Carbon-based materials for stable, cheaper and large-scale processable perovskite solar cells

Replacing gold and boosting stability: carbon as Holy Grail for perovskite solar cells

Photoanodes for Aqueous Solar Cells: Exploring Additives and Formulations Starting from a Commercial TiO2 Paste

Whereas the commercialization of dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) is finally proceeding taking advantage of their low cost and tunable optical features, such as colour and transparency for both indoor and building‐integrated applications, the corresponding aqueous counterpart is still at its infancy. As the TiO2 electrode is a fundamental component for hybrid solar cells, this work investigates the effect of different molecular (α‐terpineol, propylene carbonate) and polymeric (polyethylene oxide, polyethylene glycol, carboxymethyl cellulose and xanthan gum) additives that can be introduced into a commercial TiO2 paste for for screen‐printing (or doctor blade). Among all, the addition of polyethylene glycol leads to the best cell performances, with markedly increased short‐circuit current density (+18 %) and power conversion efficiency (+48 %) with respect to the pristine (commercial) counterpart. When further explored at different concentration levels, electrodes fabricated from polyethylene glycol‐based pastes show different morphologies, thicknesses and performances, which are investigated through (photo)electrochemical, structural, physical‐chemical and microscopic techniques

Photoanodes for Aqueous Solar Cells: Exploring Additives and Formulations Starting from a Commercial TiO2 Paste

Whereas the commercialization of dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) is finally proceeding taking advantage of their low cost and tunable optical features, such as colour and transparency for both indoor and building‐integrated applications, the corresponding aqueous counterpart is still at its infancy. As the TiO2 electrode is a fundamental component for hybrid solar cells, this work investigates the effect of different molecular (α‐terpineol, propylene carbonate) and polymeric (polyethylene oxide, polyethylene glycol, carboxymethyl cellulose and xanthan gum) additives that can be introduced into a commercial TiO2 paste for for screen‐printing (or doctor blade). Among all, the addition of polyethylene glycol leads to the best cell performances, with markedly increased short‐circuit current density (+18 %) and power conversion efficiency (+48 %) with respect to the pristine (commercial) counterpart. When further explored at different concentration levels, electrodes fabricated from polyethylene glycol‐based pastes show different morphologies, thicknesses and performances, which are investigated through (photo)electrochemical, structural, physical‐chemical and microscopic techniques

Recent advances in eco-friendly and cost-effective materials towards sustainable dye-sensitized solar cells

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), as emerging photovoltaic technology, have been thoroughly and extensively investigated in the last three decades. Since their first appearance in 1991, DSSCs have gained increasing attention and have been classified as feasible alternatives to conventional photovoltaic devices due to their numerous advantages, such as cheap and simple preparation methods, the possibility of being integrated in buildings and astonishing performances under indoor and diffuse illumination conditions. Photoconversion efficiencies of up to 14% and 8% have been obtained for lab-scale devices and modules, respectively. Albeit the efforts made, these values seem arduous to be outdone, at least under simulated solar radiation. Nevertheless, recent lab-scale systems have demonstrated photoconversion efficiencies of up to 33% under indoor illumination (i.e. 1000 lux) leading to an actual Renaissance (or Revival) of these devices. It is worth mentioning that scientists in this field are developing innovative materials aiming at long-term and efficient devices, being the concept of sustainability often set apart. However, in light of effective commercialization of this technology, stability, efficiency and sustainability should be considered as the essential keywords. Nowadays, DSSCs are finding a “new way back” towards sustainability and rather a huge number of reports have focused on the preparation of green and cost-effective materials to replace the standard ones. In this scenario, the present review aims to give an overview of the most adopted strategies to enhance the sustainability of materials in classical DSSC components (e.g. sensitizer, redox couple, electrolyte and counter-electrode), including smart synthesis and deposition procedures, which currently represent utmost important topics in the scientific community

Photoanodes for Aqueous Solar Cells: Exploring Additives and Formulations Starting from a Commercial TiO2 Paste

