Featured
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| Open AccessRational design of a topological polymeric solid electrolyte for high-performance all-solid-state alkali metal batteries
Solid-state polymer electrolytes are crucial for developing future rechargeable batteries, but they are still limited in performance. Here, the authors designed a topological polymeric solid electrolyte, enabling an all-solid-state high-voltage lithium metal pouch cell to cycle 200 times efficiently.
- Yun Su
- , Xiaohui Rong
- & Yong-Sheng Hu
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Article
| Open AccessMultiple valence bands convergence and strong phonon scattering lead to high thermoelectric performance in p-type PbSe
Power generation from heat to electricity can be realized by thermoelectric materials. Here, the authors improve the thermoelectric properties in PbSe enabled by multiple bands convergence and strong phonon scattering.
- Yingcai Zhu
- , Dongyang Wang
- & Li-Dong Zhao
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Article
| Open AccessDevelopment of vanadium-based polyanion positive electrode active materials for high-voltage sodium-based batteries
The development of high-capacity and high-voltage electrode materials can boost the performance of sodium-based batteries. Here, the authors report the synthesis of a polyanion positive electrode active material that enables high-capacity and high-voltage sodium battery performance.
- Semyon D. Shraer
- , Nikita D. Luchinin
- & Stanislav S. Fedotov
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Article
| Open AccessFabrication of triboelectric polymer films via repeated rheological forging for ultrahigh surface charge density
High charge density is the foundation to promote a wide range of applications of triboelectric nanogenerators. Here, authors propose a processing method based on the repeated rheological forging of triboelectric polymers achieving an enhanced triboelectricity and further study its mechanism.
- Zhaoqi Liu
- , Yunzhi Huang
- & Jin-Ping Qu
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Article
| Open AccessElectrical resistance of the current collector controls lithium morphology
The deployment of lithium metal batteries is forestalled by poor control over the deposition morphology of lithium. Here, the authors discover that high electrical resistance can be leveraged for controlling lithium morphology and enabling high-performing lithium metal batteries.
- Solomon T. Oyakhire
- , Wenbo Zhang
- & Stacey F. Bent
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Article
| Open AccessEnergy-selective confinement of fusion-born alpha particles during internal relaxations in a tokamak plasma
Confining plasma for fusion requires controlling many parameters. Here the authors report the existence of a narrow parameter space for the simultaneous confinement of energetic alpha particles and removal of slowed-down helium ash in a magnetically confined fusion plasma by using kinetic-magnetohydrodynamic hybrid simulations.
- A. Bierwage
- , K. Shinohara
- & S. Ide
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Article
| Open AccessShallow subsurface heat recycling is a sustainable global space heating alternative
Using shallow geothermal energy systems to recycle the heat accumulating in the subsurface due to climate change and urbanization is a feasible, sustainable, and opportunistic alternative to conventional space heating in the face of climate change
- Susanne A. Benz
- , Kathrin Menberg
- & Barret L. Kurylyk
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Article
| Open AccessUltrahigh transverse thermoelectric power factor in flexible Weyl semimetal WTe2
Flexible thermoelectrics are of great interest with increasing demand of flexible and wearable electronics. Here, the authors demonstrate that the Weyl semimetal, WTe2, has a high Nernst power factor and great mechanical flexibility.
- Yu Pan
- , Bin He
- & Claudia Felser
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Article
| Open AccessMetaproteomics reveals enzymatic strategies deployed by anaerobic microbiomes to maintain lignocellulose deconstruction at high solids
Efficient solubilization of plant cell wall carbohydrates is required for microbial production of biofuels from lignocellulosic biomass. Here, the authors employ metaproteomics to interrogate enzymatic strategies of a methanogenic microbiome deconstructing switchgrass at increasing solids loading.
- Payal Chirania
- , Evert K. Holwerda
- & Lee R. Lynd
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Article
| Open AccessBixbyite-type Ln2O3 as promoters of metallic Ni for alkaline electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution
While renewable H2 evolution will require inexpensive, abundant catalysts, non-noble metals typically show relatively low activities. Here, authors examine lanthanide metal sesquioxide doped metallic Ni and show efficient, stable performances for alkaline H2 evolution electrocatalysis.
