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Zhang M, Ren J, Li R, Zhang W, Li Y, Yang W. Ultrastretchable and highly sensitive ionic conductive hydrogel for environmentally resistant all-in-one human-motion sensors. Int J Biol Macromol 2025; 287:138567. [PMID: 39653198 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.138567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2024] [Revised: 12/02/2024] [Accepted: 12/06/2024] [Indexed: 12/21/2024]
Abstract
Conductive hydrogels have been considered ideal candidate materials for fabricating human-motion sensors due to their combination properties of electronic and tissue-like soft nature and the similar functions of human skin with mechanical and sensory properties. However, the perfect integration of multiple functionalities such as environmentally tolerant, stretchable, self-adhesive, self-healing, transparent, high sensitivity, and rapid response in one system (all-in-one) is still a significant challenge. Herein, a novel ionic conductive hydrogel platform with excellent comprehensive performance through multiple dynamic interactions was prepared by employing [BMIm]BF4/glycerol/water ternary solvent system. The dynamic hydrogen bonds, coordination bonds, and electrostatic interaction within the network endows the hydrogel excellent mechanical performance. The synchronous effect of ionic liquids and glycerol realized the high ionic conductivity, transparency, environmentally tolerance, and long-term stability. Sensors based on this hydrogel have a relatively high sensitivity, a fast response time, and a wide linear sensing range in monitoring human movements. It can also serve as electronic skin, like human skin, for touchscreen pen and writing. Thus, the all-in-one hydrogel was concluded to hold considerable promise for constructing the next generation of hydrogel platforms for human-motion sensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minmin Zhang
- Chemistry & Chemical Engineering College, Northwest Normal University, Key Lab of Polymer Materials of Ministry of Education of Ecological Environment, Key Lab of Bioelectrochemistry & Environmental Analysis of Gansu, Lanzhou 730070, PR China
| | - Jie Ren
- Chemistry & Chemical Engineering College, Northwest Normal University, Key Lab of Polymer Materials of Ministry of Education of Ecological Environment, Key Lab of Bioelectrochemistry & Environmental Analysis of Gansu, Lanzhou 730070, PR China.
| | - Ruirui Li
- Chemistry & Chemical Engineering College, Northwest Normal University, Key Lab of Polymer Materials of Ministry of Education of Ecological Environment, Key Lab of Bioelectrochemistry & Environmental Analysis of Gansu, Lanzhou 730070, PR China
| | - Wenjing Zhang
- Chemistry & Chemical Engineering College, Northwest Normal University, Key Lab of Polymer Materials of Ministry of Education of Ecological Environment, Key Lab of Bioelectrochemistry & Environmental Analysis of Gansu, Lanzhou 730070, PR China
| | - Yan Li
- Chemistry & Chemical Engineering College, Northwest Normal University, Key Lab of Polymer Materials of Ministry of Education of Ecological Environment, Key Lab of Bioelectrochemistry & Environmental Analysis of Gansu, Lanzhou 730070, PR China
| | - Wu Yang
- Chemistry & Chemical Engineering College, Northwest Normal University, Key Lab of Polymer Materials of Ministry of Education of Ecological Environment, Key Lab of Bioelectrochemistry & Environmental Analysis of Gansu, Lanzhou 730070, PR China
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Gupta RK, Shaikh H, Imran A, Bedja I, Ajaj AF, Aldwayyan AS, Khan A, Ayub R. Electrical transport properties of [(1 - x)succinonitrile: xpoly(ethylene oxide)]-LiCF 3SO 3-Co[tris-(2,2'-bipyridine)] 3(TFSI) 2-Co[tris-(2,2'-bipyridine)] 3(TFSI) 3 solid redox mediators. RSC Adv 2024; 14:539-547. [PMID: 38173611 PMCID: PMC10759195 DOI: 10.1039/d3ra07314a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
