Immobilization Of Ions Research Articles

Clean-up of wastewater discharged from zinc industry through application of zeolite 4A produced from a waste contaminated by lubricant oil components

The zeolite 4 A powders were sustainably derived from clay-based waste contaminated with the spent lubricant oil. Then, the products were used to treat the wastewater discharged from a local zinc industry. The main challenge is removal of toxic organic components from the waste and conversion of obtained precursor to the zeolite structure, simultaneously. The variation in crystallinity was studied as a function of composition, fusion temperature, aging, and recrystallization times. The zinc adsorption was found to be markedly dependent not only on sodium carbonate/waste ratio but also on aluminum hydroxide content. However, pronounced adsorption was observed over the particles fabricated through the fusion at 900 °C. The relative crystallinity, ∼32 %, is crucial for the effective immobilization of heavy metal ions like Cd2+, Ni2+, and Zn2+ from the wastewater. This level of crystallinity is achievable with the control of aging and recrystallization times, both in 3 h. The maximal zinc adsorption capacity, ∼143 mg g−1, was obtained for the particles with large pores, 48 nm, facilitating the ion diffusion into the adsorbent. On the other hand, the appropriate electrical charge surface expressed based on zeta potential, −43 mV, provided a proper condition for the electrostatic adsorption.

Immobilization of uranyl ions in water by covalent organic frameworks: In-situ utilization of the photocatalytic produced H2O2

The photocatalytic extraction of uranyl (UO22+) ions from aqueous solutions using covalent organic frameworks (COFs) represents a promising approach for mitigating environmental concerns and recovering uranium resources. In this study, benzotrithiophene (BTT)-based COFs with electron donor–acceptor structures were synthesized to harness photocatalytic capabilities. Under visible light, the synergistic effect of COF-BTT-TAPB and methanol achieved UO22+ removal efficiencies of 99 % and 92 % (at an initial U concentration of 50 ppm) with and without N2 pretreatment. Notably, even in the absence of a sacrificial agent, COF-BTT-TAPB can remove 36 % of UO22+ from water. The photocatalytic mechanism for UO22+ immobilization on COF-BTT-TAPB does not involve the conventional reduction of U(VI). Instead, the formation of the solid-state (UO2)O2(H2O)2 results from an in-situ reaction between UO22+ and H2O2, the latter produced through visible light-induced catalysis on the COF-BTT-TAPB surface. Additionally, UO22+ can be photoexcited under visible light, undergoing a homogeneous reaction with methanol in the presence of O2 to produce (UO2)O2(H2O)2. This study presents a novel approach for extracting UO22+ from aqueous solutions by leveraging photocatalytically generated H2O2.

Study on Synthesis of CSH Gel and Its Immobilization of Heavy Metals

Calcium silicate hydrate (CSH) gel is the most important hydration product of cement. It influences the mechanical properties of resulting materials and plays an important role in the adsorption and immobilization of heavy metal ions. Research in the structure of CSH gel and its ability for heavy metal immobilization enables the development of tailored cement-based materials, a feature that holds significant future potential. In this study, CSH gel was synthesized under different pH and Ca/Si conditions. Structural and morphological changes in CSH gel were investigated using modern technologies. The results revealed that both pH and Ca/Si ratios were important factors influencing the structure of CSH gel. During the formation of CSH, both Cr3+ and Pb2+ can be incorporated into CSH gel, and promoting the formation of calcium hydroxide Cr3+ can also replace Si4+ in the Si-O bond.

Efficient sorption and secure immobilization of strontium ions onto nanoporous alumino-borosilicate as a new matrix

The objective behind developing the nanoporous alumino-borosilicate (AlBS) was to remove strontium ion (Sr2+) from liquid waste and subsequently stabilize it. The sorption capacity of the nanoporous AlBS was assessed in relation to various experimental factors, including contact time, temperature, initial pH solution, and initial concentration of Sr ions. According to the obtained results, nanoporous AlBS shows a maximum Sr2+ sorption capacity of 163.08 mg/g. In order to achieve stable immobilization of the sorbed Sr ions, heat treatments at different temperatures were applied to the Sr-containing nanoporous AlBS. Various eluents were used in the leach tests to examine the Sr ions leaching from heat-treated materials. Only 3.43% of the Sr ions initially adsorbed in the nanoporous AlBS matrix was washed out with 1 M sodium chloride eluent, showing that heating the sample to around 1100 °C successfully trapped Sr ions in the nanoporous AlBS matrix.