- Hongming Sun
- , Zhenhua Yan
- & Miao Du
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Article
| Open AccessUltralow-voltage operation of light-emitting diodes
Light emission from 17 types of LEDs is observed at record-low voltages of 36–60% of the bandgaps, which cannot be explained by earlier theories. The electroluminescence-voltage curves reveal a unified mechanism for ultralow-voltage LED operation.
- Yaxiao Lian
- , Dongchen Lan
- & Dawei Di
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Article
| Open AccessCalcium-tin alloys as anodes for rechargeable non-aqueous calcium-ion batteries at room temperature
The key challenge for rechargeable Ca batteries originates from the severe passivation of the calcium metal anode in electrolyte solutions. Here, the authors demonstrate the feasibility and elucidate the electrochemical properties of calcium-tin (Ca–Sn) alloy anodes for rechargeable Ca batteries.
- Zhirong Zhao-Karger
- , Yanlei Xiu
- & Maximilian Fichtner
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Article
| Open AccessDesign principles for water dissociation catalysts in high-performance bipolar membranes
It is important yet challenging to elucidate the mechanism of water dissociation in bipolar membrane electrolysers. Here the authors show how water dissociation is accelerated by electric-field-focusing and catalytic effects and uncover design principles to optimize the performance.
- Lihaokun Chen
- , Qiucheng Xu
- & Shannon W. Boettcher
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Article
| Open AccessTraps and transport resistance are the next frontiers for stable non-fullerene acceptor solar cells
Long operational stability is essential to commercialisation of organic solar cells. Here, the authors investigate the thermal degradation of inverted photovoltaic devices based on PM6:Y6 non-fullerene system to reveal that trap-induced transport resistance is primarily responsible for the drop in fill factor.
- Christopher Wöpke
- , Clemens Göhler
- & Carsten Deibel
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Article
| Open AccessRuO2 electronic structure and lattice strain dual engineering for enhanced acidic oxygen evolution reaction performance
While water splitting in acid offers higher operational performances than in alkaline conditions, there are few high-activity, acid-stable oxygen evolution electrocatalysts. Here, authors examine electrochemical Li intercalation to improve the activity and stability of RuO2 for acidic water oxidation.
- Yin Qin
- , Tingting Yu
- & Tong-Yi Zhang
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Article
| Open AccessHeat-fueled enzymatic cascade for selective oxyfunctionalization of hydrocarbons
Thermoelectric materials enable us to convert heat into electricity, but their application has been limited to high-temperature heat sources. Here, the authors show the direct conversion of low-grade waste heat into chemical energy via combining thermoelectric materials with biocatalysts below 100 °C.
- Jaeho Yoon
- , Hanhwi Jang
- & Chan Beum Park
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Article
| Open AccessTailoring the metal electrode morphology via electrochemical protocol optimization for long-lasting aqueous zinc batteries
Long-lasting zinc metal electrodes are crucial in developing commercial zinc-based batteries. Here, the authors investigate the different morphology evolution between the stripping and plating process and propose electrochemical protocols to prolong the lifespan of zinc anodes.
- Qing Li
- , Ao Chen
- & Chunyi Zhi
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Article
| Open AccessA unique Co@CoO catalyst for hydrogenolysis of biomass-derived 5-hydroxymethylfurfural to 2,5-dimethylfuran
The development of precious-metal-free catalysts to promote the sustainable production of fuels and chemicals from biomass challenging. Here the authors report a unique core-shell structured Co@CoO catalyst which exhibits excellent performance in the hydrogenolysis of biomass-derived compounds.
- Shuang Xiang
- , Lin Dong
- & Yanqin Wang
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Article
| Open AccessLow-cost synthesis of small molecule acceptors makes polymer solar cells commercially viable
The high−cost of the acceptor-donor-acceptor structured small molecule acceptors impedes its commercial viability for polymer solar cells. To address this problem, here, the authors developed a simple and cheap boron trifluoride etherate-catalyzed Knoevenagel condensation with high reaction efficiency.
- Hongyuan Fu
- , Jia Yao
- & Yongfang Li
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Article
| Open AccessQuasi-solid-state Zn-air batteries with an atomically dispersed cobalt electrocatalyst and organohydrogel electrolyte
Quasi-solid-state Zn-air batteries are limited by sluggish kinetics and low temperature incompatibility. Here, the authors use a single-atom catalyst and an organohydrogel electrolyte to enable a 100 mA cm−2 cycling current density at 25 °C and a −60 to 60 °C operational window.
