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In order to achieve a wider organic light-emitting diode (OLED) commercial popularity, solution processing inverted polymer light-emitting diode (iPLED) is a trend for further development, but there is still a gap for solution processing devices to achieve commercialization. The improvement of the performance iPLEDs is a research topic of intense current interest. The modification of the cathode interface layer of poly[(9,9-bis(3′-( N , N -dimethylamino)propyl)-2,7-fluorene)-alt-2,7-(9,9-dioctylfluorene)] (PF-NR 2 ) can greatly improve the performance of the devices. However, the electron transportation of the cathode interface layer of PF-NR 2 films is currently poor, and there is substantial interest in improving its electron transportation to further enhance the performance of organic optoelectronic devices. In this paper, gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) with a particle size of 20 nm were prepared and doped into the interface layer PF-NR 2 at a specified ratio. The electron transportation of the interface layer of PF-NR 2 was greatly improved, as judged by conductive atomic force microscopy measurements, which is due to the excellent conductivity of Au NPs. Herein, we demonstrate improved electron transportation of the interface layer by doping Au NPs in PF-NR 2 film, which provides important and practical theoretical guidance and technical support for the preparation of high performance organic optoelectronic devices.

Staphylococcus aureus ( S. aureus ), a bacterium that causes staphylococcal food poisoning, is a Gram-positive human pathogen commonly found in the environment, as well as in the nose and on the skin of humans. Conventional detection methods for this bacterium involve bacterial counting and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which are constrained by slow processing times and expensive equipment. This study reveals a promising functionalization of gold-interdigitated single-wave-shaped electrodes (Au-ISWE) with a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) to detect S. aureus with enhanced selectivity, label-free detection, cost-effectiveness, and rapid response. The Au-ISWE bioactive surface consisting of a Cr/Au-featured SiO 2 substrate was fabricated using a SAM of 6-mercaptohexanoic acid (MHA) to form 6-MHA/EDC-NHS/anti- S. aureus antibodies. The anti- S. aureus antibodies were immobilized on the surface of the ISWE using layer-by-layer interface self-assembly chemistry. Under optimal conditions, this sensing platform was electrochemically characterized, and its limit of detection (LOD) was measured using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The results of this analytical study demonstrate that this platform provides the desired electromechanical microelectrodes for anti- S. aureus antibody immobilization, which exhibits amplified impedance, enabling a wide detection range (10 to 10 6  CFU mL −1 ), a low LOD (10 CFU mL −1 ) within 30 min of response time, good linearity, and high sensitivity. Remarkably, the developed sensor showed a selectivity against different bacteria including B. cereus (Gram-positive bacteria) and E. coli (Gram-negative bacteria). Additionally, it exhibited a stable performance for 21 days at 4 °C, as confirmed by a stability test (approximately 97.3% of its activity retained). Finally, the results obtained using this sensing platform outperformed compared with those obtained using the standard PCR method.

The study elucidates the potential benefits of incorporating a BiI 3 interfacial layer into perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Using MAPbI 3 and MAGeI 3 as active layers, complemented by the robust TiO 2 and Spiro-OMeTAD as the charge-transport-layers, we employed the SCAPS-1D simulation tool for our investigations. Remarkably, the introduction of the BiI 3 layer at the perovskite-HTL interface significantly enhanced hole extraction and effectively passivated defects. This approach minimized charge recombination and ion migration towards opposite electrodes, thus elevating device performance relative to conventional configurations. The efficiency witnessed a rise from 19.28 to 20.30% for MAPbI 3 and from 11.90 to 15.57% for MAGeI 3 . Additionally, MAGeI 3 based PSCs saw an improved fill-factor from 50.36 to 62.85%, and a better J sc from 13.22 to 14.2 mA/cm 2 , signifying reduced recombination and improved charge extraction. The FF for MAPbI 3 based PSCs saw a minor decline, while the V oc slightly ascended from 1.24 to 1.25 V and J sc from 20.01 to 21.6 mA/cm 2 . A thorough evaluation of layer thickness, doping, and temperature further highlighted the critical role of the BiI 3 layer for both perovskite variants. Our examination of bandgap alignments in devices with the BiI 3 interfacial layer also offers valuable understanding into the mechanisms fueling the observed improvements.

