Pub Date : 2026-01-07DOI: 10.1016/j.matlet.2026.140061
Andreas Lichtenberg, Jan Chrubasik, Lukas Rryci, Touraj Karimpour, Sanjay Mathur
Thorium dioxide (ThO2) is gaining increasing technological relevance for next-generation nuclear and advanced functional material applications. These fields demand simple, safe and cost-effective methods for producing high-quality and compositionally uniform ThO2 coatings. In this work, we present a practical and user-friendly chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process that utilizes air-stable thorium acetylacetonate [Th(acac)4] as a single-source precursor. The resulting ThO2 films exhibit excellent phase purity and crystallinity, as well as uniform substrate coverage after calcination. This approach offers a safer and simplified alternative to previously reported routes, making a significant step toward scalable processing of actinide-based thin films.
{"title":"Air-stable single-source CVD of ThO2 thin films","authors":"Andreas Lichtenberg, Jan Chrubasik, Lukas Rryci, Touraj Karimpour, Sanjay Mathur","doi":"10.1016/j.matlet.2026.140061","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.matlet.2026.140061","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Thorium dioxide (ThO<sub>2</sub>) is gaining increasing technological relevance for next-generation nuclear and advanced functional material applications. These fields demand simple, safe and cost-effective methods for producing high-quality and compositionally uniform ThO<sub>2</sub> coatings. In this work, we present a practical and user-friendly chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process that utilizes air-stable thorium acetylacetonate [Th(acac)<sub>4</sub>] as a single-source precursor. The resulting ThO<sub>2</sub> films exhibit excellent phase purity and crystallinity, as well as uniform substrate coverage after calcination. This approach offers a safer and simplified alternative to previously reported routes, making a significant step toward scalable processing of actinide-based thin films.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":384,"journal":{"name":"Materials Letters","volume":"407 ","pages":"Article 140061"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145922679","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-07DOI: 10.1016/j.matlet.2026.140074
Yali Gao , Xiangxue Chen , Enyou Jin , Liang Tao , Bin Wu , Jian Xiong , Zhen Gao
Bacterial-related wound infections are usually accompanied by robust inflammation, which delay the rate of healing of traumatic wounds. The hydrogel wound dressings with antibacterial properties are expected to promote wound healing progress. Herein, a multifunctional composite hydrogel (PRLM) was developed via a green freeze-thaw cycling process. The composite hydrogel incorporated with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), regenerated cellulose (RC), lignin and MXene. The incorporation of RC significantly affected the mechanical strength of composite hydrogels through hydrogen bonding interactions. Lignin and MXene were loaded into the hydrogel to endow it with photothermal antibacterial performance.
The inhibition rates of PRLM hydrogel against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) reached 99.1 % and 98.6 %. Moreover, in vitro studies demonstrated that the composite hydrogel exhibited good cytocompatibility with L929 cells. Therefore, this work may provide novel insights into the development of dressings for bacterial-infected wounds.