The modified electrospun gelatin membrane with in-situ coated silver layer for flexible TENG device

Triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) has shown great potential in real-time monitoring of individual physiological state. Conductive metal nanofibers can maintain good stability and mechanical strain as electrodes. Herein, a simple and safe strategy was provided to prepare electrospun gelatin membranes with in-situ coated silver layer for flexible TENG devices. Electrospun gelatin membranes were prepared by a one-pot method of dopamine-grafted gelatinmodification and physical modification by blending with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). The silver coated electrospun membrane was constructed using the reductive immobilization of silver ions by dopamine. The silver content and hence the output signal of the TENG can be further controlled using bio-crosslinked gelatin membranes. The electrospun gelatin membranes of with immobilized silver layers with ease of preparation were not significantly cytotoxic to fibroblasts. The tensile strength of the membranes crosslinked reached 4MPa, which was more flexible than the membranes uncrosslinked. The membranes showed significant inhibition against Staphylococcus Aureus (S. aureus) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) and the triboelectric output performance of the membrane can be controlled by adjusting the crosslinking method, which providing an effective strategy for implementing TENG in the monitoring of the wound healing process.

Manganese metal ion removal from aqueous solution using industrial wastes derived geopolymer

Heavy metal pollutants, highly toxic and invisible, have garnered attention due to bioaccumulation. Increased manganese production from steel industries is expected to lead to harmful concentrations in water, adversely affecting the environment and public health. The sustainable approach of utilizing industrial by-products to synthesize geopolymers for the immobilization of heavy metal ions has gained research interest. The current study aims to verify the feasibility of Paper sludge ash (PSA) in conventional geopolymer (CGP) to immobilize manganese (Mn) heavy metal ions from aqueous solutions. CGP was prepared using Fly ash (FA) as resource material, which was replaced by PSA at a level of 30 %, by weight. The precursors were treated with alkali solutions, namely sodium hydroxide and sodium silicate, incorporating ambient curing. The characterization studies of precursors and CGP were investigated using XRD, XRF, SEM, EDS, FTIR, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area (BET) analysis techniques to outline the crystal structure, morphology, and pore parameters. Additionally, the experimental investigation comprehensively examined the impact of various pH levels, dosages, contact times, and initial concentrations on the removal efficiency of Mn heavy metal ions. The difference in concentration of Mn heavy metal ions quantified by atomic absorption spectrometry. The Langmuir models effectively explained the removal of Mn ions by CGP due to high fitting coefficients. The highest value of uptake capacity was found to be 28 mg/g at 30 °C with pH value of 4. Therefore, blending industrial wastes improves the potential of decontamination agents in removing heavy metals from wastewater, promoting environmental sustainability.

Fabrication of Azacrown Ether‐Embedded Covalent Organic Frameworks for Enhanced Cathode Performance in Aqueous Ni−Zn Batteries

AbstractCrown ethers (CEs), known for their exceptional host–guest complexation, offer potential as linkers in covalent organic frameworks (COFs) for enhanced performance in catalysis and host–guest binding. However, their highly flexible conformation and low symmetry limit the diversity of CE‐derived COFs. Here, we introduce a novel C3‐symmetrical azacrown ether (ACE) building block, tris(pyrido)[18]crown‐6 (TPy18C6), for COF fabrication (ACE‐COF‐1 and ACE‐COF‐2) via reticular synthesis. This approach enables precise integration of CEs into COFs, enhancing Ni2+ ion immobilization while maintaining crystallinity. The resulting Ni2+‐doped COFs (Ni@ACE‐COF‐1 and Ni@ACE‐COF‐2) exhibit high discharge capacity (up to 1.27 mAh ⋅ cm−2 at 8 mA ⋅ cm−2) and exceptional cycling stability (>1000 cycles) as cathode materials in aqueous alkaline nickel‐zinc batteries. This study serves as an exemplar of the seamless integration of macrocyclic chemistry and reticular chemistry, laying the groundwork for extending the macrocyclic‐synthon driven strategy to a diverse array of COF building blocks, ultimately yielding advanced materials tailored for specific applications.

Fabrication of Azacrown Ether-Embedded Covalent Organic Frameworks for Enhanced Cathode Performance in Aqueous Ni-Zn Batteries.

