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Zhang H, Liu J, Besteiro LV, Selopal GS, Zhao Z, Sun S, Rosei F. Advanced Interface Engineering in Gradient Core/Shell Quantum Dots Enables Efficient Photoelectrochemical Hydrogen Evolution. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024; 20:e2306203. [PMID: 38128031 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202306203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2023] [Revised: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Semiconductor core/shell quantum dots (QDs) are considered promising building blocks to fabricate photoelectrochemical (PEC) cells for the direct conversion of solar energy into hydrogen (H2). However, the lattice mismatch between core and shell in such QDs results in undesirable defects and severe carrier recombination, limiting photo-induced carrier separation/transfer and solar-to-fuel conversion efficiency. Here, an interface engineering approach is explored to minimize the core-shell lattice mismatch in CdS/CdSexS1-x (x = 0.09-1) core/shell QDs (g-CSG). As a proof-of-concept, PEC cells based on g-CSG QDs yield a remarkable photocurrent density of 13.1 mA cm-2 under AM 1.5 G one-sun illumination (100 mW cm-2), which is ≈54.1% and ≈33.7% higher compared to that in CdS/CdSe0.5S0.5 (g-CSA) and CdS/CdSe QDs (g-CS), respectively. Theoretical calculations and carrier dynamics confirm more efficient carrier separation and charge transfer rate in g-CSG QDs with respect to g-CSA and g-CS QDs. These results are attributed to the minimization of the core-shell lattice mismatch by the cascade gradient shell in g-CSG QDs, which modifies carrier confinement potential and reduces interfacial defects. This work provides fundamental insights into the interface engineering of core/shell QDs and may open up new avenues to boost the performance of PEC cells for H2 evolution and other QDs-based optoelectronic devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Zhang
- School of Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, Xidian University, Xi'an, 710126, P. R. China
| | - Jiabin Liu
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, Centre Énergie Matériaux Télécommunications, 1650 Boulevard Lionel-Boulet, Varennes, Québec, J3X 1P7, Canada
| | | | - Gurpreet S Selopal
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, Centre Énergie Matériaux Télécommunications, 1650 Boulevard Lionel-Boulet, Varennes, Québec, J3X 1P7, Canada
- Department of Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, Dalhousie University, Truro, NS, B2N 5E3, Canada
| | - Zhenhuan Zhao
- School of Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, Xidian University, Xi'an, 710126, P. R. China
| | - Shuhui Sun
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, Centre Énergie Matériaux Télécommunications, 1650 Boulevard Lionel-Boulet, Varennes, Québec, J3X 1P7, Canada
| | - Federico Rosei
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, Centre Énergie Matériaux Télécommunications, 1650 Boulevard Lionel-Boulet, Varennes, Québec, J3X 1P7, Canada
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Yang B, Cang J, Li Z, Chen J. Nanocrystals as performance-boosting materials for solar cells. NANOSCALE ADVANCES 2024; 6:1331-1360. [PMID: 38419867 PMCID: PMC10898446 DOI: 10.1039/d3na01063e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Nanocrystals (NCs) have been widely studied owing to their distinctive properties and promising application in new-generation photoelectric devices. In photovoltaic devices, semiconductor NCs can act as efficient light harvesters for high-performance solar cells. Besides light absorption, NCs have shown great significance as functional layers for charge (hole and electron) transport and interface modification to improve the power conversion efficiency and stability of solar cells. NC-based functional layers can boost hole/electron transport ability, adjust energy level alignment between a light absorbing layer and charge transport layer, broaden the absorption range of an active layer, enhance intrinsic stability, and reduce fabrication cost. In this review, recent advances in NCs as a hole transport layer, electron transport layer, and interfacial layer are discussed. Additionally, NC additives to improve the performance of solar cells are demonstrated. Finally, a summary and future prospects of NC-based functional materials in solar cells are presented, addressing their limitations and suggesting potential solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boping Yang
- College of Science, Guizhou Institute of Technology Guiyang 550003 China
| | - Junjie Cang
- School of Electrical Engineering, Yancheng Institute of Technology Yancheng 224051 China
