Elucidation of Critical Catalyst Layer Phenomena toward High Production Rates for the Electrochemical Conversion of CO to Ethylene

This work utilizes EIS to elucidate the impact of catalyst-ionomer interactions and cathode hydroxide ion transport resistance (RCL,OH-) on cell voltage and product selectivity for the electrochemical conversion of CO to ethylene. When using the same Cu catalyst and a Nafion ionomer, varying ink dispersion and electrode deposition methods results in a change of 2 orders of magnitude for RCL,OH- and ca. a 25% change in electrode porosity. Decreasing RCL,OH- results in improved ethylene Faradaic efficiency (FE), up to ∼57%, decrease in hydrogen FE, by ∼36%, and reduction in cell voltage by up to 1 V at 700 mA/cm2. Through the optimization of electrode fabrication conditions, we achieve a maximum of 48% ethylene with >90% FE for non-hydrogen products in a 25 cm2 membrane electrode assembly at 700 mA/cm2 and <3 V. Additionally, the implications of optimizing RCL,OH- is translated to other material requirements, such as anode porosity. We find that the best performing electrodes use ink dispersion and deposition techniques that project well into roll-to-roll processes, demonstrating the scalability of the optimized process.

Membranes Matter: Preventing Ammonia Crossover during Electrochemical Ammonia Synthesis

The electrochemical nitrogen and nitrate reduction reactions (E-NRR and E-NO3RR) promise to provide decentralized and fossil-fuel-free ammonia synthesis, and as a result, E-NRR and E-NO3RR research has surged in recent years. Membrane NH3/NH4+ crossover during E-NRR and E-NO3RR decreases Faradaic efficiency and thus the overall yield. During catalyst evaluation, such unaccounted-for crossover results in measurement error. Herein, several commercially available membranes were screened and evaluated for use in ammonia-generating electrolyzers. NH3/NH4+ crossover of the commonly used cation-exchange membrane (CEM) Nafion 212 was measured in an H-cell architecture and found to be significant. Interestingly, some anion exchange membranes (AEMs) show negligible NH4+ crossover, addressing the problem of measurement error due to NH4+ crossover. Further investigation of select membranes in a zero-gap gas diffusion electrode (GDE)-cell determines that most membranes show significant NH3 crossover when the cell is in an open circuit. However, uptake and crossover of NH3 are mitigated when -1.6 V is applied across the GDE-cell. The results of this study present AEMs as a useful alternative to CEMs for H-cell E-NRR and E-NO3RR electrolyzer studies and present critical insight into membrane crossover in zero-gap GDE-cell E-NRR and E-NO3RR electrolyzers.

Porphene and porphite as porphyrin analogs of graphene and graphite

Two-dimensional materials have unusual properties and promise applications in nanoelectronics, spintronics, photonics, (electro)catalysis, separations, and elsewhere. Most are inorganic and their properties are difficult to tune. Here we report the preparation of Zn porphene, a member of the previously only hypothetical organic metalloporphene family. Similar to graphene, these also are fully conjugated two-dimensional polymers, but are composed of fused metalloporphyrin rings. Zn porphene is synthesized on water surface by two-dimensional oxidative polymerization of a Langmuir layer of Zn porphyrin with K2IrCl6, reminiscent of known one-dimensional polymerization of pyrroles. It is transferable to other substrates and bridges μm-sized pits. Contrary to previous theoretical predictions of metallic conductivity, it is a p-type semiconductor due to a predicted Peierls distortion of its unit cell from square to rectangular, analogous to the appearance of bond-length alternation in antiaromatic molecules. The observed reversible insertion of various metal ions, possibly carrying a fifth or sixth ligand, promises tunability and even patterning of circuits on an atomic canvas without removing any π centers from conjugation.

Zinc Titanium Nitride Semiconductor toward Durable Photoelectrochemical Applications

Photoelectrochemical fuel generation is a promising route to sustainable liquid fuels produced from water and captured carbon dioxide with sunlight as the energy input. Development of these technologies requires photoelectrode materials that are both photocatalytically active and operationally stable in harsh oxidative and/or reductive electrochemical environments. Such photocatalysts can be discovered based on co-design principles, wherein design for stability is based on the propensity for the photocatalyst to self-passivate under operating conditions and design for photoactivity is based on the ability to integrate the photocatalyst with established semiconductor substrates. Here, we report on the synthesis and characterization of zinc titanium nitride (ZnTiN₂) that follows these design rules by having a wurtzite-derived crystal structure and showing self-passivating surface oxides created by electrochemical polarization. The sputtered ZnTiN₂ thin films have optical absorption onsets below 2 eV and n-type electrical conduction of 3 S/cm. The band gap of this material is reduced from the 3.36 eV theoretical value by cation-site disorder, and the impact of cation antisites on the band structure of ZnTiN₂ is explored using density functional theory. Under electrochemical polarization, the ZnTiN₂ surfaces have TiO₂- or ZnO-like character, consistent with Materials Project Pourbaix calculations predicting the formation of stable solid phases under near-neutral pH. These results show that ZnTiN₂ is a promising candidate for photoelectrochemical liquid fuel generation and demonstrate a new materials design approach to other photoelectrodes with self-passivating native operational surface chemistry.

