| 1. |
- Shi, Furong, et al.
(author)
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A Nitroxide Radical Conjugated Polymer as an Additive to Reduce Nonradiative Energy Loss in Organic Solar Cells
- 2023
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In: Advanced Materials. - : Wiley. - 0935-9648 .- 1521-4095. ; 35:23
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Nonfullerene-acceptor-based organic solar cells (NFA-OSCs) are now set off to the 20% power conversion efficiency milestone. To achieve this, minimizing all loss channels, including nonradiative photovoltage losses, seems a necessity. Nonradiative recombination, to a great extent, is known to be an inherent material property due to vibrationally induced decay of charge-transfer (CT) states or their back electron transfer to the triplet excitons. Herein, it is shown that the use of a new conjugated nitroxide radical polymer with 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl piperidine-1-oxyl side groups (GDTA) as an additive results in an improvement of the photovoltaic performance of NFA-OSCs based on different active layer materials. Upon the addition of GDTA, the open-circuit voltage (VOC), fill factor (FF), and short-circuit current density (JSC) improve simultaneously. This approach is applied to several material systems including state-of-the-art donor/acceptor pairs showing improvement from 15.8% to 17.6% (in the case of PM6:Y6) and from 17.5% to 18.3% (for PM6:BTP-eC9). Then, the possible reasons behind the observed improvements are discussed. The results point toward the suppression of the CT state to triplet excitons loss channel. This work presents a facile, promising, and generic approach to further improve the performance of NFA-OSCs.
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| 2. |
- Ma, Xiaofeng, et al.
(author)
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Photo-induced Actuator using Temperature and Light Dual Responsive Azobenzene Containing Ion Gel in Ionic Liquid
- 2020
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In: European Polymer Journal. - : Elsevier. - 0014-3057 .- 1873-1945. ; 123
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A series of well-defined random copolymers comprising butyl acrylate (BA) and 4-phenylazophenylmethacrylate (AzoMA) (P(AzoMA-r-BA)) are prepared successfully by reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. P(AzoMA-r-BA)s show LCST-type phase transition in 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfone)amide ([C4mim][NTf2]). LCST depends on the photoisomerization state of azobenzene, as well as on the AzoMA composition in the random copolymers. LCST of (P(cis-AzoMA-r-BA) is significantly higher than that of P(trans-AzoMA-r-BA), because cis-AzoMA and trans-AzoMA behave as solvato-philic and solvato-phobic comonomer, respectively. At a bistable temperature, photo-induced phase separation is completely reversible. Secondly, based on this phenomenon, a thermo- / photo- responsive ion gel (BA-AzoMA ion gel) can be prepared by free radical polymerization of BA and AzoMA using ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as crosslinker in [C4mim][NTf2]. BA-AzoMA ion gel shows high temperature contraction and low temperature expansion behavior, due to LCST-type phase behavior of polymer system consisting of AzoMA and BA. Contraction temperature of BA-AzoMA ion gel depends on photoisomerization state of the azobenzene group in polymers. At a bistable temperature, photo-induced expansion-contraction is reversible. Finally, a Photo-induced actuator can be realized using BA-AzoMA ion gel at suitable temperatures, featuring reversible bending by alternate irradiating with visible and UV light. The bending behavior is also demonstrated.
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| 3. |
- Wang, Lei, et al.
(author)
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Coumarin derivative trigger controlled photo-healing of ion gels and photo-controlled reversible adhesiveness
- 2021
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In: European Polymer Journal. - : Elsevier. - 0014-3057 .- 1873-1945. ; 144
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Fabrication strategies for photo-responsive ion gels have attracted attention owing to their precise spatial and temporal control with predetermined responses to light stimuli. In this work, a reversible light-driven method was introduced to devise photo-responsive ion gels by harnessing coumarin-based building blocks under 365 nm irradiation. A series of random copolymers composed of N, N-dimethylacrylamide (DMA) and 7-(2′-methacryloyloxyethoxy)–4-methylcoumarin (MAOEMC), namely P(DMA-r-MAOEMC), were synthesized through reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization with sufficient molecular weight (≈100 kDa). The coumarin moieties in those polymers exhibited a reversible photo-induced dimerization and photocleavage behavior in 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis (trifluoromethylsufonyl) imide ([C2mim][NTf2]). Those polymers - ionic liquid system at high polymer concentration (20 wt%) under suitable wavelength UV light irradiation led to sol–gel transition, which could be functionalized as photo-healable material and photo-controlled adhesion agents. Notably, the photo-controlled adhesiveness was reversible and can be mediated from 1.2 MPa to 0.2 MPa. This work opens new avenues to develop multifunctional ion gels using dynamic covalent bonds.
