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Non‐fullerene acceptors are currently a hot research area in the development of organic solar cells (OSCs). At present, the‐state‐of‐the‐art power conversion efficiency (PCE) of non‐fullerene organic solar cells (NF‐OSCs) with single and multiple‐junction has surpassed 18% and 19%, respectively. The cathode interlayer (CIL) plays a significant role in the improvement of PCE and the stability of OSCs. Recently, a large number of CIL materials have been employed in OSCs. This review summarizes the recent progress of CIL materials and systematically describes their impact on the device efficiency and stability in single‐junction NF‐OSCs. Firstly, the functions, key requirements, and distinctive features of CILs when used in NF‐OSCs are summarized. Afterward, some big families of materials including metal oxides, metal salts/complexes, small molecules, polymers, composites/hybrids are presented as CIL for NF‐OSCs. Finally, the scale‐up techniques, conclusion, and future challenges regarding CIL in NF‐OSCs are elucidated.

Exhibiting outstanding optoelectronic properties, antimony selenide (Sb 2 Se 3 ) has attracted considerable interest and has been developed as a light absorber layer for thin-film solar cells over the decade. However, current state-of-theart Sb 2 Se 3 devices suffer from unsatisfactory "cliff-like" band alignment and severe interface recombination loss, which deteriorates device performance. In this study, the heterojunction interface of an Sb 2 Se 3 solar cell is improved by introducing effective aluminum (Al 3+ ) cation into the CdS buffer layer. Then, the energy band alignment of Sb 2 Se 3 /CdS:Al heterojunction is modified from a "cliff-like" structure to a "spike-like" structure. Finally, heterojunction interface engineering suppresses recombination losses and strengthens carrier transport, resulting in a high efficiency of 8.41% for the substrate-structured Sb 2 Se 3 solar cell. This study proposes a facile strategy for interfacial treatment and elucidates the related carrier transport enhancement mechanism, paving a bright avenue to overcome the efficiency bottleneck of Sb 2 Se 3 thin-film solar cells.

The existence of various detrimental defects inside the absorber layer is a major obstacle limiting the performance of kesterite Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 (CZTSSe) thin-film solar cells. Cationic substitution is a viable strategy...

Visible light-driven Ag 2 S-grafted NiO–ZnO ternary nanocomposites are synthesized using a facile and cost-effective homogeneous precipitation method. The structural, morphological, and optical properties were extensively studied, confirming the formation of ternary nanocomposites. The surface area of the synthesized nanocomposites was calculated by electrochemical double-layer capacitance ( C dl ). Ternary Ag 2 S/NiO–ZnO nanocomposites showed excellent visible light photocatalytic property which increases further with the concentration of Ag 2 S. The maximum photocatalytic activity was shown by 8% Ag 2 S/NiO–ZnO with a RhB degradation efficiency of 95%. Hydroxyl and superoxide radicals were found to be dominant species for photodegradation of RhB, confirmed by scavenging experiments. It is noteworthy that the recycling experiments demonstrated high stability and recyclable nature of the photocatalyst. Moreover, the electrochemical results indicated that the prepared nanocomposite exhibits remarkable activity toward detection of acetone. The fabricated nanocomposite sensor showed high sensitivity (4.0764 μA mmol L –1 cm –2 ) and a lower detection limit (0.06 mmol L –1 ) for the detection of acetone. The enhanced photocatalytic and the sensing property of Ag 2 S/NiO–ZnO can be attributed to the synergistic effects of strong visible light absorption, excellent charge separation, and remarkable surface properties.

The cathode interlayer plays a key role in the photovoltaic performance in organic solar cells.

Sb2Se3, one of the most desirable absorption materials for next-generation thin-film solar cells, has an excellent photovoltaic characteristic. The [hk1]-oriented (quasi-vertically oriented) Sb2Se3 thin film is more beneficial for promoting efficient carrier transport than the [hk0]-oriented Sb2Se3 thin film. Controlling thin-film orientation remains the main obstacle to the further improvement in the efficiency of Sb2Se3-based solar cells. In this work, the controlled [hk0] or [hk1] orientation of the Sb2Se3 precursor is readily adjusted by tuning the substrate temperature and the distance between the source and the sample in close-space sublimation (CSS). Well-crystallized stoichiometric Sb2Se3 thin films with the desired orientation and large crystal grains are successfully prepared after selenization. Sb2Se3 thin-film solar cells in a substrate configuration of glass/Mo/Sb2Se3/CdS/ITO/Ag are fabricated with a power conversion efficiency of 4.86% with a record open-circuit voltage (V OC) of 509 mV. The significant improvement in V OC is closely related to the quasi-vertically oriented Sb2Se3 absorber layer with reduced deep-level defect density in the bulk and defect passivation at the Sb2Se3/CdS heterojunction. This work indicates that CSS and selenization show a remarkable potential for the fabrication of high-efficiency Sb2Se3 solar cells.

The acute effect of alloxan on the incorporation of 14C-leucine into isolated rat islets of Langerhans was studied. I.v. administration of alloxan (40 mg/kg body weight) in rats inhibited the subsequent in vitro incorporation of 14C-leucine into (pro-)insulin in the isolated islets. Glucose (750 mg/kg body weight), when administered 5 min prior to alloxan, completely protected the islets against alloxan toxicity. The protective effect of glucose was partly reversed when the concentration of alloxan was raised to 80 mg/kg body weight. Similar results of inhibition of (pro-)insulin biosynthesis by alloxan and its protection by glucose were obtained when isolated rat islets were exposed to alloxan and/or glucose in vitro. Islets exposed to glucose in vitro immediately after alloxan exposure showed a slower rate of inhibition of (pro-)insulin biosynthesis, as compared to islets washed before exposure to D-glucose. In view of these findings, it is suggested that there is a common recognition site on B-cell for alloxan and glucose.