Improved Carrier Separation Research Articles

Construction of CuO/BiVO4 S-scheme heterojunction with improved carrier separation for efficient piezo-photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline

This investigation aimed to enhance the efficacy of piezo-photocatalysts for the degradation of tetracycline by introducing an S-scheme heterojunction through the synthesis of CuO/BiVO4 composites. Various ratios of these composites were precisely prepared through the oil bath precursor method. The optimal ratio, designated as CBVO-0.10, exhibited a notable enhancement, achieving a reaction rate constant (k) of 0.045 min−1. This value represented a 1.4-fold increase compared to monolithic BiVO4 under combined light and ultrasound irradiation. Charge transfer characterizations provided clarification regarding the S-scheme mechanism in the catalytic process. This piezo-photocatalytic activity enhancement was attributed to the S-scheme and the piezoelectric internal electric field. This work presented an effective strategy for the design of efficient heterojunction piezo-photocatalysts for water pollution degradation, highlighting a promising approach for advancing efficient piezo-photocatalysts, with substantial implications for environmental remediation, particularly in the context of pollutant abatement.

Research on PbTiO3 nanoparticles optimized mesoporous layer for perovskite solar cells

Organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite solar cells have garnered significant attention due to their facile fabrication process and high photovoltaic conversion efficiency. The electron transport layer plays a crucial role in the carrier separation mechanism of perovskite solar cells, making it a focal point for enhancing cell performance. In this study, PbTiO3 was introduced into TiO2 mesoporous layers by modification and doping in order to optimize cell performance. Initially, the use of PbTiO3-modified mesoporous layers revealed issues such as non-uniform modification layers, low film coverage rates, and reduced light transmittance. These issues hindered the ability of PbTiO3 to facilitate carrier separation and resulting in suboptimal optimization effects. However, by utilizing PbTiO3-doped mesoporous layers for optimizing cell performance, we observed improved quality and higher light transmittance in the perovskite films. As a consequence of the improved carrier separation achieved by PbTiO3, the efficiency of the solar cell has been enhanced to 5.51%.

Boosting the Quantum Efficiency of Ionic Carbon Nitrides in Photocatalytic H2O2 Evolution via Controllable n → π* Electronic Transition Activation.

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a crucial chemical used in numerous industrial applications, yet its manufacturing relies on the energy-demanding anthraquinone process. Solar-driven synthesis of H2O2 is gaining traction as a promising research area, providing a sustainable method for its production. Herein, a controllable activation of n → π* electronic transition is presented to boost the photocatalytic H2O2 evolution in ionic carbon nitrides. This enhancement is achieved through the simultaneous introduction of structural distortions and defect sites (─C ≡ N groups and N vacancies) into the KPHI framework. The optimal catalyst (2%Ox-KPHI) reached an apparent quantum yield of 41% at 410nm without the need for any cocatalysts, outperforming most previously reported carbon nitride-based photocatalysts. Extensive experimental characterizations and theoretical calculations confirm that a corrugated configuration and the presence of defects significantly broaden the light absorption profile, improve carrier separation and migration, promote O2 adsorption, and lower the energy barriers for H2O2 desorption. Transient absorption spectroscopy indicates that the enhanced photocatalytic performance of 2%Ox-KPHI is largely attributed to the preferential migration of electrons at defect sites over extended timescales, following the diffusion of geminate carriers across the PHI sheets.