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| 4. |
- Wang, Lei, et al.
(author)
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Photo-healable ion gel with high mechanical property, fatigue resistance and shear resistance using a coumarin group containing diblock copolymer in an ionic liquid
- 2022
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In: European Polymer Journal. - : Elsevier. - 0014-3057 .- 1873-1945. ; 165
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Ion gels, polymer networks swollen with ionic liquid (IL), are ideal materials for application in flexible electronic devices. It remains a challenge to fabricate an ion gel with photo-healing, high mechanical properties, fatigue resistance and shear resistance. Herein, a well-defined diblock copolymer polystyrene-b-poly(methyl acrylate-r-7-(2′-methacryloyloyloxyethoxy)-4-methylcoumarin) (PS-b-P(DMA-r-MAOEMC), brief name: SMM, PS: IL-phobic segment and P(DMA-r-MAOEMC): IL-philic segment) was synthesized by reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. For comparison, a random copolymer P(DMA-r-MAOEMC) (MM) also be prepared. In dilute solution, the SMM can form spherical micelles with PS-core surrounded by P(DMA-r-MAOEMC) corona chains in an IL, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethane sulfone)amide ([C2mim][NTf2]). In a suitable polymer concentration, the SMM and MM can form ion gels in [C2mim][NTf2] under 365 nm UV light irradiation through photo-dimerization of coumarin groups in corona MM polymer chains of spherical micelles and photo-dimerization of coumarin groups in MM random polymer chains, respectively. Compared with the MM ion gel, the SMM ion gel has high mechanical properties, shear resistance and relatively high fatigue resistance. Under 254 nm UV light irradiation, photo-induced gel to jammed micelles transition for the SMM ion gel and photo-induced gel to sol transition for the MM ion gel occur due to photo-cleavage of dimer in polymer chains. Photo-induced jammed micelles - gel transition for the SMM ion gel and photo-induced sol - gel transition for the MM ion gel are reversible by alternating 365 nm and 254 nm UV light irradiation, whereby photo-healable materials can be fabricated. Compared to the MM ion gel, the SMM ion gel has high photo-healing efficiency. The electrochemical property of the SMM ion gel can be recovered completely after photo-healing.
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| 5. |
- You, Xiaohu, et al.
(author)
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Towards 6G wireless communication networks: vision, enabling technologies, and new paradigm shifts
- 2021
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In: Science China Information Sciences. - : Science Press. - 1674-733X .- 1869-1919. ; 64:1
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The fifth generation (5G) wireless communication networks are being deployed worldwide from 2020 and more capabilities are in the process of being standardized, such as mass connectivity, ultra-reliability, and guaranteed low latency. However, 5G will not meet all requirements of the future in 2030 and beyond, and sixth generation (6G) wireless communication networks are expected to provide global coverage, enhanced spectral/energy/cost efficiency, better intelligence level and security, etc. To meet these requirements, 6G networks will rely on new enabling technologies, i.e., air interface and transmission technologies and novel network architecture, such as waveform design, multiple access, channel coding schemes, multi-antenna technologies, network slicing, cell-free architecture, and cloud/fog/edge computing. Our vision on 6G is that it will have four new paradigm shifts. First, to satisfy the requirement of global coverage, 6G will not be limited to terrestrial communication networks, which will need to be complemented with non-terrestrial networks such as satellite and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) communication networks, thus achieving a space-air-ground-sea integrated communication network. Second, all spectra will be fully explored to further increase data rates and connection density, including the sub-6 GHz, millimeter wave (mmWave), terahertz (THz), and optical frequency bands. Third, facing the big datasets generated by the use of extremely heterogeneous networks, diverse communication scenarios, large numbers of antennas, wide bandwidths, and new service requirements, 6G networks will enable a new range of smart applications with the aid of artificial intelligence (AI) and big data technologies. Fourth, network security will have to be strengthened when developing 6G networks. This article provides a comprehensive survey of recent advances and future trends in these four aspects. Clearly, 6G with additional technical requirements beyond those of 5G will enable faster and further communications to the extent that the boundary between physical and cyber worlds disappears.
