Nano Convergence最新文献

Lithium metal batteries (LMBs) hold immense potential as next-generation energy storage systems due to their exceptionally high theoretical energy density. However, their commercialization is hindered by persistent interfacial instabilities that accelerate capacity degradation and limit cycle life. A major challenge lies in the solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI), whose composition and structure critically influence lithium deposition behavior, electrolyte stability, and overall battery performance. This review examines key aspects of SEI stability and its impact on battery performance, highlighting recent advancements in electrolyte engineering and surface modification strategies aimed at enhancing interfacial stability. Beyond laboratory-scale optimizations, we discuss key considerations for translating these advancements into industrial applications, highlighting the importance of practical testing protocols to bridge the gap between fundamental research and real-world deployment.

Pnictide-based quantum dots (QDs) have emerged as promising materials for next-generation infrared photodetectors due to their superior physical and electrical properties. Among them, InAs and InSb QDs are particularly attractive for their tunable bandgaps in the short-wave infrared (SWIR) region, high carrier mobility, and compatibility with solution-based, large-area, and low-cost fabrication processes. This review discusses recent advancements in the synthesis of InAs and InSb QDs, focusing on precursor strategies and surface engineering techniques to enhance their optical and electronic properties. Additionally, we explore their integration into infrared photodetectors, analyzing current performance and limitations. Finally, we outline future research directions aimed at further enhancing material properties and device performance, paving the way for the broader adoption of III–V QDs in next-generation infrared technologies.

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Efficient monolithic perovskite/Si tandem solar cells require a robust recombination junction (RJ) with excellent electrical and optical properties. This study introduces an interface engineering method using an organic sacrificial layer to enable effective monolithic integration. An ultrathin layer of poly(3,4-ethylene-dioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) is inserted between the transparent conductive oxide recombination layer and the hole transport layer (HTL) of a methylammonium lead iodide (MAPbI₃)-based perovskite top cell. This layer restores junction functionality and enables charge transfer between sub-cells via efficient carrier recombination at the RJ, which electrically connects the two cells. Acting as a sacrificial layer, PEDOT:PSS temporarily prevents resistive SiO_x formation and improves interface quality. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirm suppression of SiO_x growth during HTL annealing. Moreover, the Cu-doped NiO_x HTL fabrication method proves critical, where process optimization improves electrical contact. Combined with PEDOT:PSS interface engineering, these enhancements promote efficient recombination by tuning interfacial energy levels and increasing band bending at the RJ. As a result, tandem devices comprising an aluminum back-surface field p-type homojunction Si bottom cell and a p-i-n perovskite top cell achieve 21.95% power conversion efficiency and an 81.3% fill factor —among the highest reported for monolithic perovskite/Si tandem solar cells.

Infections involving antibiotic-resistant bacteria have become a major problem. Pathogenic bacteria use mechanisms such as drug target bypass, target modification, and biofilm formation to evade treatment. To respond to these problems, antibacterial research using metal and metal oxide nanoparticles is currently active. Nanoparticles treat bacterial infections through reactive oxygen species generation or antibacterial ion release. However, their application has faced problems related to human compatibility, as they react non-specifically, targeting both mammalian and bacterial cells. In addition, ZnO nanoparticles show low antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacteria. Thus, the demand for antibacterial substances with enhanced specificity and improved efficacy is increasing. We bound gold to the surface of ZnO nanoparticles, enabling photocatalytic and photothermal actions through visible light irradiation. To improve bacterial specificity, Concanavalin A (Con A), a lectin that can specifically target bacterial membrane lipopolysaccharides, was conjugated with the nanoparticles. We showed that Con A-conjugated Au/ZnO nanoparticles (Au/ZnO-Con A) exhibit photocatalytic and photothermal effects under white light, enhancing their antibacterial ability, and through enhanced specificity, increased antibacterial and anti-biofilm abilities were confirmed. The developed particles showed the potential to alleviate antibiotic resistance in a bacterial skin infection model, presenting a new platform for treating bacterial infections.

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Amorphous boron nitride (a-BN) exhibits remarkable electrical, optical, and chemical properties, alongside robust mechanical stability, making it a compelling material for advanced applications in nanoelectronics and photonics. This review comprehensively examines the unique characteristics of a-BN, emphasizing its electrical and optical attributes, state-of-the-art synthesis techniques, and device applications. Key advancements in low-temperature growth methods for a-BN are highlighted, offering insights into their potential for integration into scalable, CMOS-compatible platforms. Additionally, the review discusses the emerging role of a-BN as a dielectric material in electronic and photonic devices, serving as substrates, encapsulation layers, and gate insulators. Finally, perspectives on future challenges, including defect control, interface engineering, and scalability, are presented, providing a roadmap for realizing the full potential of a-BN in next-generation device technologies.

