SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4207-0
Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) are critical for optimizing electrode interfaces in organic solar cells (OSCs), as their molecular conformation and ordering govern interfacial quality. Conventional carbazole-based SAMs (e.g., 2PACz) rely on flexible alkyl linkers whose conformational freedom often results in disordered packing, incomplete coverage, and limited environmental robustness, especially under air processing. Here, we design and systematically study a series of well-defined carbazole SAM homologues (Cz-PPA, Cz-HPA, PCz-HPA, and PCz-PPA) to elucidate the role of synergistic conformational locking achieved through linker rigidification and terminal conjugation extension. PCz-HPA, which integrates a rigid cyclohexane linker with a strongly conjugated 3,6-diphenylcarbazole end group, enables effective conformational locking. It forms a highly ordered, densely packed monolayer on ITO, delivering high surface coverage, a strengthened interfacial dipole, and improved energy-level alignment. The rigid framework and ordered interface enhance air-process stability and interfacial contact, thereby suppressing recombination and facilitating exciton dissociation and charge collection. Using PCz-HPA as SAM for the devices based on PM6:L8-BO reaches 19.75% efficiency and it demonstrates consistent gains across multiple systems. These results identify conformational locking via linker rigidification as a general design rule for durable, high-performance SAM interlayers in organic optoelectronics.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3633-5
High-temperature interfacial diffusion in Half-Heusler (HH) thermoelectric devices poses significant challenges for practical applications, particularly the diffusion of Ag from conventional solders, which degrades material performance and device stability. This study reveals anomalous Ag diffusion through a Cr powder barrier layer into Ti0.5Zr0.5NiSn0.98Sb0.02, driven by Sn phase penetration. In contrast, employing a Cr foil barrier layer pre-densified the material, effectively preventing Sn phase penetration and eliminating Ag diffusion pathways, thereby preserving junction integrity. After aging at 973 K for 30 days, the Cr foil junction maintained a clean interface with a low contact resistivity of 0.27 μΩ cm2. Benefiting from this interfacial design, a Hf-free HH module achieved a high conversion efficiency of 10.4% at a hot-side temperature of 976 K, alongside long-term stability. This work addresses critical bottlenecks in developing high-performance, low-cost HH modules, facilitating their commercial application in waste heat recovery.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202606005
In the context of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality, urban reclaimed water plants must adopt measures such as energy conservation, consumption reduction, and enhanced resource and energy utilization to achieve carbon neutrality. This study developed a carbon emission balance model and accounting method for such plants, incorporating strategies of carbon emission reduction, carbon substitution, and carbon sink. The optimal pathway towards carbon neutrality was evaluated based on the carbon emission balance ratio. Using a 1×10⁵ m³/d urban reclaimed water plant as a case study, the results showed total carbon emissions of 20,934 t CO2e. The carbon emission reduction from reclaimed water source heat pumps for heating and cooling was 21,701 t CO2e, yielding a carbon emission balance ratio of 103.7%. In contrast, other carbon reduction measures contributed 15,424 t CO2e, with a balance ratio of 73.7%, highlighting the pivotal role of reclaimed water source heat pumps. When the heat pump extracted 27% and 36% of residual thermal energy, coupled with reclaimed water reuse or sludge anaerobic digestion-cogeneration, respectively, both pathways achieved a 100% balance ratio. Assuming year-round extraction, the balance ratio reached 213%. The carbon reduction ratio between utilizing residual thermal energy and chemical energy was 8.76:1. This study demonstrates that urban reclaimed water plants can achieve carbon neutrality through multiple pathways, with residual thermal energy recovery exhibiting significant potential.