Effect of undulation on SH-wave propagation in corrugated magneto-elastic transversely isotropic layer

This article delves to study the effect of corrugated boundary surfaces on the propagation of horizontally-polarized shear waves (SH-waves) in a magnetoelastic transversely isotropic layer under a hydrostatic state of stress lying over an elastic half-space under gravity. A dispersion equation has been derived in closed-form and is found to be in good agreement to the classical Love-wave equation. The effect of magnetoelasticity, hydrostatic state of stress, gravity, corrugation, position parameter, and undulation on the phase velocity of the SH-wave has been identified. Numerical computation along with graphical demonstration has been carried out for cadmium, magnesium, and zinc materials of hexagonal symmetry to highlight some significant facts.     

Reducing Hysteresis and Enhancing Performance of Perovskite Solar Cells Using Low‐Temperature Processed Y‐Doped SnO2 Nanosheets as Electron Selective Layers

Despite the rapid increase of efficiency, perovskite solar cells (PSCs) still face some challenges, one of which is the current–voltage hysteresis. Herein, it is reported that yttrium‐doped tin dioxide (Y‐SnO₂) electron selective layer (ESL) synthesized by an in situ hydrothermal growth process at 95 °C can significantly reduce the hysteresis and improve the performance of PSCs. Comparison studies reveal two main effects of Y doping of SnO₂ ESLs: (1) it promotes the formation of well‐aligned and more homogeneous distribution of SnO₂ nanosheet arrays (NSAs), which allows better perovskite infiltration, better contacts of perovskite with SnO₂ nanosheets, and improves electron transfer from perovskite to ESL; (2) it enlarges the band gap and upshifts the band energy levels, resulting in better energy level alignment with perovskite and reduced charge recombination at NSA/perovskite interfaces. As a result, PSCs using Y‐SnO₂ NSA ESLs exhibit much less hysteresis and better performance compared with the cells using pristine SnO₂ NSA ESLs. The champion cell using Y‐SnO₂ NSA ESL achieves a photovoltaic conversion efficiency of 17.29% (16.97%) when measured under reverse (forward) voltage scanning and a steady‐state efficiency of 16.25%. The results suggest that low‐temperature hydrothermal‐synthesized Y‐SnO₂ NSA is a promising ESL for fabricating efficient and hysteresis‐less PSC.     

Sensitive Detection of Carcinoembryonic Antigen Using Stability‐Limited Few‐Layer Black Phosphorus as an Electron Donor and a Reservoir

The instability of few‐layer black phosphorus (FL‐BP) hampers its further applications. Here, it can be demonstrated that the instability of FL‐BP can also be the advantage for application in biosensor. First, gold nanoparticle/FL‐BP (BP‐Au) hybrid is facilely synthesized by mixing Au precursor with FL‐BP. BP‐Au shows outstanding catalytic activity (K = 1120 s^?1 g^?1) and low activation energy (17.53 kJ mol^?1) for reducing 4‐nitrophenol, which is attributed to the electron‐reservoir and electron‐donor properties of FL‐BP, and synergistic interaction of Au nanoparticles and FL‐BP. Oxidation of FL‐BP after catalytic reaction is further confirmed by transmission electron microscope, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and zeta potentials. Second, the catalytic activity of BP‐Au can be reversibly switched from “inactive” to “active” upon treatment with antibody and antigen in solution, thus providing a versatile platform for label‐free colorimetric detection of biomarkers. The sensor shows a wide detection range (1 pg mL^?1 to –10 µg mL^?1), high sensitivity (0.20 pg mL^?1), and selectivity for detecting carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). Finally, the biosensor has been used to detect CEA in colon and breast cancer clinical samples with satisfactory results. Therefore, the instability of BP can also be the advantage for application in detecting cancer biomarker in clinic.     

Design of active and stable oxygen reduction reaction catalysts by embedding Co<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>O<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">y</Emphasis></Subscript> nanoparticles into nitrogen-doped carbon

The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is essential in research pertaining to life science and energy. In applications, platinum-based catalysts give ideal reactivity, but, in practice, are often subject to high costs and poor stability. Some cost-efficient transition metal oxides have exhibited excellent ORR reactivity, but the stability and durability of such alternative catalyst materials pose serious challenges. Here, we present a facile method to fabricate uniform Co _x O _y nanoparticles and embed them into N-doped carbon, which results in a composite of extraordinary stability and durability, while maintaining its high reactivity. The half-wave potential shows a negative shift of only 21 mV after 10,000 cycles, only one third of that observed for Pt/C (63 mV). Furthermore, after 100,000 s testing at a constant potential, the current decreases by only 17%, significantly less than for Pt/C (35%). The exceptional stability and durability results from the system architecture, which comprises a thin carbon shell that prevents agglomeration of the Co _x O _y nanoparticles and their detaching from the substrate.

