Solvent Evaporation Rate Research Articles

Molecular simulation methods of evaporating electrosprayed droplets

A robust methodology for molecular simulations of evaporating droplets that enables comparison between the dynamics of the process of interest and the solvent evaporation rate has already been developed (Oh and Consta, 2017). The competition of these dynamics will determine the mass spectrum. However, the success of the approach depends on the accurate and effective treatment of electrostatic forces. Often, in droplet simulations, bulk solution parametrized force-fields are used where the Coulomb forces are directly taken into account with a cut-off distance longer than the droplet diameter. On the one hand this approach is inefficient for large droplets because the computational cost increases as the square of the number of the atomic sites, and on the other hand the force field is slightly different from that has been parametrized for the bulk solution. The effect of this new force field in the conformations of macromolecules is still unknown. Multilevel summation method (MSM) has been developed (Hardy et al. 2015) for the efficient treatment of electrostatic forces in non-periodic and semi-periodic systems, charged or neutral. MSM maintains the same force field in droplets as in the bulk solution. We compare MSM with direct electrostatic treatment in droplets. The comparison shows free energy differences between conformations of short peptides along the radius of gyration order parameter that indicate the need for validation of the direct method. We demonstrate the usage of MSM to study Rayleigh jet formation and charge emission from droplets. We conclude that robust approaches for droplet simulations that can be used with a force field of any complexity are available and can be implemented within many of the available open-source molecular modeling softwares. In the near future, the presented approach may provide reliable reference mass spectra for experiments, where the deviations from the experimental data may reveal valuable information about the processes that take place within the instrument.

Rapid Prototyping for Accelerated Establishment of Film Processing‐Performance Relationships in Silicon Phthalocyanine OFETs

AbstractUnderstanding the complex relationships underlying the performance of organic electronic devices, such as organic field‐effect transistors (OFETs), requires researchers to navigate a multi‐dimensional parameter space that includes material design, solution formulation, fabrication parameters, and device geometry. Herein, a recently developed materials acceleration platform is demonstrated, named the RoboMapper, to perform direct on‐chip fabrication of OFETs by ultrasonic meniscus printing using silicon phthalocyanine (SiPc) derivatives as the semiconductor. OFETs using bis(tri‐n‐butylsilyl oxide) SiPc ((3BS)2‐SiPc) exhibited the best device performance characterized by the highest electron field‐effect mobility (µe). Through optical microscopy and grazing‐incidence wide‐angle X‐ray scattering (GIWAXS), the favorable performance of (3BS)2‐SiPc is attributed to the specific film morphology and molecular packing achieved with optimal print conditions. Investigating the impact of deposition parameters reveals the crucial role of solvent evaporation rate and print speed in achieving high‐quality film formation. Overall, optimal fabrication conditions for (3BS)2‐SiPc devices include slow print speeds and fast evaporating solutions achieved by using a mixture of co‐solvents and an elevated substrate temperature. The results of this work reveal distinct relationships between deposition conditions, film properties, and device performance for each SiPc derivative and emphasize the necessity of high throughput experimentation to comprehensively understand process‐performance relationships in organic semiconductors.

Ultrasonic vibration-assisted high-resolution electrohydrodynamic (EHD) printing

Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) printing has become a promising and cost-effective technique for producing high-resolution and large-scale features. One widely recognized obstacle in EHD printing is nozzle clogging due to solvent evaporation or ink polymerization. Moreover, printing highly viscous materials often requires pressure or other external force to assist the ink flow during the printing, which increases the complexity of process control and the required energy. In this work, we developed a novel ultrasonic vibration-assisted EHD printhead and associated process to effectively eliminate the nozzle clogging for the printing of high-viscosity and high-evaporation-rate inks. A series of experimental tests were conducted to characterize the printhead design and process parameters (i.e., vibration frequency, vibration amplitude, and printing voltage). The results demonstrated that superimposing ultrasonic vibration on the EHD printing nozzle can effectively enhance current EHD printing capabilities, such as reducing required pressure, eliminating nozzle clogging, and providing stable and continuous printing for high viscosity and high solvent evaporation rate material. With the optimal parameters, a filament with a diameter of around 1 µm can be continuously printed. In the paper, we successfully applied this developed ultrasonic-assisted EHD process to print high-resolution 2D patterns.

Ultra-Fast Fabrication of Mechanical-Water-Responsive Color-Changing Photonic Crystals Elastomers and 3D Complex Devices.