Dual-defect AgBiO3/DCN S-scheme heterojunction for booted photocatalytic removal of Norfloxacin: Interfacial charge transfer, mechanism and toxicity assessment insights

Antibiotics pollution may pose a great risk to ecosystem and human health. In this work, an innovative dual-defect AgBiO3/DCN S-scheme heterojunction was constructed to overcome the sluggish charge separation and transfer issue and showed exceptional photodegradation performance towards norfloxacin (NFL) pollution under the visible light. The degradation efficiency of NFL reached 95.30 % within 120 min respectively, the rate constant was 3.64 times higher than that of defective g-C3N4 (DCN). The systematically characterizations proved that the enhanced photocatalytic activity was benefited from optimized band structures, improved carrier separation efficiency, due to dual defects and S-scheme heterojunction in AgBiO3/DCN. the intermediate degradation products and degradation pathway of NFL were speculated by UPLC-HRMS, and the environmental toxicity degree of degradation products was analyzed according to the T.E.S.T software. The charge transfer pathway was confirmed as an S-scheme mechanism through a combination of band structure analysis, alongside electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) experiments.The quenching experiments and ESR analyses indicated that h+ and O2•− radicals played predominant roles. The efficient and stable photocatalytic NFL degradation efficiency and broad environmental adaptability proved potential practical application. This work may shed light on designing new dual-defect heterojunction with photocatalytic antibiotic removal capability in the innovative water treatment process.

In situ growth of ZnIn2S4 nanosheets on 2D NiFeS sheets from vulcanization of Ni–Fe LDH for enhancing photocatalytic hydrogen production

In this paper, 2-dimensional (2D) ZnIn2S4/NiFeS novel junctions were constructed through in-situ growing ZnIn2S4 nanosheets on 2D large NiFeS sheets with large specific area which were prepared from vulcanization of layer-structured Ni–Fe LDH by a solvent-thermal method. The rough and porous surface of FeNiS, as demonstrated by SEM pictures, endowed the heterojunction large interfacial area and more active sites for hydrogen evolution. Various tests indicate that the integration of a small amount of NiFeS in the heterojunction greatly improved carrier separation efficiency, migration rate, and surface H2 evolution activity, leading to the enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen production ability. Optimal 0.6%-NFS/ZIS composite shows the highest photocatalytic H2 evolution rate of 1506 μmol h−1 g−1, 2.4 times that of ZnIn2S4. This study provides a novel and cost-effective approach improving photocatalytic H2 evolution activity of sulfides in visible-light-driven water splitting.

G-C3N4 coupled with GO accelerates carrier separation via high conductivity for photocatalytic MB degradation

Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) is widely utilized in photocatalysis due to its responsiveness to visible light, low cost, and non-toxicity. However, its efficiency is limited by factors such as the rapid recombination of photogenerated electron-hole pairs, slow electron transfer rates, and a limited number of active surface sites. In this study, g-C3N4 was synthesized through thermal polymerization, and varying amounts of graphene oxide (GO) were incorporated via physical blending to fabricate composite photocatalysts. The results indicated that the incorporation of GO not only increased the specific surface area and modified the pore size distribution of g-C3N4 but also affected the heptazine ring structure through chemical bonding, thereby enhancing the density of active sites. Photocatalytic degradation experiments with methylene blue (MB) indicated that g-C3N4 containing 2 % GO exhibited photocatalytic activity 2.84 times greater than that of pristine g-C3N4. Kinetic simulations indicated that the Kapp value for the 2 % GO-g-C3N4 composite was 0.00469 min−1, which is 4.34 times higher than that of pure g-C3N4 (0.00108 min−1). Furthermore, this composite maintained high photocatalytic activity after four cycles of reuse. An analysis of the photocatalytic degradation mechanism revealed that the incorporation of GO effectively promoted the separation and transfer of photogenerated electron-hole pairs, enhanced photocurrent density, and improved carrier separation efficiency. Electron spin resonance (ESR) and free radical scavenging experiments confirmed that the primary active species involved in the degradation of MB by the composite photocatalyst were ·O2- and h+. This study presents a novel approach for enhancing the photocatalytic performance of g-C3N4 by modifying its electronic structure and surface properties.

Fluid-Induced Piezoelectric Field Enhancing Photo-Assisted Zn-Air Batteries Based on a Fe@P(V-T) Microhelical Cathode.