A solid redox mediator (solid electrolyte) with an electrical conductivity (σ25°C) greater than 10-4 S cm-1 is an essential requirement for a dye-sensitized solar cell in the harsh weather of Gulf countries. This paper reports the electrical properties of solid redox mediators prepared using highly dissociable ionic salts: Co[tris-(2,2'-bipyridine)]3(TFSI)2, Co[tris-(2,2'-bipyridine)]3(TFSI)3, and LiCF3SO3 as a source of Co2+, Co3+, and Li+ ions, respectively, in a solid matrix: [(1 - x)succinonitrile:xpoly(ethylene oxide)], where x = 0, 0.5, and 1 in weight fraction. In the presence of large size of cations (Co2+ and Co3+) and large-sized and weakly-coordinated anions (TFSI- and CF3SO3-), only the succinonitrile-poly(ethylene oxide) blend (x = 0.5) resulted in highly conductive amorphous regions with σ25°C of 4.7 × 10-4 S cm-1 for EO/Li+ = 108.4 and 3.1 × 10-4 S cm-1 for EO/Li+ = 216.8. These values are slightly lower than 1.5 × 10-3 S cm-1 for x = 0 and higher than 6.3 × 10-7 S cm-1 for x = 1. Only blend-based electrolytes exhibited a downward curve in the log σ-T-1 plot, a low value of pseudo-activation energy (0.06 eV), a high degree of transparency, and high thermal stability, making it useful for device applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravindra Kumar Gupta
- King Abdullah Institute for Nanotechnology, King Saud University Riyadh 11451 Saudi Arabia
| | - Hamid Shaikh
- SABIC Polymer Research Centre, College of Engineering, King Saud University Riyadh 11421 Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahamad Imran
- King Abdullah Institute for Nanotechnology, King Saud University Riyadh 11451 Saudi Arabia
| | - Idriss Bedja
- Cornea Research Chair, Department of Optometry, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University Riyadh 11433 Saudi Arabia
| | - Abrar Fahad Ajaj
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, College of Science, King Saud University Riyadh 11451 Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdullah Saleh Aldwayyan
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, College of Science, King Saud University Riyadh 11451 Saudi Arabia
- K.A. CARE Energy Research and Innovation Centre, King Saud University Riyadh Saudi Arabia
| | - Aslam Khan
- King Abdullah Institute for Nanotechnology, King Saud University Riyadh 11451 Saudi Arabia
| | - Rashid Ayub
- Department of Science, Technology and Innovation Unit, King Saud University Riyadh 11451 Saudi Arabia
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Machín A, Cotto M, Ducongé J, Márquez F. Artificial Photosynthesis: Current Advancements and Future Prospects. Biomimetics (Basel) 2023; 8:298. [PMID: 37504186 PMCID: PMC10807655 DOI: 10.3390/biomimetics8030298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Artificial photosynthesis is a technology with immense potential that aims to emulate the natural photosynthetic process. The process of natural photosynthesis involves the conversion of solar energy into chemical energy, which is stored in organic compounds. Catalysis is an essential aspect of artificial photosynthesis, as it facilitates the reactions that convert solar energy into chemical energy. In this review, we aim to provide an extensive overview of recent developments in the field of artificial photosynthesis by catalysis. We will discuss the various catalyst types used in artificial photosynthesis, including homogeneous catalysts, heterogeneous catalysts, and biocatalysts. Additionally, we will explore the different strategies employed to enhance the efficiency and selectivity of catalytic reactions, such as the utilization of nanomaterials, photoelectrochemical cells, and molecular engineering. Lastly, we will examine the challenges and opportunities of this technology as well as its potential applications in areas such as renewable energy, carbon capture and utilization, and sustainable agriculture. This review aims to provide a comprehensive and critical analysis of state-of-the-art methods in artificial photosynthesis by catalysis, as well as to identify key research directions for future advancements in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abniel Machín
- Divisionof Natural Sciences and Technology, Universidad Ana G. Méndez-Cupey Campus, San Juan, PR 00926, USA
| | - María Cotto
- Nanomaterials Research Group, Department of Natural Sciences and Technology, Universidad Ana G. Méndez-Gurabo Campus, Gurabo, PR 00778, USA; (M.C.); (J.D.)
| | - José Ducongé
- Nanomaterials Research Group, Department of Natural Sciences and Technology, Universidad Ana G. Méndez-Gurabo Campus, Gurabo, PR 00778, USA; (M.C.); (J.D.)
| | - Francisco Márquez
- Nanomaterials Research Group, Department of Natural Sciences and Technology, Universidad Ana G. Méndez-Gurabo Campus, Gurabo, PR 00778, USA; (M.C.); (J.D.)
