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Solar-driven hydrogen production from water using particulate photocatalysts is considered the most economical and effective approach to produce hydrogen fuel with little environmental concern. However, the efficiency of hydrogen production from water in particulate photocatalysis systems is still low. Here, we propose an efficient biphase photocatalytic system composed of integrated photothermal–photocatalytic materials that use charred wood substrates to convert liquid water to water steam, simultaneously splitting hydrogen under light illumination without additional energy. The photothermal–photocatalytic system exhibits biphase interfaces of photothermally-generated steam/photocatalyst/hydrogen, which significantly reduce the interface barrier and drastically lower the transport resistance of the hydrogen gas by nearly two orders of magnitude. In this work, an impressive hydrogen production rate up to 220.74 μmol h −1  cm −2 in the particulate photocatalytic systems has been achieved based on the wood/CoO system, demonstrating that the photothermal–photocatalytic biphase system is cost-effective and greatly advantageous for practical applications. The solar-driven H 2 production from water by particulate photocatalysts is an effective approach to produce H 2 fuel. Here, the authors propose an integrated photothermal–photocatalytic biphase system, which lowers the reaction barrier and the delivery resistance of the H 2 , boosting the catalytic H 2 evolution rate.

Severe carrier recombination and the slow kinetics of water splitting for photocatalysts hamper their efficient application. Herein, we propose a hydrovoltaic effect-enhanced photocatalytic system in which polyacrylic acid (PAA) and cobaltous oxide (CoO)–nitrogen doped carbon (NC) achieve an enhanced hydrovoltaic effect and CoO–NC acts as a photocatalyst to generate H 2 and H 2 O 2 products simultaneously. In this system, called PAA/CoO–NC, the Schottky barrier height between CoO and the NC interface decreases by 33% due to the hydrovoltaic effect. Moreover, the hydrovoltaic effect induced by H + carrier diffusion in the system generates a strong interaction between H + ions and the reaction centers of PAA/CoO–NC, improving the kinetics of water splitting in electron transport and species reaction. PAA/CoO–NC exhibits excellent photocatalytic performance, with H 2 and H 2 O 2 production rates of 48.4 and 20.4 mmol g −1 h −1 , respectively, paving a new way for efficient photocatalyst system construction. The construction of efficient photocatalyst system by utilizing hydrovoltaic technology bring promise but a challenge for photocatalytic water splitting. Here, the authors report a hydrovoltaic effect-enhanced photocatalytic system that shows high efficiency and quick kinetics of water splitting.

Photocatalytic overall water splitting into hydrogen and oxygen is desirable for long-term renewable, sustainable and clean fuel production on earth. Metal sulfides are considered as ideal hydrogen-evolved photocatalysts, but their component homogeneity and typical sulfur instability cause an inert oxygen production, which remains a huge obstacle to overall water-splitting. Here, a distortion-evoked cation-site oxygen doping of ZnIn 2 S 4 (D-O-ZIS) creates significant electronegativity differences between adjacent atomic sites, with S 1 sites being electron-rich and S 2 sites being electron-deficient in the local structure of S 1 –S 2 –O sites. The strong charge redistribution character activates stable oxygen reactions at S 2 sites and avoids the common issue of sulfur instability in metal sulfide photocatalysis, while S 1 sites favor the adsorption/desorption of hydrogen. Consequently, an overall water-splitting reaction has been realized in D-O-ZIS with a remarkable solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency of 0.57%, accompanying a ~ 91% retention rate after 120 h photocatalytic test. In this work, we inspire an universal design from electronegativity differences perspective to activate and stabilize metal sulfide photocatalysts for efficient overall water-splitting. Solving component homogeneity and sulfur instability of metal sulfides is crucial for photocatalytic overall water splitting. Here, the authors develop a distortion evoked cation site oxygen doping to create electronegativity differences between adjacent atom and enhance photocatalytic activity

Encapsulation engineering is an effective strategy to improve the stability of perovskite solar cells. However, current encapsulation materials are not suitable for lead-based devices because of their complex encapsulation processes, poor thermal management, and inefficient lead leakage suppression. In this work, we design a self-crosslinked fluorosilicone polymer gel, achieving nondestructive encapsulation at room temperature. Moreover, the proposed encapsulation strategy effectively promotes heat transfer and mitigates the potential impact of heat accumulation. As a result, the encapsulated devices maintain 98% of the normalized power conversion efficiency after 1000 h in the damp heat test and retain 95% of the normalized efficiency after 220 cycles in the thermal cycling test, satisfying the requirements of the International Electrotechnical Commission 61215 standard. The encapsulated devices also exhibit excellent lead leakage inhibition rates, 99% in the rain test and 98% in the immersion test, owing to excellent glass protection and strong coordination interaction. Our strategy provides a universal and integrated solution for achieving efficient, stable, and sustainable perovskite photovoltaics. Encapsulation engineering is an effective strategy to improve the stability of perovskite solar cells. Here, authors design and synthesize self-crosslinked fluorosilicone polymer gel for nondestructive encapsulation at room temperature, and maintain 98% of efficiency after 1000 h in damp heat test.