The traditional fabrication of opal-structured photonic crystals is constrained by the rate of solvent evaporation, a process that is not only time-consuming but also labor-intensive. This study introduces a paradigm shift by incorporating silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) with high zeta potentials and hydrogen bonding capabilities into an elastomeric matrix, resulting in a novel non-close-packed structure. This innovation circumvents the limitations of conventional methods by enabling the rapid formation of photonic inks (PI) into vibrant and luminous photonic elastomers (PEs) within seconds. These PEs demonstrate remarkable mechanochromic properties, exhibiting dynamic color changes across the visible spectrum in response to tensile and compressive deformations. Furthermore, the presence of hydroxyl groups endows the PEs with superior water-responsiveness, which can be finely tuned through the ink formulation. The elimination of solvent evaporation dependency facilitates the fabrication of macroscopic photonic crystal devices with complex geometries using digital light processing (DLP)-based 3D printing. This approach ensures exceptional optical performance and high customization potential. The resulting PEs hold significant promise for applications in smart wearables, soft robotics, and advanced human-machine interface technologies.

The measurement method of solvent evaporation rate of photoresist liquid film based on monochromatic light interference

The measurement method of solvent evaporation rate of photoresist liquid film based on monochromatic light interference

Warm Air Delivery in Adhesive Application: Effect on Bonding Performance and Morphological Outcomes.

Solvent evaporation within an adhesive layer is a crucial step during a bonding process. The aim of this current research was to test whether the use of different air temperatures (20 °C, 40 °C, and 60 °C) for solvent evaporation improves the performance of four adhesive systems to dentin. Sixty non-carious human molar teeth were randomly prepared for micro-tensile bond strength (μTBS) tests. Four different adhesive systems, Prime&Bond Universal (PBU), OptiBond Universal (OBU), OptiBond FL (OBFL), and Clearfil SE (CSE), were applied following the manufacturer's instructions. Three groups based on the air-drying temperature were used: solvent evaporation was performed with either of warm (40 °C), (60 °C), and cold air as control group (20 °C) for 10 s at a distance of 5 cm. In all bonded surfaces, three resin composite (Reflectys, Itena Clinical, Paris, France) layers of 2 mm thickness were built up. The resin-dentin samples were kept in distilled water at 37 °C for 24 h and 6 months, respectively, before μTBS testing. Failure analysis, scanning electron microscopy of resin-dentin bonded interface, and solvent evaporation rate were tested as secondary variables. All analyses were conducted using a significance level of α = 0.05. Bond strength (BS) values were similar among all the adhesive systems used (p > 0.05). Also, the aging factor did not affect the BS (p > 0.05). Only the factor of temperature used for solvent evaporation resulted in a statistically significant effect (p < 0.05), with the temperature of 60 °C being the highest value (p < 0.05). A failure mode evaluation revealed mostly adhesive or mixed modes of failures in all the different temperatures of air used for the solvent evaporation of each adhesive system. The thickness of the adhesive layer and the creation of resin tags varied amongst the temperatures evaluated. For all adhesive systems tested, the use of 40 °C or 60 °C air for solvent evaporation led to an increased mass loss. Warmer temperatures for solvent evaporation contributed positively to bonding performance, enhancing both the quality of the adhesive layer and its interaction with the dentin tissue. Optimizing solvent evaporation with warmer air temperatures (40 °C and 60 °C) significantly improved µTBS, offering a practical means to enhance the quality and longevity of adhesive restorations in esthetic dentistry.

Microporous electrospun nonwovens combined with green solvents for the selective peel-off of thin coatings from painting surfaces

Over the last few decades, significant research efforts have been devoted to developing new cleaning systems aimed at preserving cultural heritage. One of the main objectives is to selectively remove aged or undesirable coatings from painted surfaces while preventing the cleaning solvent from permeating and engaging with the pictorial layers. In this work, we propose the use of electrospun polyamide 6,6 nonwovens in conjunction with a green solvent (dimethyl carbonate). By adjusting the electrospinning parameters, we produced three distinct nonwovens with varying average fiber diameters, ranging from 0.4 μm to 2 μm. These samples were characterized and tested for their efficacy in removing dammar varnish from painted surfaces. In particular, the cleaning process was monitored using macroscale PL (photoluminescence) imaging in real-time, while post-application examination of the mats was performed through scanning electron microscopy. The solvent evaporation rate from the different nonwovens was evaluated using gravimetric analysis and Proton Transfer Reaction- Time-of-Flight. It was observed that the application of the nonwovens with small or intermediate pore sizes for the removal of the terpenic varnish resulted in the swollen resin being absorbed into the mats, showcasing a peel-off effect. Thus, this protocol eliminates the need for further potentially detrimental removal procedures involving cotton swabs. The experimental data suggests that the peel-off effect relates to the microporosity of the mats, which enhances the capillary rise of the swollen varnish. Furthermore, the application of these systems to historical paintings underwent preliminary validation using a real painting from the 20th century.

