Solar water splitting can potentially play a significant role in the future, sustainable and carbon-neutral energy infrastructure - by generating hydrogen as a green fuel from renewable sources and liquid-fuels via carbon-dioxide reduction. Hydrogen has higher gravimetric energy-yield compared to most of the conventional fossil fuels, is storable and transportable on demand. With the prospective green hydrogen economy in mind, considerable efforts have been made in the quest for a stable and efficient photocatalyst/photoelectrode which can eventually lead towards the realization of large-scale hydrogen production system. This snapshot review provides a summary of the basic principles and challenges associated with unassisted overall water splitting, and highlights the recent technological advancements made on the device and system designs on lab-scale - to improve different performance metrics, i.e., efficiency, stability, scalability and large-scale prototypes with demonstrated potentials for future developments.

Cesium lead iodide perovskite (CsPbI3) with excellent optical and electrical properties have attracted numerous academic attentions. Specifically, the black cubic phase CsPbI3 with a direct band gap of 1.74 eV has been most appropriate materials for various optoelectronic applications, especially for photovoltaic (PV), Light-Emitting Diodes (LED) and photodetector applications1. However, the preferred cubic phase of bulk CsPbI3 (α-CsPbI3) is usually only stable at high temperatures and it will undergo an immediate phase transformation to orthorhombic phase (δ-CsPbI3) after fabrication at room temperature. In this work, we have discovered a convenient CVD method to investigate the growth behavior of the cubic α-CsPbI3 film on the porous alumina substrate. The lead iodide and cesium iodide were used as the precursors for the deposition of CsPbI3. The porous alumina with high surface area and large pore volume was used as growth substrate. It was shown that the porous alumina promoted the growth of CsPbI3 film by absorbing the precursor and increasing the nucleation density. The prepared CsPbI3 film emitted strong and stable red light under ultraviolet light excitation at room temperature and ambient atmosphere. The lead iodide was absorbed on the surface of the porous alumina firstly then reacted with cesiumiodide to form the CsPbI3. The successful preparation of the CsPbI3 by the direct CVD method paves the way for its large scale growth and application in optoelectronic devices.

Two glass series in the ternary systems K2O-B2O3-SiO2 (KBS) and Na2O-B2O3-SiO2 (NBS) were studied in order to identify the main factors influencing the solubility of iodine. We established that iodine incorporation is strongly linked to the bulk chemistry, i.e. the SiO2/(B2O3+SiO2) molar ratio, and to the physical properties of the glasses, and we assessed three different solubility limits. Iodine in Si-rich glasses has a low solubility (≤1 mol% I) regardless of the alkali ion present. On the contrary, in B-rich glasses, the solubility is five times higher than in Si-rich glasses for Na-glasses, and more than six times higher for K-glasses. The strong dependence of iodine solubility on the bulk chemistry is related to the adaptability of the glass network. Furthermore, our data suggest that iodine is stable with different redox states in the glasses here analyzed.

In this work, green nanotechnology has been applied by using phytochemical compounds as reducing agents from the plant extract of Hydrocotyle ranunuculoides through three modifications of the phytosynthesis method to prepare Fe and Zn nanoparticles, in three different concentration of the metallic solution. In the third modification a MgO support was included to avoid the Fe and Zn NP agglomeration. The nanoparticles size was 5±1 nm, and for the Fe NPs, it was determined with a cubic structure a Fe3O4 composition, and Zn nanoparticles were obtained with a hexagonal structure and Zn° composition. In the third method, MgO nanoparticle, the support appears as Mg0 nanoparticles surrounded by Fe0 and Zn0 nanoparticles. According to the three used methods pathways, the main influence is the modification in the method synthesis. Hybrid nanocomposites provide a means in preventing agglomeration of the NPs and hence avoid coalescence and loss of properties.