- Qichen Wang
- , Qingguo Feng
- & Xiang Xiong
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Article
| Open AccessSelf-sustained electricity generator driven by the compatible integration of ambient moisture adsorption and evaporation
Generating electricity from air opens a promising way for green energy harvesting. Here, authors present a prototype driven by the integration of moisture adsorption with evaporation to generate continuous electricity for a long duration.
- Jin Tan
- , Sunmiao Fang
- & Wanlin Guo
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Article
| Open AccessBipolar membrane electrolyzers enable high single-pass CO2 electroreduction to multicarbon products
In the carbon dioxide (CO2) to multicarbon electrolysis, the crossover CO2 to the oxygen-rich anodic gas stream add a further energy-intensive chemical separation step. Here, the authors demonstrate a bipolar membrane-based electrolyzer design that eliminates the crossover CO2.
- Ke Xie
- , Rui Kai Miao
- & Edward H. Sargent
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Article
| Open AccessDecoupled temperature and pressure hydrothermal synthesis of carbon sub-micron spheres from cellulose
Temperature and pressure are typically dependent parameters in hydrothermal processes. Here, authors devise a hydrothermal system that allows independent control of these parameters and realize low-temperature fast synthesis of carbon sub-micron spheres directly from cellulose at higher pressure.
- Shijie Yu
- , Xinyue Dong
- & Hui Zhou
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Article
| Open AccessAnderson transition in stoichiometric Fe2VAl: high thermoelectric performance from impurity bands
The mathematical conditions for the best thermoelectric is well known but never realised in real materials. Here, the authors propose the Anderson transition in a narrow impurity band as a physical realisation of this seemingly unrealisable scenario.
- Fabian Garmroudi
- , Michael Parzer
- & Ernst Bauer
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Article
| Open AccessBicyclic-ring base doping induces n-type conduction in carbon nanotubes with outstanding thermal stability in air
The preparation of stable n-type carbon nanotubes is desirable for their potential applications in molecular electronics. Here, the authors report that doping with bicyclic-ring organic superbases enables the synthesis of n-type carbon nanotubes with excellent thermal stability in air.
- Shohei Horike
- , Qingshuo Wei
- & Kenji Ishida
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Article
| Open AccessSimulated co-optimization of renewable energy and desalination systems in Neom, Saudi Arabia
Co-optimization of renewable power and water desalination systems for Neom, a futuristic seaside city in an arid region, results in more pronounced cost investment savings for a high share of renewable sources.
- Jefferson A. Riera
- , Ricardo M. Lima
- & Omar Knio
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Matters Arising
| Open AccessMultiple induced seismicity mechanisms at Castor underground gas storage illustrate the need for thorough monitoring
- Víctor Vilarrasa
- , Silvia De Simone
- & Antonio Villaseñor
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Article
| Open AccessSustainable power generation for at least one month from ambient humidity using unique nanofluidic diode
Energy harvesting of humidity present in air can be used for the development of clean energy sources and self-sustained systems. The authors propose a nanofluid energy conversion system with integrated ionic diode-type hybrid membrane for energy generation in environmental moisture.
- Yong Zhang
- , Tingting Yang
- & Qi-Chang He
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Article
| Open AccessEffect of the grain arrangements on the thermal stability of polycrystalline nickel-rich lithium-based battery cathodes
Enhancing the stability of positive electrodes at thermally-abused conditions is vital for next-generation lithium-based batteries. Here, the authors report in situ physicochemical characterizations to improve the fundamental understanding of the degradation mechanism in polycrystalline Ni-rich cathodes.
- Dong Hou
- , Zhengrui Xu
- & Feng Lin
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Article
| Open AccessHydrogenated Cs2AgBiBr6 for significantly improved efficiency of lead-free inorganic double perovskite solar cell
Though inorganic perovskites are an attractive, non-toxic and stable alternative to organic-inorganic halide perovskite solar cells, realizing efficient devices remains a challenge. Here, the authors report hydrogenated lead-free inorganic perovskite solar cells with enhanced power conversion efficiency.