A Unified Picture of Aggregate Formation in a Model Polymer Semiconductor during Solution Processing

AbstractOne grand challenge for printed organic electronics is the development of a knowledge platform that describes how polymer semiconductors assemble from solution, which requires a unified picture of the complex interplay of polymer solubility, mass transport, nucleation and, e.g., vitrification. One crucial aspect, thereby, is aggregate formation, i.e., the development of electronic coupling between adjacent chain segments. Here, it is shown that the critical aggregation temperatures in solution (no solvent evaporation allowed) and during film formation (solvent evaporation occurring) are excellent pointers to i) establish reliable criteria for polymer assembly into desired aggregates, and ii) advance mechanistic understanding of the overall polymer assembly. Indeed, important insights are provided on why aggregation occurs via a 1‐ or 2‐step process depending on polymer solubility, deposition temperature and solvent evaporation rate; and the selection of deposition temperatures for specific scenarios (e.g., good vs bad solvent) is demystified. Collectively, it is demonstrated that relatively straightforward, concurrent in situ time‐resolved absorbance and photoluminescence spectroscopies to monitor aggregate formation lead to highly useful and broadly applicable criteria for processing functional plastics. In turn, improved control over their properties and device performance can be obtained toward manufacturing sensors, energy‐harvesting devices and, e.g., bioelectronics systems at high yield.

Smart synthesis of highly porous metal oxide powders with the self-assembly of amphiphilic organic compounds.

Supramolecular chemistry-mediated synthesis has thus far been employed for the design of ordered mesoporous structures surrounded by various metal oxides that are helpful as nanometer-scaled unique reaction containers with high specific surface area, large pore volume and uniform mesopores useful for the storage and mass transport of large-sized molecules. The evaporation-induced self-assembly (EISA) process is very powerful for fabricating mesoporous metal oxide films with the rapid evaporation of solvents. Although a similar EISA process is also applied to synthesize mesoporous metal oxide powders using the room-temperature drying process with slow evaporation of solvents, the control of the evaporation rate should be quantified for the complete reproduction of high-quality metal oxide powders. In this feature article, I introduce our recent challenge in synthesizing highly porous metal oxides in powder form with the smart optimization of synthetic conditions by combining several EISA processes to eliminate the mismatch of the rate of solvent evaporation, inducing the self-assembly of amphiphilic organic molecules.

Improving crystallization and photoelectric performance of CsPbI&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;Br perovskite under ambient air via dynamic hot-air assisted recrystallization strategy

