High-efficiency inverted polymer solar cells based on PCDTBT:PC(70)BM blend with the MoO(3)-Al composite film as the cathode buffer layer and the MoO(3)/Al as the anode have been demonstrated. A V(OC) of 0.88 V, a J(SC) of 10.88 mA cm(-2), a FF of 70.7% and a PCE of 6.77% are achieved. The MoO(3)-Al composite films are highly transparent with adjustable work functions which can be fine tuned based on the Al content in the composite, thus allowing us to optimize the interfacial property at cathode buffer layer/BHJ interfaces to reduce recombination loss and to improve the photovoltaic performance. This new approach has simplified the device fabrication and will render economizing in large scale applications.

Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) has emerged as an active visible-light-driven photo(electro)catalyst. However,} the rediscovery of g-C3N4 has also spurred enormous interest in other{,} very versatile applications beyond catalysis. Herein{, graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets could be used as photocatalytic initiators and cross-linking sites for the temperature responsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) hydrogel without any sacrificial agents or co-initiators. A prototype of a temperature controlled smart window based on the hydrogel composite was made by coating the hydrogel composite onto glass. It is believed that the combination of g-C3N4 chemistry and conventional hydrogel or polymer chemistry can lead to further promising applications

Mesoporous silicas with various morphologies and structures were synthesized with the aid of 2,2,4-trimethylpentane (TMP) in the presence of nonionic surfactant P123 [(EO)20(PO)70(EO)20] as a structure-directing agent under mild reaction conditions (HAc-NaAc buffer solution, pH 4.4). The ropelike particles formed by end-to-end interconnected nanorods were obtained at a TMP/P123 weight ratio of 0.5. It is noteworthy to mention that the mesoporous nanorods have channels running parallel to the short axis. The silica hollow spheres can be obtained at a higher TMP/P123 weight ratio because of the fusion of the primary nanorods around the interface of the O/W emulsion. Initial synthesis temperatures of 15, 25, and 40 degrees C can lead to mesoporous silicas with highly ordered 2D hexagonal mesostructure, vesicular mesostructure, and mesostructured cellular foams (MCF), respectively. The mesoporous silicas exhibit high adsorption capacity (up to 536 mg g(-1)) and very rapid (<5 min to reach equilibrium) lysozyme immobilization. More importantly, it is revealed that mesoporous silica hollow spheres with rugged surfaces can greatly accelerate the adsorption rate of the enzyme during the adsorption process.

Design of multicomponent yolk-shell structures is crucial for the fabrication of micro/nanoreactors for a variety of applications. This work reports the rational design and synthesis of yolk-shell-structured submicroreactors with loaded metal nanoparticles into ZnO-microporous carbon core-shell structures. The solvothermal treatment and carbonization process of uniform zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8)@resin polymer core-shell structures leads to the generation of yolk-shell-structured ZnO@carbon. The synthesis conditions are optimized to track the evolution of ZIF-8 in a confined space of resin polymer as a submicroreactor itself. It is found that nanoribbon evolution occurs via the formation of the intermediate needle-like particles. The Pd&ZnO@carbon submicroreactor is shown to be a highly selective catalyst (selectivity >99%) for hydrogenation of phenylacetylene to phenylethylene. The excellent performance of Pd&ZnO@carbon particles is evidenced by higher conversion and selectivity than that of Pd/ZnO and Pd/C with similar Pd loading. Furthermore, Pd&ZnO@carbon submicroreactors show superior catalytic stability, and no deactivation after 25 h of reaction. The proposed strategy is promising for the design of multifunctional micro/nanoreactors or nanocontainers for construction of artificial cells.

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

Scientific interpretation of the relationships between urban landscape patterns and water quality is important for sustainable urban planning and watershed environmental protection. This study applied the ordinary least squares regression model and the geographically weighted regression model to examine the spatially varying relationships between 12 explanatory variables (including three topographical factors, four land use parameters, and five landscape metrics) and 15 water quality indicators in watersheds of Yundang Lake, Maluan Bay, and Xinglin Bay with varying levels of urbanization in Xiamen City, China. A local and global investigation was carried out at the watershed-level, with 50 and 200 m riparian buffer scales. This study found that topographical features and landscape metrics are the dominant factors of water quality, while land uses are too weak to be considered as a strong influential factor on water quality. Such statistical results may be related with the characteristics of land use compositions in our study area. Water quality variations in the 50 m buffer were dominated by topographical variables. The impact of landscape metrics on water quality gradually strengthen with expanding buffer zones. The strongest relationships are obtained in entire watersheds, rather than in 50 and 200 m buffer zones. Spatially varying relationships and effective buffer zones were verified in this study. Spatially varying relationships between explanatory variables and water quality parameters are more diversified and complex in less urbanized areas than in highly urbanized areas. This study hypothesizes that all these varying relationships may be attributed to the heterogeneity of landscape patterns in different urban regions. Adjustment of landscape patterns in an entire watershed should be the key measure to successfully improving urban lake water quality.