Crown ethers (CEs), known for their exceptional host-guest complexation, offer potential as linkers in covalent organic frameworks (COFs) for enhanced performance in catalysis and host-guest binding. However, their highly flexible conformation and low symmetry limit the diversity of CE-derived COFs. Here, we introduce a novel C3-symmetrical azacrown ether (ACE) building block, tris(pyrido)[18]crown-6 (TPy18C6), for COF fabrication (ACE-COF-1 and ACE-COF-2) via reticular synthesis. This approach enables precise integration of CEs into COFs, enhancing Ni2+ ion immobilization while maintaining crystallinity. The resulting Ni2+-doped COFs (Ni@ACE-COF-1 and Ni@ACE-COF-2) exhibit high discharge capacity (up to 1.27 mAh ⋅ cm-2 at 8 mA ⋅ cm-2) and exceptional cycling stability (>1000 cycles) as cathode materials in aqueous alkaline nickel-zinc batteries. This study serves as an exemplar of the seamless integration of macrocyclic chemistry and reticular chemistry, laying the groundwork for extending the macrocyclic-synthon driven strategy to a diverse array of COF building blocks, ultimately yielding advanced materials tailored for specific applications.

Reconfigurable Optical Sensor for Metal-Ion-Mediated Label-Free Recognition of Different Biomolecular Targets.

Reconfiguration of chemical sensors, intended as the capacity of the sensor to adapt to novel operational scenarios, e.g., new target analytes, is potentially game changing and would enable rapid and cost-effective reaction to dynamic changes occurring at healthcare, environmental, and industrial levels. Yet, it is still a challenge, and rare examples of sensor reconfiguration have been reported to date. Here, we report on a reconfigurable label-free optical sensor leveraging the versatile immobilization of metal ions through a chelating agent on a nanostructured porous silica (PSiO2) optical transducer for the detection of different biomolecules. First, we show the reversible grafting of different metal ions on the PSiO2 surface, namely, Ni2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, and Fe3+, which can mediate the interaction with different biomolecules and be switched under mild conditions. Then, we demonstrate reconfiguration of the sensor at two levels: 1) switching of the metal ions on the PSiO2 surface from Cu2+ to Zn2+ and testing the ability of Cu2+-functionalized and Zn2+-reconfigured devices for the sensing of the dipeptide carnosine (CAR), leveraging the well-known chelating ability of CAR toward divalent metal ions; and 2) reconfiguration of the Cu2+-functionalized PSiO2 sensor for a different target analyte, namely, the nucleotide adenosine triphosphate (ATP), switching Cu2+ with Fe3+ ions to exploit the interaction with ATP through phosphate groups. The Cu2+-functionalized and Zn2+-reconfigured sensors show effective sensing performance in CAR detection, also evaluated in tissue samples from murine brain, and so does the Fe3+-reconfigured sensor toward ATP, thus demonstrating effective reconfiguration of the sensor with the proposed surface chemistry.

Cu-alginate hydrogels in microfluidic systems: a sustainable catalytic approach for click chemistry

This work explores the innovative use of copper-alginate (Cu-alginate) hydrogels within microfluidic systems to catalyze dipolar cycloaddition reactions, emphasizing green chemistry principles and process intensification. Utilizing naturally occurring biopolymers, such as alginates, provides an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional catalyst supports due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and effective metal ion immobilization capabilities. The integration of these biopolymer-based catalysts into microfluidic devices allows for precise control over reaction conditions, leading to enhanced reaction kinetics and mass transfer efficiencies. Our results demonstrate that Cu-alginate hydrogels effectively catalyze the formation of 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles through [3 + 2] dipolar cycloaddition reactions with high regioselectivity and conversion. The microfluidic setup ensures rapid and efficient synthesis, surpassing traditional batch reaction methods in both reaction rate and environmental impact by reducing solvent usage and waste generation. Furthermore, the use of microfluidics contributes to the reproducibility and scalability of the synthesis process, important for industrial applications. The model-based design and its simulations have been employed to further understand and optimize the reaction system. Diffusion through the gel layer and catalytic reaction kinetics estimated from experimental data were included in the model, providing a theoretical foundation for a comprehensive process evaluation. This study not only advances the field of sustainable catalysis by demonstrating the practical utility of biopolymer-supported catalysts in microfluidic systems, but also sets the stage for further research into biopolymer applications in complex chemical syntheses.

