Donor–acceptor copolymers based on benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b′]dithiophene and pyrene-fused phenazine for high-performance polymer solar cells

Two novel donor–acceptor (D–A)-type conjugated polymers of PTTPPz-BDT and PTTPPz-BDTT were successfully synthesized by Stille coupling polymerization, in which 7,8-dialkoxy benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b′]dithiophene (BDT) and 7,8-bithienyl benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b′]dithiophene (BDTT) were used as donor units, thiophene and pyrene-fused phenazine (PPz) were employed as π-bridges and acceptor units, respectively. High carrier mobilities, broad absorption spectra, narrow optical band gaps, and low HOMO energy levels were observed for both polymers. Furthermore, high-efficiency photovoltaic performance with power conversion efficiency (PCE) over 4.25% was exhibited in their polymer solar cells (PSCs) using [6,6]-phenyl-C₇₁-butyric-acid-methyl-ester (PC₇₁BM) as acceptor. The maximum PCE of 4.86% with short-circuit current density of 11.10 mA cm⁻² and fill factor of 62.5% was obtained in the PTTPPz-BDTT based cell. These results indicate that incorporating large planar PPz moiety into D–A-type copolymer is an efficient approach to improve photovoltaic performance for PSCs.     

Degradation of polymer electrolyte membranes

One of the predominant failure modes of polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells is the degradation of the PEM, especially when the fuel cell is used for transportation applications. Numerous studies have been carried out regarding this issue but many aspects of the degradation are not yet understood. This paper reviews the available literature regarding membrane degradation, and attempts to classify the degradation modes into three categories: mechanical, thermal and chemical/electrochemical. The factors that contribute to each mode are discussed, along with detailed mechanisms for some degradations. Some possible mitigation strategies are also explored.     

Integration of biohydrogen fermentation and gas separation processes to recover and enrich hydrogen

An integrated system for biohydrogen production and separation was designed, constructed and operated where biohydrogen was fermented by Thermococcus litoralis, a heterotrophic archaebacterium, and a two-step gas separation process was coupled to recover and concentrate hydrogen. A special liquid seal system was built to deliver, compress and collect the laboratory scale, low volume gas mixtures consisting of hydrogen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide. As a result, gas mixture with 73% high hydrogen content was produced by a combination of a porous and a non-porous gas separation membrane.     

导电聚合物直接电镀技术

虽然传统的PTH（镀通孔）工艺十分成熟,应用广泛,但仍有很多不足之处。因此一些取代传统PTH工艺的直接电镀技术应用而生。导电聚合物直接电镀技术已经较为成熟,文中系统介绍了EcopactCP工艺的导电聚合物直接电镀技术。     

Power Evaluation of the Los Angeles Oxygen–Fed Ozone System

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) operates a 600 mgd (2,270 ML/day) direct filtration water treatment plant which includes a 7,900 lb/day (149 kg/hr) ozonation system. Ozone is applied as a preoxidant for the purposes of disinfection and microflocculation. The ozonation system is unique in that high purity oxygen is generated on–site and is used as the feed–gas in a once–through system. The process was selected through competitive bids and evaluated for total present worth from 20–year life cycle costs which included capital plus energy expenses. Power consumption (and penalty) was valued at $6,500/kW. System power demand was measured at nine ozone production rates. A minimum specific energy of 6.5 kWh/lb (14.3 kWh/kg) of ozone was observed when generating ozone at a concentration between 5 and 6 % (wt) [65 and 80 g/m³; where the standard temperature and pressure are 70F (21.11 C) and 1 atm, respectively]. The test methodology and data assessment considerations were developed jointly by the owner and manufacturer, and produced results with practical significance beyond the performance testing objective.     

Fabrication of CuInS2/CNTs absorber layers by sol–gel method

In this work, CuInS₂/multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) layers are fabricated by the sol–gel spin-coating method. We introduce two forms of MWCNTs into a CIS₂ solution, washed functional multiwalled carbon nanotubes (W-FMWCNTs) and unwashed-functional multiwalled carbon nanotubes (UW-FMWCNTs), in order to investigate the effects of MWCNTs and an acidic environment on the physical properties of the CIS₂ absorber layers. The structure and morphology of the samples are investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), respectively. The XRD study shows that all samples crystallize in a tetragonal structure. The results obtained from the optical, thermo-electric, and electrical measurements indicate that the two groups of CIS₂ layers prepared using W- and UW-FMWCNTs show the opposite behaviors. The Seebeck coefficient (SC) measurements indicate possible formation of a p–n junction.     

