Colloidal-quantum-dot (CQD) optoelectronics offer a compelling combination of solution processing and spectral tunability through quantum size effects. So far, CQD solar cells have relied on the use of organic ligands to passivate the surface of the semiconductor nanoparticles. Although inorganic metal chalcogenide ligands have led to record electronic transport parameters in CQD films, no photovoltaic device has been reported based on such compounds. Here we establish an atomic ligand strategy that makes use of monovalent halide anions to enhance electronic transport and successfully passivate surface defects in PbS CQD films. Both time-resolved infrared spectroscopy and transient device characterization indicate that the scheme leads to a shallower trap state distribution than the best organic ligands. Solar cells fabricated following this strategy show up to 6% solar AM1.5G power-conversion efficiency. The CQD films are deposited at room temperature and under ambient atmosphere, rendering the process amenable to low-cost, roll-by-roll fabrication.

Oil–water separation has recently become a global challenging task because of the frequent occurrence of oil spill accidents due to the offshore oil production and transportation, and there is an increasing demand for the development of effective and inexpensive approaches for the cleaning-up of the oily pollution in water system. In this study, a self-cleaning underwater superoleophobic mesh that can be used for oil-water separation is prepared by the layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly of sodium silicate and TiO2 nanoparticles on the stainless steel mesh. The integration of the self-cleaning property into the all-inorganic separation mesh by using TiO2 enables the convenient removal of the contaminants by ultraviolet (UV) illumination, and allows for the facile recovery of the separation ability of the contaminated mesh, making it promising for practial oil-water separation applications.

Poly(triazine imide) was synthesized with incorporation of Li(+) and Cl(-) ions (PTI/Li(+)Cl(-)) to form a carbon nitride derivative. The synthesis of this material by the temperature-induced condensation of dicyandiamide was examined both in a eutectic mixture of LiCl-KCl and without KCl. On the basis of X-ray diffraction measurements of the synthesized materials, we suggest that a stoichiometric amount of LiCl is necessary to obtain the PTI/Li(+)Cl(-) phase without requiring the presence of KCl at 873 K. PTI/Li(+)Cl(-) with modification by either Pt or CoO(x) as cocatalyst photocatalytically produced H(2) or O(2), respectively, from water. The production of H(2) or O(2) from water indicates that the valence and conduction bands of PTI/Li(+)Cl(-) were properly located to achieve overall water splitting. The treatment of PTI/Li(+)Cl(-) with [Pt(NH(3))(4)](2+) cations enabled the deposition of Pt through ion exchange, demonstrating photocatalytic activity for H(2) evolution, while treatment with [PtCl(6)](2-) anions resulted in no Pt deposition. This was most likely because of the preferential exchange between Li(+) ions and [Pt(NH(3))(4)](2+) cations.

Liquid droplets encapsulated by self‐organized hydrophobic particles at the liquid/air interface – liquid marbles – are prepared by encapsulating water droplets with novel core/shell‐structured responsive magnetic particles, consisting of a responsive block copolymer–grafted mesoporous silica shell and magnetite core (see figure; P2VP‐b‐PDMS: poly(2‐vinylpyridine‐b‐dimethylsiloxane)). Desirable properties of the liquid marbles include that they rupture upon ultraviolet illumination and can be remotely manipulated by an external magnetic field.

We describe a rapid, room temperature, reverse emulsion polymerization method to chemically synthesize bulk quantities of micrometers long nanotubes of electrically conducting poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) having tube diameters in the range 50-100 nm. Composites of PEDOT nanotubes with noble metals, metal oxides, etc., can be readily synthesized using postsynthesis and in situ polymerization methods.In addition to its environmental stability and low redox potential, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) is unique among conducting polymers in that its small band gap confers high optical transparency in the doped, conducting state. 1 Although it has been extensively investigated for use in antistatic coatings, flexible electronic devices, and transparent electronics, 2