Photo-induced protonation assisted nano primary battery for highly efficient immobilization of diverse heavy metal ions

Highly-stable heavy metal ions (HMIs) appear long-term damage, while the existing remediation strategies struggle to effectively remove a variety of oppositely charged HMIs without releasing toxic substances. Here we construct an iron-copper primary battery-based nanocomposite, with photo-induced protonation effect, for effectively consolidating broad-spectrum HMIs. In FCPBN, Fe/Cu cell acts as the reaction impetus, and functional graphene oxide modified by carboxyl and UV-induced protonated 2-nitrobenzaldehyde serves as an auxiliary platform. Due to the groups and built-in electric fields under UV stimuli, FCPBN exhibits excellent affinity for ions, with a maximum adsorption rate constant of 974.26 g∙mg-1∙min-1 and facilitated electrons transfer, assisting to reduce 9 HMIs including Cr2O72-, AsO2-, Cd2+ in water from 0.03 to 3.89 ppb. The cost-efficiency, stability and collectability of the FCPBN during remediation, and the beneficial effects on polluted soil and the beings further demonstrate the splendid remediation performance without secondary pollution. This work is expected to remove multi-HMIs thoroughly and sustainably, which tackles an environmental application challenge.

Comparative study on the effect of SRB and Sporosarcina pasteurii on the MICP cementation and solidification of lead–zinc tailings

The production of tailings sand due to mining and smelting activities is one of the reasons for the accelerated environmental pollution caused by heavy metals, drawing social attention to the management of tailings sand. Microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) is an environmentally friendly soil remediation technique that is gradually becoming the preferred method for soil stabilisation and heavy metal pollution control. To address the issues of heavy metal pollution release and the loose particle structure of lead–zinc tailings sand (LZTS), this study employs a layered MICP approach. The solidification effects of two typical mineralising bacteria, sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) and Sporosarcina pasteurii, on LZTS, were compared for the first time. The results show that the maximum unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of SRB cemented solidified lead–zinc tailings sand (SRB-CS-LZTS) specimens is 0.22 MPa, while that of S. pasteurii cemented solidified lead–zinc tailings sand (SP-CS-LZTS) specimens is 0.95 MPa. Compared with the UCS of SRB-CS-LZTS, the UCS of SP-CS-LZTS increased by 3.32 times. The effect of S. pasteurii on the improvement of UCS and immobilisation of heavy metal ions was greater than that of SRB. The immobilisation effect of SRB on SO42- in the LZTS was better than that of S. pasteurii. Compared with SRB, the biological CaCO3 formed by S. pasteurii exhibited stronger adhesion and was more suitable for the cementation and solidification of LZTS. This study uses MICP technology to treat LZTS, aligning with the green environmental concept and providing a reference for the bioremediation of multiple heavy metals in tailing areas.

Cyclodextrin-assisted supramolecular host-guest inclusion for durable and sustainable optoelectronics

Metal halide perovskites and organic nonlinear optical materials have showcased enormous potential in many kinds of optoelectronic applications, such as solar cells, light-emitting diodes, and patterned displays. However, further enhancement of optoelectronic performances has been largely limited by the intractable issues of these materials including high defect densities, unstable crystallographic structure, harsh fabrication conditions, and unfavorable biocompatibility and environmental sustainability. Encouragingly, several recent works have demonstrated an effective supramolecular host-guest inclusion strategy could ideally address abovementioned concerns by nesting optoelectronic materials within the cavities of cyclodextrin molecules and their analogs. Specifically, the supramolecule hosts embedded with multiple functional groups and/or crosslinked networks could robustly interact with those optoelectronic materials, which play multifaceted roles in terms of chemical chelation, spatial confinement, structural stabilization, defect passivation, ion immobilization and compensation, thus resulting in comprehensive enhancement of optoelectronic performances and sustainability. The current challenging issues and potential solutions are also discussed to provide a roadmap for achieving more durable and sustainable optoelectronics toward practical applications and real commercialization.

