and Electronic Waste Management at Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul – Brazil

The Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS) has the Information and Communication Technology Master Plan (PDTIC) to guide and monitor the performance of the Information Technology (IT) area within the institution. The IT area at UFMS has the Digital Governance Committee (CGD), responsible for drafting the Information Security Policy (PSI); the Information and Communication Technology Procurement Plan (PCTIC); the Open Data Plan (PDA); and the University's PDTIC. In addition to the Information and Communication Technology Agency (AGETIC), which is responsible for coordinating, guiding, supervising, executing, and controlling the organization's IT activities. This work aims to demonstrate that sustainability is part of both Digital Governance and the curriculum of UFMS students, focusing on the management of Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) within the University. The UFMS Solid Waste and Health Services Management Plan (PGRS/PGRSS) outlines guidelines for the management of these materials, and annually, since 2017, the Faculty of Computing (FACOM) at UFMS organizes the Electronic Waste Collection Week, a project aimed at raising awareness among the academic community about disposal, reuse, and recycling, helping to conserve the environment. This action assists in the education of these students by making them protagonists in this initiative. In each edition hundreds of electronic devices have been reused by students and community, serving as an example of socio-environmental impact action. The methodology employed by UFMS to organize and advance electronic waste management efforts involved the establishment of digital governance regulations, along with sustainability management and governance practices, in order to structure and promote electronic waste management actions at UFMS.

Constructing asymmetric dual active sites of Ag single atoms and nitrogen defects on carbon nitride for enhanced photocatalytic H2O2 production

Photosynthesis of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) from H2O and O2 is considered to be a promising approach. However, limited to the rapid recombination of photo-generated carriers and sluggish kinetics of O2 reduction to H2O2, it is a challenge for polymeric photocatalysts to achieve efficient photocatalytic H2O2 production. Herein, Ag single atoms and nitrogen defects decorated carbon nitride (Ag@MCT) are constructed through self-assembly and pyrolysis methods. The optimized photocatalyst displays exceptional performance in pure water, with an H2O2 production rate of as high as 528.4 μmol g-1 h-1 and an apparent quantum yield for H2O2 production of 4.5% at 420 nm. Experimental and theoretical results reveal that the Ag atomic sites act as electron mediators that promote the capture and transfer of photo-generated charge carriers, while nitrogen defects as electron collectors and reaction sites to enhance the adsorption and activation of O2, accelerating reduction kinetics from O2 to H2O2. This work presents a reliable strategy to design excellent photocatalysts by rationally modulating electronic structures and active sites for accelerating photo-generated charge carriers transfer and surface reaction kinetics.

Exploring the Structural and Optical Properties of MoSe2 for Solar Cell Performance

Abstract Efficient energy absorption is critical in perovskite solar cells (PSCs) for effective electron collection and mitigation of hole migration. Molybdenum diselenide (MoSe2) was produced using a simple hydrothermal process and subsequently studied for its structural and optical properties using various techniques, including XRD, RAMAN, FESEM, EDX, UV-Visible, BET, and XPS. The results show that the enhanced crystalline morphology, size, optical band gap, and surface area demonstrate promising attributes for solar cell applications. Furthermore, the I-V investigation reveals that MoSe2-based PSCs achieve a notable efficiency of electricity conversion is 7.97%. The increased performance is because of the greater surface area of MoSe2. which facilitates increased light absorption, and its ability to accelerate charge transfer within the electron transport layer. Moreover, the structural integrity of MoSe2 contributes significantly to its efficacy in converting solar energy into electrical energy. These findings underscore MoSe2 as a compelling candidate for advancing solar cell technologies, offering potential pathways for achieving higher efficiency and reliability in future solar energy systems.

Paediatric iGAS Morbidity and Mortality in Ireland 2022-2023 episodic upsurge

Abstract There was an unseasonal upsurge in invasive Group A Streptococcal (iGAS) activity in Ireland during the 2022/2023 winter period. In particular, there was an increase in the proportion of paediatric infections and a rise in the age specific death rate for those under the age of 18, from 0.10 to 1.43 per 100,000. This review aimed to describe the demographic and clinical factors associated with paediatric iGAS infection during this upsurge. All iGAS cases under the age of 16 years, notified to Public Health between 1st October and 30th June 2023, were included. A review of hospital records for each case was conducted using a standardised electronic data collection proforma. Descriptive, univariate and multivariate analysis was conducted using SPSS statistical package. There was a total of 183 cases of iGAS notified during this upsurge in Ireland. A hospital chart review was conducted for 169 of these cases, giving a response rate of 92.3%. The median age was 4 years (range 0-15,) with 44.4% (75) having a previous healthcare attendance during their illness. Varicella coinfection occurred in 27.8% (47) of cases. There was respiratory viral coinfection in 40.8% (69) of cases, and this was significantly associated with an increased risk of death RR 6.49 (95% CI 4.45 - 29.08) p &amp;lt; 0.05. A respiratory site of infection was also significantly associated with an increased risk of death RR 10.13 (95% CI 2.23 - 45.95) p &amp;lt; 0.001. However, both factors did not remain significant once adjusted for age, sex, ethnicity and deprivation index. This national review demonstrated the significant burden of paediatric iGAS morbidity and mortality during this upsurge. A significant proportion of cases, 37.9% (64) were associated with vaccine preventable illness, with respiratory viral infections and a respiratory site of infection both being significantly associated with an increased risk of death. Key messages • A significant proportion of iGAS cases were associated with a vaccine preventable illness. • A respiratory site of iGAS infection was significantly associated with an increased risk of death in paediatric cases.