Considering their distinctive properties, titanium alloys are used in foremost industries, including the aeronautic, automotive and biomedical industries. The reduced machinability of titanium alloys is due to their low thermal conductivity and high plasticity behavior. In the biomedical sector, one of the most studied alloys is Ti-6Al-4V. In the case of the Ti-6Al-7Nb alloy, scarce investigations are identified, related to machinability studies. The machining of Ti-6Al-7Nb alloy requires the development of new tools with higher properties, which provide better performance. The objective of this study is to present the experimental results related to a novel ceramic cutting tool, in terms of cutting tool life and productivity, in the machining of Ti-6Al-7Nb alloy. A turning operation of a 25 mm diameter bar was performed; the cutting speed was varied in three levels. The results showed the high performance of this type of tools, from the point of view of machinability. The values of the obtained cutting forces are found in the ranges reported by the consulted literature using ceramic tools. The surface roughness values were considered appropriate, taking into account that the tool is recommended for roughing and semi-finishing operations. The most relevant results were obtained in terms of productivity, considering that the performance is 2.53 times higher than the presented in similar works.

We studied the microstructure of Al0.28Ga0.72As0.972Sb0.028 metamaterials containing a developed array of AsSb nanoinclusions. The AlGaAsSb films were grown by low-temperature molecular-beam epitaxy followed by high-temperature annealing at 750°C. The process resulted in an array of self-organized AsSb nanonclusions with an average diameter of 15 nm. The volume filling factor was about 0.003. Using transmission electron microscopy and x-ray diffraction we showed that the nanoinclusions have A7-type rhombohedral atomic structure with the following orientation in the matrix (0003)p || {111}m and [-2110]p || 〈220〉m, where p and m indices indicate the AsSb precipitate and AlGaAsSb matrix, correspondingly. The nanoinclusions appeared to be strongly enriched by antimony (more than 90 atomic %), whereas the Sb content in the AlGaAsSb matrix was 2.8 atomic %. The strong enrichment of the inclusion with Sb resulted from the local thermodynamic equilibrium between the solid AlGaAsSb matrix and AsSb inclusions which became liquid at a formation temperature of 750°C.

In this research it was experimentally analyzed the effect of the parameters of the Pulsed Micro Laser Welding Process Nd:YAG on the microstructural behavior of a nickel base superalloy (IN-738). For this purpose, different laser welding tests were performed on samples subjected to different heat treatment conditions obtained from the gas turbine blades. The influence of the power and the speed welding of the applied process and heat treatment condition on the weld geometry, microstructure and mechanical properties was determined. The microstructures of the obtained welds were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and Vickers hardness tests. In general, alternatives to homogenize and rejuvenate the microstructure of the base material are proposed in order to avoid the formation and propagation of cracks. The results are discussed mainly in terms of the present phases and decomposition of carbides, which considerably affect the weldability of the IN-738 superalloy. This study provides useful information for the subsequent restoration of the 2nd step turbine blades by using of the Laser Welding Process Nd:YAG.

Lithium-ion capacitors (LICs) and Hybrid LICs (H-LICs) were assembled as three-layered pouch cells in an asymmetric configuration employing Faradaic pre-lithiated hard carbon anodes and non-Faradaic ion adsorption-desorption activated carbon (AC) cathodes for LICs and lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4-LFP)/AC composite cathodes for H-LICs. The room temperature rate performance was evaluated after the initial LIC and H-LIC cell formation as a function of the electrolyte additives. The capacity retention was measured after charging at high temperature conditions, while the design factor explored was electrolyte additive formulation, with a focus on their stability. The high temperature potential holds simulate electrochemical energy materials under extreme environments and act to accelerate the failure mechanisms associated with cell degradation to determine robust electrolyte/additive combinations.