Modern communication systems call for high performance electromagnetic wave absorption materials capable of mitigating microwaves over a wide frequency band. The synergistic effect of structure and component regulation on the electromagnetic wave absorption capacity of materials is considered. In this paper, a new type of three-dimensional porous carbon matrix composite is reported utilizing a reasonable design of surface impedance matching. Specifically, a thin layer of densely arranged Fe-Cr oxide particles is deposited on the surface of porous carbon via thermal reduction to prepare the Fe-Cr-O@PC composites. The effect of Cr doping on the electromagnetic wave absorption performance of the composites and the underlying attenuation mechanism have been uncovered. Consequently, outstanding electromagnetic wave absorption performance has been achieved in the composite, primarily contributed by the enhanced dielectric loss upon Cr doping. Accordingly, an effective absorption bandwidth of 4.08 GHz is achieved at a thickness of 1.4 mm, with a minimum reflection loss value of −52.71 dB. This work not only provides inspiration for the development of novel absorbers with superior performance but also holds significant potential for further advancement and practical application.

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs), the favorite of next-generation energy storage devices, are popular among researchers owing to their environmental friendliness, low cost, and safety. However, AZIBs still face problems of low cathode capacity, fast attenuation, slow ion migration rate, and irregular dendrite growth on anodes. In recent years, many researchers have focused on Zn anode modification to restrain dendrite growth. This review introduces the energy storage mechanism and current challenges of AZIBs, and then some modifying strategies for zinc anodes are elucidated from the perspectives of experiments and theoretical calculations. From the experimental point of view, the modification strategy is mainly to construct a dense artificial interface layer or porous framework on the anode surface, with some research teams directly using zinc alloys as anodes. On the other hand, theoretical research is mainly based on adsorption energy, differential charge density, and molecular dynamics. Finally, this paper summarizes the research progress on AZIBs and puts forward some prospects.

This work studies solutions to determine the macro-elastic moduli of three-phase composite materials with imperfect interfaces in 2D. Which is based on the coated circular assemblage model of Hashin-Strikman and the polarization approximation method (PA) to develop the formulae for elastic moduli of circle inclusions with spring-layer and surface-stress imperfect interfaces. From that, explicit algebraic expressions were obtained to estimate the elastic moduli of three-phase composites with imperfect interfaces, in which two phases are different with circular inclusions distributed randomly in the matrix. Besides, the FFT algorithm and the differential approximation (DA) are also developed to determine the elastic moduli of the three-phase composite with imperfect interfaces. The results of the FFT numerical methods will be compared with the DA and PA results with different material cases to show the effectiveness of the applied methods.

HighlightsHighly performed perovskite solar cells are achieved via introducing organic–inorganic CL–NH complex as multifunctional interfacial layer.CL–NH complex not only reduces oxygen vacancies on the surface of SnO2 but also regulates film crystallization, resulting in a superior device efficiency of 23.69%.The resulting device performs excellent stability with 91.5% initial power conversion efficiency retained after 500 h light illumination. For the further improvement of the power conversion efficiency (PCE) and stability of perovskite solar cells (PSCs), the buried interface between the perovskite and the electron transport layer is crucial. However, it is challenging to effectively optimize this interface as it is buried beneath the perovskite film. Herein, we have designed and synthesized a series of multifunctional organic–inorganic (OI) complexes as buried interfacial material to promote electron extraction, as well as the crystal growth of the perovskite. The OI complex with BF4− group not only eliminates oxygen vacancies on the SnO2 surface but also balances energy level alignment between SnO2 and perovskite, providing a favorable environment for charge carrier extraction. Moreover, OI complex with amine (− NH2) functional group can regulate the crystallization of the perovskite film via interaction with PbI2, resulting in highly crystallized perovskite film with large grains and low defect density. Consequently, with rational molecular design, the PSCs with optimal OI complex buried interface layer which contains both BF4− and −NH2 functional groups yield a champion device efficiency of 23.69%. More importantly, the resulting unencapsulated device performs excellent ambient stability, maintaining over 90% of its initial efficiency after 2000 h storage, and excellent light stability of 91.5% remaining PCE in the maximum power point tracking measurement (under continuous 100 mW cm−2 light illumination in N2 atmosphere) after 500 h.

