A ternary strategy of halogen-free solvent processing can open up a promising pathway for the preparation of polymer solar cells (PSCs) on a large scale and can effectively improve the power ...conversion efficiency with an appropriate third component. Herein, the green solvent o-xylene (o-XY) is used as the main solvent, and the non-fullerene acceptor Y6-DT-4F as the third component is introduced into the PBB-F:IT-4F binary system to broaden the spectral absorption and optimize the morphology to achieve efficient PSCs. The third component, Y6-DT-4F, is compatible with IT-4F and can form an “alloy acceptor”, which can synergistically optimize the photon capture, carrier transport, and collection capabilities of the ternary device. Meanwhile, Y6-DT-4F has strong crystallinity, so when introduced into the binary system as the third component can enhance the crystallization, which is conducive to the charge transport. Consequently, the optimal ternary system based on PBB-F:IT-4F:Y6-DT-4F achieved an efficiency of 15.24%, which is higher than that of the binary device based on PBB-F:IT-4F (13.39%).
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IJS, KILJ, NUK, PNG, UL, UM
Raman spectroscopy was used to measure Raman spectra of the inner SiC fibers and surface C-rich layers of SiC fibers, composite precursors and SiCf/Ni-Cr-Al composites. The residual stresses of the ...inner SiC fibers and surface C-rich layers were calculated, and the effect of the (Al + Al2O3) diffusion barrier layer on the interfacial residual stress in the composites was analyzed in combination with the interface microstructure and energy disperse spectroscopy (EDS) elements lining maps. The results show that the existence of (Al + Al2O3) diffusion barrier improves the compatibility of the SiCf/Ni-Cr-Al interface, inhibits the adverse interfacial reaction, and relieves the residual stress inside SiC fibers and at the interface of composite material. Heat treatment can reduce the residual stress at the interface. As the heat treatment time increases, the residual stress at the interface decreases.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Optimizing the photoactive layer morphology in polymer solar cells (PSCs) using solvent additives is an effective and influential approach to improve photovoltaic performance. Traditional ...halogen-containing additives, such as 1,8-diiodooctane (DIO), 1-chloronaphthalene (CN), etc., limited further development due to toxicity, thereby the demand of volatile and halogen-free additives without sacrificing the device performance increases continuously. In this study, a nontoxic halogen-free additive, ethyl 2-hydroxybenzoate (EHB), was introduced and added to chlorobenzene (CB) solution to fabricate efficient PSCs. The device studies indicated that the additive incorporation could increase the efficiency of PTB7-Th:PC71BM devices from 5.27 to 9.64%. Photophysical studies showed that additives could promote charge extraction and inhibit charge recombination, which in turn improves power conversion efficiency (PCE). In addition, morphology studies demonstrated better molecular ordering in active layers, which typically resulted in stronger crystallinity but reduced fullerene aggregation, thus positively affecting layer deposition and improving carrier transport and donor–acceptor surface contact in the photoactive layer. This work proposes a strategy to design halogen-free additives to replace conventional additives in favor of PSC’s scalability in future.
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IJS, KILJ, NUK, PNG, UL, UM
For organic photovoltaic cells, the development of new green solvents and nontoxic and halogen‐free additives is an urgent issue. Here, a simple combination of o‐xylene (O‐XY) and ethyl ...2‐hydroxybenzoate (EHB) is introduced in inverted devices based on poly4,8‐bis(5‐(2‐ethylhexyl)‐thiophene‐2‐yl) benzo1,2‐b;4,5‐b′ dithiophene‐2,6‐diyl‐alt‐(4‐(2‐ethylhexyl)‐3‐fluorothieno3,4‐b thiophene)‐2‐carboxylate‐2‐6‐diyl:6,6‐phenyl‐C71‐butyric acid methyl ester (PTB7‐Th:PC71BM) as blend layers, the device performance reaches optimal values (9.29%) when O‐XY and 3% EHB are introduced as additives, accompanied by the maximum fill factor (67.5%) and JSC (17.20 mA cm−2). From the results of characterization analysis, it is clear that EHB additive improves the crystallinity of the donor by regulating the kinetic process of active layer formation, selectively solubilizes the more aggregated fullerene acceptors, which allows PTB7‐Th to enter the conformational domain of PC71BM, and accelerates the molecular rearrangement. Besides, the EHB additive not only reduces the recombination, increases the carrier migration rate but also promotes the crystallinity of the donor, resulting in a tighter stacking. This work provides a green combination of solvents and additives that is important for the mass production of solar cells.