CsPbI&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;Br thin films prepared in ambient air are susceptible to humidity, resulting in low coverage, poor crystallization quality, numerous pinholes, and easy transformation into non perovskite phases. To overcome the troubles of pervoksite fabrication in ambient air, a feasible way is to reduce the moisture around the films as much as possible according to dynamic hot-air assisted strategy. However, the hot air accelerates the evaporation rate of solvent, resulting in the decrease of grain size. In order to improve the crystal growth and long-term stability in dynamic hot-air assisted strategy, in this work, we present a dynamic hot-air assisted recrystallization (DHR) strategy to prepare high-quality CsPbI&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;Br thin films in ambient air (i.e. the CsPbI&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;Br thin films prepared via dynamic hot-air strategy are recrystallized by using a green solvent (methylamine acetate) with high viscosity coefficient). Under ambient air with high humidity (RH＞60%), the CsPbI&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;Br thin film with high coverage, (100) preferred orientation, large average grain size, and stable structure is prepared via DHR strategy. The dynamic hot-air process can effectively reduce the moisture around the film and increase the nucleation sites in the precursor solution, thereby improving the coverage of the film. However, this process inevitably results in the significant decrease of grain size (&lt;i&gt;R&lt;/i&gt;&lt;sub&gt;ave&lt;/sub&gt;= 0.32 μm) (i.e. more grain boundaries), exacerbating non-radiative recombination of carriers associated with trap states at these boundaries. The high coverage increases the grain-to-grain contact area, facilitating complete recrystallization. Thus, the recrystallization process can significantly increase the grain size (&lt;i&gt;R&lt;/i&gt;&lt;sub&gt;ave&lt;/sub&gt; = 2.63 μm) and obtain a (100) preferred orientation (&lt;i&gt;I&lt;/i&gt;&lt;sub&gt;(110)&lt;/sub&gt;/&lt;i&gt;I&lt;/i&gt;&lt;sub&gt;(200)&lt;/sub&gt; = 0.006), resulting in high photoluminescence intensity and long fluorescence lifetime (118 ns). The unencapsulated CsPbI&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;Br perovskite solar cell (PSC) optimized via DHR strategy with low hysterescence factor (2.34%) and high repeatability exhibits a high power conversion efficiency (PCE = 17.55%), which is higher than those of most CsPbI&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;Br PSCs prepared in ambient air and gloveboxes previously reported. Moreover, the unencapsulated CsPbI&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;Br PSC possesses an excellent storage stability under ambient air with high humidity (RH &gt; 60%), remaining 96% of the original PCE after aging 40 days. This provides a promising approach for achieving high-performance and long-term stable CsPbI&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;Br films under ambient air with high humidity, which is expected to promote the commercialization process of perovskite/silicon tandem cells and semi-transparent devices.

Impact of channel nanostructures of porous carbon particles on their catalytic performance.

Mesoporous carbon particles have great potential due to their unique structural properties as support materials for catalytic applications. Particle shapes and channel nanostructures of mesoporous carbon particles can determine the reactant/product transport efficiency. However, the role of the channel nanostructure in the catalytic reaction has not been much explored. Herein, we introduce a facile method to fabricate a series of porous carbon particles (PCPs) with controlled channel exposure on the carbon surface and investigate the impact of the channel nanostructure of the PCPs on the catalytic activity. By employing a membrane emulsification method with a controlled solvent evaporation rate, we fabricate block copolymer (BCP) particles with uniform size and regulated degrees of cylindrical channel exposed to the particle surface. Followed by the carbonization of the BCP particles, a low amount (1.3 wt%) of Pt is incorporated into the PCP series to investigate the impact of channel nanostructures on the catalytic oxidation reaction of o-phenylenediamine (OPD). Specifically, PCP featuring highly open channel nanostructures shows a high reaction rate constant of 0.154 mM-1 s-1 for OPD oxidation, showing 5.5 times higher catalytic activity than those of closed channel nanostructures (0.028 mM-1 s-1). This study provides a deeper understanding of the impact of channel nanostructure within mesoporous carbon particles on catalytic activity.

Controlled shrinkage surface driven by solvent evaporation for highly sensitive residual fungicides detection

In this study, a suite of novel surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates were fabricated based on the synergistic shrinkage surface of gelatin gels and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Based on the controllable evaporation rate of solvent in the gelatin gel, the arrangement of surface-loaded AgNPs showed to form a series of more compact nanogaps and serve as SERS hotspots induced by a significant gelatin shrinkage. The constructed Gelatin@AgNPs substrates demonstrated excellent SERS sensitivity with an enhancement factor of 1.83 × 105 and could to detect 10-9 M R6G prove molecule. These experimental results were in good agreement with the Finite-Difference Time-Domain (FDTD) simulations calculations. More critically, the Gelatin@AgNPs substrates could be as superb SERS platform for detecting the malachite green (MG) fungicides as low as 10-9 M concentrations in actual lake water, and expected to serve as a fast and simple method for highly sensitive hazardous contaminants and fungicides detection in aquaculture fields.

