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| Open AccessHigh-energy and low-cost membrane-free chlorine flow battery
Flow batteries provide promising solutions for stationary energy storage but most of the systems are based on expensive metal ions or synthetic organics. Here, the authors show a chlorine flow battery capitalizing the electrolysis of saltwater where the redox reaction is stabilized by the saltwater-immiscible organic flow.
- Singyuk Hou
- , Long Chen
- & Chunsheng Wang
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Article
| Open AccessA dual-function liquid electrolyte additive for high-energy non-aqueous lithium metal batteries
Lithium metal batteries suffer from poor (electro)chemical stability of the electrodes during prolonged cycling. Here, the authors report a dual function liquid electrolyte additive to form protective interphases on both electrodes to produce lab-scale high energy lithium metal batteries.
- Yuji Zhang
- , Yuan Wu
- & Chengxin Wang
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Article
| Open AccessThe synergistic effect of Hf-O-Ru bonds and oxygen vacancies in Ru/HfO2 for enhanced hydrogen evolution
Although ruthenium nanomaterials have proven to be effective catalysts for H2 evolution, there is still room for activity improvements. Here, authors develop an efficient Ru/HfO2 electrocatalyst with tuned Ru-O-Hf bonds and oxygen vacancies that shows high activities for alkaline H2 evolution.
- Guangkai Li
- , Haeseong Jang
- & Jaephil Cho
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Article
| Open AccessEngineered assembly of water-dispersible nanocatalysts enables low-cost and green CO2 capture
Catalytic solvent regeneration is of interest to reduce energy consumption in CO2 separation, however, the development of engineered nanocatalysts remains a challenge. Here, a new avenue is presented for the next generation of advanced metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) in energy-efficient CO2 capture.
- Masood S. Alivand
- , Omid Mazaheri
- & Kathryn A. Mumford
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Article
| Open AccessProduction of a monolithic fuel cell stack with high power density
The transportation sector is gradually evolving to become independent of fossil fuels. Here, the authors report a metal-based monolithic solid oxide fuel cell with a power density of 5.6 kW/L suitable for transport applications.
- Stéven Pirou
- , Belma Talic
- & Anke Hagen
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Article
| Open AccessHydrogen spillover in complex oxide multifunctional sites improves acidic hydrogen evolution electrocatalysis
While renewable H2 production offers a promising route for clean energy production, there is an urgent need to improve catalyst performances. Here, authors design a Pt-containing complex oxide that utilizes atomic-scale hydrogen spillover to promote H2 evolution electrocatalysis in acidic media.
- Jie Dai
- , Yinlong Zhu
- & Zongping Shao
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Article
| Open AccessImproving the oxygen redox reversibility of Li-rich battery cathode materials via Coulombic repulsive interactions strategy
Tailoring the oxygen redox reactivity in Li-rich cathode is crucial for developing high-energy batteries. Here, the authors report a strategy to obtain a flexible crystal structure and enhance the oxygen redox reversibility.
- Qingyuan Li
- , De Ning
- & Xiangfeng Liu
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Article
| Open AccessMaximizing the performance of n-type Mg3Bi2 based materials for room-temperature power generation and thermoelectric cooling
The awaited studies of new and efficient thermoelectric modules have not come to fruition yet. Here, the authors demonstrate a high thermoelectric performance of non-Bi2Te3 module for room-temperature power generation and thermoelectric cooling.
- Zihang Liu
- , Weihong Gao
- & Takao Mori
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Article
| Open AccessEnhancing hydrovoltaic power generation through heat conduction effects
The authors demonstrate enhanced hydrovoltaic power generation using heat conduction effects to break through the slow heat replenishment limit common in evaporation-induced hydrovoltaic generators.
- Lianhui Li
- , Sijia Feng
- & Ting Zhang
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Article
| Open AccessOverall photosynthesis of H2O2 by an inorganic semiconductor
An inorganic and robust photocatalytic system based on Mo-doped faceted BiVO4 particles exhibits a solar-to-chemical conversion efficiency of 0.29% for H2O2 generation, a new record among inorganic systems.