A nontoxic green additive (ethyl 2‐hydroxybenzoate) and o‐xylene solvent‐based processing system is demonstrated and it yields even better organic photovoltaic device morphology and performance than that obtainable with conventional halogenated solvents.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
The effect of TMCP parameters on the microstructure and mechanical properties of cargo oil tanks (COT) steel is investigated. The microstructure characteristics are performed by optical microscope, ...and the mechanical properties are researched by tensile test at ambient temperature and impact test at different temperatures (-20°C, -40°C). The results show that the microstructures of COT steel are a mixed microstructure consisting of ferrite, granular bainite and pearlite, which are resulted from the special TMCP parameters. The COT steel has good comprehensive mechanical properties by analyzing the experimental data, satisfying the international standard. Furthermore, impact fracture surfaces appear small dimples and a few of large ones, most of the dimple with a certain direction, and the inclusion with the fracture is mainly composed of MnS, CaS and Al2O3 composite product.
The practical application of lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries is still hindered by some challenges, including sluggish transformation kinetics, the notorious shuttle effect, and the low utilization ...ratio of sulfur. Two-dimensional (2D) polar materials binding single atoms for catalysis are a promising approach to overcoming these obstacles. Herein, transition metal atom (Sc, Ti, and V)-doped hexagonal boron phosphide monolayers (TM-BP) are explored to reveal their potential as an anchoring and catalytic material using first-principles calculations. S8/Li2S n molecules can be anchored on TM-BP monolayers, and the solvent environment has only little effect on the anchoring strength. Importantly, the Sc-BP monolayer exhibits suitable catalytic activity through inhibiting the conversion of soluble Li2S8 to Li2S6, which can effectively suppress the accumulation of soluble lithium polysulfides in the electrolyte. The Ti/V-BP monolayer can improve the rate performance due to the fast reaction kinetics. Moreover, the decomposition of Li2S on monolayers shows low energy barrier, indicating that TM-BP can increase the utilization of sulfur and cycling performance of the Li–S battery. According to our results, TM-BP monolayers have the ability of addressing the obstacle in Li–S batteries due to their suitable anchoring performance and catalytic properties. They are a promising modification material for Li–S batteries.
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IJS, KILJ, NUK, PNG, UL, UM
Investigating the migration and transformation of carbonaceous and nitrogenous matter in the cryosphere areas is crucial for understanding global biogeochemical cycle and earth's climate system. ...However, water-soluble organic constituents and their transformation in multiple water bodies are barely investigated. Water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC) and organic nitrogen (WSON), and particulate black carbon (PBC) in multiple types of water bodies in eastern Tibetan Plateau (TP) cryosphere for the first time have been systematically investigated. Statistical results exhibited that from south to north and from east to west of this region, WSOC concentrations in alpine river runoff were gradually elevated. WSOC and nitrogenous matter in the alpine river runoff and precipitation in the glacier region presented distinct seasonal variations. WSON was the dominant component (63.4%) of water-soluble total nitrogen in precipitation over high-altitude southeastern TP cryosphere. Water-soluble carbonaceous matter dominated the carbon cycle in the TP cryosphere, but particulate carbonaceous matter in the alpine river runoff had a small fraction of the cryospheric carbon cycle. Analysis of optical properties illustrated that PBC had a much stronger light absorption ability (MAC-PBC: 2.28 ± 0.37 m2 g−1) than WSOC in the alpine river runoff (0.41 ± 0.26 m2 g−1). Ionic composition was dominated by SO42−, NO3−, and NH4+ (average: 45.13 ± 3.75%) in the snow of glaciers, implying important contribution of (fossil fuel) combustion sources over this region. The results of this study have essential implications for understanding the carbon and nitrogen cycles in high altitude cryosphere regions of the world. Future work should be performed based on more robust in-situ observations and measurements from multiple environmental medium over the cryosphere areas, to ensure ecological protection and high-quality development of the high mountain Asia.
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•WSOC and WSON contents in multiple types of water bodies have been investigated.•WSON was the dominant component (63.4%) of rainwater WSTN over the southeastern TP.•Post-depositional process has obvious effect on redistribution of WSOC in snowpit.•PBC and POC in mountainous river runoff make up a small fraction of carbon cycle.•Water-soluble carbonaceous matter dominates the carbon cycle in TP cryosphere.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
The emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance in the environment pose a serious threat to global public health. It is acknowledged that non-antibiotic stresses, including disinfectants, ...pharmaceuticals and organic pollutants, play a crucial role in horizontal transmission of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Despite the widespread presence of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), notably in surface water, their contributions to the transfer of ARGs have not been systematically explored. Furthermore, previous studies have primarily concentrated on model strains to investigate whether contaminants promote the conjugative transfer of ARGs, leaving the mechanisms of ARG transmission among antibiotic resistant bacteria in natural aqueous environments under the selective pressures of non-antibiotic contaminants remains unclear. In this study, the Escherichia coli (E. coli) K12 carrying RP4 plasmid was used as the donor strain, indigenous strain Aeromonas veronii containing rifampicin resistance genes in Taihu Lake, and E. coli HB101 were used as receptor strains to establish inter-genus and intra-genus conjugative transfer systems, examining the conjugative transfer frequency under the stress of ketoprofen. The results indicated that ketoprofen accelerated the environmental spread of ARGs through several mechanisms. Ketoprofen promoted cell-to-cell contact by increasing cell surface hydrophobicity and reducing cell surface charge, thereby mitigating cell-to-cell repulsion. Furthermore, ketoprofen induced increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, activated the DNA damage-induced response (SOS), and enhanced cell membrane permeability, facilitating ARG transmission in intra-genus and inter-genus systems. The upregulation of outer membrane proteins, oxidative stress, SOS response, mating pair formation (Mpf) system, and DNA transfer and replication (Dtr) system related genes, as well as the inhibition of global regulatory genes, all contributed to higher transfer efficiency under ketoprofen treatment. These findings served as an early warning for a comprehensive assessment of the roles of NSAIDs in the spread of antibiotic resistance in natural aqueous environments.