Photo-assisted Zn-air batteries can accelerate the kinetics of oxygen reduction and oxygen evolution reactions (ORR/OER); however, challenges such as rapid charge carrier recombination and continuous electrolyte evaporation remain. Herein, for the first time, piezoelectric catalysis is introduced in a photo-assisted Zn-air battery to improve carrier separation capability and accelerate the ORR/OER kinetics of the photoelectric cathode. The designed microhelical catalyst exploits simple harmonic vibrations to regenerate the built-in electric field continuously. Specifically, in the presence of the low-frequency kinetic energy that occurs during water flow, the piezoelectric-photocoupling catalyst of poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-trifluoroethylene)@ferric oxide(Fe@P(V-T)) is periodically deformed, generating a constant reconfiguration of the built-in electric field that separates photogenerated electrons and holes continuously. Further, on exposure to microvibrations, the gap between the charge and discharge potentials of the Fe@P(V-T)-based photo-assisted Zn-air battery is reduced by 1.7 times compared to that without piezoelectric assistance, indicating that piezoelectric catalysis is highly effective for enhancing photocatalytic efficiency. This study provides a thorough understanding of coupling piezoelectric polarization and photo-assisted strategy in the field of energy storage and opens a fresh perspective for the investigation of multi-field coupling-assisted Zn-air batteries.

Photocatalytic CO2‐to‐CH4 Conversion with Ultrahigh Selectivity of 95.93% on S‐Vacancy Modulated Spatial In2S3/In2O3 Heterojunction

AbstractPhotocatalytic conversion of CO2 to methane faces challenges due to the stability of CO2, unpredictable intermediates, and complex electron transfer steps. Herein, a spatial In2S3/In2O3 heterojunction with abundant S vacancies (ISIO(VS)) is obtained through facile Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) treatment to reach a methane yield of 16.52 µmol·g−1·h−1 with a selectivity of 95.93%, which is the highest among reported In2S3 and In2O3 based catalysts. The work function (Wf), differential charge density, and Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy (KPFM) results confirm that S vacancies strengthen the built‐in electric field (BEF) of In2S3/In2O3 (ISIO) heterojunctions, improving carrier separation. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that S vacancies induce electron redistribution, facilitating adsorption and activation of CO2 and *CO intermediate, thus promoting hydrogenation to yield *CHO. The reaction pathway of photocatalytic CO2 reduction is revealed by in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) and Gibbs free energy (ΔG). The S vacancies modify electronic orbitals and the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) of In atom, resulting in a stronger interaction between the catalyst and *CHO, which reduces ΔG*CHO and regulates the selectivity of CH4. This study paves a new avenue for the design of photocatalysts with highly selective reduction of CO2 to CH4 through defect engineering.

Improving carrier separation in ZnIn2S4 to boost photocatalytic degradation of metronidazole based on machine learning prediction, experimental verification and theory calculation

Carrier separation efficiency significantly impacts the photocatalyst performance for wastewater purification. However, there is no established theory to accurately guide carrier separation efficiency regulation. This study used machine learning to screen dopants to change the band gap of ZnIn2S4 (ZIS), thus precisely regulating the ZIS carrier separation efficiency. Nitrogen with 0.5 % of doping amount showed the best regulation effect. Metronidazole degradation kinetic rate with nitrogen doped ZIS (N/ZIS) was 1.47 times higher than that with ZIS. Real-time time-dependent density functional theory (rt-TDDFT) was employed to assess carrier separation at the orbital level. Experiments and rt-TDDFT confirmed that N/ZIS possessed better carrier separation efficiency than that of ZIS. An “in-situ” potential research strategy was established to determine carrier acceptors, which can compare the orbital potential of molecules and catalysts in the adsorption state. This approach revealed that O2 served as the photogenerated electron acceptor, while OH– functioned as the hole acceptor. H2O was not actively involved in carrier separation. O2 anti-bonding orbital activation effect by the catalysts was studied to unveil the influence mechanism of carrier separation efficiency on the photocatalyst activity. This study provides a new insight into carrier dynamics to design efficient photocatalysts.