One-dimensional hybrid Distributed Bragg Reflector (DBR) is constructed using Tris (8-hydroxy) quinoline aluminum (Alq3) molecules and Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles via spin coating process. Light emission from thin films of low molecular weight organic semiconductor of Alq3 is dominated by excitons. This material has been widely used as a superior emitter for organic light emitting diodes. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is an inorganic semiconductor with a high band gap. Photoluminescence (PL) of thin films of Alq3 showed a broad PL peak at 530 nm. In DBR structures, PL quenching is observed but there is no shift in the PL peak of the Alq3. The PL quenching is tentatively attributed to energy transfer via sensitization to wide band gap TiO2 layers. A simple excitonic model is suggested to explain the observation. Fabrication process and optical properties of the structure are presented.

Thermoelectric technology has key benefits and strengths in many terrestrial energy recovery applications. Thermoelectric system cost is a key factor governing final decisions on the use of thermoelectric energy recovery systems in all terrestrial applications; thus cost being just as important as power density or efficiency for the adoption of waste energy recovery (WER) thermoelectric generators (TEG). New integrated cost analysis / thermoelectric analysis approaches have now shown key relationships and interdependencies between overall TEG system costs, including TE material costs, manufacturing costs, and specifically heat exchanger costs; and the TE performance design metrics such as TE material properties, TE device design parameters, heat exchanger performance metrics such as hot-side and cold-side conductances and UA values, and hot side heat flux in achieving optimal TEG WER designs. These new approaches have led to a new thermoelectric system economics paradigm that strongly influences TEG cost and performance decisions. While prior work provided foundations for the latest cost scaling analysis / TE performance analysis, this new work offers new insights and understandings and provides the basis for new thermoelectric system economics. Optimum TEG system cost conditions can now be tied directly to the TE materials, TEG design parameters, and heat exchanger design parameters through critical non-dimensional analysis. The non-dimensional analysis and metrics show the TEG system cost and performance interdependencies and intercouplings in one unifying and cohesive relationship. Prior work by T.J. Hendricks, S.K. Yee, and S. LeBlanc, J of Electronic Mater, 45, (3), 1751-1761, 2015 has shown that the system design that minimizes cost (e.g., the G [$/W] value) can be close to designs that maximize power, but these design regimes are not necessarily aligned with high system conversion efficiency or high specific power. Key sensitivities and interrelationships between critical cost metrics and critical TE performance and design metrics in the new thermoelectric system economics paradigm are explored. Quantitative data showing these sensitivities and their implications on TEG system design in terrestrial WER applications are presented. Critical non-dimensional parameter mapping has shown where heat exchanger cost- dominated conditions, TE material or manufacturing cost-dominated conditions, and combinations of cost conditions control and drive the overall TEG cost and performance. This new cost-performance paradigm shows the required pathways and challenges to achieving TEG system costs of $1 -$3/Welec.

In this study, feasibility of spark discharge technique to generate mixed metal nanoparticles is demonstrated. Two immiscible metals Au and Zn are selected to prepare AuZn mixed nanoparticles. Ignition of spark between Au and Zn electrodes under normal pressure, in the presence of carrier gas, leads to formation of mixed nanoparticles by condensation and nucleation. Online particle size-distribution is monitored by a scanning mobility particle sizer on changing carrier gas flow rate and capacitor charging current during co-sparking between Au and Zn electrodes. The technique provides flexibility to generate binary mixture of AuZn nanoparticles in the size range of 10-80 nm. Distribution of Au and Zn in the prepared mixed nanoparticles is mapped by scanning electron microscopy and high resolution electron microscopy.

The photosynthetic Reaction Center from the carotenoidless mutant strain of the purple non sulphur bacterium Rhodobacter (R.) sphaeroides was reconstituted in artificial phospholipid vesicles (liposomes) to mimic the physiological membrane environment. The pH dependence in the interval 5 – 10 of the rate of the charge-recombination reactions from the final electron acceptors QA and QB to the primary electron donor (namely kAD and kBD) have been investigated. The liposomes were constituted of either the zwitterionic phosphatidylcholine (PC) or the negatively charged phosphatidylglycerol (PG), two of the main phospholipids found in the photosynthetic membrane of the bacterium. In both cases, the kAD has no pH dependence similarly to the detergent case. The kBD also has a pH dependence similar to the detergent case, having two distinct regions below pH 7 and above pH 9. Fitting of the titration curve to a function involving two protonation sites results in a marked shift of the pKAs between the different solubilizing environments. These differences are discussed in the frame of possible physiological implications.

