All-Inorganic CsPbBr3 Perovskite Nanocrystals/2D Non-Layered Cadmium Sulfide Selenide for High-Performance Photodetectors by Energy Band Alignment Engineering

Perovskites have attracted intensive attention as promising materials for the application in various optoelectronic devices due to their large light absorption coefficient, high carrier mobility, and long charge carrier diffusion length. However, the performance of the pure perovskite nanocrystals-based device is extremely restricted by the limited charge transport capability due to the existence of a large number of the grain boundary between perovskite nanocrystals. To address these issues, a high-performance photodetector based on all-inorganic CsPbBr₃ perovskite nanocrystals/2D non-layered cadmium sulfide selenide heterostructure has been demonstrated through energy band engineering with designed typed-II heterostructure. The photodetector exhibits an ultra-high light-to-dark current ratio of 1.36 × 10⁵, a high responsivity of 2.89 × 10² A W⁻¹, a large detectivity of 1.28 × 10¹⁴ Jones, and the response/recovery time of 0.53s/0.62 s. The enhancement of the optoelectronic performance of the heterostructure photodetector is mainly attributed to the efficient charge carrier transfer ability between the all-inorganic CsPbBr₃ perovskites and 2D cadmium sulfide selenide resulting from energy band alignment engineering. The charge carriers’ transfer dynamics and the mechanism of the CsPbBr₃ perovskites/2D non-layered nanosheets interfaces have also been studied by state-state PL spectra, fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy, time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy, and Kelvin probe force microscopy measurements.     

Surface Charge Modification on 2D Nanofluidic Membrane for Regulating Ion Transport

2D nanofluidic membranes are capable of regulating ion transport toward various applications concerning energy and environment, which is primarily contributed by the excess charge on the interior surface of narrow nanoscale pores. However, there is still a lack of comprehensive summaries and discussions on the surface charge modification principles and strategies of 2D nanofluidic membranes, as well as the practical applications of charge-modified 2D nanofluidic membranes for regulating ion transport. In this review, the surface charge modification principles and charge modification methods of 2D nanofluidic membranes are first introduced in detail, which is of great significance for improving the ion regulation capability of membranes and realizing the design of nanochannel materials. Next, recent advances in the two typical applications of concentration cells and water treatment based on charge-modified 2D nanofluidic membranes are summarized. Finally, some challenges and prospects related to charge-modified 2D nanofluidic membranes are discussed to indicate directions for future research in this field. It is anticipated that this review will provide valuable strategies for the development of high-performance charge-modified 2D nanofluidic membranes toward energy and environment applications.     

Sodium‐Ion Batteries: Building Effective Layered Cathode Materials with Long‐Term Cycling by Modifying the Surface via Sodium Phosphate

Surface stabilization of cathode materials is urgent for guaranteeing long‐term cyclability, and is important in Na cells where a corrosive Na‐based electrolyte is used. The surface of P2‐type layered Na_2/3[Ni_1/3Mn_2/3]O₂ is modified with ionic, conducting sodium phosphate (NaPO₃) nanolayers, ≈10 nm in thickness, via melt‐impregnation at 300 °C; the nanolayers are autogenously formed from the reaction of NH₄H₂PO₄ with surface sodium residues. Although the material suffers from a large anisotropic change in the c‐axis due to transformation from the P2 to O2 phase above 4 V versus Na⁺/Na, the NaPO₃‐coated Na_2/3[Ni_1/3Mn_2/3]O₂/hard carbon full cell exhibits excellent capacity retention for 300 cycles, with 73% retention. The surface NaPO₃ nanolayers positively impact the cell performance by scavenging HF and H₂O in the electrolyte, leading to less formation of byproducts on the surface of the cathodes, which lowers the cell resistance, as evidenced by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and time‐of‐flight secondary‐ion mass spectroscopy. Time‐resolved in situ high‐temperature X‐ray diffraction study reveals that the NaPO₃ coating layer is delayed for decomposition to Mn₃O₄, thereby suppressing oxygen release in the highly desodiated state, enabling delay of exothermic decomposition. The findings presented herein are applicable to the development of high‐voltage cathode materials for sodium batteries.