- Tian Liu
- , Zhenhua Pan
- & Kazunari Domen
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Article
| Open AccessRecovery coupling in multilayer networks
Infrastructure and power systems are often represented as multilayer structures of interdependent networks. Danziger and Barabási demonstrate the presence of recovery coupling in such systems, where the recovery of an element in one network requires resources from nodes and links in another network.
- Michael M. Danziger
- & Albert-László Barabási
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Article
| Open AccessFilling the gap between topological insulator nanomaterials and triboelectric nanogenerators
Triboelectric nanogenerators have shown promising potential towards self-powered wearable electronics and devices. Here, authors introduce topological insulators to enrich the current triboelectric family of materials and sensing technologies.
- Mengjiao Li
- , Hong-Wei Lu
- & Ying-Chih Lai
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Article
| Open AccessHighly efficient and salt rejecting solar evaporation via a wick-free confined water layer
Solar evaporation is promising for sustainable freshwater production but typically limited by salt accumulation. Here, by manipulating natural convection, authors develop a wick-free confined water layer that enables highly efficient and salt rejecting solar evaporation.
- Lenan Zhang
- , Xiangyu Li
- & Evelyn N. Wang
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Article
| Open AccessA new approach exploiting thermally activated delayed fluorescence molecules to optimize solar thermal energy storage
Direct conversion of solar energy to stored chemical energy can be achieved through photoisomerization. Here, authors exploit thermally activated delayed fluorescence materials as a photosensitizer and signal transducer to harness solar energy, to maximize solar spectrum harvesting without sacrificing energy storage time.
- Fan-Yi Meng
- , I-Han Chen
- & Pi-Tai Chou
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Article
| Open AccessGeneral heterostructure strategy of photothermal materials for scalable solar-heating hydrogen production without the consumption of artificial energy
The 1 sun-heating temperatures of photothermal materials can be generally elevated from ~90 °C to ~300 °C by hybridizing with infrared insulating materials, capable of driving methanol reforming to 310 mmol g−1 h−1 over CuOx/ZnO/Al2O3 nanosheets.
- Yaguang Li
- , Xianhua Bai
- & Guangsheng Fu
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Article
| Open AccessFew-layer bismuth selenide cathode for low-temperature quasi-solid-state aqueous zinc metal batteries
The performances of rechargeable batteries are detrimentally affected by low temperatures (e.g., < 0 °C). Here, the authors report a few-layer Bi2Se3 material capable of improving battery cycling performances when operational temperatures are shifted from +25 °C to −20 °C.
- Yuwei Zhao
- , Yue Lu
- & Chunyi Zhi
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Article
| Open AccessInterface engineering of Ta3N5 thin film photoanode for highly efficient photoelectrochemical water splitting
Solar-to-fuel energy conversion requires well-designed materials properties to ensure favorable charge carrier movement. Here, authors employ interface engineering of Ta3N5 thin film to enhance bulk carrier separation and interface carrier injection to improve the water-splitting efficiency.
- Jie Fu
- , Zeyu Fan
- & Yanbo Li
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Article
| Open AccessThermal-healing of lattice defects for high-energy single-crystalline battery cathodes
The lattice strain and defects in layered oxides is critical to the intercalation chemistry and battery performance. Here, the authors demonstrate a thermal-healing of lattice defects in single-crystalline cathodes caused by the thermal-induced release of lattice strain and the structure ordering.
- Shaofeng Li
- , Guannan Qian
- & Yijin Liu
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Comment
| Open AccessOpen challenges and good experimental practices in the research field of aqueous Zn-ion batteries
Aqueous Zn-based batteries represent a viable and cost-effective technology for electricity grid storage. Here, the authors discuss the most challenging aspects to bridge academic and industrial research and accelerate the adoption of this class of devices on a large scale.
- Giorgia Zampardi
- & Fabio La Mantia
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Article
| Open AccessCarbon-coated MoS1.5Te0.5 nanocables for efficient sodium-ion storage in non-aqueous dual-ion batteries
Sodium-based dual-ion batteries are promising electrochemical energy storage devices. Here, the authors report a source-template synthetic strategy to prepare carbon-coated MoS1.5Te0.5 nanocables and their use as anode active materials in Na-based dual ion cells.
