Effect of Codoping Cl Anion and 5-AVA Cation on Performance of Large-Area Perovskite Solar Cells with Double-Mesoporous Layers

For the perovskite solar cells (PSCs), the performance of the PSCs has become the focus of the research by improving the quality of the perovskite absorption layer. So far, the performance of the large-area PSCs is lower than that of small-area PSCs. In the paper, the experiments were designed to improve the photovoltaic performance of the large-area PSCs by improved processing technique. Here we investigated the optoelectronic properties of the prototypical CH3NH3PbI3 (MAPbI3) further modulated by introducing other extrinsic ions (specifically codoped Cl− and 5-AVA+). Moreover, we used inorganic electron extraction layer to achieve very rapid photogenerated carrier extraction eliminating local structural defects over large areas. Ultimately, we fabricated a best-performing perovskite solar cell based on codoping Cl anion and 5-AVA cation which uses a double layer of mesoporous TiO2 and ZrO2 as a scaffold infiltrated with perovskite and does not require a hole-conducting layer. The experiment results indicated that an average efficiency of double-mesoporous layer-based devices with codoping Cl anion and 5-AVA cation was obtained with exceeding 50% enhancement, compared to that of pure single-mesoporous layer-based device

Production of He-4 and (4) in Pb-Pb collisions at root(NN)-N-S=2.76 TeV at the LHC

Results on the production of He-4 and (4) nuclei in Pb-Pb collisions at root(NN)-N-S = 2.76 TeV in the rapidity range vertical bar y vertical bar <1, using the ALICE detector, are presented in this paper. The rapidity densities corresponding to 0-10% central events are found to be dN/dy4(He) = (0.8 +/- 0.4 (stat) +/- 0.3 (syst)) x 10(-6) and dN/dy4 = (1.1 +/- 0.4 (stat) +/- 0.2 (syst)) x 10(-6), respectively. This is in agreement with the statistical thermal model expectation assuming the same chemical freeze-out temperature (T-chem = 156 MeV) as for light hadrons. The measured ratio of (4)/He-4 is 1.4 +/- 0.8 (stat) +/- 0.5 (syst). (C) 2018 Published by Elsevier B.V.Peer reviewe

Heteropolyacid Ionic Liquid-Based MCF: An Efficient Heterogeneous Catalyst for Oxidative Desulfurization of Fuel

A new type of catalyst was synthesized by immobilizing heteropolyacid on ionic liquid-modified mesostructured cellular silica foam (denoted as MCF) and applied to the oxidative desulfurization of fuel. The surface morphology and structure of the catalyst were characterized by XRD, TEM, N2 adsorption–desorption, FT-IR, EDS and XPS analysis. The catalyst exhibited good stability and desulfurization for various sulfur-containing compounds in oxidative desulfurization. Heteropolyacid ionic liquid-based MCF solved the shortage of the amount of ionic liquid and difficult separation in the process of oxidative desulfurization. Meanwhile, MCF had a special three-dimensional structure that was not only highly conducive to mass transfer but also greatly increased catalytic active sites and significantly improved catalytic efficiency. Accordingly, the prepared catalyst of 1-butyl-3-methyl imidazolium phosphomolybdic acid-based MCF (denoted as [BMIM]3PMo12O40-based MCF) exhibited high desulfurization activity in an oxidative desulfurization system. The removal of dibenzothiophene could achieve levels of 100% in 90 min. Additionally, four sulfur-containing compounds could be removed completely under mild conditions. Due to the stability of the structure, sulfur removal efficiency still reached 99.8% after the catalyst was recycled six times

Effect of Modulating Spin-Coating Rate of TiO2 Precursor for Mesoporous Layer on J-V Hysteresis of Solar Cells with Polar CH3NH3PbI3 Perovskite Thin Film

Compared with the crystalline Si solar cells, the J-V characteristics of CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite solar cells are different under forward and reverse scan, and the CH3NH3PbI3 film exhibits some polarization properties. To explore those performances of the mesoporous TiO2 layer based perovskite solar cells, we focus on the effect of modulating the spin-coating rate of the TiO2 precursor for mesoporous layer on J-V hysteresis of solar cells with the polar film by J-V curves, atomic force microscopy topographic images, and piezoresponse force microscopy phase images. Firstly, the AFM images illustrate that the polarization behaviors exist and the deformation scale is large at the corresponding position when the DC bias voltage increases. Secondly, it is suggested that the polar films which applied the positive DC biases voltage show a tendency to 0° phase angle, while the polar films which applied the negative DC biases voltage show a tendency to −180° phase angle. Thirdly, a weak polar hysteresis loop relation for CH3NH3PbI3 film was observed. Finally, the hysteresis index for the 1500 rpm mesostructured solar cell shows relatively low J-V hysteresis compared with the 3000 rpm mesostructured and the planar-structured solar cell. Our experimental results bring novel routes for reducing the hysteresis and investigating the polar nature for CH3NH3PbI3 material

