MXenes for Solar Cells

Application of two-dimensional MXene materials in photovoltaics has attracted increasing attention since the first report in 2018 due to their metallic electrical conductivity, high carrier mobility, excellent transparency, tunable work function and superior mechanical property. In this review, all developments and applications of the Ti3C2Tx MXene (here, it is noteworthy that there are still no reports on other MXenes’ application in photovoltaics by far) as additive, electrode and hole/electron transport layer in solar cells are detailedly summarized, and meanwhile, the problems existing in the related studies are also discussed. In view of these problems, some suggestions are given for pushing exploration of the MXenes’ application in solar cells. It is believed that this review can provide a comprehensive and deep understanding into the research status and, moreover, helps widen a new situation for the study of MXenes in photovoltaics.

Fabrication of tubular braid reinforced PMIA nanofiber membrane with mussel-inspired Ag nanoparticles and its superior performance for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol

A novel tubular braid reinforced (TBR) PMIA/CA-PEI/Ag nanofiber membrane that showed superior mechanical property and catalytic activity was fabricated.

Role of Biopolymer in Nacre Heated in Nitrogen Atmosphere

Nacre is one of the most attractive biological materials for its superior mechanical property which is mainly due to the “brick-mortar” microstructure. Nacre samples are heated in N2 atmosphere at 200°C, 400°C and 600°C, separately. The microstructures of the fresh and heated samples are characterized by SEM and XRD, and the three-point bending strengths of these samples are tested by universal mechanical testing machine. TG-DSC curves are performed on the fresh nacre and the demineralized one. The results show that biopolymer plays important roles in maintaining the microstructure, toughening mechanism and the phase transformation of aragonite.