Optimizing photocatalytic hydrogen evolution performance by rationally constructing S-scheme heterojunction to modulate the D-band center

The research in the field of photocatalysis has progressed, with the development of heterojunctions being recognized as an effective method to improve carrier separation efficiency in light-induced processes. In this particular study, CuCo2S4 particles were attached to a new cubic CdS surface to create an S-scheme heterojunction, thus successfully addressing this issue. Specifically, owing to the higher conduction band and Fermi level of CuCo2S4 compared to CdS, they serve as the foundation and driving force for the formation of an S-scheme heterojunction. Through in-situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and electron paramagnetic resonance analysis, the direction of charge transfer in the composite photocatalyst under light exposure was determined, confirming the charge transfer mechanism of the S-scheme heterojunction. By effectively constructing the S-scheme heterojunction, the d-band center of the composite photocatalyst was adjusted, reducing the energy needed for electron filling in the anti-bonding energy band, promoting the transfer of photogenerated carriers, and ultimately enhancing the photocatalytic hydrogen production. performance. After optimization, the hydrogen evolution activity of the composite photocatalyst CdS-C/CuCo2S4-3 reached 5818.9 μmol g−1h−1, which is 2.6 times higher than that of cubic CdS (2272.3 μmol g−1h−1) and 327.4 times higher than that of CuCo2S4 (17.8 μmol g−1h−1), showcasing exceptional photocatalytic activity. Electron paramagnetic resonance and in situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy have established a theoretical basis for designing and constructing S-scheme heterojunctions, offering a viable method for adjusting the D-band center to enhance the performance of photocatalytic hydrogen evolution.

Novel noble-metal-free NiCo2O4/CdIn2S4 S-scheme heterojunction photocatalyst with redox center for highly efficient photocatalytic H2 evolution

The exploration of efficient and noble-metal-free photocatalysts for photocatalytic H2 production is still a hot topic. Herein, a novel NiCo2O4/CdIn2S4 S-scheme heterojunction composites were successfully synthesized. Morphology characterization manifests that CdIn2S4 nanoparticles are tightly bound to the rod NiCo2O4 to form S-scheme heterojunction. Besides, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results verify the existence of co-existing cobalt and nickel ions with multivalent state, which could provide H2 evolution active site and form redox centers. The S-scheme heterojunction and redox centers prompt the transfer of photogenerated e− from CdIn2S4 to NiCo2O4 for improving carrier separation efficiency, which is confirmed by a series of electrochemical experiments and photoluminescence (PL). The specific surface area and transmission electron microscope (TEM) results show that NiCo2O4 possesses a high specific surface area and porous structure, which could provide more active sites and facilitate H2O adsorption for further reduction reaction. The optimal NiCo2O4/CdIn2S4 composites possess maximum H2 evolution rate of 624 μmol·g−1·h−1, which is about 3.2 times than CdIn2S4-1 %Pt (198 μmol·g−1·h−1). After three cycles, the activity of NiCo2O4/CdIn2S4 shows no significant weaken. Moreover, the possible H2 evolution mechanism of NiCo2O4/CdIn2S4 S-scheme heterojunction composites is discussed. This research offers an idea for bimetallic oxide (NiCo2O4 etc.) modified sulfide to improve photocatalytic hydrogen production.

Ag-bridged Z-scheme AgI/NU-1000 heterojunction for enhanced photocatalytic degradation of sulfamethazine: Pathways, mechanism insight, and DFT calculations

Constructing heterojunction structures is a crucial approach for improving carrier separation efficiency and expanding the visible-light absorption range of photocatalysts. Herein, a series of Ag-bridged Z-scheme (AgI/NU-1000) heterojunction photocatalysts were successfully prepared using a simple in-situ precipitation method. The photodegradation efficiency of the AgI/NU-1000 samples was assessed by degrading sulfamethazine under visible-light conditions. The optimized AgI/NU-10000.35 (AN-2) photocatalyst exhibited exceptional photodegradation activity, achieving a degradation rate of 89.68 % within 40 min. The toxicity test results proved that the solution degraded by AN-2 exhibited no detrimental effects on biological growth, thereby demonstrating its potential practical application value. Electrochemical and photochemical tests demonstrated that the creation of a Z-scheme heterojunction was favorable for the separation of photogenerated carriers. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used to clarify the electron migration direction within the AgI/NU-1000 heterojunction. Possible degradation pathways and mediate products were investigated using high-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry and DFT calculations. This work demonstrates the potential application of AgI/NU-1000 composite materials in environmental treatment.