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Gupta RK, Shaikh H, Imran A, Bedja I, Ajaj AF, Aldwayyan AS. Electrical Transport, Structural, Optical and Thermal Properties of [(1- x)Succinonitrile: xPEO]-LiTFSI-Co(bpy) 3(TFSI) 2-Co(bpy) 3(TFSI) 3 Solid Redox Mediators. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:1870. [PMID: 35567039 PMCID: PMC9101716 DOI: 10.3390/polym14091870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The solar cell has been considered one of the safest modes for electricity generation. In a dye-sensitized solar cell, a commonly used iodide/triiodide redox mediator inhibits back-electron transfer reactions, regenerates dyes, and reduces triiodide into iodide. The use of iodide/triiodide redox, however, imposes several problems and hence needs to be replaced by alternative redox. This paper reports the first Co2+/Co3+ solid redox mediators, prepared using [(1−x)succinonitrile: xPEO] as a matrix and LiTFSI, Co(bpy)3(TFSI)2, and Co(bpy)3(TFSI)3 as sources of ions. The electrolytes are referred to as SN_E (x = 0), Blend 1_E (x = 0.5 with the ethereal oxygen of the PEO-to-lithium ion molar ratio (EO/Li+) of 113), Blend 2_E (x = 0.5; EO/Li+ = 226), and PEO_E (x = 1; EO/Li+ = 226), which achieved electrical conductivity of 2.1 × 10−3, 4.3 × 10−4, 7.2 × 10−4, and 9.7 × 10−7 S cm−1, respectively at 25 °C. Only the blend-based polymer electrolytes exhibited the Vogel-Tamman-Fulcher-type behavior (vitreous nature) with a required low pseudo-activation energy (0.05 eV), thermal stability up to 125 °C, and transparency in UV-A, visible, and near-infrared regions. FT-IR spectroscopy demonstrated the interaction between salt and matrix in the following order: SN_E < Blend 2_E < Blend 1_E << PEO_E. The results were compared with those of acetonitrile-based liquid electrolyte, ACN_E.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravindra Kumar Gupta
- King Abdullah Institute for Nanotechnology, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Hamid Shaikh
- SABIC Polymer Research Center, College of Engineering, King Saud University, Riyadh 11421, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Ahamad Imran
- King Abdullah Institute for Nanotechnology, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Idriss Bedja
- Cornea Research Chair, Department of Optometry, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11433, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Abrar Fahad Ajaj
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia; (A.F.A.); (A.S.A.)
| | - Abdullah Saleh Aldwayyan
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia; (A.F.A.); (A.S.A.)
- K.A. CARE Energy Research and Innovation Center, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
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Rahamathullah R, Khairul WM, Isa MIN. Contribution of stilbene-imine additives on the structural, ionic conductivity performance and theoretical evaluation on CMC-based biopolymer electrolytes. Carbohydr Polym 2020; 250:116935. [PMID: 33049847 DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2020.116935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Revised: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
New solid biopolymer electrolytes (SBEs) were prepared by integrating stilbene-imine derivatives bearing vinylene (CHCH) and azomethine (CHN) as additives in carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) based electrolyte. The investigation on their spectroscopic and theoretical assessments were conducted to alter the energy level in improving the structural and ionic conductivity performance. The simulated results from frontier molecular orbitals (FMO) and Mulliken-charge analysis revealed that -CF3 and -NO2 substituents significantly reduce the HOMO-LUMO gap up to 0.68 eV. The highest ionic conductivity of SBEs achieved at ambient temperature was ∼8 × 10-3 Scm-1 upon the addition of additive, obeying an Arrhenius model with reciprocal of temperature (303 K-373 K). The coordination interaction of CO bond and CHN band facilitated the dissociation of more cation (H+) of NH4Cl which permits alternative route for H+ to hop into coordinating site in CMC. The outcomes are ideal in the development of electrochemical devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafizah Rahamathullah
- Advanced Nano Materials (AnoMa), Faculty of Science and Marine Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia; Faculty of Engineering Technology, Universiti Malaysia Perlis, Level 1, Block S2, UniCITI Alam Campus, Sungai Chuchuh, Padang Besar, 02100, Perlis, Malaysia
| | - Wan M Khairul
- Advanced Nano Materials (AnoMa), Faculty of Science and Marine Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia.
