Open-circuit Conditions Research Articles

Electrochromic windows and flexible devices based on viologen-containing hydrogel electrolytes

Electrochromic devices (ECDs) with reversible optical modulation have great potential for smart window and flexible device applications. In this study, we propose low-power consumption, all-in-one-type ECDs based on LiCl-containing polyacrylamide (PAAm) hydrogel as a transparent and flexible gel electrolyte. Hydrophilic 1,1′-bis(3-hydroxypropyl) viologen dibromide (V-OHP) was served as the electrochromic (EC) material, hydroquinone (H2Q) was used as the anodic species, and H2Q/V-OHP/LiCl molar ratio was adjusted to obtain a balanced charge for the desired redox states of V-OHP. The basis for using V-OHP is derived from its hydroxyl groups, which enhance the hydrophilic characteristics of the radical cation (V-OHP*) and, as a result, the stability of the colored radical cations. This leads to enhanced stability, longer cycle life, and improved device dynamics. Investigations were also conducted into the EC behavior of viologen in solution. Following the utilization of various ECDs with various ratios of LiCl and H2Q, the most optimal sample was chosen and its efficiency in the application of EC windows and flexible devices was assessed. The created EC windows demonstrated distinct features including a significant contrast, outstanding stability, and a substantial cycle life (preserving over 94 % of the original transmittance after 800 cycles). Distinct device dynamics were also evident at a voltage of − 1.4 V with a time constant of about 10 s for coloring and 33 s for bleaching in open circuit condition.

Stabilization of High‐Valent Molecular Cobalt Sites through Oxidized Phosphorus in Reduced Graphene Oxide for Enhanced Oxygen Evolution Catalysis

AbstractHeterogeneous molecular cobalt (Co) sites represent one type of classical catalytic sites for electrochemical oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in alkaline solutions. There are dynamic equilibriums between Co2+, Co3+ and Co4+ states coupling with OH−/H+ interaction before and during the OER event. Since the emergence of Co2+ sites is detrimental to the OER cycle, the stabilization of high‐valent Co sites to shift away from the equilibrium becomes critical and is proposed as a new strategy to enhance OER. Herein, phosphorus (P) atoms were doped into reduced graphene oxide to link molecular Co2+ acetylacetonate toward synthesizing a novel heterogeneous molecular catalyst. By increasing the oxidation states of P heteroatoms, the linked Co sites were spontaneously oxidized from 2+ to 3+ states in a KOH solution through OH− ions coupling at an open circuit condition. With excluding the Co2+ sites, the as‐derived Co sites with 3+ initial states exhibited intrinsically high OER activity, validating the effectiveness of the strategy of stabilizing high valence Co sites.

Microbial symbiotic electrobioconversion of carbon dioxide to biopolymer (poly (3-hydroxybutyrate)) via single-step microbial electrosynthesis cell

This study proposes an novel single-stage microbial electrosynthesis system (MES) that bioelectrochemically converts CO2 into poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB). This innovative approach utilizes a symbiotic co-culture of electroactive acetogenic bacteria and PHB-accumulating bacteria within a single reactor, bypassing the need for separate acetate production and extraction. Systematic optimization of key operational parameters, including applied voltage, carbon source, and cathode material, was conducted to maximize PHB production. Results demonstrate that using a voltage of 2.5 V yielded a 7.14-fold increase in PHB content compared to open circuit conditions. Furthermore, functionalizing the cathode with a conductive and hydrophilic PEDOT: PSS polymer coating significantly enhanced the system’s performance, resulting in a 1.5-fold increase in both acetate and PHB production compared to unmodified carbon felt electrodes. The long-term stability and effectiveness of the co-culture system were validated through comprehensive microbial and metagenomic analyses. Results revealed a significant enrichment of CO2-utilizing electrotrophs within the cathode biofilm, including Acetobacterium and Clostridium. Concurrently, a 4 to 14-fold increase in the relative abundance of PHB-biosynthesizing bacteria, such as Pseudomonas, Rhodobacter and Caulobacter was observed in the planktonic phase. This study offers a promising pathway towards a circular bioeconomy by enabling the valorization of CO2 into valuable bio-based products via single-stage MES, utilizing a symbiotic co-culture.