- Yangjie Liu
- , Xiang Hu
- & Zhenhai Wen
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Article
| Open AccessColossal and reversible barocaloric effect in liquid-solid-transition materials n-alkanes
Barocaloric effect, previously reported in solid-solid phase transition materials, offers a green alternative to current cooling technology. Here the authors report colossal BCE in n-alkanes associated with liquid–solid transition.
- Jianchao Lin
- , Peng Tong
- & Yuping Sun
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Article
| Open AccessAluminum-copper alloy anode materials for high-energy aqueous aluminum batteries
Aqueous Al-ion batteries are attractive post-lithium battery technologies. Here Al-Cu alloy lamellar heterostructures with periodic galvanic couplings are reported as efficient anode active material to produce high-energy aqueous Al-ion batteries.
- Qing Ran
- , Hang Shi
- & Qing Jiang
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Article
| Open AccessNative lattice strain induced structural earthquake in sodium layered oxide cathodes
Native crystallographic defects are often introduced during synthesis of battery materials, but has been overlooked. Here, using in situ synchrotron X-ray probes and electron microscopy, the authors have revealed their adverse effect during battery operation.
- Gui-Liang Xu
- , Xiang Liu
- & Khalil Amine
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Article
| Open AccessOperando monitoring of ion activities in aqueous batteries with plasmonic fiber-optic sensors
Operando tracking the ion dynamics/states of battery is critical to understanding of electrolyte-electrode interactions. Here the authors propose to use the surface plasmon waves to rapidly screen localized electrochemical events on a sub-μm-scale thickness adjacent to the electrode interface, without perturbing battery operation.
- Runlin Wang
- , Haozhe Zhang
- & Tuan Guo
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Article
| Open AccessMachine learning-informed and synthetic biology-enabled semi-continuous algal cultivation to unleash renewable fuel productivity
Growth limitation caused by mutual shading and the high harvest cost hamper algal biofuel production. Here, the authors overcome these two problems by designing a semi-continuous algal cultivation system and an aggregation-based sedimentation strategy to achieve high levels production of biomass and limonene.
- Bin Long
- , Bart Fischer
- & Joshua S. Yuan
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Article
| Open AccessMultifactorial engineering of biomimetic membranes for batteries with multiple high-performance parameters
Lithium–sulfur batteries have a high specific capacity, but lithium polysulfide diffusion (LPS) and dendrite growth reduce their cycle life. Here, the authors show a biomimetic aramid nanofiber membrane for effectively suppressing LPS diffusion as well as lithium dendrites while allowing lithium ions to be transported. The membranes resists performance degradation at high temperatures and can be produced at scale by Kevlar recycling.
- Mingqiang Wang
- , Ahmet E. Emre
- & Nicholas A. Kotov
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Article
| Open AccessSelective ligand removal to improve accessibility of active sites in hierarchical MOFs for heterogeneous photocatalysis
While metal organic frameworks offer highly tunable materials for photocatalytic applications, catalytic site accessibility is a crucial parameter. Here, authors demonstrate selective ligand removal to introduce new active sites and mesopores and to enhance photocatalytic H2 evolution.
- Shaghayegh Naghdi
- , Alexey Cherevan
- & Dominik Eder
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Article
| Open AccessSingle-dispersed polyoxometalate clusters embedded on multilayer graphene as a bifunctional electrocatalyst for efficient Li-S batteries
Efficient electrochemical energy storage in Li-S batteries is hindered by sluggish sulfur redox reactions. Here, the authors propose a polyoxometalate/multilayer graphene composite as a bifunctional electrocatalyst for battery performance improvement.
- Jie Lei
- , Xiao-Xiang Fan
- & Jia-Jia Chen
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Article
| Open AccessSelectively tuning ionic thermopower in all-solid-state flexible polymer composites for thermal sensing
Though high ionic thermopower and p-n conversion has been realized in liquid ionic thermoelectric materials, achieving similar performance in solid-state polymer materials remains a challenge. Here, the authors report all-solid-state thermoelectric polymer composites with tunable ionic thermopower.
- Cheng Chi
- , Meng An
- & Xing Zhang
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Article
| Open AccessA record thermoelectric efficiency in tellurium-free modules for low-grade waste heat recovery
Thermoelectric materials for low-grade heat recovery applications are limited to Bi2Te3-based alloys containing expensive Te for decades. Here, the authors demonstrate on a module level, cheap antimonides could enable an efficiency not inferior to that of expensive tellurides.