Room Temperature Evaporation Behavior of Homogeneous Azeotropes Used in Art Conservation Cleaning Treatments

Cleaning painted surfaces of their grime, aged varnishes, and discolored overpaint is one of the most common interventive treatments for art conservators. Carefully concocted solvent mixtures navigate the solubility differences between the material removed and the original paint underneath. However, these solutions may be altered by differential evaporation rates of the component solvents (zeotropic behavior), potentially leading to ineffectively weak cleaning or conversely overly strong residual liquid capable of damaging the underlying paint. Azeotropic solvent blends, which maintain a constant composition during evaporation, offer a promising solution. These blends consist of two or more solvents combined at precise concentrations to function as a single solvent. Additionally, pressure-maximum azeotropes feature higher vapor pressure compared to other mixtures, further minimizing contact time and sorption of the solvents into artworks. This study examines azeotropes of isopropanol with n-hexane and 2-butanone in cyclohexane, which have been used previously in art conservation. The evaporation behavior at room temperature of these boiling point azeotropes was assessed using vapor pressure measurements, refractive index determinations, gravimetric analysis, and gas chromatography. Results showed changes in composition during evaporation and found that the actual room temperature azeotropic composition can vary between 1 and 10% v/v in concentration with those commonly reported at their boiling points. Art conservators should be cautious when using azeotropic blends reported at boiling points significantly higher than room temperature. To ensure the safety and efficacy of these mixtures, it is recommended to determine individual azeotropic cleaning blends experimentally before their use.

Insights into the effect of drying temperature on catalyst layer structure and PEM water electrolysis performance

The drying process of the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) has a significant impact on the structure of catalyst layer (CL) and the performance of proton exchange membrane water electrolysis (PEMWE). However, there is a lack of research on the relationship between drying temperature, CL structure, and performance. In this study, we investigated the drying process to regulate the CL microstructure, and the relationship between CL structure and water electrolysis performance was confirmed. As the drying temperature increased from 70 °C to 110 °C, the morphology of the CL changed from dense to loose due to differences in solvent evaporation rate. Specifically, the pore volume fractions of the CL (Vvoid) increased from approximately 0 to 27%. Electrochemical tests revealed that the dense CL structure formed at lower drying temperatures increased activation and mass transfer losses, while the aggregated CL structure formed at higher drying temperatures resulted in high ohmic loss. Consequently, the MEA dried at 90 °C exhibited the best water electrolysis performance, achieving a voltage of 1.78V at a current density of 2.0 A cm−2. The Vvoid was found to 18%, while the wet ionomer volume fraction (Vion,wet) was 50%. Furthermore, the durability test demonstrated that the MEA dried at 90 °C exhibited a voltage rate of −25 μV h−1 after 200 h of continuous current operation. The stable cell voltage was still observed even after 1000 intermittent start-stop operations, indicating excellent durability. This study provides valuable insights for optimizing the preparation process of MEA to enhance the structure of the CL and improve the PEMWE. It also presents a viable approach towards the commercialization of PEMWE.

Highly Reproducible Synthesis of Hollow Zirconia Particles via Atmospheric-Pressure Plasma Processing with Inkjet Droplets

Hollow particles have attracted considerable attention owing to their unique properties. In this study, hollow monoclinic zirconia particles were directly synthesized from inkjet droplets of a zirconyl hydroxychloride aqueous solution via atmospheric-pressure plasma processing. Hollow structures with craggy surfaces were obtained in the plasma at gas temperatures above 1000 K. The steep solvent evaporation rate induced by the localized high-energy reaction field of the atmospheric-pressure plasma may have induced solute condensation near the droplet surface and contributed to the formation of hollow particles. The average diameter of the synthesized particles was ~ 3 μm, while their size distribution was narrow (coefficient of variation: 0.06–0.10). The high reproducibility of the synthesized particles was attributed to the small variations in inkjet droplet size. The proposed method enables the rapid synthesis of hollow particles of various inorganic materials, while controlling their number and composition.

Raman Analysis of Orientation and Crystallinity in High Tg, Low Crystallinity Electrospun Fibers.

Electrospun fibers of amorphous or low-crystallinity polymers typically exhibit a low molecular orientation that can hamper their properties and application. A key stage of the electrospinning process that could be harnessed to mitigate the loss of orientation is jet rigidification, which relates closely to the solvent evaporation rate. Here, we establish quantitative Raman methods to assess the molecular orientation and crystallinity of weakly crystalline poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) fibers with varying diameters. Our findings demonstrate that solvent volatility can be leveraged to modulate the orientation and crystallinity through its impact on the effective glass transition temperature (Tg,eff) of the polymer jet during the electrospinning process. Specifically, a highly volatile solvent yields a higher and more sustained orientation (median ⟨P2⟩ of 0.53 for diameters < 1.0 µm) because its fast evaporation rapidly increases Tg,eff above room temperature. This vitrification early along the jet path promotes the formation of an oriented amorphous phase and a moderate fraction of strain-induced crystals. Our data reveals that a high Tg is a crucial parameter for reaching high orientation in amorphous or low-crystallinity polymer systems.