Stabilization of High-Valent Molecular Cobalt Sites through Oxidized Phosphorus in Reduced Graphene Oxide for Enhanced Oxygen Evolution Catalysis.

Heterogeneous molecular cobalt (Co) sites represent one type of classical catalytic sites for electrochemical oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in alkaline solutions. There are dynamic equilibriums between Co2+, Co3+ and Co4+ states coupling with OH-/H+ interaction before and during the OER event. Since the emergence of Co2+ sites is detrimental to the OER cycle, the stabilization of high-valent Co sites to shift away from the equilibrium becomes critical and is proposed as a new strategy to enhance OER. Herein, phosphorus (P) atoms were doped into reduced graphene oxide to link molecular Co2+ acetylacetonate toward synthesizing a novel heterogeneous molecular catalyst. By increasing the oxidation states of P heteroatoms, the linked Co sites were spontaneously oxidized from 2+ to 3+ states in a KOH solution through OH- ions coupling at an open circuit condition. With excluding the Co2+ sites, the as-derived Co sites with 3+ initial states exhibited intrinsically high OER activity, validating the effectiveness of the strategy of stabilizing high valence Co sites.

Lattice Dynamics of Cu2ZnSn(S x ,Se1-x )4 Kesterite Thin-Film Solar Cells Studied by Nuclear Inelastic Scattering.

Phonons play a crucial role in thermalization and non-radiative recombination losses in semiconductors, impacting the power conversion efficiency of solar cells. To shed light on the lattice dynamics in Cu2ZnSn(S x ,Se1-x )4 (CZTSSe) thin-film solar cells and validate the extensive number of theoretical studies, we determine the 119Sn-partial phonon density of states (Sn-PDOS) by nuclear inelastic X-ray scattering. CZTSSe-based devices, one with near-stoichiometric and two with off-stoichiometric compositions, are investigated, and the results are correlated with the corresponding power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of 3.2, 7.6, and 10.6%, respectively. Compared to the near-stoichiometric cell, the main Sn-PDOS peak of the off-stoichiometric cells broadens and slightly shifts to higher energy; this effect is correlated with the type and concentration of the characteristic defects in the studied samples. Furthermore, the Sn-PDOS of the 10.6% device is also obtained under operando (maximum power point) and open-circuit conditions. A comparison of the Sn-PDOS before and after the operando measurements suggests structural changes, likely due to the formation of metastable defects. In agreement with the theoretical studies, the Sn-PDOS of the CZTSSe absorber shows additional peaks compared to CZTSe attributed to coupling of Sn to the vibrations of Se and S atoms. This work paves the way for a further understanding of the lattice dynamics and subsequent enhancement of the PCEs of thin-film solar cells as well as other applied materials and devices containing elements that are Mössbauer-active and hence suitable for nuclear inelastic scattering.

Stability and dissolution of single-crystalline iron oxide thin films in electrochemical environments

The stability of single-crystalline monolayer FeO(111) and 10 nm thin Fe3O4(111) films on Pt(111) upon exposure to environments of increasing chemical complexity has been studied with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, temperature-programmed desorption, in-situ scanning tunneling microscopy, and cyclic voltammetry. The well-defined oxide films, which were prepared under ultrahigh-vacuum conditions, were exposed to aqueous solutions of different pH and electrochemical cycling in pure and catechol-containing electrolyte. The films are stable in neutral (pH 7) and alkaline (pH 13) solutions both at open circuit conditions and during electrochemical cycling within the limits of hydrogen and oxygen evolution potentials. Also in strongly acidic (pH 1) perchlorate solution the films remain intact under open circuit conditions, but they quickly dissolve on application of electrochemical potential. Especially for the ultrathin FeO(111) films, catechol enhances the dissolution at neutral pH during electrochemical cycling. A comparison of Pt(111), FeO(111) and Fe3O4(111) substrates in the electrochemical catechol oxidation reaction reveals enhanced and sustained activity of FeO in alkaline environment, while strong deactivation occurs on Pt(111) and Fe3O4(111). This is explained by the weaker interaction between catechol and FeO(111) compared to the other substrates, which hampers the formation of a barrier layer on the electrode surface.

Synergistic design of processable Nb2O5-TiO2 bilayer nanoarchitectonics: enabling high coloration efficiency and superior stability in dual-band electrochromic energy storage

This paper introduces a proof of concept for a dual-band electrochromic (EC) device to modulate solar light transmission across visible and near-infrared regions selectively. EC materials based on ion insertion/extraction mechanisms also present the possibility for energy storage, widening its functionality to the supercapacitor platform. The bi-functional performance of dual-band radiation control and energy storage was achieved by exploiting two earth-abundant metal oxides that could absorb two different spectral regions when electrochemically charged. The bilayer structure was prepared using a one-step hydrothermal method, which produced Nb2O5-TiO2 bilayer on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) conducting glass substrates. The nano-dimensions of the active materials endorse the development of high-transparency thin film under open circuit conditions. The variations in the TiO2 annealing temperature influence the crystallinity and surface morphology of the thin films, which influence the performance of dual-band EC energy storage. The well-optimized NT-500 sample facilitated exclusive electron-charge transport, producing excellent electrochemical performance in dual-band EC and energy storage. A large optical modulation of 80.4 % and 89.8 % at 600 nm and 800 nm (near-infrared) was achieved with an enhanced areal capacitance of 88.1 mF/cm2 and excellent cycling stability after continuous coloring/bleaching cycles for 18,000 s. This paper presents a prototype bi-functional device based on NT-500, which showed independent control and modulation of visible and near-infrared transmittance. Notably, the device retained excellent energy storage performance alongside its advanced optical functionalities. This bilayer nanostructure capitalizes on the inherent electrochemical properties of both materials and introduces novel features that can potentially revolutionize the platform of EC-energy storage.

A contactless in situ EFISH method for measuring electrostatic potential profile of semiconductor/electrolyte junctions.

In photoelectrochemical cells, promising devices for directly converting solar energy into storable chemical fuels, the spatial variation of the electrostatic potential across the semiconductor-electrolyte junction is the key parameter that determines the cell performance. In principle, electric field induced second harmonic generation (EFISH) provides a contactless in situ spectroscopic tool to measure the spatial variation of electrostatic potential. However, the total second harmonic generation (SHG) signal contains the contributions of the EFISH signals of semiconductor space charge layer and the electric double layer, in addition to the SHG signal of the electrode surface. The interference of these complex quantities hinders their analysis. In this work, to understand and deconvolute their contributions to the total SHG signals, bias-dependent SHG measurements are performed on the rutile TiO2(100)-electrolyte junction as a function of light polarization and crystal azimuthal angle (angle of the incident plane relative to the crystal [001] axis). A quadratic response between SHG intensity and the applied potential is observed in both the accumulation and depletion regions of TiO2. The relative phase difference and amplitude ratio are extracted at selected azimuthal angles and light polarizations. At 0° azimuthal angle and s-in-p-out polarization, the SHG intensity minimum has the best match with the TiO2 flatband potential due to the orthogonal relative phase difference between bias-dependent and bias-independent SHG terms. We further measure the pH-dependent flatband potential and probe the photovoltage under open circuit conditions using the EFISH technique, demonstrating the capability of this contactless method for measuring electrostatic potential at semiconductor-electrolyte junctions.

Phase-Field Model of SEI Formation in Li-Metal Batteries

The formation of solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) is critical to the overall performance of lithium batteries. Here we have developed a rather comprehensive phase-field model for predicting the formation and growth of SEI, taking into account of multiple electrochemical/chemical reaction pathways leading to multiple SEI reaction products, diffusion of ionic and molecular species, and electron tunneling. All the SEI products are treated stoichiometric compounds without the typical approximation of parabolic composition dependence in almost all existing phase-field models involving stoichiometric compounds, allowing the direct connection between the phase-field model and atomistic calculations without further approximation. As a model system, we consider a 1-D prototypical half-cell with Li metal anode, liquid ethylene carbonate (EC) electrolyte with 1 molar (M) LiPF6, and SEI products Li2BDC and Li2CO3 under the open-circuit condition. The reduction potentials and activation barriers of the reactions are determined using atomistic simulations while the diffusivities of Li+ and EC in the bulk electrolyte are obtained by performing molecular dynamics simulations. The phase-field simulation is capable of predicting the evolution behavior of SEI products within a wide range of time scales from nanoseconds to a few seconds. It reveals that: (i) a porous Li2BDC layer forms at the anode/electrolyte interface and grows to a stable thickness of several tens of nanometers within ~20 μs; (ii) a porous Li2CO3 layer forms between anode and Li2BDC and grows to ~10 nm by partially consuming the existing Li2BDC layer within ~33 μs; and (iii) Li2CO3 forms a dense layer by filling the pores within ~20 ms. The stage (i) and (ii) are dominated by Li+ diffusion kinetics whereas stage (iii) is controlled by the reaction kinetics. The general computational framework can be extended and applied to the simultaneous evolution of Li-metal deposition and stripping and the SEI evolution.

Ion-intercalation mechanism and structural relaxation in layered iron phosphate Na3Fe3(PO4)4 cathodes

Layered Na3Fe3(PO4)4 can function as a positive electrode for both Li- and Na-ion batteries and may hold advantages from both classical layered and phosphate-based electrode materials. Using a combination of ex-situ and operando synchrotron radiation powder X-ray diffraction, void space analysis, and Mössbauer spectroscopy, we herein investigate the structural evolution of the Na3Fe3(PO4)4 framework during Li- and Na-ion intercalation. We show that during discharge, Li- and Na-intercalation into Na3Fe3(PO4)4 occurs via a solid solution reaction wherein Na-ions appear to be preferentially intercalated into the intralayer sites. The intercalation causes an expansion of the unit cell volume, however at open circuit conditions after ion-intercalation (i.e., after battery discharge), Na3+xFe3(PO4)4 and LixNa3Fe3(PO4)4 undergo a structural relaxation, wherein the unit volume contracts below that of the pristine material. Rietveld refinement suggests that the ions intercalated into the intra-layer sites diffuse to the sites in the inter-layer space during the relaxation. This behavior brings new perspectives to understanding structural relaxation and deviations between structural evolution observed under dynamic and static conditions.

Intermittent open-circuit fault diagnosis of inverters based on DC-link electromagnetic field signal

For the objective of improving the reliability of converters in electric drives, research on a method for early detection of intermittent open-circuit faults of power valves is reported in this article. Intermittent open circuit condition is the incipient form of power valve open-circuit fault in power converters. Prompt detection of this fault allows for timely remediation of permanent open circuit defects that is a commonly subsequent process. This study introduces an investigation of this fault, which occurs in the voltage source inverter of induction motor drives. Intermittent faults are created through interference with the control pulse of the power valve. Wavelet transform with the Mexican hat mother function is utilized for signal processing. Appropriate ranges of the scale are selected to obtain a high magnitude of the wavelet coefficient at faulty instants. The analysis for the direct current recorded at the DC-link in simulation and the electromagnetic signal measured at the DC-bus of the inverter can be effectively used for the fault diagnosis.

