Triplet materials have been employed to achieve high-performing organic solar cells (OSCs) by extending the exciton lifetime and diffusion distances, while the triplet non-fullerene acceptor materials have never been reported for bulk heterojunction OSCs. Herein, for the first time, three triplet molecular acceptors based on tellurophene with different degrees of ring fusing were designed and synthesized for OSCs. Significantly, these molecules have long exciton lifetime and diffusion lengths, leading to efficient power conversion efficiency (7.52 %), which is the highest value for tellurophene-based OSCs. The influence of the extent of ring fusing on molecular geometry and OSCs performance was investigated to show the power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) continuously increased along with increasing the extent of ring fusing.

Three acceptor–acceptor (A–A) type conjugated polymers based on isoindigo and naphthalene diimide/perylene diimide are designed and synthesized to study the effects of building blocks and alkyl chains on the polymer properties and performance of all‐polymer photoresponse devices. Variation of the building blocks and alkyl chains can influence the thermal, optical, and electrochemical properties of the polymers, as indicated by thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, UV–vis, cyclic voltammetry, and density functional theory calculations. Based on the A–A type conjugated polymers, the most efficient all‐polymer photovoltaic cells are achieved with an efficiency of 2.68%, and the first all‐polymer photodetectors are constructed with high responsivity (0.12 A W−1) and detectivity (1.2 × 1012 Jones), comparable to those of the best fullerene based organic photodetectors and inorganic photodetectors. Photoluminescence spectra, charge transport properties, and morphology of blend films are investigated to elucidate the influence of polymeric structures on device performances. This contribution demonstrates a strategy of systematically tuning the polymeric structures to achieve high performance all‐polymer photoresponse devices.

An efficient hole extraction layer (HEL) is critical to achieve high-performance organic solar cells (OSCs). In this study, we developed a pinhole-free and efficient HEL based on MoS quantum dots (QDs) combined with UV-ozone (UVO) treatment. The optophysical properties and morphology of MoS QDs and their photovoltaic performance are investigated. The results showed that MoS QDs can form homogeneous films and can be applied as an interfacial layer not only for donors with shallow highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) but also for those with deep HOMO energy levels after UVO treatment (O-MoS QDs). The solar cells based on O-MoS QDs yield a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 8.66%, which is 71% and 12% higher than those of the OSCs with pristine MoS QD and O-MoS nanosheets, respectively, and the highest PCEs for OSCs containing MoS materials. Furthermore, the stability of solar cells based on MoS QDs is greatly improved in comparison with state-of-the-art PEDOT:PSS. These results demonstrate the great potential of O-MoS QDs as an efficient HEL for high-performance OSCs.

Noncovalent conformational locks are broadly employed to construct highly planar π-conjugated semiconductors exhibiting substantial charge transport characteristics. However, current chalcogen-based conformational lock strategies for organic semiconductors are limited to S···X (X = O, N, halide) weak interactions. An easily accessible (minimal synthetic steps) and structurally planar selenophene-based building block, 1,2-diethoxy-1,2-bisselenylvinylene (DESVS), with novel Se···O noncovalent conformational locks is designed and synthesized. DESVS unique properties are supported by density functional theory computed electronic structures, single crystal structures, and experimental lattice cohesion metrics. Based on this building block, a new class of stable, structurally planar, and solution-processable conjugated polymers are synthesized and implemented in organic thin-film transistors (TFT) and organic photovoltaic (OPV) cells. DESVS-based polymers exhibit carrier mobilities in air as high as 1.49 cm V s (p-type) and 0.65 cm V s (n-type) in TFTs, and power conversion efficiency >5% in OPV cells.

Self-healing hydrogels have been studied by many researchers via multiple cross-linking approaches including physical and chemical interactions. It is an interesting project in multifunctional hydrogel exploration that a water soluble polymer matrix is cross-linked by combining the ionic coordination and the multiple hydrogen bonds to fabricate self-healing hydrogels with injectable property. This study introduces a general procedure of preparing the hydrogels (termed gelatin-UPy-Fe) cross-linked by both ionic coordination of Fe and carboxyl group from the gelatin and the quadruple hydrogen bonding interaction from the ureido-pyrimidinone (UPy) dimers. The gelatin-UPy-Fe hydrogels possess an excellent self-healing property. The effects of the ionic coordination of Fe and quadruple hydrogen bonding of UPy on the formation and mechanical behavior of the prepared hydrogels are investigated. In vitro drug release of the gelatin-UPy-Fe hydrogels is also observed, giving an intriguing glimpse into possible biological applications.

No abstract

Figure 8. a) PA signals intensity and b) PA images of BTA NPs with different concentrations (from 13.55 to 162.98 µg mL −1 ). 8 of 8) www.advancedsciencenews.com (

Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. We aimed to elucidate the 30-year epidemiology of CAVD globally. Global CAVD incidence, prevalence, and deaths increased 3.51-, 4.43-, and 1.38-fold from 1990 to 2019, respectively, without any decreasing trends, even after age standardization. In 2019, Slovenia had the highest age-standardized rate (ASR) of CAVD incidence (62.21/100,000 persons) and prevalence (1,080.06/100,000) whereas Cyprus had the highest ASR of deaths (8.20/100,000). Population aging was an important contributor to incidence. Compared with women, more men had CAVD and men had earlier peaks in disease prevalence. High systolic blood pressure, diet high in sodium, and lead exposure were the main risk factors for deaths owing to CAVD. The estimated annual percentage change, a measure to estimate the variation of ASR, was significantly associated with the ASR and sociodemographic index (SDI) in 2019 for incidence and prevalence across all 204 countries and territories (all p<0.0001). With increased lifespan and risk factors, the overall burden of CAVD is high and remains on the rise, with differences by sex, age, and SDI level. Our findings serve to sound the alarm for organizations, institutions, and resources whose primary purpose is to improve human health.