Accelerating Hydrogen Absorption and Desorption Rates in Palladium Nanocubes with an Ultrathin Surface Modification

Exploiting the high surface-area-to-volume ratio of nanomaterials to store energy in the form of electrochemical alloys is an exceptionally promising route for achieving high-rate energy storage and delivery. Nanoscale palladium hydride is an excellent model system for understanding how nanoscale-specific properties affect the absorption and desorption of energy carrying equivalents. Hydrogen absorption and desorption in shape-controlled Pd nanostructures does not occur uniformly across the entire nanoparticle surface. Instead, hydrogen absorption and desorption proceed selectively through high-activity sites at the corners and edges. Such a mechanism hinders the hydrogen absorption rates and greatly reduces the benefit of nanoscaling the dimensions of the palladium. To solve this, we modify the surface of palladium with an ultrathin platinum shell. This modification nearly removes the barrier for hydrogen absorption (89 kJ/mol without a Pt shell and 1.8 kJ/mol with a Pt shell) and enables diffusion through the entire Pd/Pt surface.

Low-energy room-temperature optical switching in mixed-dimensionality nanoscale perovskite heterojunctions

Long-lived photon-stimulated conductance changes in solid-state materials can enable optical memory and brain-inspired neuromorphic information processing. It remains challenging to realize optical switching with low-energy consumption, and new mechanisms and design principles giving rise to persistent photoconductivity (PPC) can help overcome an important technological hurdle. Here, we demonstrate versatile heterojunctions between metal-halide perovskite nanocrystals and semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes that enable room-temperature, long-lived (thousands of seconds), writable, and erasable PPC. Optical switching and basic neuromorphic functions can be stimulated at low operating voltages with femto- to pico-joule energies per spiking event, and detailed analysis demonstrates that PPC in this nanoscale interface arises from field-assisted control of ion migration within the nanocrystal array. Contactless optical measurements also suggest these systems as potential candidates for photonic synapses that are stimulated and read in the optical domain. The tunability of PPC shown here holds promise for neuromorphic computing and other technologies that use optical memory.

Spatially Resolved Persistent Photoconductivity in MoS2-WS2 Lateral Heterostructures

The optical and electronic properties of 2D semiconductors are intrinsically linked via the strong interactions between optically excited bound species and free carriers. Here we use near-field scanning microwave microscopy (SMM) to image spatial variations in photoconductivity in MoS₂-WS₂ lateral multijunction heterostructures using photon energy-resolved narrowband illumination. We find that the onset of photoconductivity in individual domains corresponds to the optical absorption onset, confirming that the tightly bound excitons in transition metal dichalcogenides can nonetheless dissociate into free carriers. These photogenerated carriers are most likely n-type and are seen to persist for up to days. Informed by finite element modeling we reveal that they can increase the carrier density by up to 200 times. This persistent photoconductivity appears to be dominated by contributions from the multilayer MoS₂ domains, and we attribute the flake-wide response in part to charge transfer across the heterointerface. Spatial correlation of our SMM imaging with photoluminescence (PL) mapping confirms the strong link between PL peak emission photon energy, PL intensity, and the local accumulated charge. This work reveals the spatially and temporally complex optoelectronic response of these systems and cautions that properties measured during or after illumination may not reflect the true dark state of these materials but rather a metastable charged state.

Applying Dynamic Strain on Thin Oxide Films Immobilized on a Pseudoelastic Nickel-Titanium Alloy

Direct alteration of material structure/function through strain is a growing area of research that has allowed for novel properties of materials to emerge. Tuning material structure can be achieved by controlling an external force imposed on materials and inducing stress-strain responses (i.e., applying dynamic strain). Electroactive thin films are typically deposited on shape or volume tunable elastic substrates, where mechanical loading (i.e., compression or tension) can affect film structure and function through imposed strain. Here, we summarize methods for straining n-type doped titanium dioxide (TiO2) films prepared by a thermal treatment of a pseudo-elastic nickel-titanium alloy (Nitinol). The main purpose of the described methods is to study how strain affects electrocatalytic activities of metal oxide, specifically hydrogen evolution and oxygen evolution reactions. The same system can be adapted to study the effect of strain more broadly. Strain engineering can be applied for optimization of a material function, as well as for design of adjustable, multifunctional (photo)electrocatalytic materials under external stress control.

