Phosphorene, a single‐ or few‐layered semiconductor material obtained from black phosphorus, has recently been introduced as a new member of the family of two‐dimensional (2D) layered materials. ...Since its discovery, phosphorene has attracted significant attention, and due to its unique properties, is a promising material for many applications including transistors, batteries and photovoltaics (PV). However, based on the current progress in phosphorene production, it is clear that a lot remains to be explored before this material can be used for these applications. After providing a comprehensive overview of recent advancements in phosphorene synthesis, advantages and challenges of the currently available methods for phosphorene production are discussed. An overview of the research progress in the use of phosphorene for a wide range of applications is presented, with a focus on enabling important roles that phosphorene would play in next‐generation PV cells. Roadmaps that have the potential to address some of the challenges in phosphorene research are examined because it is clear that the unprecedented chemical, physical and electronic properties of phosphorene and phosphorene‐based materials are suitable for various applications, including photovoltaics.
2D phosphorene, a phosphorus analog of graphene, has drawn significant attention for a wide range of applications due to its outstanding properties. The development of phosphorene and phosphorene‐based materials is comprehensively reviewed.
Solar‐energy‐driven CO2 conversion into value‐added chemical fuels holds great potential in renewable energy generation. However, the rapid recombination of charge carriers and deficient reactive ...sites, as two major obstacles, severely hampers the photocatalytic CO2 reduction activity. Herein, a desirable surface halogenation strategy to address the aforementioned concerns over a Sillén‐related layer‐structured photocatalyst Bi2O2(OH)(NO3) (BON) is demonstrated. The surface halogen ions that are anchored on the Bi atoms by replacing surface hydroxyls on the one hand facilitate the local charge separation, and, on the other hand, activate the hydroxyls that profoundly boost the adsorption of CO2 molecules and protons and facilitate the CO2 conversion process, as evidenced by experimental and theoretical results collectively. Among the three series of BON‐X (X = Cl, Br, and I) catalysts, BON‐Br shows the most substantially enhanced CO production rate (8.12 µmol g−1 h−1) without any sacrificial agents or cocatalysts, ≈73 times higher than that of pristine Bi2O2(OH)(NO3), also exceeding that of the state‐of‐the‐art photocatalysts reported to date. This work presents a surface polarization protocol for engineering charge behavior and reactive sites to promote photocatalysis, which shows great promise to the future design of high‐performance materials for clean energy production.
Surface‐halogenation‐induced atomic site activation and local charge separation of layered Bi2O2(OH)(NO3) is presented. Br−‐modified Bi2O2(OH)(NO3) shows the most prominent CO2 activation activity with a CO production rate of 8.12 µmol g−1 h−1, which is 73 times higher than that of bulk Bi2O2(OH)(NO3), exceeding that of most previously reported state‐of‐the‐art photocatalysts.
Quantum dots (QDs) of lead chalcogenides (e.g. PbS, PbSe, and PbTe) are attractive near‐infrared (NIR) active materials that show great potential in a wide range of applications, such as, ...photovoltaics (PV), optoelectronics, sensors, and bio‐electronics. The surface ligand plays an essential role in the production of QDs, post‐synthesis modification, and their integration to practical applications. Therefore, it is critically important that the influence of surface ligands on the synthesis and properties of QDs is well understood for their applications in various devices. In this Review we elaborate the application of colloidal synthesis techniques for the preparation of lead chalcogenide based QDs. We specifically focus on the influence of surface ligands on the synthesis of QDs and their solution‐phase ligand exchange. Given the importance of lead chalcogenide QDs as potential light harvesters, we also pay particular attention to the current progress of these QDs in photovoltaic applications.
A quantum of solace: Quantum dots (QDs) of lead chalcogenides have potential in a wide range of applications, such as, photovoltaics (PV), optoelectronics, sensors, and bio‐electronics. The surface ligand plays an essential role in the production of QDs, post‐synthesis modification, and their integration to practical applications. This Review demonstrates the application of colloidal synthesis techniques for the preparation of lead chalcogenide based QDs.
Single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) exhibit outstanding properties that make them appealing in a wide range of applications. However, their properties are variable depending on the tube helicity ...(chirality), which has been a challenge for a long time and needs to be effectively controlled. In recent years, tremendous efforts have been made to control the electrical type/chirality of nanotubes through both direct controlled synthesis and postsynthesis separation methods. Driven by these breakthroughs, the applications of separated families of SWCNTs in various fields have emerged as a new topic of research. In this Review, an overview of recent advances in the use of highly purified and well‐separated SWCNTs in a comprehensive range of applications is presented including photovoltaics, transistors, batteries, sensors, light emitters, biological/medical fields, and others. Finally, important future directions for the utilization of separated SWCNTs in these fields are provided.
Preparation of separated families of single‐walled carbon nanotubes is one of the top challenges in the nanocarbon field. Driven by recent breakthroughs in precisely controlling the structure and properties of nanotubes, they are successfully employed in a comprehensive range of fields.