- Zhonglin Bu
- , Xinyue Zhang
- & Yanzhong Pei
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Article
| Open AccessUltralow-temperature-driven water-based sorption refrigeration enabled by low-cost zeolite-like porous aluminophosphate
Thermally-driven water-sorption refrigeration is a promising environmentally friendly technology, but finding suitable porous materials is challenging. The authors report a very high coefficient of performance using a low-cost zeolite-like aluminophosphate as a water sorbent, suitable for use with low-grade thermal energy.
- Zhangli Liu
- , Jiaxing Xu
- & Xiulan Huai
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Article
| Open AccessEffect of the supergravity on the formation and cycle life of non-aqueous lithium metal batteries
The behavior of lithium metal batteries at various gravity levels is not yet clearly understood. Here, the authors demonstrate the beneficial effect of supergravity in terms of battery performance improvement and favorable solid electrolyte interphase formation.
- Yuliang Gao
- , Fahong Qiao
- & Keyu Xie
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Article
| Open AccessSingle-atom Cu anchored catalysts for photocatalytic renewable H2 production with a quantum efficiency of 56%
In this work, the highly dispersed and large loading amount (>1 wt%) of copper single-atoms were achieved on TiO2, resulting into an apparent quantum efficiency of 56% at 365 nm, in addition to an excellent thermal stability as proved after storing 380 days.
- Yumin Zhang
- , Jianhong Zhao
- & Qingju Liu
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Article
| Open AccessHalf-Heusler-like compounds with wide continuous compositions and tunable p- to n-type semiconducting thermoelectrics
Half-and full-Heusler compounds are considered as independent phases with a natural composition gap. Here the authors report the discovery of half-Heusler-like TiRu1+xSb with wide continuous compositions falling in the gap region and tunable p-to n-type semiconducting thermoelectrics.
- Zirui Dong
- , Jun Luo
- & Wenqing Zhang
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Article
| Open AccessZinc ion thermal charging cell for low-grade heat conversion and energy storage
Low-grade heat conversion has recently emerged and displayed great promise in sustainable electronics and energy areas. Here, the authors propose a new zinc ion thermal charging cell with hybrid behaviours for high value-added conversion from heat to electricity.
- Zhiwei Li
- , Yinghong Xu
- & Xiaogang Zhang
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Article
| Open AccessHow palladium inhibits CO poisoning during electrocatalytic formic acid oxidation and carbon dioxide reduction
Understanding how palladium inhibits CO poisoning is important for rational design of enhanced catalysts. Here the authors show high formate coverage on the palladium-modified electrode inhibits poisoning during formic acid oxidation and the adsorption of CO precursor dictates the delayed poisoning during CO2 reduction.
- Xiaoting Chen
- , Laura P. Granda-Marulanda
- & Marc T. M. Koper
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Article
| Open AccessFlame retardant high-power Li-S flexible batteries enabled by bio-macromolecular binder integrating conformal fractions
Prime concerns of Li-S batteries revolve around the sulfur’s utility ranging from its performance to safety concerns. Here, the authors use biomacromolecular binder imparting conformal property to trigger high sulfur reactivity and modulate polysulfides while manifesting flame retardability.
- Chenrayan Senthil
- , Sun-Sik Kim
- & Hyun Young Jung
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| Open AccessAssessing the energy transition in China towards carbon neutrality with a probabilistic framework
China’s transition path toward carbon neutrality remains uncertain. Here the authors combine Monte Carlo analysis with an energy-environment-economy model to present a probabilistic view of China’s energy transition across 3,000 cases.
- Shu Zhang
- & Wenying Chen
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Article
| Open AccessCoupling aqueous zinc batteries and perovskite solar cells for simultaneous energy harvest, conversion and storage
Accumulation of intermittent solar energy using secondary batteries is an appealing solution for future power sources. Here, the authors propose a device comprising of perovskite solar cells and aqueous zinc metal batteries connected via the sandwich joint electrode method.
- Peng Chen
- , Tian-Tian Li
- & Xue-Ping Gao
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Article
| Open AccessIdentifying the impact of the covalent-bonded carbon matrix to FeN4 sites for acidic oxygen reduction
Unveiling the effect of carbon matrix adjacent to Fe-N towards oxygen reduction reaction is important yet challenging. Here the authors investigate the carbon environment covalent-connected to FeN4 sites on their catalytic activity using models prepared by pyrolysis-free approach.