Anaerobic Process Intensification via Electro-methanogenesis − Advancing Biogas Upgradation through CO2 Utilization

This study investigates the enhancement of anaerobic processes through electro-methanogenesis (EM), focusing on biogas upgrading and in situ CO2 utilization. The effects of applied potential (AP), closed circuit (CC), open circuit (OC), and control (C; without electrode) conditions were evaluated in electro-methanogenic bioreactors operated at 30 °C and 48 °C. Using stainless-steel electrodes, eight reactor configurations were compared. Results showed that mesophilic conditions (48 °C) yielded higher biogas and methane production efficiencies than ambient conditions (30 °C). Among the electrode configurations, the AP condition achieved the highest biogas production, followed by CC, OC, and control. The integration of electrochemical conditions with elevated temperatures significantly improved the calorific value of the biogas, achieving a 1.6–2.08-fold increase. The R8/EMAP/48 condition demonstrated the highest methane equivalent utilization, with CH4 as the primary electron sink. In situ and external potentials enhanced bacterial metabolic activity and facilitated mediated interspecies electron transfer through soluble redox-active molecules such as quinones and NADH. This approach effectively overcomes the thermodynamic limitations of conventional anaerobic digestion, providing a method for increasing methane production by enhancing in situ electron flux while also supporting targeted decarbonization by upgrading the biogas energy value.

Light induced degradation of CIGS solar cells

Considering warranted lifetimes of PV modules of typically 20-30 years, the performance stability of PV modules is one of the most crucial factors regarding power generation and yield. Long term outdoor performance studies depict realistic operation conditions best, but the correlated nature of e.g. irradiance and temperature impedes the physical interpretation. The possibility to control and tune the conditions in laboratory experiments enables to decompose effects, that are typically overlayed in outdoor experiments. This way, laboratory are crucial to interpret the results obtained in outdoor degradation studies. One driving force of degradation of CIGS modules is light exposure. In literature the focus of light induced degradation (LID) of CIGS modules and solar cells is on metastable changes analyzed on time scales ranging from minutes to hours. In this work we expose industrially produced encapsulated CIGS solar cells for more than 1000 h to light with varied intensity under varied temperature conditions. Such, we aim to study temperature and light intensity dependencies of the observed performance changes. Furthermore, we study the influence of applied bias by comparing LID at short and open circuit. We demonstrate that LID under short circuit conditions leads to VOC degradation, while being temperature assisted and not dependent on the irradiance intensity. CIGS solar cells kept at open circuit conditions appear to be stable under illumination. Exploiting the one diode model, we further connect the observed temperature assisted performance loss to enhanced recombination with lower ideality factor, in comparison to the dominant recombination process before degradation.

Unveiling Key Interface Characteristics of Ni/Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia Solid Oxide Cell Electrodes in H2O Electroreduction Using Operando X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy.

Nickel/yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) composites are the most commonly used fuel electrodes for solid oxide cells. While microstructural changes of Ni/YSZ during operational conditions have been thoroughly investigated, there is limited knowledge regarding Ni/YSZ surface chemistry under working conditions. In this study, we examine the interaction between Ni/YSZ electrodes and water vapor under open circuit and polarization conditions, utilizing near ambient pressure soft and hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies. Miniature cells with conventional porous Ni/YSZ composite cermet cathodes were modified to facilitate the direct spectroscopic observation of the functional electrode's areas close to the interface with the YSZ electrolyte. The results highlight dynamic changes in the oxidation state and composition of Ni/YSZ under H2 and H2O atmospheres. We also quantify the accumulation of impurities on the electrode surface. Through adjustments in the pretreatment of the cell, the correlation between the nickel surface oxidation state and the cell's electrochemical performance during H2O electroreduction is established. It is unequivocally shown that nickel surface oxidation in H2O electrolysis favors NiO over Ni(OH)x, providing critical insights into the mechanism of Ni-phase redistribution within the electrode during long-term operation. Depth-dependent photoemission measurements, combined with theoretical quantitative simulations, reveal that NiO and Ni phases are uniformly mixed on the surface during H2O electrolysis. This differs from the conventional expectation of a NiO-shell/Ni-core configuration in gas phase oxidation. These findings provide crucial insights into the surface chemistry of Ni/YSZ electrodes under conditions relevant to H2O electrolysis, elucidating their impact on the electrochemical performance of the cell.