Visualization of commuting areas and examination of jobs-housing balance with the adoption of excess commuting

Rapid urban growth extends the boundaries of urbanized areas and makes people spend extra travel cost on the journey to work. Scholars have examined commuting behaviors between residence and work places within a region, and suggested the conceptual theory of jobs-housing balance to evaluate if there are sufficient job opportunities for residents in the region. A quantitative measurement of excess commuting is proposed to reflect the degree of jobs-house balance. However, current studies focus on the evaluation of excess commuting and the causality of spatial restructuring between residence and workplace, the spatial extend of excess commuting in an urban region is not visually delineated. In addition, conventional studies acquire static data such as statistic data or other survey data to analyze impacts of commuting patterns on urban formation. Today the emergence of spatial big data sheds light on the causality of urban commuting from higher spatial and temporal resolutions. This study aims to examine the degree of jobs-housing balance through the calculation of excess commuting and represent the spatial extent of excess commuting of Taichung metropolitan area in Taiwan. Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) data, the spatial big data which is publicly accessible in Taiwan, is introduced as the commuting data and to calculate three key parameters of excess commuting, Tmin, Tobs, and Tmax. The three parameters are used to visualize the extent of commuting zones and examine commuting patterns of Taichung metropolitan area and observe the spatial relationship between those patterns and land-use types. The evaluation of excess commuting indicates that the degree of jobs-housing imbalance in Taichung metropolitan area is similar to Los Angeles metropolis in US. The analytical results explain how ETC data can be successfully used for the calculation of excess commuting, and visualization of the extent of commuting regions. In addition, after the cluster analysis of residential areas, it is intuitive to observe spatial correlation between hot zones of residential areas and the spatial extent of theoretical maximum commuting, and shows that the scenarios of commuting can be considered as an indicator to explain the possibility of urban expansion in the future.

Insights into the photocatalytic process of surface-platinized hierarchical anatase TiO2 nanoparticles by in-situ DRIFT analysis

BackgroundEnvironmental remediation researchers are challenged to unravel the mechanisms of dual-responsive photocatalysts for degrading pollutants in both liquid and gas phases. This study aims to provide comprehensive insights into the photocatalytic processes employed by surface-platinized hierarchical anatase TiO2 nanoparticles. The investigation includes an in-depth analysis of the associated mechanism through in-situ DRIFT analysis. MethodsUtilizing surfactant-assisted surface platinized TiO2 samples synthesized through soft-template and chemical reduction techniques, this study investigated their efficacy in the degradation of crystal violet dye (10 ppm) under irradiation from a 380.8 W mercury-xenon lamp. The photooxidation of gas-phase ethanol was subsequently examined using the DRIFT technique. Significant findingsThe Pt-deposited C-TiO2 nanoparticles exhibited an impressive photocatalytic dye degradation efficiency of 87.07 %, surpassing the performance of other synthesized catalysts. To elucidate the mechanism behind this enhancement, an in-situ DRIFT analysis was conducted using the photo-oxidation of ethanol. The enhanced efficiency can be attributed to the incorporation of Pt metal, which serves as an electron collector in the n-type TiO2 semiconductor, thereby prolonging electron lifetime. Additionally, the pivotal role of hydroxyl radicals and holes in generating intermediates was thoroughly examined through DRIFT analysis, providing comprehensive insights into the photocatalytic reaction and the reactive intermediate species involved.

Enhancing Extraction and Suppressing Cooling of Hot Electrons in Lead Halide Perovskites by Dipolar Surface Passivation.

Slowing hot carrier (HC) cooling and improving HC extraction are considered two pivotal factors for enhancing power conversion efficiency in emerging HC photovoltaic applications of perovskites and other materials. Employing ab initio quantum dynamics simulations, we demonstrate the simultaneous slow cooling and efficient extraction of hot electrons at the C60/CsPbI3 interface through dipolar surface passivation with phenethylammonium and 4-fluorophenethylammonium ligands. The passivation effectively suppresses I-Pb lattice vibrations, weakens the hot electron-phonon interaction in CsPbI3, and thus slows down the HC cooling. At the same time, the dipolar surface passivation elevates the LUMO + 1 state in C60 and reduces the energy gap for HC extraction. Concurrently, higher-frequency vibrations of the dipolar layer enhance the coupling between C60 and CsPbI3, promoting efficient HC extraction further. These phenomena are intensified with increased polarity of the dipolar layer. Furthermore, we find that dipolar passivation has the opposite influence on cold electron collection at the band edge, underscoring the fact that the observed improvement in photovoltaic performance stems preferentially from the effective utilization of HCs rather than cold electrons. The work provides a new strategy for achieving high-performance HC perovskite solar cells.