{"title":"Regenerated cellulose hydrogel with photothermal property for combating bacterial infection","authors":"Yali Gao , Xiangxue Chen , Enyou Jin , Liang Tao , Bin Wu , Jian Xiong , Zhen Gao","doi":"10.1016/j.matlet.2026.140074","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.matlet.2026.140074","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Bacterial-related wound infections are usually accompanied by robust inflammation, which delay the rate of healing of traumatic wounds. The hydrogel wound dressings with antibacterial properties are expected to promote wound healing progress. Herein, a multifunctional composite hydrogel (PRLM) was developed via a green freeze-thaw cycling process. The composite hydrogel incorporated with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), regenerated cellulose (RC), lignin and MXene. The incorporation of RC significantly affected the mechanical strength of composite hydrogels through hydrogen bonding interactions. Lignin and MXene were loaded into the hydrogel to endow it with photothermal antibacterial performance.</div><div>The inhibition rates of PRLM hydrogel against <em>Escherichia coli</em> (<em>E. coli</em>) and <em>Staphylococcus aureus</em> (<em>S. aureus</em>) reached 99.1 % and 98.6 %. Moreover, in vitro studies demonstrated that the composite hydrogel exhibited good cytocompatibility with L929 cells. Therefore, this work may provide novel insights into the development of dressings for bacterial-infected wounds.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":384,"journal":{"name":"Materials Letters","volume":"407 ","pages":"Article 140074"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145973786","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
To develop novel biomedical implant materials compatible with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) applications, a series of low-susceptibility Zr-(1,3,5)Mo-4Sn (wt%) alloys were designed and fabricated. The alloys were prepared by vacuum arc melting, hot rolling, and solution treatment. Their microstructure, mechanical properties, and magnetic susceptibility were systematically investigated. All alloys consisted of α and β phases, and increasing Mo content enhanced β-phase stability and significantly refined the grain size. Mechanical testing revealed that both yield and tensile strengths increased markedly with Mo addition, with Zr-5Mo-4Sn exhibiting the highest yield strength of ∼911 MPa, at the expense of ductility. The magnetic susceptibility of these alloys ((1.10–1.25) × ) was approximately 40% that of Ti-6Al-7Nb. These findings demonstrate the potential of Zr-Mo-Sn alloys as next-generation biomedical metals with high strength and ultralow magnetic susceptibility for MRI applications.
{"title":"Tailoring low magnetic susceptibility and high strength in Zr-Mo-Sn alloys via Mo content control","authors":"Zeying Li, Jialing Ou, Ping Liu, Xiaohong Chen, Honglei Zhou","doi":"10.1016/j.matlet.2026.140075","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.matlet.2026.140075","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>To develop novel biomedical implant materials compatible with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) applications, a series of low-susceptibility Zr-(1,3,5)Mo-4Sn (wt%) alloys were designed and fabricated. The alloys were prepared by vacuum arc melting, hot rolling, and solution treatment. Their microstructure, mechanical properties, and magnetic susceptibility were systematically investigated. All alloys consisted of α and β phases, and increasing Mo content enhanced β-phase stability and significantly refined the grain size. Mechanical testing revealed that both yield and tensile strengths increased markedly with Mo addition, with Zr-5Mo-4Sn exhibiting the highest yield strength of ∼911 MPa, at the expense of ductility. The magnetic susceptibility of these alloys ((1.10–1.25) × <span><math><msup><mn>10</mn><mrow><mo>−</mo><mn>6</mn></mrow></msup><msup><mi>cm</mi><mn>3</mn></msup><mo>·</mo><msup><mi>g</mi><mrow><mo>−</mo><mn>1</mn></mrow></msup></math></span>) was approximately 40% that of Ti-6Al-7Nb. These findings demonstrate the potential of Zr-Mo-Sn alloys as next-generation biomedical metals with high strength and ultralow magnetic susceptibility for MRI applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":384,"journal":{"name":"Materials Letters","volume":"407 ","pages":"Article 140075"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145922571","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-06DOI: 10.1016/j.matlet.2026.140060
Ananda Babu Kancherla , Chaladi S. Ganga Bhavani , S. Chandra Prakasarao , B. Muthuvel , E. Raja Sunil
This paper proposes a hybrid Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) controller integrating Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) with Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) for grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) systems with battery storage. The controller addresses challenges posed by fluctuating solar irradiance and partial shading. The ANFIS-PSO algorithm dynamically optimizes the boost converter duty cycle, while a three-phase Voltage Source Inverter (VSI) with an LC filter and dq-axis PI regulator ensures grid synchronization. An Artificial Neural Network (ANN) manages the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) to ensure uninterrupted supply. Simulation results in MATLAB/Simulink demonstrate an energy extraction efficiency of 98.2 %, converter efficiency of 94.6 %, and grid current Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) of 1.34 %. The proposed system outperforms conventional MPPT methods in tracking accuracy, dynamic response, and power quality.
