Optically transparent photodetectors are crucial in next-generation optoelectronic applications including smart windows and transparent image sensors. Designing photodetectors with high transparency, photoresponsivity, and robust mechanical flexibility remains a significant challenge, as is managing the inevitable trade-off between high transparency and strong photoresponse. Here we report a scalable method to produce flexible crystalline Si nanostructured wire (NW) networks fabricated from silicon-on-insulator (SOI) with seamless junctions and highly responsive porous Si segments that combine to deliver exceptional performance. These networks show high transparency (∼92% at 550 nm), broadband photodetection (350 to 950 nm) with excellent responsivity (25 A/W), optical response time (0.58 ms), and mechanical flexibility (1000 cycles). Temperature-dependent photocurrent measurements indicate the presence of localized electronic states in the porous Si segments, which play a crucial role in light harvesting and photocarrier generation. The scalable low-cost approach based on SOI has the potential to deliver new classes of flexible optoelectronic devices, including next-generation photodetectors and solar cells.
Raman spectroscopy is an indispensable tool in the analysis
of
microplastics smaller than 20 μm. However, due to its limitation,
Raman spectroscopy may be incapable of effectively distinguishing
microplastics from micro additive particles. To validate this hypothesis,
we characterized and compared the Raman spectra of six typical slip
additives with polyethylene and found that their hit quality index
values (0.93–0.96) are much higher than the accepted threshold
value (0.70) used to identify microplastics. To prevent this interference,
a new protocol involving an alcohol treatment step was introduced
to successfully eliminate additive particles and accurately identify
microplastics. Tests using the new protocol showed that three typical
plastic products (polyethylene pellets, polyethylene bottle caps,
and polypropylene food containers) can simultaneously release microplastic-like
additive particles and microplastics regardless of the plastic type,
daily-use scenario, or service duration. Micro additive particles
can also adsorb onto and modify the surfaces of microplastics in a
manner that may potentially increase their health risks. This study
not only reveals the hidden problem associated with the substantial
interference of additive particles in microplastic detection but also
provides a cost-effective method to eliminate this interference and
a rigorous basis to quantify the risks associated with microplastic
exposure.
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