Two-dimensional phthalocyanine-based molecular additives realize efficient hole transport and enhanced ion immobilization for durable perovskite solar cells

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have demonstrated high promises in low-cost manufacture and outstanding power conversion efficiencies (PCEs), however, long-term operational stability has become the major obstacle challenging the scalable application of this technology. Although the state-of-the-art hole transport layer (HTL) based on Spiro-OMeTAD becomes the indispensable component in high-efficiency PSCs, the dopants in the HTLs cause severe stability issues of ion migration and phase segregation, all of which induce the degradation of HTLs in the aspects of film conductivity and microstructures. Here we rationally design a two-dimensional phthalocyanine-based molecular additive (TB-C8-Ni) for the HTLs in order to enhance the carrier transportation and immobilize the ions. The incorporation of [8-(4-tert-butylphenoxy)octyl]oxy alkyl units as the side groups in TB-C8-Ni is essential to increase the solubility and improve the HTL uniformity. The superior planar structure of TB-C8-Ni favors the hole transportation and suppresses the migration of lithium ion under the environmental stress, which achieves reliable HTLs and devices. Consequently, the devices based on TB-C8-Ni exhibit boosted open-circuit voltage and fill factor, delivering an increased efficiency from 20.93% to 22.34%. More importantly, the additive TB-C8-Ni in the HTLs reinforces the moisture stability of devices, enabling to maintain 90% of initial efficiency after 2300 h in air.

Assessing the Influence of Confinement on the Stability of Polyoxometalate-Functionalized Surfaces: A Soft Sequential Immobilization Approach for Electrochromic Devices.

A functionalization process has been developed and the experimental conditions optimized allowing the immobilization of first-row transition metal (Mn+) containing polyoxometalates (POMs) with the formula [M(H2O)P2W17O61](10-n)- on transparent indium-tin oxide (ITO) electrodes for electrochromic applications. Both flat ITO grafted with 4-sulfophenyl moieties and sulfonate-functionalized vertically oriented silica films on ITO have been used as electrode supports to evaluate possible confinement effects provided by the mesoporous matrix on the stability of the modified surfaces and their electrochromic properties. Functionalization involved a two-step sequential process: (i) the immobilization of hexaaqua metallic ions, such as Fe(H2O)63+, onto the sulfonate-functionalized materials achieved through hydrogen bonding interactions between the sulfonate functions and aqua ligands (water molecules) coordinated to the metallic ions facilitating and stabilizing the attachment of the metallic ions to the sulfonated surfaces; (ii) their coordination to [P2W17O61]10- species to generate "in situ" the target [Fe(H2O)P2W17O61]7- moieties. Comparison of the characterized surfaces clearly evidenced a significant improvement in the long-term stability of the nanostructured [Fe(H2O)P2W17O61]7--functionalized silica films compared to the less constrained flat [Fe(H2O)P2W17O61]7--modified ITO electrodes for which a rapid loss of [P2W17O61]10- species was observed. Concordantly, the [Fe(H2O)P2W17O61]7- POM confined in the mesoporous films coated on ITO gave rise to much better and stable electrochromic properties, with a transmittance modulation of 40% at 515 nm.

All‐in‐One: Photo‐Responsive Lanthanide‐Organic Framework for Simultaneous Sensing, Adsorption, and Photocatalytic Reduction of Uranium

AbstractThe selective removal and immobilization of uranyl ions from aqueous solutions is essential for the sustainable development of nuclear energy. Herein, a robust lanthanide‐organic framework material (IHEP‐24) is developed for simultaneous fluorescence sensing, selective adsorption, and photocatalytic reduction of uranium, integrating three different functions in one material. The confined space formed by the coordination assembly of viologen derivative ligands and metal‐oxygen clusters can act as precise recognition sites for uranyl, allowing IHEP‐24 to efficiently detect and capture uranyl ions. In addition, the presence of a viologen‐based radical ligand enables IHEP‐24 to a further photocatalytic reduction of the adsorbed uranyl to amorphous UO2. The mechanisms of adsorption and photocatalysis are revealed by batch experiments, photoelectrochemical characterizations, and theoretical calculations. This study provides a reference for the construction of robust multi‐functional MOF materials and also provides support for the deep removal and immobilization of radionuclides from aqueous solution.

Alkali-activated blast furnace ferronickel slag for Cr immobilization

Efficiently managing and utilizing Cr-containing slags and wastes is a global urgency. Alkali-activated materials offer a sustainable and cost-effective solution. This study investigated eco-friendly alkali-activated blast furnace ferronickel slag (AA-BFFS) for both self-stabilization/solidification (SS) of Cr-containing BFFS and immobilization of external Cr ions. Our investigation involved comprehensive analysis, including reaction characterization, pH-dependent leaching tests, and a novel thermodynamic modeling approach to reveal the reaction process and leaching behaviors. The results indicate that AA-BFFS forms a dual-layered self-S/S barrier: reaction products, AFm and C-(N)-A-S-H, constitute the first layer at the inner pH above ∼7, while Ca/Mg phases in BFFS form a secondary layer at the inner pH above ∼5. External Cr ion immobilization involves Cr(III) precipitation and sorption, while Cr(VI) is only partially sorbed, leaving 73.2 % soluble at 7 days at the high doping level. The research provides a scientific basis for the sustainable utilization of BFFS and other Cr-containing wastes.