- Zeyu Zhang
- , Qingde Sun
- & Manling Sui
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Article
| Open AccessTransition-metal-free synthesis of pyrimidines from lignin β-O-4 segments via a one-pot multi-component reaction
Lignin depolymerization to make heterocyclic aromatic compounds is of great importance to expanding the product portfolio derived from biomass, but it is also particularly challenging. In this work, the authors report pyrimidine synthesis from lignin β-O-4 model compounds via a one-pot multicomponent cascade reaction.
- Bo Zhang
- , Tenglong Guo
- & Changzhi Li
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Article
| Open AccessNiobium-doped layered cathode material for high-power and low-temperature sodium-ion batteries
The practical application of sodium-ion batteries at subzero temperatures is hindered by the slow Na-ion transfer kinetics. Here, the authors reported the niobium doping of P2-type cathode active material capable of efficient battery cycling at low temperatures such as −40 °C.
- Qinhao Shi
- , Ruijuan Qi
- & Yufeng Zhao
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Article
| Open AccessExpanding the active charge carriers of polymer electrolytes in lithium-based batteries using an anion-hosting cathode
The energy content of secondary batteries is often limited by the charge carriers available in the system. Here, the authors employed an anion acceptor cathode for simultaneous use of electrolyte anions and cations as effective charge carriers in solid polymer electrolytes for lithium-based batteries.
- Zongjie Sun
- , Kai Xi
- & Shujiang Ding
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Article
| Open AccessTransforming Ti3C2Tx MXene’s intrinsic hydrophilicity into superhydrophobicity for efficient photothermal membrane desalination
Membrane distillation is susceptible to thermal inefficiency and membrane wetting issues during seawater desalination. Here, authors design a MXene-engineered membrane that imparts efficient localized photothermal effect and strong water repellency, achieving sustainable freshwater production.
- Baoping Zhang
- , Pak Wai Wong
- & Alicia Kyoungjin An
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Article
| Open AccessDevelopment of efficient aqueous organic redox flow batteries using ion-sieving sulfonated polymer membranes
Aqueous organic redox flow batteries are promising for grid-scale energy storage, although their practical application is still limited. Here, the authors report highly ion-conductive and selective polymer membranes, which boost the battery’s efficiency and stability, offering cost-effective electricity storage.
- Chunchun Ye
- , Anqi Wang
- & Qilei Song
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Article
| Open AccessMulti-scale turbulence simulation suggesting improvement of electron heated plasma confinement
Understanding the transport of the particles and fuel in the fusion plasma is fundamentally important. Here the authors report a cross-link interaction between electron- and ion-scale turbulences in plasma in terms of trapped electron mode and electron temperature gradient modes and their implication to fusion plasma.
- Shinya Maeyama
- , Tomo-Hiko Watanabe
- & Akihiro Ishizawa
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Article
| Open AccessUnraveling the mechanism for paired electrocatalysis of organics with water as a feedstock
Production of value-added chemicals by using renewable energy and cheap water attract great interest. Herein, the authors design a paired electrocatalytic system to produce 4-aminobenzyl alcohol at cathode and 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid at anode.
- Ganceng Yang
- , Yanqing Jiao
- & Honggang Fu
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Article
| Open AccessLanthanum nitrate as aqueous electrolyte additive for favourable zinc metal electrodeposition
Zinc metal is a promising anode material for aqueous secondary batteries. However, the unfavourable morphologies formed on the electrode surface during cycling limit its application. Here, the authors report the tailoring of the surface morphology using a lanthanum nitrate aqueous electrolyte additive.
- Ruirui Zhao
- , Haifeng Wang
- & Yunhui Huang
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Article
| Open AccessBoosting the performance of single-atom catalysts via external electric field polarization
While single-atom catalysts offer high atomic utilization and tunable reaction pathways, there are still challenges in controlling reactivity. Here, authors use oriented external electric fields to induce electrostatic polarization in metal single-atoms and to boost water-splitting performances.
- Yanghang Pan
- , Xinzhu Wang
- & Mengning Ding
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Article
| Open AccessEliminating the need for anodic gas separation in CO2 electroreduction systems via liquid-to-liquid anodic upgrading
In the electrified conversion of CO2 to multicarbon products, CO2 crossover to the O2-rich anodic stream adds a further, energy-intensive, chemical separation step. Here, the authors demonstrate a strategy that eliminates the separation requirement.
