Opinion: Quantum solutions for a sustainable energy future

Structure-Property-Activity Relationships in Carbon Dots

Carbon dots (CDs) are one of the most versatile nanomaterials discovered in the 21st century. They possess many properties and thus hold potentials in diverse applications. While an increasing amount of attention has been given to these novel nanoparticles, the broad scientific community is actively engaged in exploring their limits. Recent studies on the fractionalization and assembly of CDs further push the limits beyond just CDs and demonstrate that CDs are both a mixture of heterogeneous fractions and promising building blocks for assembly of large carbon-based materials. With CDs moving forward toward both microscopic and macroscopic levels, a good understanding of the structure-property-activity relationships is essential to forecasting the future of CDs. Hence, in this Perspective, structure-property-activity relationships are highlighted based on the repeatedly verified findings in CDs. In addition, studies on CD fractionalization and assembly are briefly summarized in this Perspective. Eventually, these structure-property-activity relationships and controllability are essential for the development of CDs with desired properties for various applications especially in photochemistry, electrochemistry, nanomedicine, and surface chemistry. In summary, in our opinion, since 2004 until the present, history has witnessed a great development of CDs although there is still some room for more studies. Also, considering many attractive properties, structure-property-activity relationships, and the building block nature of CDs, a variety of carbon-based materials of interest can be constructed from CDs with control. They can help reduce blind trials in the development of carbon-based materials, which is of great significance in materials science, chemistry, and any fields related to the applications.

Imaging Sensor for the Detection of the Flow Battery Via Weak Value Amplification

Flow battery electrodes are vital for performing redox reactions, and an in-depth understanding of reaction kinetics and spatial distribution differences in electrodes is very important for improving the efficiency of electrochemical reactions. In this study, a reflection-type phase-sensitive weak measurement imaging system was developed for the detection of flow batteries. The phase difference between two polarization components in total internal reflection caused by electrode redox processes was measured by weak value amplification. The resulting refractive index resolution of the imaging system was estimated to be 2.8-4.2 × 10^-6 RIU. The real-time monitoring ability of the system was demonstrated by linear sweep voltammetry tests of vanadium redox batteries. Compared to traditional optical methods, the proposed weak measurement imaging sensor did not require coating, as it can be used in acid electrolytes of vanadium flow batteries. Meanwhile, the weak value amplification effect led to a higher resolution than the total internal reflection system shown in our previous work, thereby resulting in more accurate detection of electrochemical reactions. In sum, the proposed sensor looks very promising for the detection of electrochemical reactions in flow batteries, water splitting, electrochemical corrosion, and electrocatalysis.

Spiers Memorial Lecture : Introductory lecture: Hot-electron science and microscopic processes in plasmonics and catalysis

In these introductory remarks we discuss the generation of nonequilibrium electrons in metals, their properties, and how they can be utilized in two emerging applications: for extending the capabilities of photodetection (left), and for photocatalysis (right), lowering the barriers of chemical reactions.