High-performance polymer light emitting diodes with interface-engineered graphene anodes

Recently, graphene-based organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) were successfully demonstrated using graphene as anodes. However, the graphene electrodes have not been utilized for polymer light emitting diodes (PLEDs) yet, although the simpler device structure and the solution-based fabrication process of PLEDs are expected to be more advantageous in terms of time and cost. Here we demonstrate high-performance polymer light emitting diodes (PLEDs) with simple two-layer structures using interface-engineered single-layer graphene films as anodes. The single-layer graphene synthesized by chemical vapor deposition methods was transferred onto a glass substrate utilizing an elastic stamp, and its work function was engineered by varying the duration and the power of ultraviolet ozone (UVO) treatment. Thus, we were able to optimize the contact between silver electrodes and the graphene anodes, leading to the considerable enhancement of light-emitting performance.     

Enhancing the performance of non-fullerene solar cells with polymer acceptors containing large-sized aromatic units

In this work, we develop four diketopyrrolopyrrole-based polymer acceptors for application in polymer-polymer solar cells. The polymer acceptors contain different-sized aromatic units, from small thiophene to benzodithiophene and large alkylthio-benzodithiophene units. Although the polymer acceptor with large-sized groups shows small LUMO offset and low energy loss when blended with the donor polymer PTB7-Th, the corresponding solar cells can achieve a high power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 3.1% due to high photocurrent. In contrast, the polymer acceptor with small thiophene units only provides a low PCE of 0.14% in solar cells. These results indicate that polymer acceptors with large-sized aromatic units can be potentially used into high performance non-fullerene solar cells.     

Sol–gel fabrication and enhanced optical properties,photocatalysis, and surface wettability of nanostructured titanium dioxide films

TiO₂ photocatalytic film, annealed at temperatures of 500 °C and 700 °C, was prepared on SiO₂ pre-coated glass via sol–gel technique for photocatalytic purposes and effects of catalyst-type on its properties were investigated by an X-ray diffractometer (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscope, UV–vis spectrophotometer, and contact angle measurements. The XRD results showed that present phases depend upon catalyst used in the solution and phase transformation behaves in a temperature-dependent manner. For the layers derived from sols containing acidic catalysts, the anatase structure dominated and exhibited much better photocatalytic activity. The results indicated that the sample derived from sol comprises H₂SO₄ as catalyst, and exhibits anatase grains with the lowest size. This could be the reason for its better photocatalytic activity. Finally, samples derived from sol containing acidic catalysts showed superhydrophilicity and superior cleaning ability.     

Improving the open-circuit voltage of alkylthio-substituted photovoltaic polymers via post-oxidation

Molecular designing of photovoltaic polymers based on benzodithiophene (BDT) building blocks for high power conversion efficiency (PCE) in polymer solar cells (PSCs) arouse much attention in the past few years. To meliorate the energy levels of photovoltaic polymers featuring alkylthio substituted BDT units, a novel post-polymerization oxidation method was proposed applied in converting sulfur atom into sulfonyl group on side chains of the pristine polymer PBT-S. After treating with tiny amount of meta-chloroperoxybenzoic acid (m-CPBA) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), two batches of the target polymers, namely, PBT-SO₂-M and PBT-SO₂-H were prepared for the first time, respectively. The photochemical and electrochemical results indicate that both the HOMO levels are distinctly dropped with almost no influence on band gaps by introducing strong electron-withdrawing sulfonyl groups on side chains of BDT. Accordingly, the photovoltaic results reveal that the V_oc of devices based on PBT-SO₂-M and PBT-SO₂-H are 0.81, 0.71 V which are 0.17 and 0.07 V higher than that of pristine polymer PBT-S, respectively. Moreover, the J_sc and PCE of PBT-SO₂-H devices are comparable with those of the devices based on PBT-S. Overall, this work suggests that the molecular energy levels of D–A copolymers can be effectively tuned by a post-oxidation method.