Abstract
Organic/inorganic metal halide perovskites attract substantial attention as key materials for next-generation photovoltaic technologies due to their potential for low cost, high performance, ...and solution processability. The unique properties of perovskites and the rapid advances that have been made in solar cell performance have facilitated their integration into a broad range of practical applications, including tandem solar cells, building-integrated photovoltaics, space applications, integration with batteries and supercapacitors for energy storage systems, and photovoltaic-driven catalysis. In this Review, we outline notable achievements that have been made in these photovoltaic-integrated technologies. Outstanding challenges and future perspectives for the development of these fields and potential next-generation applications are discussed.
Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are emerging as an inexpensive and more sustainable alternative to lithium-ion batteries in the energy storage market. To advance their commercialization, one major ...scientific undertaking is to develop low-cost, reliable anode materials from abundant resources, like the success of graphite in the lithium-ion batteries. However, graphite is chemically inactive in storing sodium ions and, to render it viable in sodium-ion batteries, additional modification of graphite is required. Herein, we demonstrate a green and facile method to prepare cost-effective and stable graphitic SIB anodes. The modification process started with the electrochemical oxidation of expanded graphite to widen the interlayer and functionalize graphite layers, followed by a fast (20 min) thermal treatment at 150 °C to achieve controlled deoxygenation. The thermally processed electrochemical graphite oxide could provide a high reversible capacity of 268 mAh g−1 at 100 mA g−1 and 163 mAh g−1 at 500 mA g−1 as well as low fading in capacity (in average 0.0198% loss per cycle) over 2000 cycles. The electrochemical route eliminates the need for the harsh chemical oxidation of graphite, offering a promising approach for industrial production of low-cost anodes for sodium-ion batteries.
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Rechargeable aqueous zinc‐ion batteries (ZIBs) are promising in stationary grid energy storage due to their advantages in safety and cost‐effectiveness, and the search for competent cathode materials ...is one core task in the development of ZIBs. Herein, the authors design a 2D heterostructure combining amorphous vanadium pentoxide and electrochemically produced graphene oxide (EGO) using a fast and scalable spray drying technique. The unique 2D heterostructured xerogel is achieved by controlling the concentration of EGO in the precursor solution. Driven by the improved electrochemical kinetics, the resultant xerogel can deliver an excellent rate capability (334 mAh g−1 at 5 A g−1) as well as a high specific capacity (462 mAh g−1 at 0.2 A g−1) as the cathode material in ZIB. It is also shown that the coin cell constructed based on spray‐dried xerogel can output steady, high energy densities over a broad power density window. This work provides a scalable and cost‐effective approach for making high performance electrode materials from cheap sources through existing industrialized materials processing.
The authors make use of a rapid spray drying technique to produce a 2D heterostructure consisting of amorphous vanadium pentoxide and electrochemically produced graphene oxide (EGO) for high performance cathodes of aqueous zinc‐ion batteries. The control of the concentration of EGO in the precursor solution is demonstrated as a key factor in constructing such a 2D heterostructure.
Next generation photovoltaics such as dye sensitized solar cells, perovskite solar cells and organic solar cells, generally referred to as the “third-generation photovoltaic technologies”, will have ...a great impact on the global deployment of photovoltaic technology. Generally, these photovoltaic cells are layered-structure devices, consisting of nanostructured layers with multiple functionalities comprising of charge collection, extraction and photoconversion. Nanostructured layers including anode/cathode buffer layers, interfacial modification layers, and photon active layers are synthesized by various physical and chemical deposition techniques, which are discussed in this paper. Due to multiple coupling effects in these nanostructured materials as discussed here, the layered cells have great potential for enhanced photovoltaic efficiency. Advanced nanotechnology fabrication approaches have accelerated the design and development of novel nanostructured materials, which is driving the advancements in solar cell performance. The nanomaterials and nanostructures critically impact the optical and electronic properties of the functional layers by modulating their morphology, microstructure, and surface states; thereby influencing the output voltage and conversion efficiency. In this review, we provide a detailed discussion on recent developments in nanostructured materials and illustrate the designs for their integration with “third-generation photovoltaic technologies”. A comprehensive discussion is provided on the role of nanostructures, functionalities, and effectiveness of various nanomaterials in improving the performance of dye sensitized solar cells, perovskite solar cells and organic solar cells. Throughout the review, discussions are included on addressing the remaining challenges and research opportunities.
Third-generation PV technologies along with multiple nanomaterials and nanostructures. Display omitted
•A detailed discussion on recent developments in nanostructured materials and their integration with the third-generation photovoltaics.•A comprehensive discussion on the role of nanostructures, functionalities, and effectiveness in improving the performance of solar cells.•The outlook of third-generation photovoltaics development was provided and the strategies for further improving performance were suggested.
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