Background Problem-solving ability has been identified as a core competence that nursing students should develop, and it plays a vital role in career development. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate factors related to problem-solving ability and the path relationships among those factors in the context of nursing students. Objective This study aims to identify the factors that affect problem-solving ability, and to investigate path relationships of self-directed learning ability, critical thinking ability, learning engagement, and problem-solving ability among nursing students. Design A cross-sectional study. Settings The Department of Nursing at a university located in Shanghai, China. Sample A total of 540 nursing students with a three-year education program were enrolled in the current study. Methods Data were collected by using a structured questionnaire, including general information, learning engagement, self-directed learning ability, critical thinking ability, and problem-solving ability of nursing students. Pearson’s correlations were used to explore the relationships between learning engagement, self-directed learning ability, critical thinking ability, and problem-solving ability. The path relationships were analyzed by constructing a structural equation model using AMOS software. Results Our results showed that learning engagement, self-directed learning ability, and critical thinking ability were positively associated with problem-solving ability. Furthermore, learning engagement did not influence problem-solving ability directly, but it affected problem-solving ability indirectly via self-directed learning ability and critical thinking ability among nursing students. Additionally, the total effects of self-directed learning (0.442) and critical thinking ability (0.581) were more prominent than learning engagement (0.361) on problem-solving ability. Conclusions To improve the problem-solving ability of nursing students, nursing educators should develop targeted strategies to enhance learning engagement, self-directed learning ability, and critical thinking ability.

As a fundamental electrostatic limit, space charge limit (SCL) for photocurrent is a universal phenomenon and of paramount importance for organic semiconductors with unbalanced photocarriers mobility and high exciton generation. Here we proposed a new plasmonic-electrical concept to manipulate electrical properties of organic devices including photocarriers recombination, transport and collection. As a proof-of-concept, organic solar cells (OSCs) comprising metallic planar and grating electrodes are systematically investigated with normal and inverted device structures. Interestingly, although strong plasmonic resonances induce abnormally dense photocarriers around a grating anode, the grating-inverted OSC is exempt from space charge accumulation (limit) and degradation of electrical properties in contrast to the planar-inverted and planar-normal ones. The particular reason is that plasmonically induced photocarriers redistribution shortens the transport path of low-mobility holes, which are collected by the grating anode. The work demonstrated and explained the SCL breaking with the plasmonic-electrical effect. Most importantly, the plasmonic-electrical concept will open up a new way to manipulate both optical and electrical properties of semiconductor devices simultaneously.

Palm leaf manuscripts, which are crucial carriers of historical, religious, scientific, and artistic information in East and Southeast Asia, specifically encapsulate significant aspects of Buddhist culture and thus require comprehensive research and preservation efforts. The base material of palm leaf manuscripts is processed palm leaves, which are hygroscopic and profoundly affected by environmental humidity. Currently, there is a research gap regarding the impact of traditional processing crafts and natural aging on the hygroscopicity of palm leaf manuscripts. Utilizing dynamic water vapor sorption (DVS), the hygroscopic properties of palm leaves from various years were assessed before and after traditional processing in Yunnan Province, China. The results show that traditional processing slightly increases the equilibrium moisture content (EMC) in environments with 0 to 60% relative humidity (RH), but significantly lowers EMC in high humidity environments, with reductions up to 19.01%. Additionally, hysteresis doubled post-processing, indicating enhanced stability under fluctuating humidity conditions. Sorption models suggest that traditional processing increases the number of adsorption sites while reducing physical adsorption or capillary condensation. FT-IR (Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy) analysis indicates that the relative contents of cellulose and hemicellulose were reduced by 39.90% and 3.97%, respectively. Degradation occurring in both the crystalline and amorphous regions of cellulose. After natural aging, the hygroscopicity of processed palm leaves improved across the entire humidity range of 0 to 95%, and there was a slight increase in hysteresis. This is due to the increase in both adsorption sites and physical adsorption capabilities. FT-IR results also indicate that the relative contents of cellulose and hemicellulose were decreased by 57.52% and 19.83% after nature aging, respectively. These findings confirm that traditional processing improves the writability and humidity resilience of the leaves, while natural aging enhances their overall hygroscopic properties. This research contributes to our understanding of how humidity damages palm leaf manuscripts. aids in determining optimal RH ranges for storage, and assesses the effectiveness of consolidation treatments in their long–term preservation.