Bifunctional chemical bonds for trap inactivation and ion immobilization in fully ambient-air processed perovskite solar cells

For the past few years, air-processed perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have raised interests from researchers around the world, due to the urgent demand for the roll-to-roll (R2R) industrialization. However, lots of detrimental effects, such as imperfect active film quality and plentiful traps on the surface, or especially grain boundaries (GBs) for the samples fabricated under the ambient conditions, can seriously damage both the performance and stability of PSCs. Thereby, in this study, a cross-linking passivator, dodecanoic acid (DA), was incorporated in order to improve the crystallinity of air-processed perovskite films. On the one hand, DA agents with carboxy group and –O points, could chelate tightly with nonbonding Pb2+ ions of perovskite crystal, as well as interact with I− anions through hydrogen network. The hindered trap formation and immobilized ions improve the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the device. On the other hand, the long hydrophobic alkyl chains of DA were prone to be accumulated at the GBs of the perovskite grains, thus boosting the moist resistance. Consequently, the champion device gained a PCE of 20.23% with hindered hysteresis. Moreover, the unpackaged DA-passivated PSC retains 81.7% of its original PCE after aging under ambient conditions for 5 weeks. This simple and viable approach for fabricating perovskite-based optoelectronic device with high performance and promising stability, can promote its large production and commercialization.

An Eco-Friendly alternative for voltammetric determination of creatinine in urine sample using copper(II) immobilized on biochar

Creatinine (CRE) is the final product of creatine and phosphocreatine metabolism in mammals. CRE is primarily excreted by the kidneys, and a decrease in urinary creatinine content can be an indicator of kidney failure. Therefore, monitoring this biomarker in urine samples is crucial. For this purpose, an electrochemical sensor had been proposed for indirect determination of the target based on the immobilization of copper ions on biochar, an eco-friendly material. First, copper ions (Cu2+) were spontaneously preconcentrated at the surface of a biochar-modified carbon paste electrode. Next, CRE was spontaneously accumulated over this surface, resulting in the suppression of the copper voltammetric signal. This suppression was attributed to the formation of a creatinine-copper complex, and used as the analytical response. A linear dynamic range (LDR) of 300–700 µmol L−1 in the presence of a synthetic urine matrix was achieved, along with limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) of 91.0 µmol L−1 and 300 µmol L−1, respectively. Selectivity was suitable for the most common metallic species found in urine and equimolar uric acid concentration. The standard addition method was adopted for CRE determinations in synthetic urine samples, and the recoveries values were 101 ± 7 % for the method's limit of quantification (LOQ) concentration (300 µmol L−1), and 100 ± 7 % for the usual creatinine concentration in urine after a dilution step, 500 µmol L−1. Therefore, an approach based on metal immobilization, using an eco-friendly material, was proposed for indirect creatinine determination, and successfully applied to biomarker analysis in a synthetic urine matrix.

Enhanced anchoring enables highly efficient and stable inverted perovskite solar cells

The immobilization of all-type ions is critical for further enhancing the efficiency and stability of inverted perovskite solar cells as the volatilization of organic cations and migration of halides could cause device degradation and non-radiative recombination. This work reports a novel and effective multidentate molecular “lock”, 2,3,4,5,6-Pentafluorophenylammonium Iodide (F5PhAI), to simultaneously immobilize all types of ions in perovskite with multiple chemical anchoring sites, leading to enhanced stability of perovskite under thermal and ambient conditions, as well as reduced defect density and energy disorder of perovskite films to significantly inhibit the non-radiative recombination. As a result, F5PhAI-modified device achieves an improved PCE of 24.03%, with a VOC of 1.124 V, a JSC of 25.14 mA cm−2, and an FF of 85.03%. Furthermore, the unencapsulated devices exhibit enhanced long-term stability, maintaining 85% and 90% of the initial efficiencies under 85°C thermal annealing in nitrogen for 500 hours and in humid air condition (RH: 60±10%) for 1000 hours, respectively. This work provides a novel and effective multidentate molecular “lock” strategy to achieve high-efficiency and stable inverted perovskite solar cells.