- Xueli Li
- & Zhonghua Xiang
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Article
| Open AccessSuppressing electrolyte-lithium metal reactivity via Li+-desolvation in uniform nano-porous separator
Lithium dendrite and parasitic reactions are two major challenges for lithium metal anode. Here, the authors show suppression of lithium-dendrite and elimination of continuous parasitic reactions by tuning the reduction kinetics of lithium-ion through a uniform nano-porous separator.
- Li Sheng
- , Qianqian Wang
- & Xiangming He
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Article
| Open AccessHomo-composition and hetero-structure nanocomposite Pnma Bi2SeS2 - Pnnm Bi2SeS2 with high thermoelectric performance
Most of the thermoelectric nanocomposites have structure character of a hetero-composition and hetero-structure, or hetero-composition and homo-structure between matrix phase and dispersion phase. This work shows a quasi homo-composition and hetero-structure (hoC-heS) nanocomposite consisting of Pnma Bi2SeS2 - Pnnm Bi2SeS2 with high ZT.
- Bushra Jabar
- , Fu Li
- & Weishu Liu
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Article
| Open AccessA Mo5N6 electrocatalyst for efficient Na2S electrodeposition in room-temperature sodium-sulfur batteries
Incomplete conversion of sodium polysulfides represents a significant issue in room-temperature sodium-sulfur batteries. Here, the authors propose Mo5N6 as an electrocatalyst for efficient Na2S electrodeposition and improved cell cycling performances.
- Chao Ye
- , Huanyu Jin
- & Shi-Zhang Qiao
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Article
| Open AccessHigh-specific-power flexible transition metal dichalcogenide solar cells
Ultrathin transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) hold promise for next-generation lightweight photovoltaics. Here, the authors demonstrate the first flexible high power-per-weight TMD solar cells with notably improved power conversion efficiency.
- Koosha Nassiri Nazif
- , Alwin Daus
- & Krishna C. Saraswat
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Article
| Open AccessUnveiling charge dynamics of visible light absorbing oxysulfide for efficient overall water splitting
Deciphering charge dynamics is imperative to realize efficient oxysulfide photocatalysts. Herein, with experiments and modelling, the authors report the dominant mechanisms behind decay, estimate material parameters, and formulate design principles.
- Vikas Nandal
- , Ryota Shoji
- & Kazuhiko Seki
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Article
| Open AccessImproving the alkali metal electrode/inorganic solid electrolyte contact via room-temperature ultrasound solid welding
The practical application of solid-state rechargeable alkali metal batteries is hindered by the poor contact between the metal electrode and the solid electrolyte. Here, the authors report an ultrasound solid welding strategy to favor the contact between these cells components.
- Xinxin Wang
- , Jingjing Chen
- & Zhiyong Mao
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Article
| Open AccessA rechargeable aqueous manganese-ion battery based on intercalation chemistry
Multivalent metal batteries are considered a viable alternative to Li-ion batteries. Here, the authors report a novel aqueous battery system when manganese ions are shuttled between an Mn metal/carbon composite anode and inorganic or organic cathodes.
- Songshan Bi
- , Shuai Wang
- & Zhiqiang Niu
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Article
| Open AccessGrowth of lithium-indium dendrites in all-solid-state lithium-based batteries with sulfide electrolytes
Li-In alloys are widely used as reference materials in the research field of solid-state lithium-based batteries. Here, the authors report and discuss the instability of Li-In electrodes towards sulfide solid electrolytes in all-solid-state batteries.
- Shuting Luo
- , Zhenyu Wang
- & Xing Zhang
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Article
| Open AccessPhase segregation in mixed-halide perovskites affects charge-carrier dynamics while preserving mobility
Phase segregation in mixed halide perovskite is known to alter the optoelectronic properties, but how it affects charge carriers is not clear. Here, the authors use THz spectroscopy to reveal that high carrier mobilities are well preserved, while recombination dynamics is affected by charge funnelling upon segregation.
- Silvia G. Motti
- , Jay B. Patel
- & Laura M. Herz