Evaluating electrical power yield of photovoltaic solar cells with k-Nearest neighbors: A machine learning statistical analysis approach

The increasing demand for sustainable and renewable energy solutions reflects the critical importance of advancing photovoltaic (PV) technology and its operational efficiency. In response, this study introduces a novel application of the k-Nearest Neighbor (k-NN) algorithm to assess the reliability and applicability of solar panel simulation data which aimed to classify current states of partial shading, open, and short circuit conditions, alongside regression-based analysis for predicting specific operating parameters. In this research, a published dataset that involved various PV module configurations under different environmental conditions was tested and evaluated. The k-NN technique was applied to both classify the operational status and predict performance metrics of the modules. The diagnosis model demonstrated an accuracy of 99.2 % and an F1 score of 99.2 %, indicating a high degree of reliability in identifying the operational states of PV modules. Concurrently, the regression model exhibited a Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of 0.036 and an R2 value of unity that showcased its effectiveness in predicting the operational parameters based on the simulation data. The concluded results are further enriching the effectiveness of simulation-based data generation to be endorsed and implemented before jumping into real experimental applications, in addition to highlighting the potential applicability of k-NN and machine learning for PV cells productivity statistical analysis.

Piezoelectric layer guided in-plane surface waves with flexoelectricity and gradient effects

With the rapid advancement of 5 G technology, the demand for surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices is experiencing exponential growth. Precisely forecasting the speed at which Rayleigh waves propagate, taking into account size effects and flexoelectric properties, is vital for enhancing SAW device design. To address this need, the study explores Rayleigh wave propagation in a stratified system consisting of a nanoscale piezoelectric guiding layer atop an isotropic elastic substrate. The governing equations, boundary conditions, and interface continuity conditions between the guiding layer and substrate are established through the Hamiltonian principle. Following this, the dispersion equations for Rayleigh waves under electric open-circuit and electric short-circuit conditions are derived and solved numerically. Additionally, the effects of flexoelectricity, inertial gradients, strain gradients, electric field gradients, and the piezoelectric guiding layer thickness on the phase velocity of Rayleigh waves are extensively explored. Our findings indicate that flexoelectricity and strain gradients elevate the phase velocity, while inertial gradients and electric field gradients result in a decrease in the phase velocity. As the frequency of Rayleigh waves increases, the impact of these factors becomes more prominent. In addition, it is observed that electric field gradients play a less significant role compared to inertial gradients and strain gradients. The findings of this study could offer valuable insights for the advancement of miniaturized SAW devices designed for high-frequency service.

Open Circuit Interaction Between Ethanol or 2-Propanol and Oxidized Platinum Surfaces.

The interaction between organic molecules and oxidized catalyst surfaces has frequently been used to study the fuel crossover from the anode to the cathode in direct liquid fuel cells. In such experiments, the oxidized surface is put in contact with the fuel under open circuit conditions, and the evolution of the potential is registered. The open circuit potential (OCP) vs. time features can then inform on the reactivity of the fuel with the oxidized surface and provide valuable information not only to applications in fuel cells but also to the electrochemical reform of those molecules to produce clean hydrogen. In this paper, we present an experimental investigation of the open circuit interaction between ethanol or 2-propanol with oxidized platinum surfaces. Besides the OCP time traces, we have also employed cyclic voltammetry and fast oxide reduction sweep in the presence of the alcohols. Comparable reaction currents are obtained in the cyclic voltammogram, but the electro-oxidation of 2-propanol sets in at considerably lower overpotentials than that of ethanol. At the high potential region, both the magnitude and the potential of the current peak are nearly identical in both cases. In contrast, under open circuit conditions, the interaction of ethanol with the oxidized platinum surface is more pronounced than that found for 2-propanol, and these results are corroborated by the facile reduction of the platinum oxides along the fast backward sweep for the case of the latter.