Removing unwanted materials, such as organic coatings and soil, from the cultural relic surface is a complex and significant task in the field of cultural heritage conservation. Microemulsion-loaded gel can effectively and safely remove those organic coatings and soil. Here, we employed a simple solvent exchange strategy to prepare a microemulsion-loaded polyvinyl alcohol/polyethyleneimine (PVA/PEI) hydrogel. First, PVA and PEI were dissolved into DMSO to form a gel. Then, the gel was immersed into a microemulsion composed of water, ethyl acetate, propylene carbonate, sodium dodecyl sulfate, and 1-pentanol to exchange DMSO. Microemulsion-loaded PVA/PEI hydrogel can be synthesized by completely substituting DMSO. To investigate the microstructure, rheological properties, and mechanical properties of the gel, scanning electron microscopy, a rheometer, and a universal testing machine were used, respectively. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) analysis was conducted to explore the synthesis mechanism and confirm the successful loading of microemulsion within the microemulsion-loaded PVA/PEI hydrogel. Furthermore, FT-IR, a depth-of-field microscope, and a glossmeter were utilized to evaluate the cleaning efficiency of the microemulsion-loaded PVA/PEI hydrogel for removing animal glue and soil from the surfaces of cultural relics. Moreover, an X-ray fluorescence spectrometer was used to analyze the element component of the ancient coin. The application results showed that the microemulsion-loaded PVA/PEI hydrogel can effectively remove animal glue from an ancient wall painting surface. Moreover, it is capable of removing soil from an ancient coin surface as well, which helped to confirm the age of the coin. This offers a novel method to prepare microemulsion-loaded hydrogel and demonstrates great potential in the cleaning for cultural heritage.

In the realm of photovoltaics, organometallic hybridized perovskite solar cells (PSCs) stand out as promising contenders for achieving high‐efficiency photoelectric conversion, owing to their remarkable performance attributes. Nevertheless, defects within the perovskite layer, especially at the perovskite grain boundaries and surface, have a substantial impact on both the overall photoelectric performance and long‐term operational stability of PSCs. To mitigate this challenge, we propose a method for water‐induced condensation polymerization of small molecules involving the incorporation of 1,3‐phenylene diisocyanate (1,3‐PDI) into the perovskite film using an antisolvent technique. Subsequent to this step, the introduction of water triggers the polymerization of [P(1,3‐PDI)], thereby facilitating the in situ passivation of uncoordinated lead defects inherent in the perovskite film. This passivation process demonstrates a notable enhancement in both the efficiency and stability of PSCs. This approach has led to the attainment of a noteworthy power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 24.66% in inverted PSCs. Furthermore, based on the P(1,3‐PDI) modification, these devices maintain 90.15% of their initial efficiency after 5000 h of storage under ambient conditions of 25°C and 50 ± 5% relative humidity. Additionally, even after maximum power point tracking for 1000 h, the PSCs modified with P(1,3‐PDI) sustain 82.05% of the initial PCE. Small molecules can rationally manipulate water and turn harm into benefit, providing new directions and methods for improving the efficiency and stability of PSCs. Antisolvent technology incorporates 1,3‐phenylene diisocyanate (1,3‐PDI) into perovskite films. Water‐induced polymerization of 1,3‐PDI leads to in situ passivation of uncoordinated lead defects, significantly improving efficiency and stability. This approach achieves a PCE of 24.66% and high operational stability in the inverted PSCs.

The research of innovative materials on the conservation of ancient wall paintings has given rise to increased attention in recent years. One of the most used synthetic organic consolidation material for the wall paintings is the commercial acrylic resin Paraloid B72 (PB 72), which encounters problems of the use of toxic solvents, low water vapor transmission, and poor penetration. Here, the non-toxic, environment-friendly product poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) (PEOX) has been demonstrated as a great potential consolidant for wall paintings to solve these issues. First of all, thanks to the better penetration ability, the simulating plaster sample treated with PEOX shows greater enhanced surface hardness than PB 72. The single-lap joint shear strength test and the scotch tape test revealed the good adhesion of PEOX on inorganic surfaces and effective pigment consolidation. At the same time, the PEOX-treated sample presents less surface gloss. The hydrophilic nature of PEOX merits itself with superior water vapor permeability compared with PB 72. These advantages enable PEOX to be a progressive choice to replace the use of PB 72 in the controlled indoor working environment.