Value-added conversion of lignocellulose is a sustainable approach. Photo-refining biomass is in line with current environmental protection strategies. However, photo-reforming biomass suffers from poor catalyst stability and low conversion efficiency. Here, we designed fructose as a lignocellulosic model. The heterogeneous structure of Prussian blue coating was constructed with a special covalent bond structure of Co—CN—Zn. This structure has a catalytic conversion mechanism that can accelerate electron transfer. Fructose was simultaneously converted to value-added platform compounds (5-HMF and formic acid) and gaseous fuels (CO, CH4) with a conversion rate of up to 92.5%, which is more than 1.7 times than that of catalysts without adding Prussian blue. Hydrogen transfer and carbon transfer on the carbon atoms of fructose facilitates the production and accelerates the spillover of CO from formic acid. This work provides new ideas for the development of Prussian blue catalysts and the conversion of pentose.
The introduction of alkoxy side chains into the backbone of conjugated polymers is an effective way to change their properties. While the impact on the structure and optoelectronic properties of polymer thin films was well-studied in organic solar cells and transistors, limited research has been conducted on their effects on doping and thermoelectric properties. In this study, the effects of methoxy functionalization of conjugated backbones on the doping and thermoelectric properties are investigated through a comparative study of diketopyrrolopyrrole-based conjugated polymers with and without methoxy groups (P29DPP-BTOM and P29DPP-BT, respectively). Methoxy-functionalization significantly enhances doping efficiency, converting undopable pairs to dopable ones. This dramatic change is attributed to the structural changes in the polymer film caused by the methoxy groups, which increases the lamellar spacing and facilitates the incorporation of dopants within the polymer crystals. Moreover, methoxy-functionalization is advantageous in improving the Seebeck coefficient and power factor of the doped polymers, because it induces a bimodal orientational distribution in the polymer, which contributes to the increased splitting of Fermi and charge transport levels. This study demonstrates the impact of methoxy-functionalization of a conjugated polymer on doping behavior and thermoelectric properties, providing a guideline for designing high-performance conjugated polymers for thermoelectric applications.
Deformable lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) can serve as the main power sources for flexible and wearable electronics owing to their high energy capacity, reliability, and durability. The pivotal role of cathodes in LIB performance necessitates the development of mechanically free-standing and stretchable cathodes. This study demonstrates a promising strategy to generate deformable cathodes with electrical conductivity by forming 3D interconnected elastomeric networks. Beginning with a physically crosslinked polymer network using poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([EMI][TFSI]), subsequent exchange with a 1 M LiPF6 electrolyte imparts elastic characteristics to the cathodes. The resulting LiFePO4 composite electrodes maintained their resistance under 500 consecutive bending cycles at an extremely small bending radius of 1.8 mm and showed high discharge capacity of 158 mAh g−1 with stable potential plateaus in charging and discharging curves. Moreover, flexible cells utilizing the composite electrodes exhibited superior operational stability under rolling, bending, and folding deformations.
We incorporated triphenylsulfonium triflate (TPST), a sulfonium-based additive consisting of polar triflate and bulky hydrophobic phenyl rings, to the PbI2 precursor solution for preparation of less-defect perovskite film via two-step fabrication. TPST induced localized alterations in the array of the PbI2 structure due to its large size, thereby forming a more discontinuous and coarser surface with a greater number of pinholes and subsequently facilitating more efficient organic–inorganic reactions. As a result, we achieved the production of thick perovskite films with enlarged granules and decreased PbI2 residuals in the two-step fabrication process. Furthermore, TPST facilitated the passivation of bulk film defects by increasing the binding energy with the defects. Consequently, the ITO/SnO2 np-based device and the FTO/CBD SnO2-based device obtained the best PCEs of 23.88% and 24.30%, respectively. Furthermore, the moisture stability of the perovskite was improved by the hydrophobic character of the TPST additive.
In the pursuit of carbon neutrality policies, the development of eco-friendly and intelligent furniture commands a significant role. However, the integration of non-biodegradable electronic components in smart furniture fabrication has led to substantial electronic waste. Here, we report a straightforward approach, the rapid production of Laser-Induced Graphene (LIG) on medium-density fiberboard (MDF), a prevalent recycled wood in furniture production. This LIG electrode is crafted with negligible material ablation in ambient air with the aid of femtosecond laser pulses, without requiring any additional materials, showcasing the highest electrical conductivity (2.781 Ω sq−1) among previously reported lignocellulosic materials-based LIG. The application of this LIG electrode for lighting, heating, and touch sensors displays sufficient performance for smart furniture implementation. For eco-conscious furniture, LIG-based human-machine interfaces are demonstrated on recycled woods for the facile control of smart devices, which will readily enable IoT-oriented smart sustainable furniture.