| | - M I N Isa
- Energy Storage Research, Frontier of Materials Research Group, Advanced Materials Team, Ionic & Kinetic Materials Research (IKMaR) Laboratory, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, Bandar Baru Nilai, 71800, Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
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Wang X, Li Y, Song P, Ma F, Yang Y. Effect of graphene between photoanode and sensitizer on the intramolecular and intermolecular electron transfer process. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2020; 22:6391-6400. [PMID: 32142089 DOI: 10.1039/c9cp06543a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The main goal of this work is to investigate the effects of a graphene layer between the photosensitive layer and semiconductor substrates on the electron transport performance of dye-sensitized solar cells from the perspective of intramolecular arrangement and interfaces. The benzothiadiazole sensitizer YKP-88 is used as the photosensitive layer and the influence of the graphene layer on the short-circuit current density (Jsc) and open-circuit voltage (Voc) is also discussed by exploring the frontier molecular orbitals, intramolecular charge transfer, weak interaction, interfacial electron dynamic propagations and other microscopic parameters after the anchoring of the graphene layer. The results demonstrate that the graphene layer can accelerate the electron injection of dye molecules into the semiconductor substrate, which not only has a qualitative reduction in injection time, but also has a qualitative change in the increase of the injection amount. In addition, it is also found that the graphene layer increases the stereoscopic effect, the absorption of long wavelength (>700 nm) photon flu and the amount of electron injection into the photoanode, which benefits the intramolecular charge transfer and increases the Jsc and Voc of solar cells. The combination of intermolecular and interfacial perspectives indicates that the appropriate configuration of graphene layers can effectively improve the photoelectric conversion efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofei Wang
- College of Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, Heilongjiang, China.
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Balamurugan S, Ganesan S. Novel cobalt redox materials admitted in natrosol polymer with a thiophene based additive as a gel polymer electrolyte to tune up the efficiency of dye sensitized solar cells. Electrochim Acta 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2019.135169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Karthika P, Ganesan S. Poly(ethylene glycol)–poly(propylene glycol)–poly(ethylene glycol) and polyvinylidene fluoride blend doped with oxydianiline-based thiourea derivatives as a novel and modest gel electrolyte system for dye-sensitized solar cell applications. RSC Adv 2020; 10:14768-14777. [PMID: 35497151 PMCID: PMC9052015 DOI: 10.1039/d0ra01031f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Unique symmetrical thiourea derivatives with an oxydianiline core were synthesized using cost-effective and simple methods. A new gel electrolyte system was prepared using these thiourea additives along with a highly conductive PEG–PPG–PEG block copolymer, PVDF, and an iodide/triiodide redox couple. The PEG units present in the electrolyte are well-known for their intense segmental motion of ions, which can degrade the recombination rate and favour the charge transfer. The thiourea additives interacted well with the redox couple to limit iodine sublimation and their adsorption induced a negative potential shift for TiO2. The highest efficiency attained by utilizing such gel polymer electrolytes was 5.75%, especially with 1,1′-(oxybis(4,1-phenylene))bis(3-(6-methylpyridin-2-yl) thiourea) (OPPT), under an irradiation of 100 mW cm−2. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and FTIR spectroscopy data of such gel polymer electrolytes favoured the PCE order of the additives used in DSSCs. The improvement in the DSSC performance with symmetrical thioureas having electron-rich atoms was practically attributed to the reduction of back electron transfer, dye regeneration, and hole transport. A unique gel polymer electrolyte was prepared using PVDF and PEG–PPG–PEG block copolymer with I−/I3− for DSSC application. This is a cost-effective method used for the synthesis of thiourea additives. The GPE with OPPT thiourea additive achieved a good efficiency of 5.7%.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- P. Karthika
