Anatase, brookite and rutile type nitrogen-doped titania nanocrystals (TiO 2 2 x N y ) which are beige in color were successfully prepared by a 'Homogeneous Precipitation-Solvothermal Process' (HPSP) in TiCl 3 -hexamethylenetetramine (C 6 H 12 N 4 ) aqueous and alcohol solutions. The phase composition, crystallinity, microstructure, specific surface area, nitrogen doping amount and photocatalytic activity of titania powders greatly changed depending on pH, temperature and the type of treatment alcohols. The TiO 2 2 x N y powders showed excellent visible-light absorption and photocatalytic activity for nitrogen monoxide destruction under irradiation by both visible-light and UV-light. The beige titania powders prepared in TiCl 3 -hexamethylenetetramine alcohol solutions at 190 uC for 2 h possessed higher specific surface areas than those in aqueous solution. About 39 and 83% nitrogen monoxide could be continuously removed by the anatase TiO 2 2 x N y photocatalyst under irradiation of visible-light (l . 510 nm) and UV-light (l . 290 nm), respectively.

Using poly(N-methyl-4-vinyl-pyridine iodide), N-methyl-pyridine iodide and iodine, a solid polymer electrolyte with conductivity of 6.41 mS/cm is prepared. On the basis of a solid polymer electrolyte, a conducting graphite layer, a KI block layer, and a vacuum assembling technique, we achieve an all-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cell with total photoelectric conversion efficiency of 5.64% under AM 1.5 simulated solar light (100 mW/cm2) illumination.

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Dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are receiving considerable attention as low‐cost alternatives to conventional solar cells. In DSSCs based on liquid electrolytes, a photoelectric efficiency of 11 % has been achieved, but potential problems in sealing the cells and the low long‐term stability of these systems have impeded their practical use. Here, we present a thermoplastic gel electrolyte (TPGE) as an alternative to the liquid electrolytes used in DSSCs. The TPGE exhibits a thermoplastic character, high conductivity, long‐term stability, and can be prepared by a simple and convenient protocol. The viscosity, conductivity, and phase state of the TPGE can be controlled by tuning the composition. Using 40 wt % poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) as the polymeric host, 60 wt % propylene carbonate (PC) as the solvent, and 0.65 M KI and 0.065 M I2 as the ionic conductors, a TPGE with a conductivity of 2.61 mS cm–2 is prepared. Based on this TPGE, a DSSC is fabricated with an overall light‐to‐electrical‐energy conversion efficiency of 7.22 % under 100 mW cm–2 irradiation. The present findings should accelerate the widespread use of DSSCs.