Progress and Prospective of Nitrogen-Based Alternative Fuels

Alternative fuels are essential to enable the transition to a sustainable and environmentally friendly energy supply. Synthetic fuels derived from renewable energies can act as energy storage media, thus mitigating the effects of fossil fuels on environment and health. Their economic viability, environmental impact, and compatibility with current infrastructure and technologies are fuel and power source specific. Nitrogen-based fuels pose one possible synthetic fuel pathway. In this review, we discuss the progress and current research on utilization of nitrogen-based fuels in power applications, covering the complete fuel cycle. We cover the production, distribution, and storage of nitrogen-based fuels. We assess much of the existing literature on the reactions involved in the ammonia to nitrogen atom pathway in nitrogen-based fuel combustion. Furthermore, we discuss nitrogen-based fuel applications ranging from combustion engines to gas turbines, as well as their exploitation by suggested end-uses. Thereby, we evaluate the potential opportunities and challenges of expanding the role of nitrogen-based molecules in the energy sector, outlining their use as energy carriers in relevant fields.

Disentangling oxygen and water vapor effects on optoelectronic properties of monolayer tungsten disulfide

By understanding how the environmental composition impacts the optoelectronic properties of transition metal dichalcogenide monolayers, we demonstrate that simple photoluminescence (PL) measurements of tungsten disulfide (WS₂) monolayers can differentiate relative humidity environments. In this paper, we examine the PL and photoconductivity of chemical vapor deposition grown WS₂ monolayers under three carefully controlled environments: inert gas (N₂), dry air (O₂ in N₂), and humid nitrogen (H₂O vapor in N₂). The WS₂ PL is measured as a function of 532 nm laser power and exposure time and can be decomposed into the exciton, trion, and lower energy state(s) contributions. Under continuous illumination in either O₂ or H₂O vapor environment, we find dramatic (and reversible) increases in PL intensity relative to the PL in an inert environment. The PL bathochromically shifts in an O₂ environment and is dominated by increased trion emission and diminished exciton emission. In contrast, the WS₂ PL increase in a H₂O environment results from an overall increase in emission from all spectral components where the exciton contribution dominates. The drastic increases in PL are anticorrelated with corresponding decreases in photoconductivity, as measured by time-resolved microwave conductivity. The results suggest that both O₂ and H₂O react photochemically with the WS₂ monolayer surface, modifying the optoelectronic properties, but do so via distinct pathways. Thus, we use these optoelectronic differences to differentiate the amount of humidity in the air, which we show with 0%, 40%, and 80% relative humidity environments. This deeper understanding of how ambient conditions impact WS₂ monolayers enables novel humidity sensors as well as a better understanding of the correlation between TMDC surface chemistry, light emission, and photoconductivity. Moreover, these WS₂ measurements highlight the importance of considering the impact of the local environment on reported results.

Interference Provides Clarity: Direct Observation of 2D Materials at Fluid-Fluid Interfaces

Monolayer particles of two-dimensional (2D) materials represent a scientifically and technologically interesting class of anisotropic particles with colloidal-scale lateral sizes but sub-nanometer thicknesses. This atomic-scale thickness leads to interesting phenomena that can be exploited in next-generation thin-film technologies, and fluid-fluid interfaces provide a potentially scalable platform to confine, assemble, and deposit functional thin films of 2D materials. However, directly observing how these materials interact and assemble into a given film morphology is experimentally challenging because of their sub-nanometer thicknesses. Here, we demonstrate the ability to directly observe graphene, molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂), and hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) particles at fluid-fluid interfaces using interference reflection microscopy (IRM). Monolayer MoS₂ and graphene particles demonstrated >10% optical contrast at an air-water interface, which allowed us to quantitatively analyze in situ images of self-assembled MoS₂ particles and to map trajectories of interacting graphene particles. Additionally, the Brownian motion of a graphene particle was tracked and analyzed in the context of passive microrheology theory for 2D particle probes. Our results demonstrate how IRM can be used to obtain quantitative spatiotemporal information regarding the self-assembly and dynamics of 2D materials at fluid-fluid interfaces. It will have a significant impact on our ability to investigate systems of atomically thin particles at fluid-fluid interfaces, an area that has fundamental scientific importance and materials science applications but has suffered from a lack of direct, in situ observation techniques.

