An ultrafast quantum thermometer from graphene quantum dots

Luminescence Thermometry Beyond the Biological Realm

As the field of luminescence thermometry has matured, practical applications of luminescence thermometry techniques have grown in both frequency and scope. Due to the biocompatibility of most luminescent thermometers, many of these applications fall within the realm of biology. However, luminescence thermometry is increasingly employed beyond the biological realm, with expanding applications in areas such as thermal characterization of microelectronics, catalysis, and plasmonics. Here, we review the motivations, methodologies, and advances linked to nonbiological applications of luminescence thermometry. We begin with a brief overview of luminescence thermometry probes and techniques, focusing on those most commonly used for nonbiological applications. We then address measurement capabilities that are particularly relevant for these applications and provide a detailed survey of results across various application categories. Throughout the review, we highlight measurement challenges and requirements that are distinct from those of biological applications. Finally, we discuss emerging areas and future directions that present opportunities for continued research.

Enhancing Electrochemical CO2 Reduction on Perovskite Oxide for Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cells through In Situ A-Site Deficiencies and Surface Carbonate Deposition Induced by Lithium Cation Doping and Exsolution

Solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOECs) hold enormous potential for efficient conversion of CO2 to CO at low cost and high reaction kinetics. The identification of active cathodes is highly desirable to promote the SOEC's performance. This study explores a lithium-doped perovskite La0.6- x Lix Sr0.4 Co0.7 Mn0.3 O3-δ (x = 0, 0.025 0.05, and 0.10) material with in situ generated A-site deficiency and surface carbonate as SOEC cathodes  for CO2 reduction. The experimental results indicate that the SOEC with the La0.55 Li0.05 Sr0.4 Co0.7 Mn0.3 O3-δ cathode exhibits a current density of 0.991 A cm-2 at 1.5 V/800 °C, which is an improvement of ≈30% over the pristine sample. Furthermore, SOECs based on the proposed cathode demonstrate excellent stability over 300 h for pure CO2 electrolysis. The addition of lithium with high basicity, low valance, and small radius, coupled with A-site deficiency, promotes the formation of oxygen vacancy and modifies the electronic structure of active sites, thus enhancing CO2 adsorption, dissociation process, and CO desorption steps as corroborated by the experimental analysis and the density functional theory calculation. It is further confirmed that Li-ion migration to the cathode surface forms carbonate and consequently provides the perovskite cathode with an impressive anti-carbon deposition capability, as well as electrolysis activity.

Reversible synthesis of GO: Role of differential bond structure transformation in fine-tuning photodetector response

The controlled modification of graphene's electronic band structure poses serious challenges. In the present work, we study the effect of sp ² cluster size variation on the electronic band gap and photoconductive properties of reduced graphene oxide (RGO). This is achieved by performing reversible functionalization of RGO with oxygen species. The reversible functionalization of RGO results in its partial transformation to graphene oxide (GO) so that the size of the sp ² clusters within the sp ³ matrix varies, thereby affecting the π-π* band structure and photoconductive properties. The study reveals: (1) incremental creation/elimination of oxygenated surface bonds' related energy states within the π-π^* band; (2) customized tuning of the sp ²/sp ³ ratio; (3) the presence/absence of oxygenated states impacts the optical transition processes both from band-to-band and oxygenated states; and (4) the incremental addition/depletion of surface states in a tunable manner directly influences the carrier transport in the photoconductive device. Experiments show a two-stage transformation of RGO electronic properties with changing oxygen functionalities: oxidation (Stage I) and decomposition or erosion (Stage II). Sp ² cluster size variation induced bandgap change was analyzed by Raman and photoluminescence studies, indicating the possibility for photodetection in a specific band encompassing NIR to UV, depending on the sp ²/sp ³ ratio. Energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared studies confirm the surface oxygenation/de-oxygenation during plasma treatment, and XRD confirms partial transformation of RGO to GO and its amorphization at higher plasma exposure times. In addition, the photodetector performance is optimized in terms of carrier generation-recombination and carrier-lattice scattering. Thus, manipulating better photoconductive response is possible through suitable handling of the parameters involved in the plasma treatment process. This is the first study on the influence of the sp ²/sp ³ ratio-induced lattice structure evolution on photodetection.

Interface Kinetics Assisted Barrier Removal in Large Area 2D-WS2 Growth to Facilitate Mass Scale Device Production

Growth of monolayer WS2 of domain size beyond few microns is a challenge even today; and it is still restricted to traditional exfoliation techniques, with no control over the dimension. Here, we present the synthesis of mono- to few layer WS2 film of centimeter2 size on graphene-oxide (GO) coated Si/SiO2 substrate using the chemical vapor deposition CVD technique. Although the individual size of WS2 crystallites is found smaller, the joining of grain boundaries due to sp 2-bonded carbon nanostructures (~3-6 nm) in GO to reduced graphene-oxide (RGO) transformed film, facilitates the expansion of domain size in continuous fashion resulting in full coverage of the substrate. Another factor, equally important for expanding the domain boundary, is surface roughness of RGO film. This is confirmed by conducting WS2 growth on Si wafer marked with few scratches on polished surface. Interestingly, WS2 growth was observed in and around the rough surface irrespective of whether polished or unpolished. More the roughness is, better the yield in crystalline WS2 flakes. Raman mapping ascertains the uniform mono-to-few layer growth over the entire substrate, and it is reaffirmed by photoluminescence, AFM and HRTEM. This study may open up a new approach for growth of large area WS2 film for device application. We have also demonstrated the potential of the developed film for photodetector application, where the cycling response of the detector is highly repetitive with negligible drift.

Separating Hydrocarbon Mixtures by Driving the Components in Opposite Directions: High Degree of Separation Factor and Energy Efficiency

A radically different approach for separation of molecular mixtures is proposed. A judicious combination of levitation effect observed in zeolites with a counter intuitive Landauer blow torch effect provides driving forces for the two components of the mixture to move in opposite directions. Using nonequilibrium Monte Carlo simulations, we illustrate the efficacy of the method for separating real mixtures of both linear n-pentane and its branched isomer, neopentane, and linear n-hexane and its branched isomer, 2,2-dimethylbutane. The method yields several orders of magnitude improvement in separation factor and relative energy efficiency by using submicron zeolite column. The extremely high purity of the resulting single components makes the method best suited for green chemistry.