Whereas the commercialization of dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) is finally proceeding taking advantage of their low cost and tunable optical features, such as colour and transparency for both indoor and building‐integrated applications, the corresponding aqueous counterpart is still at its infancy. As the TiO2 electrode is a fundamental component for hybrid solar cells, this work investigates the effect of different molecular (α‐terpineol, propylene carbonate) and polymeric (polyethylene oxide, polyethylene glycol, carboxymethyl cellulose and xanthan gum) additives that can be introduced into a commercial TiO2 paste for for screen‐printing (or doctor blade). Among all, the addition of polyethylene glycol leads to the best cell performances, with markedly increased short‐circuit current density (+18 %) and power conversion efficiency (+48 %) with respect to the pristine (commercial) counterpart. When further explored at different concentration levels, electrodes fabricated from polyethylene glycol‐based pastes show different morphologies, thicknesses and performances, which are investigated through (photo)electrochemical, structural, physical‐chemical and microscopic techniques

new addictions a race towards the goal of independence new addictions una corsa verso il traguardo dell indipendenza nuevas adicciones una carrera hacia el objetivo de la independencia

Addiction is an issue that has existed for some time but with the rise of new technologies, not only was valued the concept of dependency inherent in the pathological bond that develops between a subject and substance, new forms have emerged much more aggressive devious and dangerously addictive behaviors related to recurrence of circular and harmful to humans. The key to the problem is offered by the constant pursuit of pleasure which satisfaction and psychological well-being, hedonistic concept has always sought by humans. The transition from "normal" to "abnormal" is relative to the times, more and more short, in which the subject tends to reach a positive value, such as that of being, behaving this flattening imagination to reality and removing its true value. This article will focus precisely on the new forms of behavioral addiction, or the New Addiction. Among these will be discussed also a dependence little known in Italy but very developed in America: the Vigorexia (or addiction to sports), which can lead to the assumption of doping substances. Vigorexia doping and traveling on the same track and take pathological forms because it is closely related to the need to need welfare linked to the use of substances harmful to the body and recurrence of harmful behaviors. Will address the issue of doping in many sports fields, to hear the case Pantani. With the epilogue, we will try to propose a thesis useful in a possible liberation from these circular needs, through the implementation of an inner path directed to the use of the resources that nature offers us spontaneously: endorphins. Riassunto La dipendenza è un tema che esiste ormai da diverso tempo ma con l'aumento delle nuove tecnologie, non solo è stato valorizzato il concetto di dipendenza inerente il legame patologico che si instaura tra un soggetto e la sostanza, sono emerse nuove forme molto più aggressive e subdole di dipendenza pericolosamente connesse alla reiterazione di comportamenti circolari e deleteri per l'essere umano. La chiave di accesso alla problematica è offerta dalla costante ricerca del piacere quale soddisfazione del benessere psico-fisico, concetto edonistico da sempre ricercato dall'essere umano. Il passaggio dal "normale" al "patologico" è relativo ai tempi, sempre più brevi, in cui il soggetto tende a raggiungere un valore positivo, quale quello del benessere, comportando questo un appiattimento sull'immaginazione e togliendo alla realtà il suo vero valore. Il presente articolo vuole focalizzare l'attenzione proprio sulle nuove forme di dipendenza comportamentale, ovvero le New Addiction. Tra queste verrà discussa anche una dipendenza poco conosciuta in Italia ma molto sviluppata in America: la vigoressia (o dipendenza da sport), che può portare all'assunzione di sostanze dopanti. Vigoressia e doping viaggiano sullo stesso binario e assumono forme patologiche perché strettamente connesse al necessario bisogno di benessere legato all'uso di sostanze dannose per l'organismo e alla reiterazione di comportamenti nocivi. Verrà affrontato il problema del doping in numerosi ambiti sportivi, fino a trattare il caso Pantani. Con l'epilogo si tenterà di proporre una tesi utile a un possibile affrancamento da tali bisogni circolari, mediante la realizzazione di un percorso interiore diretto all'utilizzo delle risorse che la natura ci offre spontaneamente: le endorfine. Resumen La adicción es un problema que existe desde hace algún tiempo, pero con el surgimiento de las nuevas tecnologías, no solo se valoró el concepto de dependencia inherente al vínculo patológico que se desarrolla entre un sujeto y una sustancia, han surgido nuevas formas mucho más agresivas, tortuosas y peligrosamente adictivas. comportamientos relacionados con la recurrencia de circulares y perjudiciales para los humanos. La clave del problema la ofrece la búsqueda constante del placer que la satisfacción y el bienestar psicológico y el concepto hedonista siempre han buscado los humanos. La transición de "normal" a "anormal" es relativa a los tiempos, cada vez más cortos, en los que el sujeto tiende a alcanzar un valor positivo, como el de ser, comportando esta imaginación aplanada a la realidad y eliminando su verdadero valor. Este artículo se centrará precisamente en las nuevas formas de adicción conductual, o la Nueva Adicción. Entre estos se discutirá también una dependencia poco conocida en Italia, pero muy desarrollada en América: la Vigorexia (o adicción al deporte), que puede conducir a la asunción de sustancias antidopaje. La vigorexia dopa y viaja por el mismo camino y toma formas patológicas porque está estrechamente relacionada con la necesidad de necesitar bienestar relacionado con el uso de sustancias nocivas para el cuerpo y la recurrencia de comportamientos nocivos. Abordará el tema del dopaje en muchos campos deportivos, para escuchar el caso Pantani. Con el epílogo intentaremos proponer una tesis útil en una posible liberación circular de estas necesidades, a través de la implementación de un viaje interno mediante el uso directo de los recursos que la naturaleza nos ofrece de forma espontánea: las endorfinas

