Matrix Manipulation of Directly-Synthesized PbS Quantum Dot Inks Enabled by Coordination Engineering

The direct-synthesis of conductive PbS quantum dot (QD) ink is facile, scalable, and low-cost, boosting the future commercialization of optoelectronics based on colloidal QDs. However, manipulating the QD matrix structures still is a challenge, which limits the corresponding QD solar cell performance. Here, for the first time a coordination-engineering strategy to finely adjust the matrix thickness around the QDs is presented, in which halogen salts are introduced into the reaction to convert the excessive insulating lead iodide into soluble iodoplumbate species. As a result, the obtained QD film exhibits shrunk insulating shells, leading to higher charge carrier transport and superior surface passivation compared to the control devices. A significantly improved power-conversion efficiency from 10.52% to 12.12% can be achieved after the matrix engineering. Therefore, the work shows high significance in promoting the practical application of directly synthesized PbS QD inks in large-area low-cost optoelectronic devices.     

Embedding carbon dots in Eu3+-doped metal-organic framework for label-free ratiometric fluorescence detection of Fe3+ ions

Fluorescent detection is a new spectroscopic measurement for ions sensing due to the advantages of real-time determination with high selectivity, accuracy, and low cost. However, chemosensors based on fluorescent detection are usually determined by absolute intensity from a monochromatic emission signal, which is easy to be fluctuated by the external environment, especially for Fe³⁺ detection in complex fluids. Herein, we rationally design a dual-emission Eu³⁺: CDs@ZIF-8 to construct a ratiometric fluorescent sensor with self-calibrating ability for Fe³⁺ determination. High efficient carbon dots (CDs) are embedded in europium ions (Eu³⁺)-doped MOF by simple stirring preparation at room temperature. The label-free ratiometric fluorescent probe (I_CDs@ZIF-8/I_Eu) exhibits simultaneous blue and red emission under the same excitation at 365 nm. Remarkably, Eu³⁺: CDs@ZIF-8 displays the superiority of high selectivity to Fe³⁺, which shows ratiometric fluorescence characteristics (I₀/I) in a range of 0-6 μmol\L with a low limit of detection (LOD) of 0.897 μmol\L. Besides, the CDs-MOF nanocomposite holds good aqueous dispersibility and low cytotoxicity, which shows great potential applications in medical aid including biological detection and clinical diagnosis.     

Waveguide external cavity narrow linewidth semiconductor lasers

Narrow linewidth light source is a prerequisite for high-performance coherent optical communication and sensing.Waveguide-based external cavity narrow linewidth semiconductor lasers(WEC-NLSLs)have become a competitive and attractive candidate for many coherent applications due to their small size,volume,low energy consumption,low cost and the ability to integrate with other optical components.In this paper,we present an overview of WEC-NLSLs from their required technologies to the state-of-the-art progress.Moreover,we highlight the common problems occurring to current WEC-NLSLs and show the possible approaches to resolving the issues.Finally,we present the possible development directions for the next phase and hope this review will be beneficial to the advancements of WEC-NLSLs.     

Efficient Visible-to-UV Photon Upconversion Systems Based on CdS Nanocrystals Modified with Triplet Energy Mediators

Developing high-performance visible-to-UV photon upconversion systems based on triplet–triplet annihilation photon upconversion (TTA-UC) is highly desired, as it provides a potential approach for UV light-induced photosynthesis and photocatalysis. However, the quantum yield and spectral range of visible-to-UV TTA-UC based on nanocrystals (NCs) are still far from satisfactory. Here, three different sized CdS NCs are systematically investigated with triplet energy transfer to four mediators and four annihilators, thus substantially expanding the available materials for visible-to-UV TTA-UC. By improving the quality of CdS NCs, introducing the mediator via a direct mixing fashion, and matching the energy levels, a high TTA-UC quantum yield of 10.4% (out of a 50% maximum) is achieved in one case, which represents a record performance in TTA-UC based on NCs without doping. In another case, TTA-UC photons approaching 4 eV are observed, which is on par with the highest energies observed in optimized organic systems. Importantly, the in-depth investigation reveals that the direct mixing approach to introduce the mediator is a key factor that leads to close to unity efficiencies of triplet energy transfer, which ultimately governs the performance of NC-based TTA-UC systems. These findings provide guidelines for the design of high-performance TTA-UC systems toward solar energy harvesting.     

格点QCD基础求解器及其异构计算实现的性能优化

格点量子色动力学(格点QCD)是研究夸克、胶子等微观粒子间相互作用的重要理论和方法. 通过将时空离散化为四维结构网格, 并将量子色动力学的基本场量定义在网格上, 让研究人员可以使用数值模拟方法, 从第一性原理出发研究强子间相互作用和性质, 但这个过程中的计算量极大, 需要进行大规模并行计算. 格点QCD计算的核心基础为格点QCD求解器, 是程序运行主要的计算热点模块. 本文研究在国产异构计算平台下格点QCD求解器的实现与优化, 提出一套格点QCD求解器的设计实现, 实现了BiCGSTAB求解器, 显著降低了迭代次数; 通过对奇偶预处理技术, 降低了所求问题的计算规模; 针对国产异构加速卡的特点, 优化了Dslash模块的访存操作. 实验测试表明, 相比优化前的求解器获得了约30倍的加速比, 为国产异构超算下格点QCD软件性能优化提供了有益的参考价值.     

Density functional theory study of the hydrogen evolution reaction in haeckelite boron nitride quantum dots

To satisfy arising energy needs and to handle the forthcoming worldwide climate transformation, the major research attention has been drawn to environmentally friendly, renewable and abundant energy resources. Hydrogen plays an ideal and significant role is such resources, due to its non-carbon based energy and production through clean energy. In this work, we have explored catalytic activity of a newly predicted haeckelite boron nitride quantum dot (haeck-BNQD), constructed from the infinite BN sheet, for its utilization in hydrogen production. Density functional theory calculations are employed to investigate geometry optimization, electronic and adsorption mechanism of haeck-BNQD using Gaussian16 package, employing the hybrid B3LYP and wB97XD functionals, along with 6–31G(d,p) basis set. A number of physical quantities such as HOMO/LUMO energies, density of states, hydrogen atom adsorption energies, Mulliken populations, Gibbs free energy, work functions, overpotentials, etc., have been computed and analysed in the context of the catalytic performance of haeck-BNQD for the hydrogen-evolution reaction (HER). Based on our calculations, we predict that the best catalytic performance will be obtained for H adsorption on top of the squares or the octagons of haeck-BNQD. We hope that our prediction of most active catalytic sites on haeck-BNQD for HER will be put to test in future experiments.     

锡量子点制备及其电催化还原二氧化碳产甲酸性能

锡基材料在自然界含量丰富、价格低廉, 在电催化还原CO₂制液体燃料反应中具有巨大潜力。但是较低的产物选择性和较差的稳定性限制了其应用。本工作制备的锡量子点电催化剂(Sn-QDs), 具有高效、高稳定性和高选择性的电催化还原CO₂产HCOOH活性。Sn-QDs的平均颗粒尺寸仅为2~3 nm, 结晶性良好。小的颗粒尺寸增大了电化学活性面积(ECSA), Sn-QDs的ECSA约为锡颗粒的4.4倍。ECSA增大以及CO₂还原反应动力学加速, 促进了CO₂电化学转化。在-1.0 V (vs RHE)下, Sn-QDs/CN催化剂的HCOOH法拉第效率(FE_HCOOH)达到95%, 并且在宽约0.5 V的电势范围内能够保持在83%以上。此外, Sn-QDs/CN可以在24 h内保持良好的电化学稳定性。     

Role and prospects of green quantum dots in photoelectrochemical hydrogen generation: A review

Eco-friendly quantum dots (QDs) can be termed green QDs which stand as an attractive choice to modify the properties of known semiconductors in the direction of getting efficient photoelectrodes for solar-induced photoelectrochemical (PEC) splitting of water, due to their peculiar properties. Thus, it is of high significance to analyze their merit/demerit as an effective scaffold in PEC cell. QDs are known for their excellent optical properties however, the coupling of green QDs with semiconductor is not only useful in improving absorption characteristics but also promotes charge transfer. This review has undertaken the critical analysis on the worldwide research going on the green QDs modified photoelectrode with respect to their optical, electrical & photoelectrochemical properties, role, usefulness, efficiency, and finally the success in PEC system for hydrogen production. Various methods on the facile synthesis & sensitization techniques of green QDs available in the literature have also been discussed. Further, recent advances on the development of green QDs based photo-electrode, along with major challenges of using green QDs in this field have also been presented.     

Plasmonic semiconductor: A tunable non-metal photocatalyst

Doped semiconductor, a newly discovered plasmonic nanomaterial, has attracted tremendous interest due to its tunable properties. In the field of photocatalysis, the perfect combination of metal-like and semiconductor properties makes it the replacement and supplement of metal plasmonic nanomaterials. This new plasmonic photocatalysis offers high conversion efficiencies and wide optical absorption range with low fabrication costs. This article reviews the recent developments and achievements by which the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) in non-metal plasmonic nanomaterial for photocatalytic applications, including pure non-metal plasmonic photocatalysts and various enhancement strategies such as doping, co-catalyst, heterojunction, LSPR coupling and upconversion luminescence enhancement. It broadens the horizons for plasmonics in the study of photocatalysis and even in energy-related applications.     

基于Matlab的量子激光雷达稳频通信模拟系统设计

传统通信模拟系统设计较为复杂,导致模拟过程消耗能量较大,不能准确模拟稳频通信质量。因此,提出基于Matlab的量子激光雷达稳频通信模拟系统。由于振荡器是雷达形成初始信号源的基础,通过分析振荡电路与相位噪声,获得相位噪声函数与通信频率存在的关系;为确保通信过程的稳定,将准确性与稳定性作为信号质量的评价指标,并采用锁频环稳频技术计算频率偏移程度,根据PID控制算法控制频率,量子激光雷达稳频通信;利用Matlab确定激光器、探测器等硬件组成结构,通过时序与数字阵列的设置完成模拟系统设计。仿真结果表明所提系统结构简便、性能稳定,能够真实模拟出稳频通信的信号质量。