Measuring Photoexcited Free Charge Carriers in Mono- to Few-Layer Transition-Metal Dichalcogenides with Steady-State Microwave Conductivity

Photoinduced generation of mobile charge carriers is the fundamental process underlying many applications, such as solar energy harvesting, solar fuel production, and efficient photodetectors. Monolayer transition-metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) are an attractive model system for studying photoinduced carrier generation mechanisms in low-dimensional materials because they possess strong direct band gap absorption, large exciton binding energies, and are only a few atoms thick. While a number of studies have observed charge generation in neat TMDCs for photoexcitation at, above, or even below the optical band gap, the role of nonlinear processes (resulting from high photon fluences), defect states, excess charges, and layer interactions remains unclear. In this study, we introduce steady-state microwave conductivity (SSMC) spectroscopy for measuring charge generation action spectra in a model WS₂ mono- to few-layer TMDC system at fluences that coincide with the terrestrial solar flux. Despite utilizing photon fluences well below those used in previous pump-probe measurements, the SSMC technique is sensitive enough to easily resolve the photoconductivity spectrum arising in mono- to few-layer WS₂. By correlating SSMC with other spectroscopy and microscopy experiments, we find that photoconductivity is observed predominantly for excitation wavelengths resonant with the excitonic transition of the multilayer portions of the sample, the density of which can be controlled by the synthesis conditions. These results highlight the potential of layer engineering as a route toward achieving high yields of photoinduced charge carriers in neat TMDCs, with implications for a broad range of optoelectronic applications.

Conductivity Tuning via Doping with Electron Donating and Withdrawing Molecules in Perovskite CsPbI3 Nanocrystal Films

Doping of semiconductors enables fine control over the excess charge carriers, and thus the overall electronic properties, crucial to many technologies. Controlled doping in lead-halide perovskite semiconductors has thus far proven to be difficult. However, lower dimensional perovskites such as nanocrystals, with their high surface-area-to-volume ratio, are particularly well-suited for doping via ground-state molecular charge transfer. Here, the tunability of the electronic properties of perovskite nanocrystal arrays is detailed using physically adsorbed molecular dopants. Incorporation of the dopant molecules into electronically coupled CsPbI₃ nanocrystal arrays is confirmed via infrared and photoelectron spectroscopies. Untreated CsPbI₃ nanocrystal films are found to be slightly p-type with increasing conductivity achieved by incorporating the electron-accepting dopant 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (F₄ TCNQ) and decreasing conductivity for the electron-donating dopant benzyl viologen. Time-resolved spectroscopic measurements reveal the time scales of Auger-mediated recombination in the presence of excess electrons or holes. Microwave conductance and field-effect transistor measurements demonstrate that both the local and long-range hole mobility are improved by F₄ TCNQ doping of the nanocrystal arrays. The improved hole mobility in photoexcited p-type arrays leads to a pronounced enhancement in phototransistors.

Electrocatalytic and Optoelectronic Characteristics of the Two-Dimensional Titanium Nitride Ti4N3Tx MXene

A relatively new class of two-dimensional (2D) materials called MXenes have garnered tremendous interest in the field of energy storage and conversion. Thus far nearly all MXenes reported experimentally have been described as metals, with a lone report of a mixed-metal carbide phase exhibiting semiconducting character. Here, we report the optical, electrocatalytic, and electrical properties of the 2D Ti₄N₃T_x MXene (T_x = basal plane surface terminating groups) and show that this material exhbits both metallic and semiconducting behaviors. We provide complete structural characterization of exfoliated Ti₄N₃T_x MXene and assign T_x = O and/or OH and find that this material is susceptible to surface oxidation. Optical experiments indicate that the exfoliated Ti₄N₃T_x MXene forms a hybrid with a thin surface oxide layer resulting in visible light absorbtion at energies greater than ∼2.0 eV and an excitation wavelength-dependent defect-state emission over a broad range centered at ∼2.9 eV. As an electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction, the exfoliated Ti₄N₃T_x shows an overpotential of ∼300 mV at -10 mA cm^-2 and a Tafel slope of ∼190 mV dec^-1. Finally, we observe semiconducting behavior at temperatures below ∼90 K from temperature-dependent transport measurements under 5 T magnetic field likely resulting from the thin oxide layer. These results unveil the intriguing optical, electrocatalytic, and electrical properties of this 2D Ti₄N₃T_x MXene that expands the potential of these new 2D materials into electrocatalysis and (opto)electronic applications.

Switchable photovoltaic windows enabled by reversible photothermal complex dissociation from methylammonium lead iodide

Materials with switchable absorption properties have been widely used for smart window applications to reduce energy consumption and enhance occupant comfort in buildings. In this work, we combine the benefits of smart windows with energy conversion by producing a photovoltaic device with a switchable absorber layer that dynamically responds to sunlight. Upon illumination, photothermal heating switches the absorber layer—composed of a metal halide perovskite-methylamine complex—from a transparent state (68% visible transmittance) to an absorbing, photovoltaic colored state (less than 3% visible transmittance) due to dissociation of methylamine. After cooling, the methylamine complex is re-formed, returning the absorber layer to the transparent state in which the device acts as a window to visible light. The thermodynamics of switching and performance of the device are described. This work validates a photovoltaic window technology that circumvents the fundamental tradeoff between efficient solar conversion and high visible light transmittance that limits conventional semitransparent PV window designs.