Effect of Perovskite Film Preparation on Performance of Solar Cells

For the perovskite solar cells (PSCs), the performance of the PSCs has become the focus of the research by improving the crystallization and morphology of the perovskite absorption layer. In this thesis, based on the structure of mesoporous perovskite solar cells (MPSCs), we designed the experiments to improve the photovoltaic performance of the PSCs by improved processing technique, which mainly includes the following two aspects. Before spin-coating PbI2 solution, we control the substrate temperature to modify the crystal quality and morphology of perovskite films. On the other hand, before annealing, we keep PbI2 films for the different drying time at room temperature to optimize films morphology. In our trials, it was found that the substrate temperature is more important in determining the photovoltaic performance than drying time. These results indicate that the crystallization and morphology of perovskite films affect the absorption intensity and obviously influence the short circuit current density of MPSCs. Utilizing films prepared by mentioning two methods, MPSCs with maximum power conversion efficiency of over 4% were fabricated for the active area of 0.5 × 0.5 cm2

Effective degradation of anthraquinones in Folium Sennae with Monascus fermentation for toxicity reduce and efficacy enhancement

Folium Sennae are widely used around the world, mainly in purging and removal of endogenous active substances, such as anthraquinone and its derivatives. However, the potential toxicity of anthraquinones to the liver, kidney, and intestinal limits the application of Folium Sennae. In this study, we aimed at safe regulation of Folium Sennae to degrade anthraquinones, boosting medicinal properties and reducing toxicity and potency with Monascus fermentation. Monascus strains H1102 for Folium Sennae fermentation were selected as the initial strain which was capable of producing high yields of functional pigment and low yields of hazardous citrinin. The anthraquinone degradation rate reached 41.2%, with 212.2 U mL−1 of the pigment and approximately 0.038 mg L−1 of the citrinin under optimal fermentation conditions followed by response surface streamlining, which met the requirements of reducing toxicity, increasing efficiency of Monascus fermented Folium Sennae. Furthermore, the Monascus/Folium Sennae culture had no observable toxic effect on HK-2 and L-02 cells in vitro and further inhibited cell apoptosis and necrosis. Overall, our results showed that Monascus fermentation could provide an alternative strategy for toxicity reduction of herbal medicines as well as efficacy enhancement

Pigeon MDA5 inhibits viral replication by triggering antiviral innate immunity

ABSTRACT: Pigeons are considered less susceptible, and display few or no clinical signs to infection with avian influenza virus (AIV). Melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5), an important mediator in innate immunity, has been linked to the virus resistance. In this study, the pigeon MDA5 (piMDA5) was cloned. The bioinformatics analysis showed that the C-terminal domain (CTD) of MDA5 is highly conserved among species while the N-terminal caspase recruitment domain (CARD) is variable. Upon infection with Newcastle diseases virus (NDV) and AIV, piMDA5 was upregulated in both pigeons and pigeon embryonic fibroblasts (PEFs). Further study found that overexpression of piMDA5 mediated the activation of interferons (IFNs) and IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) while inhibiting NDV replication. Conversely, the knockdown of piMDA5 promoted NDV replication. Additionally, CARD was found to be essential for the activation of IFN-β by piMDA5. Furthermore, pigeon MDA5, chicken MDA5, and human MDA5 differ in inhibiting viral replication and inducing ISGs expression. These findings suggest that MDA5 contributes to suppressing viral replication by activating the IFN signal pathway in pigeons. This study provides valuable insight into the role of MDA5 in pigeons and a better understanding of the conserved role of MDA5 in innate immunity during evolution

FDX1 regulates leydig cell ferroptosis mediates PM2.5-induced testicular dysfunction of mice

Epidemiological studies have established an association between chronic exposure to PM2.5 and male infertility. However, the underlying mechanisms were not fully revealed. In this study, we established mice models exposed to PM2.5 for 16 weeks, and a significant decrease in sperm quality accompanied by an increase in testosterone levels were observed after PM2.5 exposure. Moreover, treatment with ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1), a specific ferroptosis inhibitor, effectively mitigated PM2.5-induced testicular dysfunction in mice. And lipid peroxidation and ferritin accumulation were found to be significantly increased in Leydig cells of testes with a PM2.5-dose dependent manner. Further investigations revealed that TM-3 cells, a mouse Leydig cell line, were prone to ferroptosis after PM2.5 exposure, and the cell viability was partly rescued after the intervention of Fer-1. Furthermore, our results supported that the ferroptosis of TM-3 cells was attributed to the upregulation of ferredoxin 1 (FDX1), which was the protein transferring electrons to cytochrome P450 family 11 subfamily A member 1 to aid lysing cholesterol to pregnenolone at initial of steroidogenesis. Mechanically, PM2.5-induced FDX1 upregulation resulted in cellular ROS elevation and ferrous iron overload, which together initiated an autoxidation process of polyunsaturated fatty acids in the cell membrane of Leydig cells until the accumulated lipid peroxides triggered ferroptotic cell death. Simultaneously, upregulation of FDX1 promoted steroidogenesis and let to an increased level of testosterone. In summary, our work suggested that FDX1, a mediator involving steroidogenesis, was a key regulator in PM2.5-induced Leydig cells ferroptosis