The dysfunctional metabolism of glucose in cancer cells represents a new avenue for cancer targeting based on sugar-derived carriers. Here, glucose-derived carbon spheres (CS) were prepared through a simple hydrothermal method, yielding highly homogenous spherical particles that exhibited excellent stability in aqueous solution. The abundant presence of surface hydroxyl functionalities was used for a subsequent condensation of an amino silane that was the basis for further covalent coupling strategies. CS were modified with a cyclooctyne derivative providing a highly selective binding site for copper-free click reactions. Moreover, the surface modification of CS with a dye-label allowed for their intracellular detection revealing a preferential uptake of CS, compared to silica particles, in tumor cells. These results thus demonstrate the highly promising potential of glucose-derived particles for tumor targeting applications and their efficient surface modification.

In energy storage systems, every component that makes up an electrode can greatly affect the electrochemical performance. One example includes the so-called “binders” used in secondary batteries. Herein, we compare the influence of using polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) or sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) on the electrochemical performance of an aluminium chloride battery (ACB) system. The active material of the cathode was a reduced graphene oxide dried under supercritical conditions (RGOCPD). Interestingly, while PVDF enabled one of the highest capacities reported for ACBs, the CMC resulted in a significant degradation of the cell’s performance.

The bulk van der Waals crystal Mn3Si2Te6 (MST) has been irradiated with a proton beam of 2 MeV at a fluence of 1×1018 H+ cm-2. The temperature dependent magnetization measurements show a drastic decrease in the magnetization of 49.2% in the H//c direction observed in ferrimagnetic state. This decrease in magnetization is also reflected in the isothermal magnetization curves. No significant change in the ferrimagnetic transition temperature (75 K) was reflected after irradiation. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy shows no magnetically active defects present after irradiation. Here, experimental findings gathered from MST bulk crystals via magnetic measurements, magnetocaloric effect, and heat capacity are discussed.

Uniform silver chlorobromide nanocubes have been used to regulate the availability of an extremely low concentration of Ag+ that react with different thiol molecules to form silver thiolate nanoplates with high controllability. The sacrificial silver chlorobromide nanocubes also serve as templates to provide surface nucleation sites for forming the silver thiolate nanoplates, which grow against the surfaces of the nanocubes to organize into nanocages upon the consumption of the entire nanocubes. The precise regulation of the extremely low concentration of Ag+ prevents the uncontrolled fast reaction with thiol molecules and the formation of irregular silver thiolate particles. This method represents a versatile strategy to control the reaction rate of fast reactions involving in the synthesis of colloidal nanoparticles, thus enabling the synthesis of uniform nanoparticles with desirable parameters.

Conductive composites are being considered for use in applications such as electromagnetic shielding. Prior work has shown correlation of electrical conductivity to the microstructure of corresponding composite. In the present paper, composites consisting of polyurethane acrylic and dispersed nickel nanoparticles were fabricated, and tested for their electrical conductivity. In the fabrication process, half of the suspensions were agitated by sonication and half were not. Correlations between electrical conductivity and composite microstructural details are presented. These correlations show an optimum concentration of nickel nanoparticles that result in maximum conductivity enhancement. In addition, sonicating the suspensions increased conductivity of resulting nanocomposites. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) images were used to estimate surface concentration and distribution of Nickel nanoparticles, and were correlated to electrical conductivity measurements. Parameters such as number of particles in contact and junction distance between the nano particles in the composites are suggested as a way of enhancing electrical conductivity.

