Sulfur-doped graphene with iron pyrite (FeS 2 ) as an efficient and stable electrocatalyst for the iodine reduction reaction in dye-sensitized solar cells

As an alternative to platinum (Pt), hybrid electrocatalysts based on sulfur-doped graphene with FeS2 microspheres (SGN-FeS2) were used as a counter electrode (CE) in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Benefiting from the high conductivity of SGN and excellent electrocatalytic activity of the FeS2, the bifunctional hybrid electrocatalyst-based device displays a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 8.1%, which is comparable to that (8.3%) of traditional Pt CE-based DSSC, while also exhibiting excellent stability in ambient conditions. These characteristics, in addition to its low-cost and facile preparation, make the SGN–FeS2 hybrid an ideal CE material for DSSCs

Sulfur-doped graphene with iron pyrite (FeS 2 ) as an efficient and stable electrocatalyst for the iodine reduction reaction in dye-sensitized solar cells

As an alternative to platinum (Pt), hybrid electrocatalysts based on sulfur-doped graphene with FeS2 microspheres (SGN-FeS2) were used as a counter electrode (CE) in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Benefiting from the high conductivity of SGN and excellent electrocatalytic activity of the FeS2, the bifunctional hybrid electrocatalyst-based device displays a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 8.1%, which is comparable to that (8.3%) of traditional Pt CE-based DSSC, while also exhibiting excellent stability in ambient conditions. These characteristics, in addition to its low-cost and facile preparation, make the SGN–FeS2 hybrid an ideal CE material for DSSCs

Back cover: Solar RRL 3-4∕2017

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) were first reported almost thirty years ago and considerable efforts have gone into improving every component in that time. Despite all these efforts, the improvements from the early designs have been marginal and there are still considerable issues to overcome. One such issue is the use of platinum (Pt) as the counter electrode due to its expense and catalytic properties. Here, Batmunkh et al. (Article No. 1700011) used hybrid electrocatalysts based on sulfur-doped graphene with FeS2 microspheres (SGN-FeS2) as a counter electrode (CE) in DSSCs, instead of Pt. Because of the high conductivity of SGN and excellent electrocatalytic activity of the FeS2, the bifunctional hybrid electrocatalyst based device displays a power conversion effi ciency (PCE) comparable to that of traditional Pt CE based DSSC, while also exhibiting excellent stability in ambient conditions. These characteristics, in addition to the fact that the new hybrid is relatively cheap and easy to prepare, mean the SGN-FeS2 hybrid is an ideal CE material for DSSCs

Back cover: Solar RRL 3-4∕2017

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) were first reported almost thirty years ago and considerable efforts have gone into improving every component in that time. Despite all these efforts, the improvements from the early designs have been marginal and there are still considerable issues to overcome. One such issue is the use of platinum (Pt) as the counter electrode due to its expense and catalytic properties. Here, Batmunkh et al. (Article No. 1700011) used hybrid electrocatalysts based on sulfur-doped graphene with FeS2 microspheres (SGN-FeS2) as a counter electrode (CE) in DSSCs, instead of Pt. Because of the high conductivity of SGN and excellent electrocatalytic activity of the FeS2, the bifunctional hybrid electrocatalyst based device displays a power conversion effi ciency (PCE) comparable to that of traditional Pt CE based DSSC, while also exhibiting excellent stability in ambient conditions. These characteristics, in addition to the fact that the new hybrid is relatively cheap and easy to prepare, mean the SGN-FeS2 hybrid is an ideal CE material for DSSCs

Comparison between the two patient groups.

<p>The third column shows the -value calculated with the Fisher’s exact test for categorical data and by the Mann-Whitney test for quantitative data.</p

Chemotactic index (CI) of RAW 264.7 cells upon stimulation with aortic extracts from individuals with MFS ().

<p><b>(A)</b> RAW 264.7 cells were preincubated with 1 mmol/L lactose or glucose for one hour at 37°C prior to exposure to aortic extracts. There was a statistically significant inhibition of chemotaxis. <b>(B)</b> RAW 264.7 cells were preincubated with 0.1 mmol/L VGVAPG hexapeptide for 1 hour incubation at 37°C before the chemotaxis assays were started. There was a statistically significant inhibition of the chemotactic response after VGVAPG pretreatment. <b>(C)</b> Aortic extracts were preincubated with BA4 or non-specific IgG for 30 minutes at room temperature prior to chemotaxis assays. There was a statistically significant inhibition of the chemotactic response by BA4 pretreatment. Data are representative of three independent experiments. * 0.05, **0.01.</p

BA4 reactivity and chemotactic activity of human aortic extracts.

<p><b>(A)</b> BA4 reactivity was measured by competitive ELISA in aortic extracts from patients with MFS (n = 6), isolated TAA (n = 8) and controls (n = 11). A statistically significant increase in BA4 reactivity as compared to control samples was observed for the samples from individuals with MFS and isolated TAA. <b>(B)</b> Chemotactic activity of the same extracts was measured by a Boyden chamber. A statistically significant increase in chemotactic activity as compared to control samples was observed for the samples from individuals with MFS and isolated TAA. Red lines indicate the median levels of BA4 reactivity or chemotactic index (CI). Data are representative of three independent experiments. * 0.05, **0.01.</p

BA4 reactivity (g/mg) versus chemotactic index (CI) of human aortic extracts, with calculated Pearson correlation coefficient (r) and value.

<p>BA4 reactivity (g/mg) versus chemotactic index (CI) of human aortic extracts, with calculated Pearson correlation coefficient (r) and value.</p

Characteristics of the patients included in this study.

<p>MFS: Marfan syndrome; TAA: isolated thoracic aortic aneurysm; m: male, f: female; The column <i>Description</i> provides details of the indications for aortic surgery and information about other relevant medical conditions, and treatment with beta blockers.</p