Enhancement of Charge Transfer in TiO2/BiOI Heterojunction Using BiFeO3 as Interface Modifier for Photoelectrochemical Conversion

The solution-processed TiO2/BiFeO3/BiOI ternary heterojunction with cascade energy level alignments was developed for photoelectrochemical conversion, in which, BiOI was deposited on BiFeO3 sensitized TiO2 mesoporous film by spin-coating method. BiFeO3 as ferroelectric material was served here as a mediator for improvement of charge separation and transfer. The photocurrent generation in TiO2/BiFeO3/BiOI sample are very stable, even measured after 50 light on/off cycles with 2000s. Moreover, compared with the TiO2/BiOI film, TiO2/BiFeO3/BiOI film showed about twice as high photocurrent density and photocatalytic activity. Kelvin probe force microscope showed that the surface potential of TiO2/BiFeO3/BiOI film was 0.456 V, which was obviously larger than 0.226 V in TiO2/BiOI sample. The increased surface potential should be originated from the polarization electric-field Eself by BiFeO3 interlayer, in which the direction of electric-field was supposed to be directed toward the BiOI. The presence of Eself consequently resulted in the better dissociation of photo-generated electrons and holes. Charge transport dynamics suggested that charge transfer rate increased from 6.813 s-1 of TiO2/BiOI heterojunction to 22.280 s-1 of TiO2/BiFeO3/BiOI heterojunction, and surface charge recombination rate reduced from 10.305 s-1 of the TiO2/BiOI to 7.707 s-1 of TiO2/BiFeO3/BiOI heterojunction, which results in the enhanced photoelectrochemical conversion in TiO2/BiFeO3/BiOI heterojunction.

Exploring the growth of MAPbI3 under different preparation methods for mesoporous perovskite solar cells

The control of the perovskite growth morphology plays an extremely critical role in mesoporous perovskite solar cells. In this paper, anatase TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) with high crystallinity were synthesized by a hydrothermal method, and the thickness of the TiO2 mesoporous film (TiO2-MT) was adjusted with concentration of TiO2-NP slurry by controlling ethanol. The perovskite layers were prepared by the traditional two-step (TTS) method, and the improved two-step (ITS) method was used. It is proved that different preparation processes of the perovskite light-absorbing layers have a certain influence on the photoelectric performance of the cell device, but also, the thickness of the TiO2mesoporous film affects the electron transport efficiency at the TiO2/MAPbI3 interface and the suppression of electron–hole recombination through [Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text] positive and negative scanning, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and dark state [Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text] curve analysis of the device. By optimizing the thickness of the TiO2 mesoporous film, the short-circuit photocurrent density ([Formula: see text] of mesoporous perovskite solar cells (M-PSCs) based on the TiO2 mesoporous electron transporting layer of 400 nm thickness is 23.85 mA/cm2, and the optimal photoelectric conversion efficiency (PCE) is 15.38%.

Humidity-Responsive Photonic Films and Coatings Based on Tuned Cellulose Nanocrystals/Glycerol/Polyethylene Glycol

It has been extensively reported that cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) can represent structural colors due to their unique chiral-nematic self-assembly. However, the application of this remarkable structure does need further investigation. It has been challenging to keep the selective reflection band (SRB) resulting from the CNC structure in the visible spectrum. Herein, composition of CNC colloidal suspensions with polyethylene glycol (PEG) and glycerol (Gly) have been studied to develop humidity-responsive sensors in the form of coatings and films. The fabricated samples were characterized for their mechanical properties, optical properties, water uptake capacity, water contact angle, and surface roughness. Additionally, the chemical structure of the samples was studied with FTIR spectroscopy. The produced humidity indicators on microbial glass slides were maintained and tested in a different relative humidity range from 20% to 98% with a different color response from blue to red, respectively. The color change of the humidity sensors was reversible for several cycles. It should be noted that the color change can be detected easily by the naked eye. The water uptake test showed that pure CNC and CNC/Gly had the lowest (34%) and highest (83%) water absorption levels. The mechanical tests for CNC/PEG composites showed the highest tensile strength (40.22 MPa). Moreover, microstructural characterizations confirmed the CNC pitch formation in all the samples. Addition of the fillers increased the CNC pitch, resulting in a mesoporous film formation. These produced humidity sensors are promising candidates in food and drug packaging due to their biodegradability, biocompatibility, and cost-effectiveness.

Probing P25 TiO2 Photocatalysis Using Photoinduced Absorption Spectroscopy (PIAS)

Photoinduced absorption spectroscopy, PIAS, is used for the first time to probe the kinetics exhibited by the most commonly employed powder photocatalyst, P25 TiO2, in mesoporous film form, in the...