{"title":"Optimizing solar energy harvesting with a hybrid MPPT controller","authors":"Ananda Babu Kancherla , Chaladi S. Ganga Bhavani , S. Chandra Prakasarao , B. Muthuvel , E. Raja Sunil","doi":"10.1016/j.matlet.2026.140060","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.matlet.2026.140060","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This paper proposes a hybrid Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) controller integrating Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) with Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) for grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) systems with battery storage. The controller addresses challenges posed by fluctuating solar irradiance and partial shading. The ANFIS-PSO algorithm dynamically optimizes the boost converter duty cycle, while a three-phase Voltage Source Inverter (VSI) with an LC filter and dq-axis PI regulator ensures grid synchronization. An Artificial Neural Network (ANN) manages the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) to ensure uninterrupted supply. Simulation results in MATLAB/Simulink demonstrate an energy extraction efficiency of 98.2 %, converter efficiency of 94.6 %, and grid current Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) of 1.34 %. The proposed system outperforms conventional MPPT methods in tracking accuracy, dynamic response, and power quality.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":384,"journal":{"name":"Materials Letters","volume":"407 ","pages":"Article 140060"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145922492","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-06DOI: 10.1016/j.matlet.2026.140059
Bin Liou, Bing-Ying Yang, Yu-Zhe Wu, Wenjea J. Tseng
This study reports a systematic investigation of copper (Cu)-loaded TiO2 thin-film electrodes for enhanced photocurrent. Structural and spectroscopic analyses reveal simultaneous introduction of oxygen-related defects, stabilizing Cu+/Cu2+ states, and Cu2O/CuO heterostructures on anatase TiO2. These synergistic effects lead to markedly improved light harvesting and prolonged charge-carrier lifetimes. Optimized Cu loading (0.006 M precursor) delivers a photocurrent density more than 6 times higher than bare TiO2 under UV–visible irradiation. This study provides mechanistic insights into defect-assisted carrier separation and low-cost Cu2O/CuO/TiO2 heterostructures design, offering a viable route toward scalable photoanode applications without reliance on noble metals.
{"title":"Cu2O/CuO/TiO2 heterostructures with oxygen-defect mediation for enhanced photocurrent density","authors":"Bin Liou, Bing-Ying Yang, Yu-Zhe Wu, Wenjea J. Tseng","doi":"10.1016/j.matlet.2026.140059","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.matlet.2026.140059","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study reports a systematic investigation of copper (Cu)-loaded TiO<sub>2</sub> thin-film electrodes for enhanced photocurrent. Structural and spectroscopic analyses reveal simultaneous introduction of oxygen-related defects, stabilizing Cu<sup>+</sup>/Cu<sup>2+</sup> states, and Cu<sub>2</sub>O/CuO heterostructures on anatase TiO<sub>2</sub>. These synergistic effects lead to markedly improved light harvesting and prolonged charge-carrier lifetimes. Optimized Cu loading (0.006 M precursor) delivers a photocurrent density more than 6 times higher than bare TiO<sub>2</sub> under UV–visible irradiation. This study provides mechanistic insights into defect-assisted carrier separation and low-cost Cu<sub>2</sub>O/CuO/TiO<sub>2</sub> heterostructures design, offering a viable route toward scalable photoanode applications without reliance on noble metals.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":384,"journal":{"name":"Materials Letters","volume":"407 ","pages":"Article 140059"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145922563","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-06DOI: 10.1016/j.matlet.2026.140064
Entian Fu , Chen Tang , Minghui Chen , Fuhui Wang
This study achieves EDM of Si3N4-based composites through the incorporation of TiC particles. The effects of sintering temperature, holding time and ball-milling duration on the microstructure and mechanical properties were systematically investigated. Results reveal that the microcracks formed within TiC particles during sintering act as an effective toughening mechanism, as their propagation through branching and deflection enhances the fracture toughness and flexural strength. Through the SPS process under conditions of sintering temperature of 1650 °C, holding time of 30 min, and ball-milling time of 2 h, the material achieved optimal mechanical properties: microhardness of 17.0 ± 0.2 GPa, fracture toughness of 5.11 ± 0.04 MPa·m1/2, and flexural strength of 612 ± 24 MPa.