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Developing functional solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) is crucial for flexible, lightweight, and portable supercapacitors. This work presents an electrospinning approach to fabricate SPEs using poly(vinyl alcohol)-sodium chloride (PVA-NaCl) nanofibers (PNNF). CuNi₂O₃ nanoparticles deposited on nitrogen-doped omnichannel carbon nanofibers (CuNi₂O₃@N-OCCFs), coated onto a carbon cloth (CC), serve as the positive electrode, enhancing faradaic capacitance. Meanwhile, the rationally designed N-OCCFs, also coated onto CC, function as the negative electrode, providing a high-surface-area, and facilitating rapid electron transport. Comprehensive characterization revealed insights into the morphology and chemical composition of both electrodes and the PNNF electrolyte. An all-solid-state asymmetric flexible supercapacitor (AFSC) device, CuNi₂O₃@N-OCCFs-1.5//N-OCCFs-1.5, was assembled using PNNF as both the electrolyte and separator and evaluated against devices employing gel and aqueous electrolytes. The PNNF electrolyte enabled a wider potential window (2.2 V) compared to gel (2.0 V) and liquid (1.8 V) electrolytes. The AFSC achieved an impressive energy density of 63.6 Wh kg⁻¹ at a power density of 1100 W kg⁻¹, with 96.2% capacitance retention after 6000 charge/discharge cycles at 10 A g⁻¹. When two devices were connected in series, they powered a red LED for 5.33 min and a blue LED for 1.43 min, demonstrating practical applicability. This study provides a simple and effective strategy for fabricating high-energy–density AFSCs with excellent cycling stability and broad potential for flexible electronics.

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Docetaxel (DTX, 1) and paclitaxel (PTX, 2) are famous cytotoxic agents widely used in cancer therapy, however, their low specificity for tumor cells often results in severe systemic toxicity. Beyond conventional prodrug strategies, this study introduces a novel nanoconversion technology that chemically modifies DTX to form self-assembled nanoparticles (NPs), which subsequently convert into a paclitaxel-mimicking molecule (PTXm, 3). Hydrophilic acetylated Phe-Arg-Arg-Phe peptide ((Ac)FRRF, 4) and hydrophobic docetaxel were conjugated to prepare self-assembled (Ac)FRRF-DTX NPs. The selective cleavage of the Arg-Phe bond by cathepsin B, which is abundant in cancer cells, facilitated the nanoconversion of PTXm (3) from (Ac)FRRF-DTX NPs, demonstrating effective cytotoxic effects. Utilizing the cleavage site of peptide and specific sequences (ex. Arg-Arg-Phe), this approach does not simply act as a prodrug but allows the nanomaterial to transform into another cytotoxic biomolecule within tumors. (Ac)FRRF-DTX NPs exhibited remarkable physicochemical properties, superior anti-cancer efficacy, and low toxicity, showcasing an innovative conversion in peptide-conjugated nanomedicine. Unlike traditional prodrug chemistry, this tumor-specific nanoconversion process involves the biochemical transformation of DTX (1) into PTXm (3) via enzymatic action. Overall, this study provides an outstanding example of chemical drug molecular modification through the concept of nanoconversion.

Intuitive design strategies, primarily based on literature research and trial-and-error efforts, have significantly contributed to advancements in the electrocatalyst field. However, the inherently time-consuming and inconsistent nature of these methods presents substantial challenges in accelerating the discovery of high-performance electrocatalysts. To this end, guided design approaches, including in-situ experimental techniques and data mining, have emerged as powerful catalyst design and optimization tools. The former offers valuable insights into the reaction mechanisms, while the latter identifies patterns within large catalyst databases. In this review, we first present the examples using in-situ experimental techniques, emphasizing a detailed analysis of their strengths and limitations. Then, we explore advancements in data-mining-driven catalyst development, highlighting how data-driven approaches complement experimental methods to accelerate the discovery and optimization of high-performance catalysts. Finally, we discuss the current challenges and possible solutions for guided catalyst design. This review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of current methodologies and inspire future innovations in electrocatalytic research.

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) remains a challenge for clinical diagnosis and therapy due to its poor prognosis and high mortality rate. Hence, new methods to achieve TNBC imaging and imaging-guided TNBC therapy are urgently needed. Currently, the combination of chemotherapy with phototherapy/catalytic therapy has become a promising strategy for cancer treatment. Here, multifunctional CuFeSe₂ ternary nanozymes (CuFeSe₂-AMD3100-Gem nanosheets) were prepared as high-performance nanotheranostic agents for imaging-guided synergistic therapy of TNBC in vitro and in vivo. CuFeSe₂-AMD3100-Gem nanosheets not only exhibited outstanding CXCR4-targeted capability and superior photothermal properties, but also produced exact chemical cytotoxicity through the loading of the chemotherapy drug Gemcitabine. Specifically, the CuFeSe₂-AMD3100-Gem nanosheets simultaneously possessed peroxidase-like activities capable of converting endogenous H₂O₂ to hydroxyl radicals (•OH), which could be significantly enhanced under light irradiation. Furthermore, these nanosheets showed remarkable multimodal imaging ability for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT) and infrared thermography in TNBC tumor-bearing mice (4T1 cells). More importantly, the in vitro and in vivo results verified the significant synergistic anticancer effect of the CuFeSe₂-AMD3100-Gem nanosheets by combining photothermal therapy and enzyme catalytic therapy with chemotherapy. In conclusion, these advantages demonstrate the powerful potential of CuFeSe₂ ternary nanozymes for imaging-guided synergistic photothermal/catalytic/chemical therapy for TNBC.

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Forming gas annealing (FGA) is applied to HfO_x ferroelectric tunnel junction (FTJ) synaptic devices to passivate defects and reduce trap-assisted-tunneling (TAT). Without FGA, TAT caused by defects in metal–ferroelectric–insulator–semiconductor (MFIS) FTJ stack dominates the conduction mechanism in FTJs and results in no memory window (MW). The reduction of defects or TAT after FGA reveals the effect of polarization switching on the FTJ performance. Consequently, linear/symmetric potentiation and depression (P/D) characteristics of FTJ after FGA with stable repeatability are obtained. Owing to the FGA-induced linearity and symmetricity of P/D, a learning accuracy of approximately 90% is achieved via pattern recognition simulations utilizing HfO_x FTJ crossbar.

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