Conventional smart windows with tunable transparency are based on electrochromic systems that consumes energy. Here Wheeler et al. demonstrate a halide perovskite based photo-switchable window that dynamically responds to sunlight and change colors via reversible phase transitions.

High-Performance Flexible Perovskite Solar Cells on Ultrathin Glass: Implications of the TCO

For halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) to fulfill their vast potential for combining low-cost, high efficiency, and high throughput production they must be scaled using a truly transformative method, such as roll-to-roll processing. Bringing this reality closer to fruition, the present work demonstrates flexible perovskite solar cells with 18.1% power conversion efficiency on flexible Willow Glass substrates. We highlight the importance of the transparent conductive oxide (TCO) layers on device performance by studying various TCOs. While tin-doped indium oxide (ITO) and indium zinc oxide (IZO) based PSC devices demonstrate high photovoltaic performances, aluminum-doped zinc oxide (AZO) based devices underperformed in all device parameters. Analysis of X-ray photoemission spectroscopy data shows that the stoichiometry of the perovskite film surface changes dramatically when it is fabricated on AZO, demonstrating the importance of the substrate in perovskite film formation.

Synthesis and Spectroscopy of Silver-Doped PbSe Quantum Dots

Electronic impurity doping of bulk semiconductors is an essential component of semiconductor science and technology. Yet there are only a handful of studies demonstrating control of electronic impurities in semiconductor nanocrystals. Here, we studied electronic impurity doping of colloidal PbSe quantum dots (QDs) using a postsynthetic cation exchange reaction in which Pb is exchanged for Ag. We found that varying the concentration of dopants exposed to the as-synthesized PbSe QDs controls the extent of exchange. The electronic impurity doped QDs exhibit the fundamental spectroscopic signatures associated with injecting a free charge carrier into a QD under equilibrium conditions, including a bleach of the first exciton transition and the appearance of a quantum-confined, low-energy intraband absorption feature. Photoelectron spectroscopy confirms that Ag acts as a p-type dopant for PbSe QDs and infrared spectroscopy is consistent with k·p calculations of the size-dependent intraband transition energy. We find that to bleach the first exciton transition by an average of 1 carrier per QD requires that approximately 10% of the Pb be replaced by Ag. We hypothesize that the majority of incorporated Ag remains at the QD surface and does not interact with the core electronic states of the QD. Instead, the excess Ag at the surface promotes the incorporation of <1% Ag into the QD core where it causes p-type doping behavior.

Tuning colloidal quantum dot band edge positions through solution-phase surface chemistry modification

Band edge positions of semiconductors determine their functionality in many optoelectronic applications such as photovoltaics, photoelectrochemical cells and light emitting diodes. Here we show that band edge positions of lead sulfide (PbS) colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals, specifically quantum dots (QDs), can be tuned over 2.0 eV through surface chemistry modification. We achieved this remarkable control through the development of simple, robust and scalable solution-phase ligand exchange methods, which completely replace native ligands with functionalized cinnamate ligands, allowing for well-defined, highly tunable chemical systems. By combining experiments and ab initio simulations, we establish clear relationships between QD surface chemistry and the band edge positions of ligand/QD hybrid systems. We find that in addition to ligand dipole, inter-QD ligand shell inter-digitization contributes to the band edge shifts. We expect that our established relationships and principles can help guide future optimization of functional organic/inorganic hybrid nanostructures for diverse optoelectronic applications.

The band edge positions of semiconductors decide their optoelectronic properties. Here, the authors establish a simple ligand exchange strategy to tune the band edge positions of colloidal PbS semiconductor quantum dots, revealing clear relationships between surface chemistry and band edge position.

Covalent Surface Modification of Gallium Arsenide Photocathodes for Water Splitting in Highly Acidic Electrolyte

Efficient water splitting using light as the only energy input requires stable semiconductor electrodes with favorable energetics for the water-oxidation and proton-reduction reactions. Strategies to tune electrode potentials using molecular dipoles adsorbed to the semiconductor surface have been pursued for decades but are often based on weak interactions and quickly react to desorb the molecule under conditions relevant to sustained photoelectrolysis. Here, we show that covalent attachment of fluorinated, aromatic molecules to p-GaAs(1 0 0) surfaces can be employed to tune the photocurrent onset potentials of p-GaAs(1 0 0) photocathodes and reduce the external energy required for water splitting. Results indicate that initial photocurrent onset potentials can be shifted by nearly 150 mV in pH -0.5 electrolyte under 1 Sun (1000 W m^-2 ) illumination resulting from the covalently bound surface dipole. Though X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis reveals that the covalent molecular dipole attachment is not robust under extended 50 h photoelectrolysis, the modified surface delays arsenic oxide formation that results in a p-GaAs(1 0 0) photoelectrode operating at a sustained photocurrent density of -20.5 mA cm^-2 within -0.5 V of the reversible hydrogen electrode.