{"title":"Effect of sintering parameters on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Si3N4/TiC conductive ceramics","authors":"Entian Fu , Chen Tang , Minghui Chen , Fuhui Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.matlet.2026.140064","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.matlet.2026.140064","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study achieves EDM of Si<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>-based composites through the incorporation of TiC particles. The effects of sintering temperature, holding time and ball-milling duration on the microstructure and mechanical properties were systematically investigated. Results reveal that the microcracks formed within TiC particles during sintering act as an effective toughening mechanism, as their propagation through branching and deflection enhances the fracture toughness and flexural strength. Through the SPS process under conditions of sintering temperature of 1650 °C, holding time of 30 min, and ball-milling time of 2 h, the material achieved optimal mechanical properties: microhardness of 17.0 ± 0.2 GPa, fracture toughness of 5.11 ± 0.04 MPa·m<sup>1/2</sup>, and flexural strength of 612 ± 24 MPa.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":384,"journal":{"name":"Materials Letters","volume":"407 ","pages":"Article 140064"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145922677","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-06DOI: 10.1016/j.matlet.2026.140073
Yang Yu, Min Zhong, Huabo Huang, Liang Li
Aminated polystyrene (A-PS) microspheres were arranged into a single-layer periodically ordered structure via the Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) technique to serve as a template. With citrate ions as the morphology-directing agent, silver (Ag) nanosheets were successfully grown on the orderly arranged A-PS microspheres using Ag seed-induced method. When this array structure was used as a Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering substrate, the gaps inside and between the Ag nanosheets could provide sufficient “hot spots”, and the enhanced peaks of rhodamine 6G could still be clearly observed when its concentration was as low as 10−11 mol/L, with an enhancement factor of up to about 3 × 107. Moreover, the array structure exhibited good reproducibility across the entire area, and the relative standard deviation of scattering peaks at 605, 765 and 1356 cm−1 is 12.75 %, 13.53 % and 11.77 %, respectively, which was comparable to those of previously reported substrates.
{"title":"Large-area silver Nanosheets growth on a monolayer polystyrene microspheres Array for effective SERS substrate","authors":"Yang Yu, Min Zhong, Huabo Huang, Liang Li","doi":"10.1016/j.matlet.2026.140073","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.matlet.2026.140073","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Aminated polystyrene (A-PS) microspheres were arranged into a single-layer periodically ordered structure via the Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) technique to serve as a template. With citrate ions as the morphology-directing agent, silver (Ag) nanosheets were successfully grown on the orderly arranged A-PS microspheres using Ag seed-induced method. When this array structure was used as a Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering substrate, the gaps inside and between the Ag nanosheets could provide sufficient “hot spots”, and the enhanced peaks of rhodamine 6G could still be clearly observed when its concentration was as low as 10<sup>−11</sup> mol/L, with an enhancement factor of up to about 3 × 10<sup>7</sup>. Moreover, the array structure exhibited good reproducibility across the entire area, and the relative standard deviation of scattering peaks at 605, 765 and 1356 cm<sup>−1</sup> is 12.75 %, 13.53 % and 11.77 %, respectively, which was comparable to those of previously reported substrates.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":384,"journal":{"name":"Materials Letters","volume":"407 ","pages":"Article 140073"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145922675","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-06DOI: 10.1016/j.matlet.2026.140065
Feilong Jia , Qiang Miao , Wenping Liang , Yan Qi , Qijia Liu , Xinli Liu , Zhenyuan Guo , Xiaoma Tao