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•Ketoprofen accelerated the environmental spread of ARGs through several mechanisms.•Ketoprofen promoted the intercellular contact between donor and recipient.•Ketoprofen increased the ROS production and activated the SOS response.•The cell membrane permeability of donor and recipient were enhanced by ketoprofen.•Ketoprofen regulated the expression of genes responsible for conjugation.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Synthetic musks (SMs), the widely used odor component in personal care products have attracted attention due to their environmental impacts, especially the abortion risks. Given that women comprise a ...significant consumer demographic for personal care products, it is imperative to promptly initiate research on avoidance strategies for pregnant women concerning their exposure to synthetic chemicals (SMs). This study tried to establish novel theoretical approaches to eliminate the abortion risks of SM-contained body wash by designing the SM-contained proportioning scheme and analyzing the abortion risk mechanisms. The binding energy of SMs to estrogen-progesterone protein complex was used as an indicator of the abortion risk. A total of 324 SM-contained body wash proportioning schemes were designed using full factorial design and No. 218 was found as the most effective formula for body wash proportioning with the binding energy value of 68.6 kJ/mol. Results showed the abortion risk could be effectively alleviated (reduced 0.6%–163.4%) by regulating the proportioning scheme of SM-contained body wash. In addition, the mechanism analysis of SM-contained proportioning scheme proportioning scheme found that xanthan gum and disodium EDTA played essential roles in reducing the abortion risk in pregnant women after exposure. The selection of proper body wash components for reducing the abortion risk of SMs on pregnant women was first proposed. It sheds lights on the potential risks of people's daily life and proposes risk-eliminating strategies.
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•324 synthetic musk (SM)-contained proportioning schemes were developed.•This is the first investigation on abortion risk analysis of SM-contained body wash.•Number 218 combination was screened with the lowest abortion risk of 68.6 kJ/mol.•Xan and EDTA-2 were found as the main factors that can reduce the abortion risk.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Water blooms frequently appear in the aquatic environment with global warming. However, traditional methods for treating water bloom usually require the addition of algaecides, which may lead to ...secondary environmental pollution problems in the water environment. To solve this problem, researchers have initiated efforts to harness pre-existing chemical substances within aquatic environments to regulate algal blooms, thereby pioneering novel avenues for water body management. Therefore, an integrated approach involving molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulations, three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship (3D-QSAR), and toxicokinetics methods were utilized for the molecular modification of fluoroquinolone antibiotics, to design and screen fluoroquinolone substitutes with improved toxicity of cyanobacteria and green algae, functionality, and environmental friendliness. A total of 143 fluoroquinolone alternatives were designed in this study, and lomefloxacin-6 (LOM6) was found as the optimum alternative to lomefloxacin (LOM), with increased toxicity to cyanobacteria and green algae by 31 % and 72 %. Molecular docking of LOM before and after modification with seven other cyanobacterial and green algal photosynthetic proteins revealed that LOM6 exhibited varying degrees of increased toxicity towards 6 of these photosynthetic proteins, of which 2J96 protein increased the most (136.25 %). It shows that the residual LOM6 in the water environment has a certain inhibitory effect on the algae bloom. In addition, results showed that LOM6 had synergistic toxic effects on cyanobacteria and green algae with other pollutants residual in the aqueous environment, such as trichloroethyl phosphate, triethyl phosphate, perfluorononanoic acid, perfluorooctanoic acid. This indicates that LOM6 has better algal removal effectiveness in aqueous environments where organophosphate flame retardants and perfluorinated compounds exist together. In this paper, a novel method was developed to remove cyanobacteria and green algae in water environment and reduce the secondary pollution through theoretical simulation, which provides theoretical support for the control of water blooms.
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•Design of FQs substitutes with enhanced toxicity on cyanobacteria and green algae•143 FQs substitutes were designed and LOM6 was the optimum alternative for LOM.•LOM6 has universality to inhibit the growth of other cyanobacteria and green algae.•The combined toxicity of LOM6 with other aquatic pollutants residues was analyzed.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP