Ti3C2Tx-Modified PEDOT:PSS Hole-Transport Layer for Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells

The dawn of MXene duo: revolutionizing perovskite solar cells with MXenes through computational and experimental methods

Integrating MXene into perovskite solar cells (PSCs) has heralded a new era of efficient and stable photovoltaic devices owing to their supreme electrical conductivity, excellent carrier mobility, adjustable surface functional groups, excellent transparency and superior mechanical properties. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the experimental and computational techniques employed in the synthesis, characterization, coating techniques and performance optimization of MXene additive in electrodes, hole transport layer (HTL), electron transport layer (ETL) and perovskite photoactive layer of the perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Experimentally, the synthesis of MXene involves various methods, such as selective etching of MAX phases and subsequent delamination. At the same time, characterization techniques encompass X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, which elucidate the structural and chemical properties of MXene. Experimental strategies for fabricating PSCs involving MXene include interfacial engineering, charge transport enhancement, and stability improvement. On the computational front, density functional theory calculations, drift-diffusion modelling, and finite element analysis are utilized to understand MXene's electronic structure, its interface with perovskite, and the transport mechanisms within the devices. This review serves as a roadmap for researchers to leverage a diverse array of experimental and computational methods in harnessing the potential of MXene for advanced PSCs.

Facile Synthesis of Novel Ti2C Nano Bipyramids for Photothermal and Photodynamic Therapy of Breast Cancer

Photo-responsive synergetic therapeutics achieved significant attraction in cancer theranostic due to the versatile characteristics of nanomaterials. There have been substantial efforts in developing the simplest nano-design with exceptional synergistic properties and multifunctionalities. In this work, biocompatible Ti2C MXene nano bipyramids (MNBPs) were synthesized by hydrothermal method with dual functionalities of photothermal and photodynamic therapies. The MNBPs shape was obtained from two-dimensional (2D) Ti2C nanosheets by controlling the temperature of the reaction mixture. The structure of these Ti2C MNBPs was characterized by a high-resolution transmission electron microscope, scanning electron microscope, atomic force microscope, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The Ti2C NBPs have shown exceptional photothermal properties with increased temperature to 72.3 °C under 808 nm laser irradiation. The designed nano bipyramids demonstrated excellent cellular uptake and biocompatibility. The Ti2C NBP has established a remarkable photothermal therapy (PTT) effect against 4T1 breast cancer cells. Moreover, Ti2C NBPs showed a profound response to UV light (6 mW/cm2) and produced reactive oxygen species, making them useful for photodynamic therapy (PDT). These in-vitro studies pave a new path to tune the properties of photo-responsive MXene nanosheets, indicating a potential use in biomedical applications.

Impact of Polythiophene ((C4H4S)n; n = 3, 5, 7, 9) Units on the Adsorption, Reactivity, and Photodegradation Mechanism of Tetracycline by Ti-Doped Graphene/Boron Nitride (Ti@GP_BN) Nanocomposite Materials: Insights from Computational Study

This study addresses the formidable persistence of tetracycline (TC) in the environment and its adverse impact on soil, water, and microbial ecosystems. To combat this issue, an innovative approach by varying polythiophene ((C4H4S)n; n = 3, 5, 7, 9) units and the subsequent interaction with Ti-doped graphene/boron nitride (Ti@GP_BN) nanocomposites was applied as catalysts for investigating the molecular structure, adsorption, excitation analysis, and photodegradation mechanism of tetracycline within the framework of density functional theory (DFT) at the B3LYP-gd3bj/def2svp method. This study reveals a compelling correlation between the adsorption potential of the nanocomposites and their corresponding excitation behaviors, particularly notable in the fifth and seventh units of the polythiophene configuration. These units exhibit distinct excitation patterns, characterized by energy levels of 1.3406 and 924.81 nm wavelengths for the fifth unit and 1.3391 and 925.88 nm wavelengths for the seventh unit. Through exploring deeper, the examination of the exciton binding energy emerges as a pivotal factor, bolstering the outcomes derived from both UV-vis transition analysis and adsorption exploration. Notably, the calculated exciton binding energies of 0.120 and 0.103 eV for polythiophene units containing 5 and 7 segments, respectively, provide compelling confirmation of our findings. This convergence of data reinforces the integrity of our earlier analyses, enhancing our understanding of the intricate electronic and energetic interplay within these intricate systems. This study sheds light on the promising potential of the polythiophene/Ti-doped graphene/boron nitride nanocomposite as an efficient candidate for TC photodegradation, contributing to the advancement of sustainable environmental remediation strategies. This study was conducted theoretically; hence, experimental studies are needed to authenticate the use of the studied nanocomposites for degrading TC.

Single-atoms (N, P, S) encapsulation of Ni-doped graphene/PEDOT hybrid materials as sensors for H2S gas applications: intuition from computational study

This comprehensive study was dedicated to augmenting the sensing capabilities of Ni@GP_PEDOT@H2S through the strategic functionalization with nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur heteroatoms. Governed by density functional theory (DFT) computations at the gd3bj-B3LYP/def2svp level of theory, the investigation meticulously assessed the performance efficacy of electronically tailored nanocomposites in detecting H2S gas-a corrosive byproduct generated by sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB), bearing latent threats to infrastructure integrity especially in the oil and gas industry. Impressively, the analysed systems, comprising Ni@GP_PEDOT@H2S, N_Ni@GP_PEDOT@H2S, P_Ni@GP_PEDOT@H2S, and S_Ni@GP_PEDOT@H2S, unveiled both structural and electronic properties of noteworthy distinction, thereby substantiating their heightened reactivity. Results of adsorption studies revealed distinct adsorption energies (- 13.0887, - 10.1771, - 16.8166, and - 14.0955 eV) associated respectively with N_Ni@GP_PEDOT@H2S, P_Ni@GP_PEDOT@H2S, S_Ni@GP_PEDOT@H2S, and Ni@GP_PEDOT systems. These disparities vividly underscored the diverse strengths of the adsorbed H2S on the surfaces, significantly accentuating the robustness of S_Ni@GP_PEDOT@H2S as a premier adsorbent, fuelled by the notably strong sulfur-surface interactions. Fascinatingly, the sensor descriptor findings unveiled multifaceted facets pivotal for H2S detection. Ultimately, molecular dynamic simulations corroborated the cumulative findings, collectively underscoring the pivotal significance of this study in propelling the domain of H2S gas detection and sensor device innovation.