The practical application of AZIBs is hindered by problems such as dendrites and hydrogen evolution reactions caused by the thermodynamic instability of Zinc (Zn) metal. Modification of the Zn surface through interface engineering can effectively solve the above problems. Here, sulfonate‐derivatized graphene–boronene nanosheets (G&B‐S) composite interfacial layer is prepared to modulate the Zn plating/stripping and mitigates the side reactions with electrolyte through a simple and green electroplating method. Thanks to the electronegativity of the sulfonate groups, the G&B‐S interface promotes a dendrite‐free deposition behavior through a fast desolvation process and a uniform interfacial electric field mitigating the tip effect. Theoretical calculations and QCM‐D experiments confirmed the fast dynamic mechanism and excellent mechanical properties of the G&B‐S interfacial layer. By coupling the dynamics‐mechanics action, the G&B‐S@Zn symmetric battery is cycled for a long‐term of 1900 h at a high current density of 5 mA cm−2, with a low overpotential of ≈30 mV. Furthermore, when coupled with the LMO cathode, the LMO//G&B‐S@Zn cell also exhibits excellent performance, indicating the durability of the G&B‐S@Zn anode. Accordingly, this novel multifunctional interfacial layer offers a promising approach to significantly enhance the electrochemical performance of AZIBs. A simple and green electroplating method is employed to prepare the G&B‐S composite interfacial layer, regulating the Zn plating/stripping and mitigating the side reactions. Based on the dynamics‐mechanics coupling action, the G&B‐S@Zn symmetric battery can achieve long‐term cycling stability of 1900 h at 5 mA cm−2 with a small overpotential of ≈30 mV.

The interaction of MgO–MgAl 2 O 4 -based and MgO–Cr 2 O 3 -based refractories with X70 molten steel was studied by immersion experiments at 1560 °C. The effects of immersion time (30 and 60 min) on the contents of total oxygen (TO), Al, Nb, Si, Mn, and Cr as well as the composition, number density, and size distribution of inclusions in the molten steel were investigated. The influence of the penetration and erosion degree of the molten steel to the refractory on the steel–refractory interface layer was analyzed. The results show that, at 1560 °C, the MgO–MgAl 2 O 4 -based refractory can better control the contents of TO and the composition of molten steel compared with the MgO–Cr 2 O 3 -based refractory. The TO content is only 16 × 10 −4 wt.% in the molten steel after reacted with the MgO–MgAl 2 O 4 -based refractory at the end point of refining, accounting for 11.5% of that reacted with the MgO–Cr 2 O 3 -based refractory (139 × 10 −4 wt.%). The number density of inclusions is only 14 mm −2 , and the average size of inclusions is only 1.31 μm, with the largest proportion of inclusions in 1–2 μm (70%). The Al 2 O 3 –MnS–CaO complex inclusions in the original steel changed to complex inclusions dominated by Cr–Nb–Mn–S–O and MgO·Al 2 O 3 , corresponding to the MgO–Cr 2 O 3 -based and MgO–MgAl 2 O 4 -based refractories, respectively. The MgO·Al 2 O 3 layer was formed at the reaction interface between MgO–MgAl 2 O 4 -based refractory and molten steel, which is helpful to restrict the erosion of refractories and the pollution of molten steel. The damage mechanism of the MgO–Cr 2 O 3 -based refractory is mainly permeation and chemical reaction, while the damage of the MgO–MgAl 2 O 4 -based refractory is mainly scouring erosion.

The practical application of aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) is limited by the growth of dendrite during cycling. How to rationally design and construct an efficient artificial interface layer by selecting suitable building units to control the dendrite growth is still a challenge. Herein, a porous boron nitride nanofibers (BNNFs) artificial interface layer was constructed, and its working mechanisms were revealed by both experiments (electrochemical characterization and in-situ optical microscope) and theoretical calculations (density functional theory (DFT) and finite element simulation). The insulated BNNFs layer leads to position-selected electroplating between BNNFs layer and Zn foil. The unique negatively charged surface and porosity of BNNFs contribute to the self-concentrating and pumping features of Zn ions, thus suppressing the concentration polarization on the Zn surface. Additionally, densely arranged porous BNNFs have a shunt effect on Zn ions diffusion, resulting in uniform distributions of Zn ions and electric field. The introduced BNNFs layer not only makes Zn deposition uniform but also restrains the dendrite growth, therefore the Zn+BNNFs symmetric cells perform ultralong stable cycling for 1,600 h at 1 mA·cm −2 and more than 500 h at 10 mA·cm −2 . Moreover, Zn+BNNFs‖CNT/MnO 2 battery presents a high initial capacity of 293.6mAh·g −1 and an excellent retention rate of 97.6% at 1 A·g −1 after 400 cycles, while Zn ‖ CNT/MnO 2 battery only maintains 37.1% discharge capacity. This artificial interface layer with negatively charged BNNFs exhibits excellent dendrite-inhibit and may have enormous prospects in other metal batteries.