Rational synthesis of core/shell heterostructured quantum dots for improved self-powered photodetection performance enabled by energy band engineering

Colloidal quantum dots (CQDs), especially core-shell QDs, have attracted dramatic interests as emerging materials in optoelectronic devices due to their size tuneable band-gap, high absorption coefficient, facile and low-cost synthesis routing, etc. However, the precise design of core/shell band engineering along with charge carrier transfer efficiency are still challenging, inevitably impacting the performance of optoelectronic devices. Herein, three different types of CdSe/CdS core-shell heterostructured QDs have been obtained via a proposed synthesis strategy of adjusting the core size but fixing the shell thickness. The performance of the core-shell QDs based self-powered photodetectors can be efficiently regulated by the optimization of synthesis strategy with the design of energy band alignment. Compared to the quasi type-II and the type-I QDs devices, the Ilight/Idark ratio of type-II heterostructure based photodetector is increased by ∼2 and ∼5 orders of magnitude, respectively. The champion device exhibits extraordinary optoelectronic performance in terms of ultrahigh light-to-dark current ratio of 105, photoresponsivity of 10.64 mA/W, at bias of 0 V, respectively. The charge carrier dynamics and transfer mechanisms of the QDs were further investigated, revealing the improved carrier separation and transportation efficiency induced by a strong build-in electric field in type-II CdSe/CdS core-shell heterostructure. This work provides a new strategy for the next-generation self-powered QDs optoelectronics enabled by the proposed synthesis approach along with the design of energy band alignment.

Design of an intelligent Near-Infrared responsive antibacterial Nano-Platform based on MoS2/Cu3Mo2O9

In this era of high drug resistance, there is an urgent need for novel antimicrobial agents and strategies to achieve smarter sterilization effects. However, developing an environmentally friendly, controllable, and self-cleaning smart antimicrobial material remains a formidable challenge. In this work, a smart antimicrobial nanoplatform composed of Cu3Mo2O9 and MoS2 has been successfully designed and synthesized. The computational findings reveal that, owing to the interfacial coupling between the two substances at the solid junction, this architecture can effectively absorb near-infrared light, significantly reduce migration resistance, and improve carrier separation efficiency. Empirical observations demonstrate that with a sample concentration of 100 μg/mL, under near-infrared (NIR) laser irradiation, the microenvironmental temperature proximal to the bacteria can be swiftly elevated from 28.6 °C to in excess of 50 °C within a mere 6 min. The overall photothermal conversion efficiency is 32.6 %, and it exhibits an active oxygen level nearly 5 times higher than that of Cu3Mo2O9. Furthermore, the permeability of the cell membrane was greatly improved with the increased temperature, which is beneficial for the generated reactive oxygen species (ROS) entering the bacterial cells. After synergistic antimicrobial treatment, the antibacterial rate against Escherichia coli can reach over 99 %. More importantly, this nano-platform features a unique ’activation’ mechanism that uses NIR as an ’activation switch’ to selectively toggle between ’passive defense,’ ’secondary sterilization,’ and ’active attack’ antibacterial modes as needed. Upon interaction with aqueous environments, its reusability and favorable biocompatibility with terrestrial and aquatic life promise to facilitate the intelligent eradication of deleterious microorganisms in aquatic systems via the diurnal cycle of sunrise and sunset. This is highly significant for the ongoing management and maintenance of public resources such as amusement parks, artificial fish ponds, and urban water features.