In situ activation of peroxymonosulfate with bioelectricity for sulfamethoxazole sustainable removal

Conventional electrochemical activation of peroxymonosulfate (PMS) is not very cost-effective and practical by the excessive input of energy. The electricity generated by photosynthetic microalgae fuel cells (MFCs) is utilized to activate PMS, which would achieve the combination of green bioelectricity and advanced oxidation processes for sustainable pollutants degradation. In this study, a novel dual-chamber of MFCs was constructed by using microalgae as anode electron donor and PMS as cathode electron acceptor, which was operating under both close-circuit and open-circuit conditions. Under close-circuit condition, 1–12 mM PMS in cathode was successfully in situ activated, where 32.00%–99.83% of SMX was removed within 24 h, which was about 1.21–1.78 times of that in the open-circuit of MFCs. Meanwhile, a significant increase in bioelectricity generation in MFCs was observed after the accumulation of microalgae biomass (4.65–5.37 mg/L), which was attributed to the efficient electron separation and transfer. Furthermore, the electrochemical analysis demonstrated that SMX or its products were functioned as electronic shuttles, facilitating the electrochemical reaction and altering the electrical capacitance. The quenching experiments and voltage output results reflected that complex active radical (SO4⋅-, ⋅OH, and 1O2) were involved in SMX removal. Seven degradation products of SMX were detected and S–N bond cleavage was the main degradation pathway. Predicted toxicity values calculated by ECOSAR program showed that all the products were less toxic or nontoxic. Finally, the density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed that the O and N atoms on SMX were more susceptible to electrophilic reactions, which were more vulnerable to be attacked by reactive species. This study provided new insights into the activation of PMS by bioelectricity for SMX degradation, proposing the mechanisms for PMS activation and degradation sites of SMX.

Two-phase flow visualization in direct ammonia fuel cells

In this work, the two-phase flow occurring in a direct ammonia fuel cell is visualized to understand the interactions between the complex physico-chemical processes involving in fuel cells. Experimental observations indicate that the appearance, growth, coalescence, detachment and sweeping processes of nitrogen bubbles occur periodically. Besides, the effect of operating conditions on the behavior of two-phase flow as well as cell performance is explored. Experimental results demonstrate that numerous nitrogen gas slugs are generated in the anode flow channel when the fuel flow rate is lower than 1.0 mL min−1, which seriously blocks the transport of NH3 and OH− to the anode catalyst layer. At an operating temperature of 95 °C, the flow channels are almost completely occupied by gases (a mixture of ammonia, nitrogen, and water), even under open-circuit conditions (a mixture of ammonia and water). In addition, the effects of using parallel and serpentine flow fields on the behaviour and flow patterns of two-phase flows are explored. Experimental results reveal that the parallel flow field is prone to clogging local flow channels by slugs. Moreover, the removal frequency of bubbles in the parallel design is significantly slower than that in the serpentine one.

Bandgap-universal passivation enables stable perovskite solar cells with low photovoltage loss.

The efficiency and longevity of metal-halide perovskite solar cells are typically dictated by nonradiative defect-mediated charge recombination. In this work, we demonstrate a vapor-based amino-silane passivation that reduces photovoltage deficits to around 100 millivolts (>90% of the thermodynamic limit) in perovskite solar cells of bandgaps between 1.6 and 1.8 electron volts, which is crucial for tandem applications. A primary-, secondary-, or tertiary-amino-silane alone negatively or barely affected perovskite crystallinity and charge transport, but amino-silanes that incorporate primary and secondary amines yield up to a 60-fold increase in photoluminescence quantum yield and preserve long-range conduction. Amino-silane-treated devices retained 95% power conversion efficiency for more than 1500 hours under full-spectrum sunlight at 85°C and open-circuit conditions in ambient air with a relative humidity of 50 to 60%.