- Ke Xie
- , Adnan Ozden
- & Edward H. Sargent
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Article
| Open AccessGiant energy-storage density with ultrahigh efficiency in lead-free relaxors via high-entropy design
Dielectric ceramics are widely used in advanced high/pulsed power capacitors. Here, the authors propose a high-entropy strategy to design “local polymorphic distortion” in lead-free ceramics, achieving high energy storage performance.
- Liang Chen
- , Shiqing Deng
- & Jun Chen
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Article
| Open AccessOne-step removal of alkynes and propadiene from cracking gases using a multi-functional molecular separator
Separating mixtures of hydrocarbons of low molecular weight is desirable but challenging. Here, the authors report a porous material with responsive and self-adaptive properties that enables one-step removal of alkynes and propadiene from cracking gases.
- Qingju Wang
- , Jianbo Hu
- & Huabin Xing
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Article
| Open AccessIron atom–cluster interactions increase activity and improve durability in Fe–N–C fuel cells
It is challenging to break the activity–stability trade-off in Fe–N–C fuel cell catalysts. Here, the authors show that interactions between iron atoms and clusters accelerate reaction kinetics and suppress demetalation to improve fuel cell stability.
- Xin Wan
- , Qingtao Liu
- & Jianglan Shui
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Article
| Open AccessPhase-transition tailored nanoporous zinc metal electrodes for rechargeable alkaline zinc-nickel oxide hydroxide and zinc-air batteries
Secondary alkaline Zn-based batteries are limited in terms of cycle life. Here, the authors report a nanoporous Zn electrode that stabilizes the electrochemical transition between Zn and ZnO and improves the cycling performance of rechargeable alkaline zinc-based batteries.
- Liangyu Li
- , Yung Chak Anson Tsang
- & Qing Chen
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Article
| Open AccessAn electrochemically stable homogeneous glassy electrolyte formed at room temperature for all-solid-state sodium batteries
Single sodium-ion solid electrolyte that meets the requirements of practical applications is difficult to design. Here, the authors show how kinetic stability via the creation of a self-passivating solid electrolyte interphase allows a homogenous glass solid electrolyte to exhibit remarkable electrochemical stability with sodium metal.
- Xiaowei Chi
- , Ye Zhang
- & Yan Yao
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Article
| Open AccessProduction of a hybrid capacitive storage device via hydrogen gas and carbon electrodes coupling
Conventional electric double-layer capacitors show limited energy content for energy storage applications. Here, the authors report an electrocatalytic hydrogen gas capacitor with improved specific energy, which can operate in pH-universal aqueous electrolyte solutions and a wide temperature range.
- Zhengxin Zhu
- , Zaichun Liu
- & Wei Chen
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Article
| Open AccessScalable super hygroscopic polymer films for sustainable moisture harvesting in arid environments
Extracting atmospheric water is a sustainable strategy to enable decentralized access to safely managed water but remains impractical due to its limited daily water output at low relative humidity. Here, the authors demonstrate a hygroscopic polymer composed of renewable biomass which allows high water uptake at low relative humidity
- Youhong Guo
- , Weixin Guan
- & Guihua Yu
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Article
| Open AccessUltrafast orbital tomography of a pentacene film using time-resolved momentum microscopy at a FEL
Ultrafast pulses are useful to investigate the electron dynamics in excited atoms, molecules and other complex systems. Here, the authors measure transient photoelectron momentum maps following the free-electron laser pulse-induced ionization of a bilayer pentacene thin film on Ag (110) by using time-resolved orbital tomography.
- Kiana Baumgärtner
- , Marvin Reuner
- & Markus Scholz
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Article
| Open AccessAsymmetric electron acceptor enables highly luminescent organic solar cells with certified efficiency over 18%
High-performance organic solar cells call for novel designs of acceptor molecules. Here, He et al. design and synthesize a non-fullerene acceptor with an asymmetric structure for diverse donor:acceptor interfacial conformations and report a certificated power conversion efficiency of 18.2%.
- Chengliang He
- , Zeng Chen
- & Hongzheng Chen