Synergistic barium titanate/MXene composite as a high-performance piezo-photocatalyst for efficient dye degradation

Piezo-photocatalysis combines photocatalysis and piezoelectric effects to enhance catalytic efficiency by creating an internal electric field in the photocatalyst, improving carrier separation and overall performance. This study presents a high-performance piezo-photocatalyst for efficient dye degradation using a synergistic barium titanate (BTO)-MXene composite. The composite was synthesized via a facile method, combining the unique properties of BTO nanoparticles with the high conductivity of MXene. The structural and morphological analysis confirmed the successful formation of the composite, with well-dispersed BTO nanoparticles on the MXene surface. The piezo-photocatalytic activity of the composite was evaluated using a typical dye solution (Rhodamine B: RhB) under ultraviolet irradiation and mechanical agitation. The results revealed a remarkable enhancement in dye degradation (90 % in 15 min for piezo-photocatalysis) compared to individual stimuli (58.2 % for photocatalysis and 95.8 % in 90 min for piezocatalysis), highlighting the synergistic effects between BTO and MXene. The enhanced catalytic performance was attributed to the efficient charge separation and transfer facilitated by the composite’s structure, leading to increased reactive species generation and dye molecule degradation. Furthermore, the composite exhibited excellent stability and reusability, showcasing its potential for practical applications in wastewater treatment. Overall, this work represents a promising strategy for designing high-performance synergistic catalysts, addressing the pressing need for sustainable solutions in environmental remediation.

Fabrication and improved photocatalytic performance of 2D/0D structured g-C3N4/WO3 composite materials

In this work, WO3 quantum dots grow in situ on the synthesized ultra-thin g-C3N4 nanosheets, ultimately forming a type of tightly bound 2D/0D Z-type heterojunctions. It was found that WO3 quantum dots were closely combined with g-C3N4 nanosheets through SEM and TEM measurements. XRD, IR, and XPS characterization proved a g-C3N4/WO3 heterojunction material was formed. The construction of g-C3N4/WO3 heterojunctions enhanced visible light absorption, improved carrier separation efficiency, and reduced charge transfer resistance. Photocatalytic hydrogen production tests showed that the hydrogen production rate of 20% g-C3N4/WO3 composite materials was 2.8 times that of the original g-C3N4, and the hydrogen production amount within 3 h was 3.7 times that of the original g-C3N4. Photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B and 4-chlorophenol under visible light irradiation showed that compared with g-C3N4, the photocatalytic degradation efficiency of 20% g-C3N4/WO3 composite materials was enhanced. The results reveal that the special structured g-C3N4/WO3 composite materials have excellent photocatalytic activity, which can not only efficiently produce hydrogen but also efficiently degrade organic pollutants, providing an important reference for solving energy crises and environmental problems.

Enhancing Z-scheme {001}/{110} junction in BiOCl with {110} surface oxygen vacancies for photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B and tetracycline

Since photocatalysis relies on surface reactions, the exposed facets and surface defects of the catalyst play important roles. In this study, we investigate the influence of oxygen vacancy creation on various exposed facets on the electronic structure and photocatalytic properties of {001}/{110}-bismuth oxychloride (BiOCl) with plate-like morphology prepared via a facile co-precipitation technique. Our experiments demonstrated that the ratio of different exposed facets could be controlled by adjusting HCl concentration in the precipitation process. Although the obtained BiOCl samples have a large band gap energy, oxygen vacancies (OV) induce defect states within the bandgap, enhancing the photocatalytic performance under visible light. Experiments and calculations have revealed that formation of OV is easier on the (110) facet than on the (001) facet. Consequently, the sample with a higher portion of (110) exposed facet exhibits higher OV. While {001}/{110} Z-scheme is created in all samples, higher OV enhance the work function difference (ΔΦ) between the two facets. As a result, an internal electric field is stronger, leading to improved carrier separation and photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B and Tetracycline. Therefore, this systematic investigation contributes to the advancement of understanding BiOCl photocatalysts and offers valuable insights for designing and optimizing photocatalytic materials for environmental remediation applications.