An Overview on Anodes for Magnesium Batteries: Challenges towards a Promising Storage Solution for Renewables

Magnesium-based batteries represent one of the successfully emerging electrochemical energy storage chemistries, mainly due to the high theoretical volumetric capacity of metallic magnesium (i.e., 3833 mAh cm−3 vs. 2046 mAh cm−3 for lithium), its low reduction potential (−2.37 V vs. SHE), abundance in the Earth’s crust (104 times higher than that of lithium) and dendrite-free behaviour when used as an anode during cycling. However, Mg deposition and dissolution processes in polar organic electrolytes lead to the formation of a passivation film bearing an insulating effect towards Mg2+ ions. Several strategies to overcome this drawback have been recently proposed, keeping as a main goal that of reducing the formation of such passivation layers and improving the magnesium-related kinetics. This manuscript offers a literature analysis on this topic, starting with a rapid overview on magnesium batteries as a feasible strategy for storing electricity coming from renewables, and then addressing the most relevant outcomes in the field of anodic materials (i.e., metallic magnesium, bismuth-, titanium- and tin-based electrodes, biphasic alloys, nanostructured metal oxides, boron clusters, graphene-based electrodes, etc.)

An exploratory study of MoS2 as anode material for potassium batteries

Potassium-based batteries represent one of the emerging classes of post-lithium electrochemical energy storage systems in the international scene, due to both the abundance of raw materials and achievable cell potentials not far from those of lithium batteries. In this context, it is important to define electrodes and electrolytes that give reproducible performance and that can be used by different research groups as an internal standard when developing new materials. We propose molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) as a valid anode choice, being a commercial and easily processable material, the 2D layered structure of which is promising for large potassium ions reversible storage. It has been proven to work for hundreds of cycles, keeping a constant specific capacity around 100 mAh g−1 while also preserving its electrochemical interphase and morphology

Platinum-free photoelectrochromic devices working with copper-based electrolytes for ultrastable smart windows

Photoelectrochromic systems are devices designed for large-scale manufacturing of smart windows, capable of changing their transmittance according to external environmental conditions. This communication proposes the replacement of the two most critical photoelectrochemical device components studied so far, namely the counter electrode and the redox mediator. Regarding the first, graphene nanoplatelets are used to replace platinum, maintaining both its optical and electrocatalytic properties, and at the same time reducing the device cost. Secondly, a copper-based redox pair was chosen to solve the corrosion problems typically encountered with the iodine-based mediator. The combination of the above components led to devices with high performance (coloration speeds in the order of seconds, with a maximum contrast ratio of 10.4 : 1), as well as the achievement of a long-term stability record (over 400 days) for these photoelectrochromic systems