| | - Zhiling Li
- College of Science, Guizhou Institute of Technology Guiyang 550003 China
| | - Jian Chen
- College of Artificial Intelligence and Electrical Engineering, Guizhou Institute of Technology Guiyang 550003 China
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Han M, Karatum O, Nizamoglu S. Optoelectronic Neural Interfaces Based on Quantum Dots. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:20468-20490. [PMID: 35482955 PMCID: PMC9100496 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c25009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Optoelectronic modulation of neural activity is an emerging field for the investigation of neural circuits and the development of neural therapeutics. Among a wide variety of nanomaterials, colloidal quantum dots provide unique optoelectronic features for neural interfaces such as sensitive tuning of electron and hole energy levels via the quantum confinement effect, controlling the carrier localization via band alignment, and engineering the surface by shell growth and ligand engineering. Even though colloidal quantum dots have been frontier nanomaterials for solar energy harvesting and lighting, their application to optoelectronic neural interfaces has remained below their significant potential. However, this potential has recently gained attention with the rise of bioelectronic medicine. In this review, we unravel the fundamentals of quantum-dot-based optoelectronic biointerfaces and discuss their neuromodulation mechanisms starting from the quantum dot level up to electrode-electrolyte interactions and stimulation of neurons with their physiological pathways. We conclude the review by proposing new strategies and possible perspectives toward nanodevices for the optoelectronic stimulation of neural tissue by utilizing the exceptional nanoscale properties of colloidal quantum dots.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mertcan Han
- Department
of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Koç University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
| | - Onuralp Karatum
- Department
of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Koç University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
| | - Sedat Nizamoglu
- Department
of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Koç University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
- Graduate
School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Koç University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
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Jin X, Li Y, Yang Y, Shen H, Chen J, Xu B, Xu J. Thioacetamide promotes osteoclast transformation of bone marrow macrophages by influencing PI3K/AKT pathways. J Orthop Surg Res 2022; 17:53. [PMID: 35093114 PMCID: PMC8800259 DOI: 10.1186/s13018-022-02938-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Osteoclast cell increase is a major risk factor for osteoporosis and degenerative bone and joint diseases. At present, RANKL and M-CSF are commonly used to induce osteoclastogenesis. Thioacetamide (TAA) can lead to many types of liver and kidney damage, but less attention has been paid to the association of TAA with bone damage. In this work, we investigated the effects of TAA on the osteoclastogenesis and differentiation of bone marrow macrophages (BMMs).
Methods
BMMs of SD rat suckling mice were taken for primary culture. CCK-8 was used to detect the toxic effects of TAA on BMMs, and flow cytometry was used to detect the effects of TAA on the cell cycle, cell viability, apoptosis and intracytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration of BMMs. TRAP staining was used to detect the effect of RANKL and M-CSF and TAA on osteoclast differentiation of BMMs. Western Blot was used to detect the expression level of PI3K/AKT pathway and osteoclast-specific proteins (TRAP and cathepsin K).
Results
The results suggested that TAA inhibited the proliferation of BMMs, while enhancing osteoclastogenesis at 0.5 mg/mL and 1 mg/mL as assayed by TRAP staining. Exposed to TAA, BMMs could differentiate into osteoclast-like cells with overexpression of cathepsin K and TRAP proteins. Western blot results showed that TAA can activate the expression levels of P-PI3K, P-AKT, P-P38, and P-JNK, accompanied by apoptosis of BMMs and increase in intracellular Ca2+.
Conclusion
TAA may induce osteoclast formation in BMMs by activating the expression of PI3K/AKT pathway proteins, which is comparable to the classic osteoclast differentiation inducer RANKL and M-CSF. This suggests that we may find a cheap osteoclast inducer.
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