Modulating the Surface State of SiC to Control Carrier Transport in Graphene/SiC

Silicon carbide (SiC) with epitaxial graphene (EG/SiC) shows a great potential in the applications of electronic and photoelectric devices. The performance of devices is primarily dependent on the interfacial heterojunction between graphene and SiC. Here, the band structure of the EG/SiC heterojunction is experimentally investigated by Kelvin probe force microscopy. The dependence of the barrier height at the EG/SiC heterojunction to the initial surface state of SiC is revealed. Both the barrier height and band bending tendency of the heterojunction can be modulated by controlling the surface state of SiC, leading to the tuned carrier transport behavior at the EG/SiC interface. The barrier height at the EG/SiC(000‐1) interface is almost ten times that of the EG/SiC(0001) interface. As a result, the amount of carrier transport at the EG/SiC(000‐1) interface is about ten times that of the EG/SiC(0001) interface. These results offer insights into the carrier transport behavior at the EG/SiC heterojunction by controlling the initial surface state of SiC, and this strategy can be extended in all devices with graphene as the top layer.     

Laser‐Assisted Large‐Scale Fabrication of All‐Solid‐State Asymmetrical Micro‐Supercapacitor Array

The micro‐supercapacitors are of great value for portable, flexible, and integrated electronic equipments. Here, the large‐scale and integrated asymmetrical micro‐supercapacitor (AMSC) array is fabricated in virtue of the laser direct writing and electrodeposition technology. The AMSC shows the ideal flexibility, high areal specific capacitance (21.8 mF cm^?2), and good rate capability. Moreover, its energy density reaches 12.16 µW h cm^?2, outperforming most micro‐supercapacitors reported previously. Meanwhile, large‐scale series‐connected AMSCs are integrated on the flexible substrates (e.g., indium tin oxide‐polyethylene terephthalate film), which can power a veriety of the commercial electronics. The combination of AMSCs array, solar cell, and electronic device proves the feasibility for practical application in the portable, flexible, and integrated electronic equipments.     

In-situ synthesis of TiO2 nanostructures on Ti foil for enhanced and stable photocatalytic performance

TiO_2 nanostructures with strong interfacial adhesion and diverse morphologies have been in-situ grown on Ti foil substrate through a multiple-step method based on conventional plasma electrolytic oxidation(PEO) technology, hydrothermal reaction and ion exchange process. The PEO process is critical to the formation of TiO_2 seeding layer for the nucleation of Na_2Ti_3O_7 and H_2Ti_3O_7 mediates that are strongly attached to the Ti foil. An ion exchange reaction can finally lead to the formation of H_2Ti_3O_7 nanostructures with diverse morphologies and the calcination process can turn the H_2Ti_3O_7 nanostructures into TiO_2 nanostructures with enhanced crystallinity. The morphology of the TiO_2 nanostructures including nanoparticles(NP), nanowhiskers(NWK), nanowires(NW) and nanosheets(NS) can be easily tailored by controlling the NaOH concentration and reaction time during hydrothermal process. The morphology, composition and optical properties of TiO_2 photocatalysts were analyzed using scanning electron microscope(SEM), X-ray diffraction(XRD), photoluminescence(PL) spectroscopy and UV–vis absorption spectrum. Photocatalytic tests indicate that the TiO_2 nanosheets calcined at 500?C show good crystallization and the best capability of decomposing organic pollutants. The decoration of Ag cocatalyst can further improve the photocatalytic performance of the TiO_2 nanosheets as a result of the enhanced charger separation efficiency. Cyclic photocatalytic test using TiO_2 nanostructures grown on Ti foil substrate demonstrates the superior stability in the photodegradation of organic pollutant, suggesting the promising potential of in-situ growth technology for industrial application.     

Numerical and experimental investigations in electromagnetic riveting with different rivet dies

In this work, the numerical simulations and electromagnetic riveting (EMR) experiments were conducted to investigate microstructure evolution and the forming mechanism of adiabatic shear bands (ASBs). And the effects of rivet dies on microstructure distributions in formed heads and mechanical properties of riveted structures were systematically explored. The impact velocity and deformation distribution results demonstrated that the proposed numerical method was accurate and reliable. The simulation results showed the slope angle of rivet dies notably affected the plastic flow of materials, and then determined the microstructure distribution in formed heads. The combined effects of inhomogeneous plastic flow and thermal softening were accounted for the forming of ASBs. The formed heads had two obvious ASBs (upper and lower ASB) for the 40° rivet die and flat rivet die. The formed heads only had the lower ASB and no clear upper for the 60° rivet die and 80° rivet die. The pull-out test results showed that the specific rivet die could improve the mechanical properties of the EMR joints, which contribute to the engineering applications of EMR riveted structures.     

