Recent advances in TiO2-based photocatalysis
This article selectively discussed recent advances in TiO2-based photocatalysis from the aspects of light absorption, charge separation, and surface reactivity.
A review on counter electrode materials in dye-sensitized solar cells
An up-to-date review on the materials used as counter electrodes in dye-sensitized solar cells.
Photocatalytic materials: recent achievements and near future trends
Evolution of the titania predominance in the scientific literature on photocatalysis estimated as the percentage of articles devoted to TiO2 among those related to oxide semiconductors or out of all the photocatalysts.
Recent advances of non-fullerene, small molecular acceptors for solution processed bulk heterojunction solar cells
Highlights of recent research in the development of non-fullerene, small molecule acceptors for solution processed organic solar cells.
Perovskite-based solar cells: impact of morphology and device architecture on device performance
This review provides an overview of factors affecting film morphology and how together with device architecture they impact perovskite cell performance.
Review of recent progress in chemical stability of perovskite solar cells
The understanding of how the chemical stability of PSCs is affected by oxygen and moisture, UV light, the solution process, and temperature was reviewed.
Halide perovskite materials for solar cells: a theoretical review
First-principles calculations help to understand the fundamental mechanisms of the emerging perovskite solar cells and guide further developments.
Engineering heterogeneous semiconductors for solar water splitting
Recent progress and strategies toward solar water splitting over heterogeneous semiconductors are reviewed and the challenges and future perspectives are suggested.
The roles of alkyl halide additives in enhancing perovskite solar cell performance
C–X bond of alky halide additives cleavages during thermal annealing, resulting in frees halide ions to participate in perovskite formation.
Degradation observations of encapsulated planar CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite solar cells at high temperatures and humidity
The stability of encapsulated planar-structured CH3NH3PbI3 (MAPbI3) perovskite solar cells (PSCs) was investigated under various simulated environmental conditions.
In situ synthesis of a C-doped (BiO)2CO3 hierarchical self-assembly effectively promoting visible light photocatalysis
By combination of carbon doping and structural optimization, C-doped (BiO)2CO3 microspheres exhibited highly enhanced and stable visible photocatalytic activity.
CuInSe2 and CuInSe2–ZnS based high efficiency “green” quantum dot sensitized solar cells
The CISe-based QDs with ZnS alloy configuration exhibit higher superior optoelectronic properties and chemical stability, and thus the fabrication of CISe–ZnS QDSCs shows better photovoltaic performance.
Origin of the increased open circuit voltage in PbS–CdS core–shell quantum dot solar cells
The physics of PbS–CdS core–shell QDs is investigated, to enlighten the origin of the enhanced VOC in solar cells.
Photogenerated electron reservoir in hetero-p–n CuO–ZnO nanocomposite device for visible-light-driven photocatalytic reduction of aqueous Cr(VI)
A 3D CuO–ZnO p–n junction hierarchical device was fabricated via sequential in situ crystallization and hydrothermal reaction on Cu foil and exhibited enhanced visible light photocatalytic reduction with stable recyclability to Cr(VI).
Planar heterojunction perovskite/PC71BM solar cells with enhanced open-circuit voltage via a (2/1)-step spin-coating process
A two-step spin-coating process was used to synthesize perovskite films at ambient conditions. Combining a PEDOT:PSS hole-transport layer and a PC71BM acceptor, the device achieves a power conversion efficiency of 16.31% with a remarkably high Voc of 1.05 V and FF of 0.78.
Microwave-assisted hydrothermal synthesis of graphene based Au–TiO2 photocatalysts for efficient visible-light hydrogen production
Au–TiO2–graphene photocatalysts display high visible-light hydrogen production activity due to the load of Au nanoparticles and introduction of graphene.
Carbon quantum dots/TiO2 composites for efficient photocatalytic hydrogen evolution
Chemically bonded carbon quantum dots (CQDs)/TiO2 composites prepared via a one-step hydrothermal reaction exhibited enhanced photocatalytic H2 evolution activity under UV-Vis and visible light irradiation due to the dual roles of the CQDs.
A noble metal-free reduced graphene oxide–CdS nanorod composite for the enhanced visible-light photocatalytic reduction of CO2 to solar fuel
RGO–CdS nanorod composites, prepared by a one-step route, demonstrate high activity for the visible-light photocatalytic reduction of CO2 to CH4.
Study on the stability of CH3NH3PbI3 films and the effect of post-modification by aluminum oxide in all-solid-state hybrid solar cells
Post-modification by Al2O3 could improve the degradation of CH3NH3PbI3 and retard electron recombination in all-solid-state solar cells.
Band gap engineered TiO2 nanoparticles for visible light induced photoelectrochemical and photocatalytic studies
Modified TiO2 nanoparticles for visible light-induced photocatalytic activities.
About this collection
This first in a series of JMC A Top Picks collections focusses on ways in which the world’s hottest materials chemists harness the power of the sun for energy and sustainability.
The journal’s Deputy Editor-in-Chief Hiroshi Imahori (Kyoto University, Japan) has gathered together the journal’s most outstanding recent papers in solar driven technologies with crucial real world applications, such as clean generation of fuels, removing pollutants from our environment and reducing harmful emissions.
Browse this collection to view reviews and original research demonstrating the use of materials to capture the clean and inexhaustible energy of the sun. With the increasing importance of addressing environmental issues caused by mass consumption of fossil fuels, as well as concerns that the world’s limited energy resources are increasingly stretched by continuous growth in our population and economy, these are key contributions to the field for now and the future.