Incorporation of metallic nanoparticles (NPs) in polymer matrix has been used to enhance and control dissolution and release of drugs, for targeted drug delivery, as antimicrobial agents, localized heat sources, and for unique optoelectronic applications. Gold NPs in particular exhibit a plasmonic response that has been utilized for photothermal energy conversion. Because plasmonic nanoparticles typically exhibit a plasmon resonance frequency similar to the visible light spectrum, they present as good candidates for direct photothermal conversion with enhanced solar thermal efficiency in these wavelengths. In our work, we have incorporated ∼3-nm-diameter colloidal gold (Auc) NPs into electrospun polyethylene glycol (PEG) fibers to utilize the nanoparticle plasmonic response for localized heating and melting of the polymer to release medical treatment. Auc and Auc in PEG (PEG+Auc) both exhibited a minimum reflectivity at 522 nm or approximately green wavelengths of light under ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy. PEG+Auc ES fibers revealed a blue shift in minimum reflectivity at 504 nm. UV-Vis spectra were used to calculate the theoretical efficiency enhancement of PEG+Auc versus PEG alone, finding an approximate increase of 10 % under broad spectrum white light interrogation, and ∼14 % when illuminated with green light. Auc enhanced polymers were ES directly onto resistance temperature detectors and interrogated with green laser light so that temperature change could be recorded. Results showed a maximum increase of 8.9 °C. To further understand how gold nanomaterials effect the complex optical properties of our materials, spectroscopic ellipsometry was used. Using spectroscopic ellipsometry and modeling with CompleteEASE® software, the complex optical constants of our materials were determined. The complex optical constant n (index of refraction) provided us with optical density properties related to light wavelength divided by velocity, and k (extinction coefficient) was used to show the absorptive properties of the materials.

Neural electrodes have been widely used to monitor neural signals and/or deliver electrical stimulation in the brain. Currently, biodegradable and biocompatible materials have been actively investigated to create temporary electrodes that could degrade after serving their functions for neural recording and stimulation from days to months. The new class of biodegradable electrodes eliminate the necessity of secondary surgery for electrode removal. In this study, we created biodegradable, biocompatible, and implantable magnesium (Mg)-based microelectrodes for in vivo neural recording for the first time. Specifically, conductive poly-3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (PEDOT) was first deposited onto Mg microwire substrates by electrochemical deposition, and a biodegradable insulating polymer was subsequently sprayed onto the surface of electrodes. The tip of electrodes was designed to be conductive for neural recording and stimulation, while the rest of electrodes was insulated with a polymer that is biocompatible with neural tissue. The impedance of Mg-based microelectrodes and their performance during neural recording in the auditory cortex of a mouse were studied. The results first demonstrated the capability of Mg-based microelectrodes for in vivo recording of multi-unit stimulus-evoked activity in the brain.

The 2D transition metal dichalcogenide (TMDC) tungsten disulfide (WS2) has attracted great interest due to its unique properties and prospects for future (opto)electronics. However, compared to molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), the development of a reproducible and scalable deposition process for 2D WS2 has not advanced very far yet. Here, we report on the systematic investigation of 2D WS2 growth on hydrogen (H2)-desorbed sapphire (0001) substrates using a hydrogen sulfide (H2S)-free metal-organic vapor phase epitaxy (MOVPE) process in a commercial AIXTRON planetary hot-wall reactor in 10 × 2" configuration. Tungsten hexacarbonyl (WCO, 99.9 %) and di-tert-butyl sulfide (DTBS, 99.9999 %) were used as MO sources, nitrogen (N2) was selected as carrier gas for the deposition processes (standard growth time 10 h). In an initial study, the impact of growth temperature on nucleation and growth was investigated and an optimal value of 820 °C was found. The influence of the WCO flow on lateral growth was investigated. The aim was to maximize the edge length of triangular crystals as well as the total surface coverage. Extending gradually the growth time up to 20 h at optimized WCO flow conditions yields fully coalesced WS2 samples without parasitic carbon-related Raman peaks and with only sparse bilayer nucleation. After substrate removal, a fully coalesced WS2 film was implemented into a light-emitting device showing intense red electroluminescence (EL).