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| 6. |
- Zhao, Xiaofeng, et al.
(author)
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Incorporation of Th4+ and Sr2+ into Rhabdophane/Monazite by Wet Chemistry : Structure and Phase Stability
- 2023
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In: Inorganic Chemistry. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 0020-1669 .- 1520-510X. ; 62:38, s. 15605-15615
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Rhabdophane is an important permeable reactive barrier to enrich radionuclides from groundwater and has been envisaged to host radionuclides in the backend of the nuclear fuel cycle. However, understanding of how An4+ and Sr2+ precipitate into rhabdophane by wet chemistry has not been resolved. In this work, Th4+ and Sr2+ incorporation in the rhabdophane/ monazite structure as La1-2xSrxThxPO4.nH2O solid solutions is successfully achieved in the acid solution at 90 degrees C. Some specific issues such as lattice occupation of Th4+ and Sr2+, precipitation reaction kinetics, and crystal growth affected by starting stoichiometry are discussed in detail, along with investigating the chemical stability of La1-2xSrxThxPO4.nH2O precipitations and associated La(1-2x)Sr(x)ThxPO(4) monazite. The results reveal that the excess of Sr2+ appears to be a prevailing factor with a suggested initial Sr: Th = 2 to obtain the stability domain of La1-2xSrxThxPO4.nH(2)O (x = 0 similar to 0.1). A rapid ion removal associated with a nucleation process has been observed within 8 h, and Th4+ can be removed more than 98% after 24 h in 0.01 mol/L solutions. From structural energetics based on density functional theory, the lattice occupation of Th4+ and Sr2+ is energetically favorable in nonhydrated lattice sites of [LaO8], although two-thirds of lattice sites are associated with [LaO8.H2O] hydrated sites. Intriguingly, the crystal transformation from rhabdophane to monazite associated with the transformation from [SrO8] to [SrO9] polyhedra can greatly improve the leaching stability of Sr2+.
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| 7. |
- Zhao, Xiaofeng, et al.
(author)
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Response of Nd3+ and Sm3+ precipitating into rhabdophane and the leaching mechanism of associated monazite ceramics
- 2023
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In: Journal of The American Ceramic Society. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0002-7820 .- 1551-2916. ; 106:2, s. 1287-1298
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Rhabdophane has been considered an important permeable reactive barrier to isolate groundwater radionuclides, and evaluating its precipitation response to different species of radionuclide in acid solutions is critical. In this work, the effects of pH values on the precipitation behavior of Nd3+ and Sm3+ into La-rhabdophane are systematically investigated. Some specific issues such as ions removal, precipitation reaction kinetics, and crystal growth affected ions incorporation are discussed in detail, along with uncovering the veil of the Ln (La, Nd, and Sm) leaching mechanism of associated La0.666Nd0.167Sm0.167PO4 monazite ceramic based on dissolution experiments and density functional theory. The results reveal that Nd3+ and Sm3+ can be removed more than 98% in pH = 1 solution within 12 h, whereas uneven precipitation process to form unexpected stoichiometric ratio of rhabdophane has been observed in 30-50 nm short crystal. Grain growth effects based on spark plasma sintering can contribute to homogenize the materials composition with obtaining La0.666Nd0.167Sm0.167PO4 monazite ceramics. Furthermore, the binding energy of Ln-O in (1 0 0) surface of monazite plays an important role in controlling the leaching stability of Ln(3+), associated with the leaching activities are energetically favorable in the order of La > Nd > Sm for La0.666Nd0.167Sm0.167PO4 monazite.
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