The hardness and wear resistance of multi-principal element nitride ceramics are closely connected to elemental species and valence electron concentration (VEC). Here, two (VCrTa)N multi-principal element nitride coatings with different V/Cr atomic ratios were fabricated on titanium alloy using double glow plasma alloying (DGPA) technology. The elemental distribution, phase composition, single-phase solid solution formation ability, nanoindentation hardness and wear resistance of the coatings were investigated. The results indicated that both coatings possess a single face-centered cubic (FCC) solid solution structure with a strong (220) growth orientation. First-principles calculations confirmed the good thermodynamic stability of the single-phase solid solution for both coatings. The Cr-rich (VCrTa)N coating exhibited the highest hardness of 19.3 ± 2.1 GPa and an H3/E2 ratio of 0.1867 GPa, which was attributed to the high lattice distortion and VEC. Tribological tests revealed that the Cr-rich coating demonstrates a low and stable coefficient of friction (∼0.35), owing to the low surface energy and contact area. Both coatings showed similar wear rates of (3.4 ± 0.2) × 10−6 mm3/(N·m) and (3.5 ± 0.2) × 10−6 mm3/(N·m), indicating that multi-principal element nitrides can effectively enhance the wear resistance of titanium alloys.
{"title":"Investigation on microstructure and wear behaviors for (VCrTa)N coatings fabricated by double glow plasma alloying technology","authors":"Feilong Jia , Qiang Miao , Wenping Liang , Yan Qi , Qijia Liu , Xinli Liu , Zhenyuan Guo , Xiaoma Tao","doi":"10.1016/j.matlet.2026.140065","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.matlet.2026.140065","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The hardness and wear resistance of multi-principal element nitride ceramics are closely connected to elemental species and valence electron concentration (VEC). Here, two (VCrTa)N multi-principal element nitride coatings with different V/Cr atomic ratios were fabricated on titanium alloy using double glow plasma alloying (DGPA) technology. The elemental distribution, phase composition, single-phase solid solution formation ability, nanoindentation hardness and wear resistance of the coatings were investigated. The results indicated that both coatings possess a single face-centered cubic (FCC) solid solution structure with a strong (220) growth orientation. First-principles calculations confirmed the good thermodynamic stability of the single-phase solid solution for both coatings. The Cr-rich (VCrTa)N coating exhibited the highest hardness of 19.3 ± 2.1 GPa and an H<sup>3</sup>/E<sup>2</sup> ratio of 0.1867 GPa, which was attributed to the high lattice distortion and VEC. Tribological tests revealed that the Cr-rich coating demonstrates a low and stable coefficient of friction (∼0.35), owing to the low surface energy and contact area. Both coatings showed similar wear rates of (3.4 ± 0.2) × 10<sup>−6</sup> mm<sup>3</sup>/(N·m) and (3.5 ± 0.2) × 10<sup>−6</sup> mm<sup>3</sup>/(N·m), indicating that multi-principal element nitrides can effectively enhance the wear resistance of titanium alloys.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":384,"journal":{"name":"Materials Letters","volume":"407 ","pages":"Article 140065"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145922567","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-06DOI: 10.1016/j.matlet.2026.140058
Jiaying Li, Hua Yao, Lili Meng, Qian Chen
To address the carrier recombination caused by interfacial defects between the perovskite layer and the carbon electrode, this study prepared a Cs2AgInCl6/biomass-derived porous carbon (PC) composite and applied it as the active layer in carbon-based perovskite solar cells, aiming to utilize the passivation effect of PC to modify the interface and enhance device performance. After combining Cs2AgInCl6 with PC, an interfacial energy-level alignment forms, facilitating photogenerated carrier separation and thereby suppressing charge recombination. This modification extended the average decay lifetime of quantum dots from 4.92 to 5.56 ns. Simultaneously, oxygen-containing functional groups on the PC surface chemically interact with defects. The solar cells optimised with PC achieved a power conversion efficiency of 6.13 %.