- Organic Synthesis and Energy Conversion Laboratory
- Department of Chemistry
- Faculty of Engineering and Technology
- SRM Institute of Science and Technology
- Kattankulathur 603 203
| | - S. Ganesan
- Organic Synthesis and Energy Conversion Laboratory
- Department of Chemistry
- Faculty of Engineering and Technology
- SRM Institute of Science and Technology
- Kattankulathur 603 203
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Saidi NM, Omar FS, Numan A, Apperley DC, Algaradah MM, Kasi R, Avestro AJ, Subramaniam RT. Enhancing the Efficiency of a Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell Based on a Metal Oxide Nanocomposite Gel Polymer Electrolyte. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2019; 11:30185-30196. [PMID: 31347822 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.9b07062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
To overcome the critical limitations of liquid-electrolyte-based dye-sensitized solar cells, quasi-solid-state electrolytes have been explored as a means of addressing long-term device stability, albeit with comparatively low ionic conductivities and device performances. Although metal oxide additives have been shown to augment ionic conductivity, their propensity to aggregate into large crystalline particles upon high-heat annealing hinders their full potential in quasi-solid-state electrolytes. In this work, sonochemical processing has been successfully applied to generate fine Co3O4 nanoparticles that are highly dispersible in a PAN:P(VP-co-VAc) polymer-blended gel electrolyte, even after calcination. An optimized nanocomposite gel polymer electrolyte containing 3 wt % sonicated Co3O4 nanoparticles (PVVA-3) delivers the highest ionic conductivity (4.62 × 10-3 S cm-1) of the series. This property is accompanied by a 51% enhancement in the apparent diffusion coefficient of triiodide versus both unmodified and unsonicated electrolyte samples. The dye-sensitized solar cell based on PVVA-3 displays a power conversion efficiency of 6.46% under AM1.5 G, 100 mW cm-2. By identifying the optimal loading of sonochemically processed nanoparticles, we are able to generate a homogenous extended particle network that effectively mobilizes redox-active species through a highly amorphous host matrix. This effect is manifested in a selective 51% enhancement in photocurrent density (JSC = 16.2 mA cm-2) and a lowered barrier to N719 dye regeneration (RCT = 193 Ω) versus an unmodified solar cell. To the best of our knowledge, this work represents the highest known efficiency to date for dye-sensitized solar cells based on a sonicated Co3O4-modified gel polymer electrolyte. Sonochemical processing, when applied in this manner, has the potential to make meaningful contributions toward the ongoing mission to achieve the widespread exploitation of stable and low-cost dye-sensitized solar cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norshahirah M Saidi
- Centre for Ionics, University of Malaya, Department of Physics , University of Malaya , Kuala Lumpur 50603 , Malaysia
| | - Fatin Saiha Omar
- Centre for Ionics, University of Malaya, Department of Physics , University of Malaya , Kuala Lumpur 50603 , Malaysia
| | - Arshid Numan
- State Key Laboratory of ASIC and System, SIST , Fudan University , Shanghai 200433 , China
| | - David C Apperley
- Department of Chemistry, Science Site, Stockton Road , Durham University , Durham DH1 3LE , U.K
| | - Mohammed M Algaradah
- Department of Chemistry, Science Site, Stockton Road , Durham University , Durham DH1 3LE , U.K
| | - Ramesh Kasi
- Centre for Ionics, University of Malaya, Department of Physics , University of Malaya , Kuala Lumpur 50603 , Malaysia
| | - Alyssa-Jennifer Avestro
- Department of Chemistry, Science Site, Stockton Road , Durham University , Durham DH1 3LE , U.K
- Department of Chemistry , University of York , Heslington , York YO10 5DD , U.K
| | - Ramesh T Subramaniam
- Centre for Ionics, University of Malaya, Department of Physics , University of Malaya , Kuala Lumpur 50603 , Malaysia
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