Air/Liquid Interfacial Self-Assembled Intrinsically Stretchable IDT-BT Film Combining a Deliberate Transfer Adherence Strategy for Stretchable Electronics.

Indacenodithiophene-benzothiadiazole (IDT-BT) has emerged as one of the most promising candidates for stretchable electronics due to its good stretchability and high mobility. Here, we present an air/liquid interface self-assembly method for the stretchable IDT-BT films and design an air-side transfer adherence strategy for improving the carrier mobility of IDT-BT. By controlling the cosolvent ratio in solution and the solvent evaporation rate, the large-scale intrinsically stretchable IDT-BT film with the diameter as high as ∼3 cm was self-assembled at the air/liquid interface. The resulting stretchable film with lightweight and good uniformity could be easily transferred to curved objects such as flexible 3 M tape, glass ball, and seashell. It is found that the transfer adherence strategy of the semiconductor film significantly affects the carrier transport. The transfer adherence from air-side can effectively decrease the number of the adsorbed water molecules at semiconductor/dielectric interface, which presents the mobility as high as 2.98 cm2 V-1 s-1. Based on the air/liquid interface self-assembled IDT-BT film, the peeling process of the film for preparation of full stretchable transistors could be eliminated. The resulting intrinsically stretchable transistor exhibits mobility higher than that of the transistor with a conventional spin-coated film. Our research provides new pathways for preparing the stretchable films and intrinsically stretchable organic field-effect transistors and shows the promising potential of the air/liquid interface self-assembly strategy for stretchable electronics.

Laser-Induced Cavitation for Controlling Crystallization from Solution.

We demonstrate that a cavitation bubble initiated by a Nd:YAG laser pulse below breakdown threshold induces crystallization from supersaturated aqueous solutions with supersaturation and laser-energy-dependent nucleation kinetics. Combining high-speed video microscopy and simulations, we argue that a competition between the dissipation of absorbed laser energy as latent and sensible heat dictates the solvent evaporation rate and creates a momentary supersaturation peak at the vapor-liquid interface. The number and morphology of crystals correlate to the characteristics of the simulated supersaturation peak.

Gas‐Quenching Approach for Fabricating Cs2AgBiBr6 Thin Films in Ambient Environment for Lead‐Free All‐Inorganic Perovskite Solar Cells with Carbon Electrodes

Herein, Cs2AgBiBr6 double perovskite films, which is considered one of the alternative materials to organic–inorganic Pb‐based perovskites in terms of toxicity and stability, are fabricated by gas‐quenching approach in ambient environment for the first time. Moreover, the study examines the effect of gas flowing rate on the solvent evaporation rate, crystallinity, morphology, and optical properties of the perovskite. The results indicate that the duration of color change from transparent to shiny yellow during gas quenching of Cs2AgBiBr6 films is influenced by the gas flowing rate, and this parameter has a notable impact on the properties of the films. In addition, incorporation of the gas‐quenched Cs2AgBiBr6 thin films in perovskite solar cells leads to 1.47% power conversion efficiency with open‐circuit voltage of 1.04 V, short‐circuit current density of 2.11 mA cm−2, and fill factor of 67.4%. Overall, this study provides a new approach to fabricate Cs2AgBiBr6 thin films in ambient atmosphere for potential optoelectronic applications.

Interface engineering to improve electrochemical performance of intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells

The interface between the cathode and the electrolyte is critical in the electrochemical performance of intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs). In this study, the correlation between the structural properties at the interface and the electrochemical performance is investigated with a focus on the ohmic resistance. Electrostatic spray deposition (ESD) is used to optimize the cathode particle size and distribution by controlling the solvent evaporation rate. A mechanical pull-off test is performed to directly assess the structural properties at the interface. Furthermore, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) is employed with an equivalent circuit model to establish a quantitative correlation between the contact coverage at the interface and the interfacial resistance. By maximizing contact coverage, a significantly high peak power density of 1.87 W cm−2 is achieved at 600 °C in a Ni-Gd0.1Ce0.9O1.95 (GDC)-based single cell. The findings indicate that the proposed approach effectively achieves the desired structural properties, thereby enhancing the performance of IT-SOFCs with significant implications for the design and optimization.