{"title":"Enhanced photovoltaic performance of perovskite solar cells via biomass-derived porous carbon as passivator","authors":"Jiaying Li, Hua Yao, Lili Meng, Qian Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.matlet.2026.140058","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.matlet.2026.140058","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>To address the carrier recombination caused by interfacial defects between the perovskite layer and the carbon electrode, this study prepared a Cs<sub>2</sub>AgInCl<sub>6</sub>/biomass-derived porous carbon (PC) composite and applied it as the active layer in carbon-based perovskite solar cells, aiming to utilize the passivation effect of PC to modify the interface and enhance device performance. After combining Cs<sub>2</sub>AgInCl<sub>6</sub> with PC, an interfacial energy-level alignment forms, facilitating photogenerated carrier separation and thereby suppressing charge recombination. This modification extended the average decay lifetime of quantum dots from 4.92 to 5.56 ns. Simultaneously, oxygen-containing functional groups on the PC surface chemically interact with defects. The solar cells optimised with PC achieved a power conversion efficiency of 6.13 %.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":384,"journal":{"name":"Materials Letters","volume":"407 ","pages":"Article 140058"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145922678","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-06DOI: 10.1016/j.matlet.2026.140062
Gaopeng Zou , Yuxi Qi , Zhiyuan Jing , Zhibin Zhang , Qianqian Wang , Zhenfeng Hu , Xiubing Liang , Baolong Shen
Developing solar selective absorbers (SSAs) that combine high solar-thermal conversion efficiency with long-term thermal stability is critical for advancing solar energy technologies. Here, we report a novel SSA based on a (TiZrHf)CxNy/Al2O3 bilayer nanofilm, leveraging a medium-entropy carbonitride as a robust refractory plasmonic material. The (TiZrHf)CxNy absorber layer self-assembles into a distinctive nanocomposite structure, with 2–3 nm crystalline nanoparticles embedded in an amorphous matrix. This structure enables intense and broadband solar absorption via the Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance (LSPR) effect, achieving a high solar absorptance. Concurrently, the SSA exhibits a low thermal emittance, ensuring minimal heat loss. Crucially, the SSA demonstrates exceptional thermal stability, with its optical properties remaining virtually unchanged after annealing at 400 °C in air for 10 h.
{"title":"(TiZrHf)CxNy/Al2O3 bilayer nanofilm enable enhanced solar selective absorption and thermal stability","authors":"Gaopeng Zou , Yuxi Qi , Zhiyuan Jing , Zhibin Zhang , Qianqian Wang , Zhenfeng Hu , Xiubing Liang , Baolong Shen","doi":"10.1016/j.matlet.2026.140062","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.matlet.2026.140062","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Developing solar selective absorbers (SSAs) that combine high solar-thermal conversion efficiency with long-term thermal stability is critical for advancing solar energy technologies. Here, we report a novel SSA based on a (TiZrHf)C<sub><em>x</em></sub>N<sub><em>y</em></sub>/Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> bilayer nanofilm, leveraging a medium-entropy carbonitride as a robust refractory plasmonic material. The (TiZrHf)C<sub><em>x</em></sub>N<sub><em>y</em></sub> absorber layer self-assembles into a distinctive nanocomposite structure, with 2–3 nm crystalline nanoparticles embedded in an amorphous matrix. This structure enables intense and broadband solar absorption via the Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance (LSPR) effect, achieving a high solar absorptance. Concurrently, the SSA exhibits a low thermal emittance, ensuring minimal heat loss. Crucially, the SSA demonstrates exceptional thermal stability, with its optical properties remaining virtually unchanged after annealing at 400 °C in air for 10 h.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":384,"journal":{"name":"Materials Letters","volume":"407 ","pages":"Article 140062"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145922564","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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