Modelling and simulation of chlorophyll fluorescence from photosystem II as affected by temperature

Emission of chlorophyll fluorescence (ChlF) from photosystem II (PSII) is affected by both plant status and environmental conditions. In this work, a state space model structure for ChlF from PSII with temperature as a variable model parameter was developed to provide insights into the temperature effects on photosynthesis and greenhouse temperature control. Experiments were carried out at 20, 25, and 30°C to validate the capability and flexibility of the developed model structure. Simulations of ChlF emission were performed for different temperatures. The results demonstrated the effectiveness of the ChlF model structure and the findings are useful for the development of greenhouse temperature control strategies.Inspec keywords: fluorescence, state‐space methods, photosynthesis, temperature control, vegetationOther keywords: chlorophyll fluorescence, photosystem II, PSII, plant status, environmental conditions, state space model structure, variable model parameter, temperature effects, photosynthesis, ChlF emission, ChlF model structure, greenhouse temperature control strategies, temperature 20.0 degC, temperature 25.0 degC, temperature 30.0 degC     

Modelling and simulation of photosystem II chlorophyll fluorescence transition from dark‐adapted state to light‐adapted state

Green houses play a vital role in modern agriculture. Artificial light illumination is very important in a green house. While light is necessary for plant growth, excessive light in a green house may not bring more profit and even damages plants. Developing a plant‐physiology‐based light control strategy in a green house is important, which implies that a state‐space model on photosynthetic activities is very useful because modern control theories and techniques are usually developed according to model structures in the state space. In this work, a simplified model structure on photosystem II activities was developed with seven state variables and chlorophyll fluorescence (ChlF) as the observable variable. Experiments on ChlF were performed. The Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm was used to estimate model parameters from experimental data. The model structure can fit experimental data with a small relative error (<2%). ChlF under different light intensities were simulated to show the effect of light intensity on ChlF emission. A simplified model structure with fewer state variables and model parameters will be more robust to perturbations and model parameter estimation. The model structure is thus expected useful in future green‐house light control strategy development.Inspec keywords: parameter estimation, fluorescence, lighting control, photosynthesis, agriculture, state‐space methods, greenhousesOther keywords: Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm, ChlF emission, state variables, green‐house light control strategy development, model parameter estimation, light intensity, model parameters, photosystem II activities, simplified model structure, state‐space model, plant‐physiology‐based light control strategy, plant growth, artificial light illumination, light‐adapted state, dark‐adapted state, photosystem II chlorophyll fluorescence transition     

Efficient defect-controlled photocatalytic hydrogen generation based on near-infrared Cu-In-Zn-S quantum dots

The development of photocatalysts that can effectively harvest visible light is essential for advances in high-efficiency solar-driven hydrogen generation. Herein, we synthesized water soluble CuInS₂ (CIS) and Cu-In-Zn-S (CIZS) quantum dots (QDs) by using one-pot aqueous method. The CIZS QDs are well passivated by glutathione ligands and are highly stable in aqueous conditions. We subsequently applied these QDs as a light harvesting material for photocatalytic hydrogen generation. Unlike most small band gap materials that show extremely low efficiency, these new QDs display remarkable energy conversion efficiency in the visible and near-infrared regions. The external quantum efficiency at 650 nm is ～1.5%, which, to the best of our knowledge, is the highest value achieved until now in the near-infrared region.

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Erratum to: High-purity helical carbon nanotubes by trace-waterassisted chemical vapor deposition: Large-scale synthesis and growth mechanism

Nano Research - The first author, Fanbin Meng, and the second author, Ying Wang, contributed equally to this work was unfortunately forgotten to write on the first pages of the main text and the...     

Entrapping multifunctional dendritic nanoparticles into a hydrogel for local therapeutic delivery and synergetic immunochemotherapy

Nano Research - Developing multifunctional nanoparticles to support new therapy models is a promising and challenging task to address the current dilemma on antitumor treatment. Herein, we...     

基于SIP的高性能可视电话方案的设计

针对IP可视电话系统的复杂性高以及图像质量低下的问题,设计了一种基于SIP的可视电话系统,该系统采用SIP协议作为信令控制协议、选择G.729语音压缩算法、H.264视频压缩算法,同时选择RTP和RTCP协议来实现音视频媒体流的实时传输,充分利用因特网的发展优势来实现其优质的通话视频功能;提出的设计方案主要由通话状态机、信令处理、音频处理、视频处理及实时传输等模块构成;该方案采用优质的通信协议与高效的算法,保证了系统的简单可靠与系统高效的性能;实验结果表明,设计的可视电话系统结构简单、图像质量较高,是切实可行有效的。