Defect Tolerance to Intolerance in the Vacancy-Ordered Double Perovskite Semiconductors Cs2SnI6 and Cs2TeI6

Vacancy-ordered double perovskites of the general formula A2BX6 are a family of perovskite derivatives composed of a face-centered lattice of nearly isolated [BX6] units with A-site cations occupying the cuboctahedral voids. Despite the presence of isolated octahedral units, the close-packed iodide lattice provides significant electronic dispersion, such that Cs2SnI6 has recently been explored for applications in photovoltaic devices. To elucidate the structure-property relationships of these materials, we have synthesized solid-solution Cs2Sn1-xTexI6. However, even though tellurium substitution increases electronic dispersion via closer I-I contact distances, the substitution experimentally yields insulating behavior from a significant decrease in carrier concentration and mobility. Density functional calculations of native defects in Cs2SnI6 reveal that iodine vacancies exhibit a low enthalpy of formation, and that the defect energy level is a shallow donor to the conduction band rendering the material tolerant to these defect states. The increased covalency of Te-I bonding renders the formation of iodine vacancy states unfavorable and is responsible for the reduction in conductivity upon Te substitution. Additionally, Cs2TeI6 is intolerant to the formation of these defects, because the defect level occurs deep within the band gap and thus localizes potential mobile charge carriers. In these vacancy-ordered double perovskites, the close-packed lattice of iodine provides significant electronic dispersion, while the interaction of the B- and X-site ions dictates the properties as they pertain to electronic structure and defect tolerance. This simplified perspective based on extensive experimental and theoretical analysis provides a platform from which to understand structure-property relationships in functional perovskite halides.

Revisiting the Valence and Conduction Band Size Dependence of PbS Quantum Dot Thin Films

We use a high signal-to-noise X-ray photoelectron spectrum of bulk PbS, GW calculations, and a model assuming parabolic bands to unravel the various X-ray and ultraviolet photoelectron spectral features of bulk PbS as well as determine how to best analyze the valence band region of PbS quantum dot (QD) films. X-ray and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS and UPS) are commonly used to probe the difference between the Fermi level and valence band maximum (VBM) for crystalline and thin-film semiconductors. However, we find that when the standard XPS/UPS analysis is used for PbS, the results are often unrealistic due to the low density of states at the VBM. Instead, a parabolic band model is used to determine the VBM for the PbS QD films, which is based on the bulk PbS experimental spectrum and bulk GW calculations. Our analysis highlights the breakdown of the Brillioun zone representation of the band diagram for large band gap, highly quantum confined PbS QDs. We have also determined that in 1,2-ethanedithiol-treated PbS QD films the Fermi level position is dependent on the QD size; specifically, the smallest band gap QD films have the Fermi level near the conduction band minimum and the Fermi level moves away from the conduction band for larger band gap PbS QD films. This change in the Fermi level within the QD band gap could be due to changes in the Pb:S ratio. In addition, we use inverse photoelectron spectroscopy to measure the conduction band region, which has similar challenges in the analysis of PbS QD films due to a low density of states near the conduction band minimum.

Air-Stable and Efficient PbSe Quantum-Dot Solar Cells Based upon ZnSe to PbSe Cation-Exchanged Quantum Dots

We developed a single step, cation-exchange reaction that produces air-stable PbSe quantum dots (QDs) from ZnSe QDs and PbX2 (X = Cl, Br, or I) precursors. The resulting PbSe QDs are terminated with halide anions and contain residual Zn cations. We characterized the PbSe QDs using UV-vis-NIR absorption, photoluminescence quantum yield spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Solar cells fabricated from these PbSe QDs obtained an overall best power conversion efficiency of 6.47% at one sun illumination. The solar cell performance without encapsulation remains unchanged for over 50 days in ambient conditions; and after 50 days, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory certification team certified the device at 5.9%.

Preparation of Cd/Pb Chalcogenide Heterostructured Janus Particles via Controllable Cation Exchange

We developed a strategy for producing quasi-spherical nanocrystals of anisotropic heterostructures of Cd/Pb chalcogenides. The nanostructures are fabricated via a controlled cation exchange reaction where the Cd(2+) cation is exchanged for the Pb(2+) cation. The cation exchange reaction is thermally activated and can be controlled by adjusting the reaction temperature or time. We characterized the particles using TEM, XPS, PL, and absorption spectroscopy. With complete exchange, high quality Pb-chalcogenide quantum dots are produced. In addition to Cd(2+), we also find suitable conditions for the exchange of Zn(2+) cations for Pb(2+) cations. The cation exchange is anisotropic starting at one edge of the nanocrystals and proceeds along the ⟨111⟩ direction producing a sharp interface at a (111) crystallographic plane. Instead of spherical core/shell structures, we produced and studied quasi-spherical CdS/PbS and CdSe/PbSe Janus-type heterostructures. Nontrivial PL behavior was observed from the CdS(e)/PbS(e) heterostructures as the Pb:Cd ratio is increased.