Perovskite/La-BDC heterojunction enhances the performance of carbon-based perovskite solar cells

Carbon-based Perovskite Solar Cells (C-PSCs) present a promising avenue for enhancing the stability and commercialization of PSCs. However, the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of C-PSCs still lags behind that of metal-based PSCs. In this study, La-BDC (La-MOF prepared by La3+ and ligand H2BDC) has successfully synthesized using a simple hydrothermal method and then directly introduced into CH3NH3PbI3 (MAPbI3) perovskite precursor solution to prepare perovskite/La-BDC heterojunction structure with remarkable properties in light absorption, hydrophobicity, and crystallinity. By incorporating this structure, the PCE of C-PSCs with an FTO/SnO2/MAPbI3/La-BDC/Carbon architecture was effectively enhanced. The presence of CO functional group in La-BDC effectively reduced interface defects while improving carrier separation efficiency, and successfully passivated the free Pb2+ ions within the perovskite. Remarkably, the La-BDC-based device achieved a superior PCE of 14.95%, surpassing the pristine device's PCE by an impressive margin of 20.37%. Moreover, even after a 31 days period of air storage (temperature range of 15–25℃, humidity range of 15–30%), the La-BDC-based devices maintained over 90% of the initial performance, demonstrating excellent stability. This study provides a facile and effective strategy for improving the PCE and stability of C-PSCs through implementing a La-BDC heterojunction structure， and provides a new idea for MOF materials in the field of PSCs.

Designing novel plasmonic architectures for highly efficient CIGS solar cells

CIGS solar cells is one of the best thin film solar cells which have efficiency up to 22.6 %. In the recent decades, a lot of attention has been drawn to the methods of increasing solar cells efficiencies. One of the emerging technology for enhancing thin film solar cell efficiencies are using plasmonic effects in the visible or infrared part of the electromagnetic spectrum. Therefore, the primary goal of this study is to use plasmonic nanostructures in the active layer to enhance the absorption and consequently the efficiency of a thin film CIGS solar cell with a 1000 nm thickness. Different factors such as type of material, size and surface occupied with nanostructure can be effect on CIGS solar cell performance. In this research, the solar cell has been optically and electrically characterized in the presence of plasmonic nanostructure by simulations. The efficiency was determined by characteristics parameters such as absorption, quantum efficiency, electron-hole generation rate, current–voltage curve and power-voltage curve. Based on our simulations, the maximum efficiency of 25.61 % was achieved using gold nanocubic structures with dimensions of 100 nm, Occupied Factor of 0.16, positioned at the top of the active layer. This increase is due to increase in optical path of length of scattered light and consequently its absorption in the active layer. Moreover, enhancing carrier generation, decreasing recombination and improving carrier separation can be occurred due to localized surface plasmon resonance and the near-field distribution effect, which effectively scatter light into the active layer.

TiO2–Cu7S4 modified with a carbazole-based conjugated porous polymer for adsorption and photocatalytic degradation of bisphenol A

Adsorption-photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants in water is an advantageous method for environmental purification. Herein, a feasible strategy is developed to construct a novel dual S-scheme heterojunctions Cu7S4–TiO2-conjugated polymer with a donor–acceptor structure. There are abundant adsorption active sites for adsorption in the porous structure of the composites, which can rapidly capture pollutants through hydrogen bonding and π-π interactions. In addition, the dual S-scheme heterojunctions effectively improve carrier separation while maintaining a strong redox ability. Thus, the optimized 1.5% CST-130 catalysts can adsorb 71% of 20 ppm BPA in 15 min and completely remove it within 30 min with high adsorption capacity and photodegradation efficiency. Therefore, this study provides a new inspiration for synergistic adsorption and degradation of BPA and the construction of dual S-scheme heterojunction.