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Freestanding hierarchical porous carbon film derived from hybrid nanocellulose for high-power supercapacitors

Nanocellulose is a sustainable and eco-friendly nanomaterial derived from renewable biomass.In this study,we utilized the structural advantages of two types of nanocellulose and fabricated freestanding carbonized hybrid nanocellulose films as electrode materials for supercapacitors.The long cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) formed a macroporous framework,and the short cellulose nanocrystals were assembled around the CNF framework and generated micro/mesopores.This two-level hierarchical porous structure was successfully preserved during carbonization because of a thin atomic layer deposited (ALD) Al2O3 conformal coating,which effectively prevented the aggregation of nanocellulose.These carbonized,partially graphitized nanocellulose fibers were interconnected,forming an integrated and highly conductive network with a large specific surface area of 1,244 m2·g-1.The two-level hierarchical porous structure facilitated fast ion transport in the film.When tested as an electrode material with a high mass loading of 4 mg·cm-2 for supercapacitors,the hierarchical porous carbon film derived from hybrid nanocellulose exhibited a specific capacitance of 170 F.g-1and extraordinary performance at high current densities.Even at a very high current of 50 A·g-1,it retained 65％ of its original specific capacitance,which makes it a promising electrode material for high-power applications.     

The rim zone of cement-based materials – Barrier or fast lane for chemical degradation?

Sophisticated evaluation models for the long-term stability of cement-based systems demand a precise knowledge of the mechanisms of deterioration reactions, particularly respecting a permanent exposure to aqueous environments. Commonly, insights into these mechanisms are deduced from long-term investigations. However, these chemical reactions start immediately after exposure to aggressive environments causing rapid changes of composition and structure. Consequently, properties of its rim zone change, which affects transport processes in aqueous solutions. In laboratory experiments, the influence of these surface processes on the stability of cement-based materials exposed to different chloride solutions was studied as a function of time and temperature. Analysis of compositional and structural changes beneath the surface reveal the role of crystalline covering layers for chemical resistance. Such layers are often described as protective barriers. However, these processes in the rim zone can accelerate chemical degradation and subsequently reduce the resilience of the cement-based materials to aggressive aqueous environments.     

吹砂、抛光及其电解腐蚀后处理对单晶高温合金表面组织和再结晶行为的影响

采用吹砂处理、砂带抛光、毡轮抛光3种表面处理使铸态单晶(SX)Ni基高温合金叶片表面形成塑性变形层,对叶片表面变形层进行电解腐蚀实验,然后进行标准热处理,研究了单晶高温合金叶片表面处理的变形层及其电解腐蚀后显微组织。结果表明:3种表面处理的铸态单晶高温合金叶片表面变形层深度分别约为6,3.5μm和2μm,并在吹砂处理和砂带抛光的表面变形层周围存在显微裂纹;表面变形层电解腐蚀过渡区内存在大量γ′变形组织,且3种表面处理的塑性变形残存量依次递减,而变形层完全电解腐蚀区内无塑性变形痕迹;标准热处理后,变形层未电解腐蚀区存在凹陷特征和再结晶晶粒,但无塑性变形痕迹;变形层完全电解腐蚀区无明显凹坑和再结晶晶粒。     

太阳能电池有机电子传输材料研究新进展

当今能源危机问题日益紧迫,以太阳能为代表的新能源开发成为研究热点。有机半导体材料具有成本低廉、可塑性强、性能优异等特点,因此在太阳能电池领域中具有极大的应用前景。研发性能优异、成本低、稳定性高的有机电子传输材料是太阳能电池研究领域的重要内容。总结了近年来有机电子传输材料的研究进展和发展方向,按照其分子结构分为富勒烯衍生物、大π共轭体系、非π体系、改性材料、碳纳米材料等5类体系,分别介绍了其结构特性,讨论了其在太阳能电池应用中存在的问题及解决方法,综述了该领域的最新研究成果,最后总结了开发新型高效的有机电子传输材料的研究方向。