PbSe quantum dot solar cells with more than 6% efficiency fabricated in ambient atmosphere

Colloidal quantum dots (QDs) are promising candidates for the next generation of photovoltaic (PV) technologies. Much of the progress in QD PVs is based on using PbS QDs, partly because they are stable under ambient conditions. There is considerable interest in extending this work to PbSe QDs, which have shown an enhanced photocurrent due to multiple exciton generation (MEG). One problem complicating such device-based studies is a poor stability of PbSe QDs toward exposure to ambient air. Here we develop a direct cation exchange synthesis to produce PbSe QDs with a large range of sizes and with in situ chloride and cadmium passivation. The synthesized QDs have excellent air stability, maintaining their photoluminescence quantum yield under ambient conditions for more than 30 days. Using these QDs, we fabricate high-performance solar cells without any protection and demonstrate a power conversion efficiency exceeding 6%, which is a current record for PbSe QD solar cells.

Diffusion-controlled synthesis of PbS and PbSe quantum dots with in situ halide passivation for quantum dot solar cells

We developed a simple non-hot-injection synthetic route that achieves in situ halide-passivated PbS and PbSe quantum dots (QDs) and simplifies the fabrication of Pb-chalcogenide QD solar cells. The synthesis mechanism follows a temperature-dependent diffusion growth model leading to strategies that can achieve narrow size distributions for a range of sizes. We show that PbS QDs can be produced with a diameter as small as 2.2 nm, corresponding to a 1.7 eV band gap, while the resulting size distribution (6-7%) is comparable to that of hot-injection syntheses. The in situ chloride surface passivation is demonstrated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and an improved photostability of both PbS and PbSe QDs when stored under air. Additionally, the photoluminescence quantum yield of the PbS QDs is ∼30% higher compared to the traditional synthesis. We show that PbS QD solar cells with 6.5% power conversion efficiency (PCE) can be constructed. Finally, we fabricated PbSe QD solar cells in air (rather than in inert atmosphere), achieving a PCE of 2.65% using relatively large QDs with a corresponding band gap of 0.89 eV.

New view of the ICN A continuum using photoelectron spectroscopy of ICN-

Negative-ion photoelectron spectroscopy of ICN(-) (X̃ (2)Σ(+)) reveals transitions to the ground electronic state (X̃ (1)Σ(+)) of ICN as well as the first five excited states ((3)Π(2), (3)Π(1), Π(0(-) ) (3), Π(0(+) ) (3), and (1)Π(1)) that make up the ICN A continuum. By starting from the equilibrium geometry of the anion, photoelectron spectroscopy characterizes the electronic structure of ICN at an elongated I-C bond length of 2.65 Å. Because of this bond elongation, the lowest three excited states of ICN ((3)Π(2), (3)Π(1), and Π(0(-) ) (3)) are resolved for the first time in the photoelectron spectrum. In addition, the spectrum has a structured peak that arises from the frequently studied conical intersection between the Π(0(+) ) (3) and (1)Π(1) states. The assignment of the spectrum is aided by MR-SO-CISD calculations of the potential energy surfaces for the anion and neutral ICN electronic states, along with calculations of the vibrational levels supported by these states. Through thermochemical cycles involving spectrally narrow transitions to the excited states of ICN, we determine the electron affinity, EA(ICN), to be 1.34(5) (+0.04∕-0.02) eV and the anion dissociation energy, D(0)(X̃ (2)Σ(+) I-CN(-)), to be 0.83 (+0.04/-0.02) eV.

Solvent-mediated charge redistribution in photodissociation of IBr(-) and IBr(-)(CO2)

A combined experimental and theoretical investigation of photodissociation dynamics of IBr(-) and IBr(-)(CO(2)) on the B ((2)Σ(1/2)(+)) excited electronic state is presented. Time-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy reveals that in bare IBr(-) prompt dissociation forms exclusively I∗ + Br(-). Compared to earlier dissociation studies of IBr(-) excited to the A' ((2)Π(1∕2)) state, the signal rise is delayed by 200 ± 20 fs. In the case of IBr(-)(CO(2)), the product distribution shows the existence of a second major (∼40%) dissociation pathway, Br∗ + I(-). In contrast to the primary product channel, the signal rise associated with this pathway shows only a 50 ± 20 fs delay. The altered product branching ratio indicates that the presence of one solvent-like CO(2) molecule dramatically affects the electronic structure of the dissociating IBr(-). We explore the origins of this phenomenon with classical trajectories, quantum wave packet studies, and MR-SO-CISD calculations of the six lowest-energy electronic states of IBr(-) and 36 lowest-energy states of IBr. We find that the CO(2) molecule provides sufficient solvation energy to bring the initially excited state close in energy to a lower-lying state. The splitting between these states and the time at which the crossing takes place depend on the location of the solvating CO(2) molecule.

MLK3 is critical for breast cancer cell migration and promotes a malignant phenotype in mammary epithelial cells

The malignant phenotype in breast cancer is driven by aberrant signal transduction pathways. Mixed-lineage kinase-3 (MLK3) is a mammalian mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase (MAP3K) that activates multiple MAPK pathways. Depending on the cellular context, MLK3 has been implicated in apoptosis, proliferation, migration and differentiation. Here we investigated the effect of MLK3 and its signaling to MAPKs in the acquisition of malignancy in breast cancer. We show that MLK3 is highly expressed in breast cancer cells. We provide evidence that MLK3's catalytic activity and signaling to c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) is required for migration of highly invasive breast cancer cells and for MLK3-induced migration of mammary epithelial cells. Expression of active MLK3 is sufficient to induce the invasion of mammary epithelial cells, which requires AP-1 activity and is accompanied by the expression of several proteins corresponding to AP-1-regulated invasion genes. To assess MLK3's contribution to the breast cancer malignant phenotype in a more physiological setting, we implemented a strategy to inducibly express active MLK3 in the preformed acini of MCF10A cells grown in 3D Matrigel. Induction of MLK3 expression dramatically increases acinar size and modestly perturbs apicobasal polarity. Remarkably, MLK3 expression induces luminal repopulation and suppresses the expression of the pro-apoptotic protein BimEL, as has been observed in Her2/Neu-expressing acini. Taken together, our data show that MLK3-JNK-AP-1 signaling is critical for breast cancer cell migration and invasion. Our current study uncovers both a proliferative and novel antiapoptotic role for MLK3 in the acquisition of a malignant phenotype in mammary epithelial cells. Thus, MLK3 may be an important therapeutic target for the treatment of invasive breast cancer.

Alkylation effects on strong collisions of highly vibrationally excited alkylated pyridines with CO2

The role of alkylation on the energy partitioning in strong collisions with CO2 was investigated for highly vibrationally excited 2-ethylpyridine (2EP) and 2-propylpyridine (2PP) prepared with E(vib) approximately 38,570 and 38,870 cm(-1), respectively, using lambda = 266 nm light. Nascent energy gain in CO2 (00(0)0) rotation and translation was measured with high-resolution transient absorption spectroscopy at lambda approximately 4.3 microm and the results are compared to earlier relaxation studies of pyridine (E(vib) = 37,950 cm(-1)) and 2-methylpyridine (2MP, Evib = 38,330 cm(-1)). Overall, the alkylated donors impart less rotational and translational energy to CO2 than does pyridine. 2PP consistently imparts more translational energy in collisions than does 2EP and has larger energy transfer rates. Of the alkylated donors, 2MP and 2PP have larger probabilities for strong collisional energy transfer than does 2EP. Two competing processes are discussed: donors with longer alkyl chains have lower average energy per mode and fewer strong collisions but longer alkyl chains increase donor flexibility, leading to higher state densities that enhance energy loss via strong collisions. A comparison of state density effects based on Fermi's Golden Rule shows that 2PP has more strong collisions than predicted while 2EP has fewer. The role of torsional motion in the hot donors is considered. Comparison of effective impact parameters shows that the alkylated donors undergo strong collisions with CO2 via a less repulsive part of the intermolecular potential than does pyridine.

Relaxation dynamics of highly vibrationally excited picoline isomers (E(vib) = 38 300 cm(-1)) with CO2: the role of state density in impulsive collisions

Strong collisions of highly vibrationally excited picoline isomers and CO2 (00(0)0) were investigated using high resolution transient IR absorption probing to investigate the role of donor state density. Vibrationally excited 3-picoline and 4-picoline (3-methylpyridine and 4 methylpyridine) with E(vib) = 38300 cm(-1) were prepared by 266 nm excitation followed by rapid internal conversion. Transient IR probe measurements of the nascent rotational and translational energy gain in CO2 (00(0)0) show that large DeltaE collisions for 3- and 4-picoline are similar to those for excited 2-picoline. The probability distributions for the large DeltaE energy transfer of the three isomers have similar dependence on DeltaE. The results are compared with other earlier results demonstrating that the shape of the large DeltaE probability distribution correlates with the DeltaE dependence of the donor vibrational state density. The results are discussed in terms of the GRETCHEN model for collisional relaxation.